Where were you??

Well, it doesn't seem quite appropriate to say it seems like it was just yesterday but it certainly does feel like it at times.  September 11, 2001...it is certainly a day I will never forget just like many of you.  The one thing that I do know for certain is that the actions of that day changed us, as people and as a nation, forever.

I was working as a customs agent for UPS at the time so I worked evenings.  It was usually about 10 or 11 at night by the time I got off work on a daily basis so I really was a nightowl.  My roommates at the time worked days, and went to school during the day so the house was usually empty by the time I woke up.

On that morning I distinctly remember Jason shaking me awake and telling me to turn on the TV...NOW!  Once I rubbed my eyes semi-clear and was able to focus all thoughts of being able to go back to sleep were gone.  The TV turned on just in time to see the second plane hit the towers.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing but I was instantly awake.  Over the next few hours I sat riveted in front of the TV watching in disbelief.  When the towers fell my heart sank in my chest and I just kept thinking what is going on??

I can only imagine the horrors that people in New York had to deal with.  So many people were in those building and in the vicinity at the time.  So many loved ones lost....so many friends and family members, neighbors and acquaintances gone forever.

I visited the site of the towers in 2007.  We were on vacation in Boston (YAY!) and took a day trip to NYC.  Even then the site was astonishing and something that I will never forget.  I can't wait until I can go back and visit the memorial and pay my respects again.

I think it is important to keep the thoughts of that day close to the surface.  I know that a lot of people can't because it stirs up powerful emotions that are difficult to deal with.  I feed off of it at times, I don't shy away from the shows remembering because I want the pain of that day to stay fresh.

Where were you on that day??  What do you remember and what do you take from it now??

Hello reality!

Rough day in the 'ol household today...the kids are back at school!  Two high schoolers...eek!  We have a senior and a freshman now...there was some emotion going on this morning for M!  I'm not sure whose world is more upset, ours or the dogs?!?  Those poor dogs are probably wandering around the house right now wondering where all their pets went off to.  Actually they are probably snoozing on one of the couches dreaming happily of chasing squirrels and drooling...such a happy life!

So...high school.  I was lucky to be able to go to an awesome high school.  The history of the building and tradition (not in athletics of course...) is second to none.  The three years (yes....three years kiddos) spent there were filled with great times and created memories that I will always cherish.  I do wish, in retrospect, that I had been more involved in the school.  If I had those three years of my life to do over I would have joined the clubs, tried out for the sports, and created even more memories and friendships.  That is what high school is all about...this is the beginning of the networking that lasts the rest of our lives!

What would you change from your high school years?  What are some of your favorite memories?  Feel free to share!

Back from the dead...so to speak...

Hi there...for those of you that are still out there.  I think we'll have to change that...and quickly.  I'm back...insert applause here...........

It has been a long journey since the last time I posted in April of 2011.  Much has changed.  The gloomy northwest is a thing of my past and sunny California is where these posts will originate from in the future.  We took a huge step as a family and decided that our vitamin D levels had suffered enough and pack up and moved on.  Congrats to us!

I am desperately attempting to re-focus my life.  Well, I shouldn't say that I am attempting, but it is front and center.  I am not happy with my career, it all seems old and stale and that is no fun.    It is so difficult to be productive at work when you are happy and damned near impossible to be so when you are...well...let's just say less than happy.  It is always a risk when you venture off to a new employer but damn it is frustrating when they won't let you do the job they brought you in to do!  I have been here for 8 months...almost to the day and it's like I'm not trusted.  I have been in purchasing for over 10 years and have purchased millions upon millions of dollars worth of goods and services for the companies I have worked for, yet here I am not trusted to purchase anything over $500 without a manager signing off on it...WTF?!?!?

Communication. 

For those of you who know me, will get to know me, or have read in past blog posts know that communication is one of the things I hold in high regard.  Why don't people get it?  In the workplace, as in many other venues, communication is key.  How can we get things done effectively and efficiently if we aren't communicating well?  Let me answer that quickly for you...we can't!  Day after day I have to play the guessing game and figure out what they all want...talk about being unproductive!  Better yet is when person A tells me they need such and such and then when I have that task just about finished person B says, "No, no, no....who told you to do that???"  FML!

I am hoping that it is just this situation that I am in but let me tell you...greener pastures await.  I know that things happen for a reason and this is probably just another test in the road of life but I feel that it is time for me to take control of my professional life.  There has to be better places closer to home...that for sure would be like a raise.  What I need is to refocus on my photography.  Get my work out there and enter contests, start building a business that I want.

Any ideas??  Help and comments are always encouraged.  Please...help to spread the word.  If people are interacting through here it makes it much easier to write...more fun anyway.  Enjoy your weekend peeps!!!

Damn you rain...

