Blah!
Current mood: pissed off

I f***ing HATE Valentine's Day.  F*** this bulls*** day and everyone who celebrates it.

I feel much better, now.

4:55 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Building Momentum

Anyone who has worked in education or some other civil service type job will probably understand what this means.  One of my biggest complaints with the college is that performance is not measured in terms of what you actually do, but rather by how well you can brag about what you've done (whether you've really done anything or not) and more importantly how well you can flatter and schmoose the higher ups.  Actual performance does not seem to matter.

With my new position, which is in sales, performance is measured in several tangible categories, and for each of these categories we have daily, weekly, and monthly goals.  There is no debate as to whether or not a person is performing at a productive level because all you have to do is look at the numbers and see if you are on track for your goals.  It's that simple.

Additionally, as in any sales job, we are a very competitive bunch, and all of us want to lead the board in each of the categories.  After only three months on the floor, I'm proud to report that for April I led or was tied for first in all but two categories.  For each of those I was second or third out of ten.  Now, I'm not saying that I'm satisfied with where I'm at because I still have a long way to go to reach my personal goals, but I am very proud of the fact that I'm able to compete with people who have been at it for several years.

Hope to have more to say soon.

7:02 PM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Still Learning the Ropes

I've still got a lot to learn in my new career.  A professional sales position is a different world from teaching at a small college, but so far, I'm enjoying it.

I'll try to write more soon.

8:02 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

New Job Going Well

I've been at my new job for a month, now, and so far it's going well.  I like most of the people I work with, and the money is pretty good, too.  The only problem is that I'm still with the college, so working both jobs means a lot of long, long hours.  It will be worth it very soon, however.

I have tendered my resignation with the college, and the new provost accepted without any fight.  The relationship had soured that badly.  I'll complete this academic year, and then I'm a free man!

That's all for now.

7:13 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Here goes nothing

I begin a new career today.  It's strange, but I'm not nearly as excited or nervous as I thought I'd be.  Maybe it's because I still have to finish my teaching load for this year and technically haven't left the college.  I'm not sure.

Anyway, it feels good to have a new beginning, and I'll be working for a little while with one of my oldest and closest friends.  At the very least, it feels great not to feel enslaved to education anymore.  Over the last year, I've come to see just how poisonous my relationship with the college has been, and whatever gets me out of that will be a step in the right direction.

As a chance to vent my feelings on the college, I'm probably going to spend my next few blogs detailing some of my grievances with them.  I don't know how often I'll get to post a new entry, but I'll try to as often as possible.

12:13 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Goodbye and Good Riddance

Take a hike 2006 and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Welcome 2007!  Here's to the dawn of a new way for me and my family, onward and upward to a brighter tomorrow.

Happy New Year, everyone!

12:25 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Thank You and Farewell

As of December 31, 2006, Third Axe Publishing will cease operations.  This decision is based on several factors, including a recent career change away from education and the need to spend more time with my family.  However, an irreversible stall in sales is the major culprit.  No amount of promotion within my means has been able to jumpstart the book, and continuing this endeavor would be delusional.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me these last two years.  Your thoughts and encouragement have kept me going, and I appreciate the support tremendously.  This decision is not an easy one because I still believe in the quality of both books, and abandoning a dream is never easy.  I can honestly say that I gave it my best, and even though I made a lot mistakes that hindered sales, those mistakes were not from lack of effort.  I learned a great deal during this process, and if I ever take another run at it, the lessons will prove most valuable.

8:58 PM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas to everyone.  I probably won't be online for a few days because of the holiday, so I hope everyone gets to spend some time with their families.

For the PC police, I'll add happy holidays, so I don't risk offending the thin-skinned.

1:55 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Podcast Coming Along Nicely

I just finished polishing Chapter 2 for the podcast.  It sounds pretty good, if I can say that myself.  When I recorded Chapter 1, I was in the early stages of a head cold and didn't realize how weak my voice sounded until I heard Chapter 2.  Once I have the entire book finished, I'm probably going to go back and redo the first one, just to make it sound as good as the rest.

10:58 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

I Don't Normally Do These

But this is funny.

How to make a D. A. Adams

Ingredients: 3 parts friendliness 1 part humour 3 parts empathy

Method: Stir together in a glass tumbler with a salted rim. Top it off with a sprinkle of emotion and enjoy!