I received my first pay check at my new job. If I stated only my title and the frm I work for, you would think I am really a rocket scientist. It is very impressive. However, I am not a rocket scientist in any way. I do enjoy my work though, and it makes me good at what I do.

My old job paid very well. But this first check equalled my check at my last job. What's interesting is that at my last job they didn't deduct taxes and I got paid every two weeks. This check was for one week with taxes deducted. I think that means I am making more than double what I was making.

Sometimes change brings about unanticipated bonuses. Not money so much, though you usually know in advance what that will be. The unexpected items are more emotional. Like feeling good because you get up earlier and have more structure in your days. Or because you work with professionals who aren't so driven by profit or status. More of a team spirit.

I tried to encourage a team spirit in my last job. The management was so dysfunctional that they actually sabotaged the attempts. That frustration helped push me to a new job. I know this is the "honeymoon" period, where everything seems great. But even when it wears off, I think that this will prove to be a big step forward for my career. Some people my age are looking towards retirement. I have been so busy living hand to mouth sometimes, that I can only shiver when I think of my old age.

Funny how I am in a security business, when I don't have any real personal security. My home has an alarm, but I am thinking of financial security. To me, that is at least as important. At least at this stage of my life.

I am already being selected for a leaddership position in the project work. It didn't take long here. I may actually get to do what the job descriptionsaid I would do. At this firm, you need to prove yourself before any authority is handed out. No matter what you are supposed to be doing.

My last several blogs were self serving, including this one. Sometimes you need to just get it out and put it on paper (or hyperspace). More on security and protection in my next blog. Unless I need to talk about myself again. Life is full of short skits we play out. We really live one day at a time, sometimes acting through many skits in the same day. Almost like several soap operas running together. Cool

"Get some sleep and take a fresh look in the morning"

"Tomorrow is another day"

It's amazing how a good night's sleep can give you a fresh outlook on things. How things just don't seem to be as bad as the night before. Even when things weren't so bad the night before.

I always liked doing what I do for a living. I also enjoy(ed) my job. Recently I was made an offer I couldn't refuse, so I am at a new job. I now work for an international firm that is a major defense contractor and almost a household word. I never cared about the name of any firm I have ever worked for. But now that I am working for a prestige filled firm, I have to admit it does add to the good feelings. It also adds some professionalism to my own job and title.

I am having a good day. I have had about a week of good days in the past week. In fact, with one exception, I have had over two weeks of them. I like what I do more than I did a month ago. I am a lucky guy.

My family is not having any crisis's right now, another good thing. I feel that working full time has lessened my stress, as I no longer am available to handle the day to day calamities from my mother or daughters. In fact, I can't bring my cell phone to work because it has a camera in it, and I work in a D.o.D. secure facility.

Now for the one bad day I had. Last Saturday was my mom's birthday, and she wanted us to celebrate it at her place. Us means my family and my brother's family. Aside from her being a little older and not as strong emotionally as she used to be, she is suffering from my working full time. I am not available for her to call mid-day to calm her down over some trivial item that upset her. Good for me, not so good for her.

We all met there for dinner. It was Passover and my sister-in-law brought her own meal with her for her family. My family and my Mom ordered in and we went to pick it up. Somehow Anita, my sister-in-law was unable to heat the food in the microwave within the allotted 45 minutes. She moves slow, is passive aggressive, and selfish about everyone needing to conform to her schedule.

We picked up the takeout and sat down to eat while Anita continued to take her time in heating the food. Any one else would have had the food done way before the take out was brought back or even ready for pick up. But she has her own way of doing things which take an enormous amount of time. And, as I said, she moves very very slowly.

She was actually upset that we didn't wait for her to eat. She would have preferred to let our food get cold, because she couldn't get out of her own way long enough to heat up a couple of dishes in the microwave. As far as I am concerned, she was acting selfishly by not even attempting to heat the food in time to be ready. After all, she knew it would take a half hour before the take out was ready. No, she wanted to control the timing of things and that means slow. She wanted us to wait until she was good and ready to move along, even if that means cold food for our family.

She was not nice the entire evening. This is a person who still hasn't painted her house since moving in 15 years ago. It needed paint when they moved in, so you can imagine the condition. They had construction work done five years ago, and the spackle is still showing. Her son was coughing up flem all night, obviously sick. She claims to be very careful about cleanliness and hygiene. But it only shows with her concern about other people outside her own family. With her son coughing away, she had the nerve to scold my mother for not washing her hands after throwing something out in the garbage. Nothing dirty or greasy, it was a wrapper of some sort.

She also asked in an abrupt manner for my daughter to not use the ketchup she brought (it was kosher ketchup) when my daughter picked up the bottle to read the ingredients. She said that my daughter was handling other food. Even if it (the ketchup) was going to be used, nothing was being put into the ketchup. The ketchup would have been coming out. A nut!!!

Needless to say it was a stressful evening. That was my bad day. Not so bad. I have had worse. Remember the name Anita. I have lots to say about her. I'm sure her name will come up in future blogs.

Well, time for sleep. Tomorrow is going to be another great day. I almost can't wait to go to work.