I need to start with an apology to my subscribers and regular blog readers. You may have noticed I have broken my own rule on successful blogging. Blog on regular schedule. While I am sure none of you have been waiting to make life altering choices because of my lack of posts, I feel as though I have some how neglected my responsibilities here. It’s not just here, I have not been very active on Twitter or Facebook either.
Frankly I hate this month. I have seen a lot of commercials for Buffalo Wild Wings about “What month would you give up for more March?” It makes me cringe just thinking about have to do March twice a year. It seams I have terrible luck in this month. Last year, I lost my job in March. Years before that have been even worse. Well, this year my own personal March madness continued (see even my puns are bad in March).
It started off well enough. As some of you know from my previous posts, I started a new job. It doesn’t make much but it gets me off unemployment. Of course I started this job in February along with a move back to my hometown in Vacaville. All great ways to end February and start off March. Of course, they all led to me neglecting my blog.
In the middle of March, my wife’s employer decided to make a sudden drastic schedule change. This caused me to have to beg and plead with my boss for a schedule change. My employer was very understanding, unlike my wife’s, and they made the change. Only three hours later, my wife tells me they changed the schedule again. My wife asked to remain at the same schedule, but she’s the forth most senior dispatcher there and they wanted a senior person on each shift (four shifts). Never mind the fact that the person she was switched with, didn’t want to switch (and is more senior than my wife). Well we got through that. My employer was understanding and made some more changes.
Things got better, because immediately following that I got to attend the wedding of a friend of mine. They will be a great couple and the wedding was outstanding. It was a lot of fun and I was very happy to share this event in their lives. I extend my congratulations to Logan and Tessa Bryce. I hope you enjoy life together. There is no greater journey in life then marriage.
Right after that I attended my first San Jose Sharks regular season game. I am a huge hockey fan, and an even bigger SanJose Sharks fan. After so many years of wishing I could go, it was great to finally be able to go. The arena is great and while we had great seats, there probably are not many bad seats at HP Pavilion. I got to meet Randy Hahn and Brodie Brazil from Comcast Sportsnet. I have been listening to Randy Hahn call Sharks games for as long as I can remember and to meet him was great. Brodie Brazil is new to the CSN team, but he provides great rink side commentary and he is very interactive on Twitter. So meeting them both was a great start to the game. Everything about attending the game was great, accept the final score.
Left to Right: Brodie Brazil, Me, My wife, Randy Hahn
Two days later my wife started her new schedule after her days off. The unnamed local ambulance company she works for did not schedule enough ambulances to adequately cover the area. As a result an ambulance was late to a call. And my wife was fired the next day. She has not had an issue there for over nine months, but they were quick to terminate. I can’t believe a company that puts “Family Values” on their letter head, would fire the main provider of a family of five on an issue that is ultimately their own fault. This company has little regard for their employees and has created a hostile environment, in which most all mistakes result in suspension and/or termination.
In any case, her income was three quarters of our family income. I don’t even make enough to pay the rent. Fortunately quick thinking will likely help me keep a roof over our heads for the next few months. But, we pray that either her union comes through for her (though that is not likely) or that unemployment kicks in quickly. God willing, she will find work before this really matters.
As a result I have been trying to pick up extra hours at work. I’ve also been burying myself in my office so that I can try to get this novel out for all of you. And, hopefully if you folks like it, I can sell a few copies. I also had a great idea for another story, with potential for novel length. So with any luck you may see a few novels from me this year. Of course, I prefer quality over quantity so we will see what other tricks life has in store for my timelines.
So, March is my least favorite month. And despite my wife and my Irish heritage, we can can’t see to find the luck of the Irish. They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But I am so sick of drinking lemonade (This cliche brought to you by Country Time Lemonade, which I am drinking as I write this).
But, while March is typically a rough month. I have many blessings in my life. I have a lovely wife, who loves me for richer or poorer. I have three great boys, who could care less about bills and just want to play with their Daddy. I have great family and friends who have put my family in their thoughts and prayers. I have a job, the start up of a successful writing career, and I volunteer free time to my community. So while March has got me down, I have 11 other great months to enjoy.
So, you can take my face off the milk cartons of the blogging world. Though I was missing in March, April is just around the corner.