August Already?

I can't believe it is already August 1st ...where has time, and summer, gone? And being stuck in bed doesn't help, as I haven't even had a chance to enjoy what summer there has been.
This was the weekend of the Spirit of the Sea festival. Many people have come out from all over to see White Rock put on some great shows, including fireworks, a parade, ane sand castles. Today is the last day to come out, and there are some shows and concerts going on all day.
It certainly has been a beautiful weekend, from where I can see. One night and morning of rain, but not until after the festivities were done. And today is supposed to be a warm one, too. Maybe I will get enough energy to hobble down to Annie's Market and say hi.

Flat out!

Tonight is Wings Over White Rock. It is a fundraiser event put on by the Canadian Snowbirds, the jets. Seen it a couple of times, but this is the first year we are around for it living right at the beach. I am sure the traffic and parking will be harsh, but from what I remember, it is worth it.
I hurt my back a couple of weeks ago, and have been laid up, flat out in bed (hence the title of this post). Currently I am at work, lying on the floor, typing this post on my phone :-) I hope to be better soon, but in the meantime, it hurts to sit, stand, and walk. If you come out to the beach tonight, look for the guy with the walker, lying on the grass :-)
This weekend is the Spirit of the Sea festival. We have been looking forward to this all year! We always go away on the long weekend, but decided this year to stay home for the party. Again, I hope to be able to enjoy it.
Gonna sign off now, my thumbs are getting sore.

Life Really is Better at the Beach

Sitting here on our private balcony after dinner, listening to the sound of seagulls, feeling the cool breeze of the ocean ... one would almost think we are sitting on a cruise ship or at an island resort. No, this is where we live.
I have been working hard for the past year and a bit, trying to get somewhere else. I have applied for countless jobs, sent too many pestering emails, and worried about how I can get more out of life. I am done now. All of that work, and here we sit in a place that we love. Where we live is beautiful, and it is said to be the most beautiful area in Canada. It may not be Southern California, but we have jobs, and our economy is good. I'm not saying that, given the opportunity we wouldn't pack up and move tomorrow, but I am tired of trying to create opportunities that are not there.
So, let's enjoy the summer, and wait and see what is in store for our future. I think what I am saying is, it is time to sieze the day, and live in the moment.

It's Too Dang Early

What the heck is wrong with people?

I got up this morning at 6:30, because a recruiter in Montreal wanted to have a video interview, and she had to cancel our 10AM interview yesterday. A couple of weeks ago she alluded to the fact that she was not interviewing for a ship position, and it was Disney. According to her company website, the only non-ship Disney thing they do is Disney English in China. I emailed her right away and told her that I was not applying for an overseas teaching job. She didn't reply. Should have been a warning, I guess.
So, this morning she asks me when I am finishing my degree, I need a degree, even for teaching English. First off, I know that; second, I did not apply for an ESL position; thirdly, can you not read? Turns out she wasn't even interviewing me for an on-board position. I guess you were right, Stefani.

I am more than a little frustrated. I keep applying for these jobs, and I am not getting any response. Now, I finally get a response, and the dimwit wastes my time. At least it wasn't a complete waste of time. She told me to finish my degree. That is more than anyone else has said.

So that is it. No more applying. No more interviews. No more dreaming. I am where I am, and I will finish the degree and get the stupid piece of paper. In the meantime, I think I need to find a job in HR or Training. Running a janitorial supply store ain't gonna get me there.

Disney Cruise Lines

I recommend it! Yes, there are a lot of kids, but they aren't everywhere ... well, maybe almost everywhere :)
But if you have kids, like kids, or you are going with someone that has kids, it is a lot of fun. We took our 13 year old niece with us, and she was supposed to help out with some other kids that were along with our group. She barely even saw them, as they went into programs and clubs and everything. Of course, this gave her a chance to go to her own club and have fun and meet people her age. She did, and she enjoyed it, too.
The shows! Oh my goodness! For all the extravagance, time, energy, and money they put into production shows on other cruises, I am so sick of watching a bunch of half-naked skinny people prancing around on stage, bouncing to songs that I sick of hearing. But to watch a show on Disney means to watch a Disney show! We saw versions of Toy Story, Peter Pan, and we got to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and all the rest of the gang. As a Disney fan, I loved it. When people ask me what a Disney cruise is, I could say, it's like Disneyland, but not. Well, now I can say, it's like going on a cruise with Mickey Mouse and friends, because that is really what is like.