Well, I guess the logical question here would be, “Is this crap ever going to stop???” Learned two interesting fact last week about all of the rain we’ve been getting around here lately:


      1- Going in to this week, 36 of the last 40 days…yep…RAIN

      2- Average rainfall for the month of March in the greater Seattle area: 3.92” – we received over 6”  of rain last month

Put these two items together and you can imagine my surprise while watching the news on Monday night when they “informed” all of us loyal viewers that the amount of gloom and persistent rainfall in the area can lead to Seasonal Affect Disorder and Depression…REALLY??? NO SHIT!!!!!!!

I think all we want is a little sunshine around here…I know I feel depressed, have zero energy, and have absolutely no drive to do ANYTHING lately. We just want to go outside…be able to have some fun…I want to get out and shoot without fear of water damage to my camera…is all of this too much to ask??

So, let me know how you all feel…if you don’t live here locally, please resist the urge to tell me how utterly nice it is right now where you live or I might be tempted to punch you in the face through the computer…no…I’d never do that….well…give us a few more f&$(ing days of rain and I’ll certainly think about it!

Let's all help a brother out....

O.K....O.K...so it's been a month...actually a bit more since I've posted last but wow..I've been busy!  First things first, please stop by my son's blog and follow it!  He can be found at http.austintogo.wordpress.com/.  This is HUGE...he has been accepted to go to EUROPE this summer with People to People on an educational ambassadorship!  He will be meeting with heads of state and seeing all kinds of cool stuff!  For more information go to www.peopletopeople.com!

He is also looking for sponsorships, so if anyone out there works for or with some nice generous companies that might be willing to sponsor him...please let me know!

All right...on to other news!  I am currently making the jump from amateur photographer to professional photographer.  For those of you on Facebook, I'm sure you've seen me pitching the website.  I am on Facebook at: brant jangard photography and I also have a website:  www.brantjangardphotography.webs.com.  Come on by, take a stroll around the site, follow and become a member!  If you can say that you knew me when, I'll be giving you a friends and family discount on portraits!

Ok...so only two things for all of you to do...well maybe 3...go to http.austintogo.wordpress.com and follow Austin on his travels (and help him on this fantastic journey), go to www.brantjangardphotography.webs.com and become a member (it's free...YAY), and #3...pass this along TO EVERYONE!!!!  The more people that know the happier we will be!

~B

A New Path

As of this posting it looks as if I am gainfully employed again!  While this is good news, and I am looking forward to being a part of the work force again, this is not the position that I have been dreaming of I will use this as a stepping stone to an even brighter future.

I have to thank my friend Geoff for giving me the ultimate kick in the ass to point me in a better direction (to be enlightened on said kick in the ass, please see comments for my last posting).  I am lucky, if not fortunate, to be surrounded with people who genuinely love and care about me.  I don't think people are as aware as they need to be when it comes to things like this.  What I plan to do now is to devote some serious time in order to rediscover myself.  Why should I spend time waiting around for the "ideal job" when I can create my own career path?  Why do I have to answer to the boss when I can be the boss?  I know what I want...now I just need to find the right path and get there.  I want my own business...one that can be profitable and provide for my family. I want to make myself recession-proof and I will do just that.

I am setting off on this new path to create a better Brant...who wants to come along for the ride?

....and Geoff...it's time for Brant to come out and play...I'll be in touch very soon!

Trying to stay positive now

Well here we are in week #2 of 2011...it's Hump Day and I see that companies are still up to their same old hiring tricks.  I guess I can't really blame them...it's more the economy and they are trying to take advantage of the situation and still try to eke out a buck or two for themselves.  That is the American Way right??  I continue to interview...it seems like an endless journey...and for the first time in my professional life, my experience is killing me!

The old verbiage is gone now...I remember being told back in the day that I didn't have enough experience and they needed to bring someone one who could jump in from day 1 with no learning curve.  I am now being told that I have too much experience and they are looking for entry level personnel.  Why??  Well they can pay the entry level people a whole lot less than what I was making!  I was near the top of my salary structure for purchasing and now I can't even get a job offer.  Just last week I had interviews with two different companies.  I blew them away on my interviews and they told my recruiter that I would definitely be an asset to their companies but they were able to bring in another person for at least $10,000 less a year than what they thought my minimum would be.  I am at the point now where I just need a job....and that is probably another thing that scares everyone off...once the economy returns to a semi-normal state I'll jump ship to a higher paying opportunity.  Now I can't say that I won't, but if there is genuine upside and higher earning potential where I am at...I'll definitely stay there.

Well, I'm just trying to stay as positive as I can and am now looking back into restaurant work just to get by and get the bills paid...If anyone has any encouraging words or opportunities that they can think of...I'm here!  Thanks everyone!