Thoughts being an interviewee

At work, I conduct a number of interviews. I tend to make interviews a conversation rather than an interrogation. I want the interviewee to be comfortable, which allows that person to open up. I then get as much information out of the candidate to determine whether that person is a good fit.

It has been ages since I went for an interview. It's strange to be the interviewee.

For a while, ever since this job opportunity was plopped into my inbox, I have been mixed about the position. I like the idea of being in a new work environment, being closer to home, and having the challenge of learning a new field. However, after being interviewed by four different people on Monday, I still don't feel that it's my dream job.

The person who could potentially be my manager reminded me of my current manager. Both have been in the industry for nearly two decades. Both don't have a good command of the English language. Both aren't good at listening.

I respectfully butted heads with this person. I saw the passion that came out of me. I didn't back down. If they didn't like that about me, so be it. I'm actually pleased that I took a stand.

This person basically said that this position would be a drastic change for me. He felt that I was doing more of a management role than a writing role. He went on to say that at my workplace, there are tons of writers. You lose one and you're fine. At this company, it's smaller. You lose a person and you feel the impact.

I completely disagreed with him. I have lost a writer a year on my team for at least the past four years. Thanks goes to my micromanaging manager. My team loses a writer. I feel the pain of picking up the slack and doing the job of two people. It is my current situation.

He completely dismissed the fact that I am in the trenches, writing daily, doing the grunt work. I hammered that point. He didn't get it. He's stubborn, just like my manager.

Is it worth taking a pay cut to be at a different company with a manager exhibiting similar personality traits and deficiencies? I think not.

I did feel good coming out of the interview. I got along with the woman with whom I had my phone interview. It was good getting back into the interview scene again.

As much as it would be nice to escape my current job for another one, this open job opportunity doesn't feel right to me.

New laptops and preparation differences

Every employee at work is getting a new laptop to replace his current one. The last time I got a new laptop was a good five years ago.

I dropped my laptop a few years back at home on hardwood. One of the corners of the screen pops out now and again. I am so ready for a new laptop!

My guy has never got a new laptop since our past company was acquired by our current one. He has been concerned about being passed over. I have sent him whatever e-mails come my way to him on replacement laptops.

I finally got my confirmation e-mail to indicate that my new laptop is being prepared. I asked my guy if he got his. He did.

For months now, we have received instructions to move our files to cloud storage, which is supposedly to make the transition from one laptop to another as smooth as possible. Naturally, I am in good shape. With my guy, the reason why he hasn't picked up his new laptop is because he is finally getting around to moving his massive number of files to the cloud.

I have a feeling that I will get my new laptop before he does. He's so predictable, as am I. He does everything late. I am the planner who is prepared. We wouldn't have things any other way.

Aspiring to be Clint Eastwood

When we were in our early stages of dating, my guy revealed that he always wanted to be a manly, macho man growing up, like Clint Eastwood. Although he is manly, he has a gentle, boyish side. I first noted it when he was driving to Montreal and stopped to get ice cream.

"I know you don't like your boyish side, but I do. It compliments your manly side," I said to him while we were eating lunch.
"I loved Clint Eastwood as a boy. I wanted to be like him," he admitted.
"I know. But, you are you. You should embrace who you are. I do," I said.
"You're sweet. I wanted to say, 'Go ahead. Make my day,' like he did," he said.
"If you said, 'Make my day,' I would tell you to make your own day. Why do I have to do all the hard work?" I said rhetorically.

He laughed. I love him just the way he is, without the Clint Eastwood split personality.

Being late and asking for directions to the restaurant

My guy relies on a GPS, either the unit in his car or his GPS app, to get to where he needs to be. Saturday night was no exception.

He originally thought that his flight was at 17:00. Instead, he texted me, indicating that it was at 22:30. He asked if we could do dinner before my driving him to the airport. I was good with that suggestion.

He left his place and called me.

"Are you running late?" I asked him.
"Yes, a bit. I'm late guy," he explained.
"I'm nearby. I'm punctual girl," I replied, which made him chuckle in agreement.

We are opposites when it comes to directions and punctuality, which may be one reason why our relationship works. We accept each other for who we are.

We chatted as he drove over. He was only eight minutes late, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. He had an unexpected change to make, so he ended up forgetting to bring a few items, like his pyjamas and dual-SIM phone. Still, they weren't crucial items. He can always buy the former and he still has his regular cell phone that is unlocked.

My guy asked an interesting question as he drove along.

"Which exit do I take to get to the restaurant?" he asked me.
"You'd use the same exit as you would to get to work. It's the Druxy exit," I replied.
"What do I do next?" he asked me.
"When you exit off the ramp, it's Druxy. At the lights, turn left. On Druxy, you need the far left lane. Find the street on which our workplace is and turn left. At the next set of lights, turn right. Then, you should see the restaurant on your right."

He is good at listening to me. He got to the restaurant. I arrived a bit after he did.

We have never had dinner at our usual Chinese place on a Saturday night. It was busy. However, we were promptly seated and we finished dinner in an hour, just in time to drive him to the airport.

While we were eating, we chatted. He never feels uncomfortable telling me about his challenges with directions.

"I never exit off Druxy," he admitted. "I normally take the exit after that. Your method is much faster."
"Oh, I didn't know that," I replied.

I then remembered using my GPS to get to work from southwestern Ontario. It gave me the same directions as what my guy got. Everything made sense to me.

"For some reason, GPSs tend to tell you to go to the next exit and wind your way back to the office. It's not the most efficient route, but it still gets you there. Yes, use Druxy instead. See, you learned something today," I remarked.
"I always learn something from you," he said with a smile on his face. "I'm both directionally and technologically challenged."
"You're sweet that way. It's who you are," I replied.

He continued smiling at me.

Betta fish and personalities

I have two betta fish. I am glad that I got them after being a petless person for over a decade.

One of my bettas is named Bubbles. He does just that -- builds bubbles all around him. I have been told that he is simply a happy camper.

I am not crazy about the fish tank that I bought for him. It claimed to be easy to clean, but it truly isn't and doesn't filter well. On Friday, I decided to get another one. This one actually has a filter, so I hope that Bubbles continues to live up to his name.

My other betta is named Max. His longer name is Betta Max. Yep, I named him after technology from years past, but it is a play on words. My guy has nicknamed him Coolio. He simply lounges around and chills.

They have distinct personalities. I love them both.

It's nice seeing them swim as close to me and stare. They are probably more interested in being fed than my watching them swim gracefully towards me. I am just glad that they are my pets.

M is for mooning

I have never mooned anyone in my life. Part of me wants to giving it a try simply because you only live once. Part of me doesn't want to get caught mooning strangers just because I want to have a good laugh.

My guy and I have never mooned each other. I did enjoy my guy shaking his attractive butt while he had too much to drink once. It was a reflex reaction on my part, but I ended up giving his backside a good smack. It was a good evening.

I suppose that I am not into mooning because there is still a reserved side of me. I'd rather have my guy pull down my panties and spank me. Of course, mooning may be fun because it would land me in trouble. The act isn't who I am. It's as plain as that.

If my guy does moon me, it'll be a wonderful sight to see.