Since I am looking for a job on board a cruise ship, I could not let this opportunity go by. Stefani found me the name of the Human Resources Manager, and I left her a message at Guest Services. As it turns out, at the night of the Captain's gala the officers show up, so I found her and talked to her. When people go to these things, they generally all look for the Captain and the Cruise Director ... I looked for the HR Manager ... she thought that was funny. I talked to her for a bit, let her know why I was looking for her, what I was looking for in regards to a job, etc. One thing I know is that Disney only has 3 ships. This means that if there is one position on board, then they will only have 3 of those position sailing at one time, with 2 on vacation. This means that there are fewer opportunities on board for the position that I want. Turns out, there might be more than one position that I want, and one of those positions, the Assistant HR Manager, has an opening. So, she asked me for my resume, and said she would submit it for me! I would keep my fingers crossed, but they already hurt from the last few crossings. So, ya, not holding my breath, but at least I got another resume out there :) Yes, more waiting...

I found out yesterday that my boss went to Vegas while I was gone. Seriously, I guess if he feels comfortable leaving everything in the hands of a temp in the store/office, and an unprofessional handyman, that's his choice. But really, I feel that the ship is sinking, and I am not going down with it ... no way!

The beach ... right, that's what this blog is supposed to be all about ...

Venice Beach was a blast! We went there for breakfast to the Sidewalk Cafe. The weather was fantastic, by our standards. Apparently it was considered chilly by locals :) Our favorite waiter was there, so we chatted with him for a bit. It was great to finally introduce him to Stef's parents, as we are always talking about him.
The boardwalk, or whatever they call it there, was fun. All the usual characters were out. Stefani got a temporary tattoo (Mickey, of course), I found a new bandanna, and Mikaela bought a handbag. We all got a little bit of sun. From there we went up Mulholland to a couple of the overlooks, then down to Laguna Beach, along the Pacific Coast Highway, and to Dana Point to have dinner with good friends.

San Francisco was fun, and having 2 days there instead of one meant even more fun! We went on a 3 hour trolley bus tour, saw the sights, walked over to Fisherman's Warf, had a bread bowl of chowder, and were back before dinner. The second day we went to Alcatraz, and were back by lunch! Alcatraz was interesting; now I can say that I went there. I think I am more interested in it as a park than a prison. There are flowers and plant and birds ... quite a pretty place, considering it's history.

We stayed on the ship in Victoria ... been there, done that. It was nice to finally have our Rogers Internet access again!

So, now we are home. The weather is nicer than when we left, which is great. We are vegging at home, waiting for our car to come back home, so that we can drive the "kids" back to their house, and then maybe go out for dinner. Can't cook on the first day back from a cruise, that is just wrong!

Oh ya! We did something in Victoria, I guess, just not in Victoria, but on the ship. We finally own a piece of Disney! The Disney Vacation Club was on board, selling their "timeshares" and it is something we have been thinking about for a while, but weren't sure if we could afford it, or even qualify for it. We can, and we do, and we did! Now we get cheaper vacation, sort of, after paying for everything. It all comes out in the wash, but the important thing is, we "own a vacation home" in Florida :) Technically :)

Later Gator!!

It Just Sank In…

We are going on vacation!  On Monday we embark on our latest escapade. We are off to LA for a couple of days and then jumping on the Disney Wonder for a cruise to San Francisco, Victoria, and Vancouver. Like I have said before, I don’t really care where the ship goes, or if the captain just wants to do figure-8s in the harbor, as long as I am on board.

