Scattered thoughts

Update on the job opportunity. I had the initial interview in February and one follow up interview in March (with same person, would be my boss). Yesterday I find out would-be-boss is leaving company. Uh oh. Don't know the story, but probably not a happy-ending, everyone-stays-friends kind of parting.

So my zeal is tempered now by the unknown of the boss situation. The WBB (would be boss) asked me to consider this position; I did not apply for it. Signs that might be omens...

Ben, Kurt and I are visiting a vision specialist next week. We are working on determining what/if there's a cause for Ben's difficulty in retention of letters and reading. The developmental optometrist has a niece living with his family (while she attends college here) and she was adopted at 12 years old from Russia. This doctor is very interested in what type of visual delay he may be working to overcome as a result of his year in the orphanage. It's a 2-3 hour consultation and assessment. I'll let you know what I find out...

Ben has become Grouchy McGrumpy this week. I am not sure if it's the weather (cold and raining every day) or the pollen (too high to count) or what. Could be all of it. Or he could just be grinding my nerves everyday because he knows he can. If it's my idea, then he does not like it. Two days ago Ben changed his mind three times about breakfast - but only after I had presented him with his request. Grrrrr...

I am trying to stay one step ahead of him now. I made his breakfast today before he could tell me what he wanted (sun chips or pretzels with a fruit by the foot would be his choice). I laid down the Mom law "eat it or go hungry". It was a cinnamon/raisin bagel with cream cheese, so it's not like I feed my child liver and beets for breakfast.

I made his lunch before he could issue any royal edicts about it, too. I decided to forgo the battle over a shower before school. The repeated demands by Mr. Bossy, even when accompanied by a "please" just cause me to grind my teeth and roll my eyes. I am thinking that some time apart could be good for both of us. Spring Break is next week so we'll see...

Tales from GA 400

My friend, L, has tales from her train rides into NYC. Amazing and astounding and absolutely stupefying things happen to and around her during her commute. I offer my version of this as just the stupid things people do on my nearest highway - GA 400.

As a note, this road is also considered the GA 400 Raceway and the Alpharetta Autobahn. There are four lanes on each side. I consider the right lane to be the slow, or "goin' 55" lane. The next lane over is "65 and steady" lane. For those who don't want to ruffle any feathers. The next lane to the left is the "75 or so" lane. This is usually where I can be found. The far left lane is for people who "go as fast as you dare". I mean this literally. Over the last 20 years, I have seen just about every type of vehicle pass by me in a blur to the left. Super speeders are a real problem here. Anyway, I digress.

The nearest Nissan dealership is several exits south on GA 400 from my house. This is where I take my old, reliable Altima for service. Time for an oil change and tire rotation.

As I am pulling up to the light that leads onto the entrance ramp, I am cut off by (of all things) a Honda Fit. This is the mini of Hondas. Incredibly small. Well, I snicker to myself that Mr. I-can-drive-faster-than-you-for-the-last-hundred-feet-to-a- stoplight catches the red. Jacka&&, I say to myself.

The light changes and we pull onto the ramp to 400. Mr. I-can-... floors it but then is delayed by a slower moving right lane. I end up pulling along side of him. Him. Truly. He is wearing large, plastic, white-framed sunglasses. Like Jackie O sunglasses. I laughed so hard thinking to myself - you can drive as fast as you want but it will not make up for your sad fashion sense.

About one exit further down, I am comfortably driving in the 75 or so lane. I see a white Pacifica in the fast left lane. It has a handicapped plate on it. It's also weaving like a drunkard. I become a bit alarmed - the last thing I need is to be involved in someone else's accident. The Pacifica slows to 70 or so, still weaving, and I move alongside to pass it. I glance over and the driver is pouring coffee from a large thermos into the lid/cup. WHAT?!?!? Now I really don't want to be anywhere near this car - an accident with third degree burns just waiting to happen.

I just want to get my oil changed. I guess maybe it's a full moon or something. It's absolutely ludicrous what you see on the highway. I am lucky, though. I did not get punched once.

Where ya been? Whacha doing?

In order to further this recent opportunity at part-time work, I have been asked to provide a resume.

Ok.

A resume.

Hmmmm.....the last time I applied for a job and had to present a resume was 1998. Seriously, I worked for the same manager (at several banks) from 1998 - 2007. And now I have been working for "the man" (the 5 year old) for four years.

I start to think back about the positions I have held since moving to Atlanta in 1991. That leads me to thinking about my managers/bosses.

I worked for the Wicked Witch of the West not once, but twice. I stupidly thought it would be better the second time.

I worked for two different Glenda's. Truly wonderful managers and outstanding women. Sadly, both times the companies were acquired and our divisions were sold off so I spent about 1 year with each of them.

I worked for the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. However, these men weren't searching for what they lacked. They were just fine without a heart or brains.

I worked for the big scary Wizard of Oz - all self-important and blustery. Sadly, there was no real wizard in him.

I am thinking that this would not be the way to go on a formal resume. Oh well, I will keep procrastinating on it and maybe I will have a brainstorm. Stop laughing.

Other thought.

You know I have been wrestling with a birth family search. I am trying to scour some resources - names, reputations, etc. I have been referred by just about everyone to the yahoo group for birth family searches. Fine. I completed the application and sent it to the moderators. I have heard nothing back. It's been over a month. What gives?

I think they don't like me. When asked on the questionnaire if I was employed by an adoption agency, I said "no" but also included that I am on the steering committee for a small local agency. I further clarified by stating that bparent searches were not discussed at this agency and that I was asking for membership of this yahoo group solely on the basis of my desire as a parent.

I probably said too much.

Now they hate me and think I am a lurker or troll who's going to bash or flame. Really, I'm not. I don't go for the flaming - everyone gets an opinion and I don't ever feel compelled to agree with anyone. In fact sometimes I am downright disagreeable, but I know how to not respond to a post. duh.

Anyway, I am bummed because I really need lots of input now on the logistics of a search in Russia.

Maybe I will send the moderators one more e-mail....