Disney ship, that’s pretty cool! Stefani has been on a Disney cruise, and she really enjoyed it, so I have been looking forward to this for a while. We are going with a group of people, 17 of us in all. Some family, some friends, and some family of friends. Our 13 year old niece is coming along to help out with some kids, and she should be a total blast. She talks in her sleep, and is staying in our cabin. I am going to enjoy that LOL

It’s nice to be going away, especially on a cruise. i have been putting so much thought, energy, and emotion into my desire to get a job on a cruise ship. Now I am going on a cruise, and yes, I will be looking for the Training Manager to ask about getting work with Disney. Are you kidding? Working for the Mouse would be amazing! I really want to have my name on a Disney business card or a Disney employee ID badge! That would be so cool!

It’s been a nice weekend in this northern beach town. Lots of people have come out, people walking on the beach, the sidewalks, the pier … the train tracks. Once again, some Darwinian was walking on the tracks while wearing head phones, and he got run over by the train. I would say he is lucky to be alive, but he will be living without one leg, from the news reports I have heard. I cannot understand how people can have so little respect for the trains, the rules, and their own lives. People like that should have their pictures displayed prominently on signs at the tracks with the the caption “This Is What Stupid Looks Like”. Seriously folks, any time is train time! Parents, if you really love your kids, don’t let them play on the tracks, keep them a safer distance away from the railing; you never know when the train is going to throw something, or have something hanging from it. I was thinking about what’s been going on with the trains in White Rock, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if BNSF (the train company) put up big fences, stopping people from crossing the tracks. There would be no access to the pier, the beach, the ocean … that would suck. Then the City of White Rock would have to erect huge catwalk overpasses so that people could access the beach and pier. Wouldn’t that make for a fantastic view! Steal fences, steel bridges … it would look like Port Moody :)

Anyways, grab a brain, will ya!

Enjoy the beach while I am away. I hear it is going to rain here … heh heh … sunny and warm in LA :)

My New Job?

Bet THAT got your attention :)

But seriously, that’s what I want to talk about here, tonight.

A few years ago, 2003 or 2004 I think, I was browsing the internet and came across a job description for a Training & Development Manager. At the time, I was teaching at CDI College, and I had my eyes set on climbing the corporate ladder, and becoming Education Manager, or even a Campus Director. When I saw this job description, it really caught my eye. The main duties were to supervise and train new hires in a corporate environment, and could be long hours, a lot of time away, and a lot of hard work. What really interested me about the job was the location, or rather, locations. You see, the job was on a cruise ship. I applied, but did not get the position (obviously). I had the wonderful opportunity, while on the Radiance of the Seas, to interview the T&D Manager onboard. I asked her about her job, life on board, her training and background, and I was pretty hopeful for the future. Then she began to interview me! It went well, and she said to keep trying, but she also told me to focus on a couple of areas of experience. Life went on, I left CDI and moved on, did some more training, and got other jobs …

Now, here we are in 2011, and as I look back on my career-life, I realize that I am a few steps closer to working onboard. I was told to focus more attention on gaining documented supervisory and management experience; I have been an Operations Manager of a commercial cleaning company for over 3 years. I was told to get HR experience; I have been handling all of the staffing and human resources duties in my current position. I was told to finish my degree; well, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad :)

So, last week, I finished up my embarrassingly huge resume, and filled out some applications, and started applying. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess (through an agency). Don’t worry, I am not gullible enough to pay for one of those packages – I apply directly – they way I am supposed to.

It has been almost a week. Still no replies :(

Heh heh, just kidding. I am not expecting to get a call until at least next week :)

So, that is my latest. Stefani and I have talked about it, and the prospect is exciting. It is the type of position that would see me away for 4 months at a time, but home for 2 months. There is always the possibility of her getting something onboard, as well, or even moving to a closer place. Who know, I might even get the Alaska season :)

 

So, I have a new dream now. It is taking up my mind, leaving very little space for silly things like Mexico/Oregon, idiot rich people that take advantage of others, and dingbat meth-heads sabotaging my dreams.

It’s nice to dream again :)