Okay... something from the lighter side. My dog loves to chase the laser pointer. I think she thinks she might be a cat. You watch and let me know what you think!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
An open letter to those who think they know.
For many years, I’ve tried to tell you about what I know, what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced. Why? Well, much like a professor, I’ve tried to lecture you in some form or another in the hopes that you would learn things from me. At some point in everyone's life, there has to be a cut-off point. That point where you just set back and watch what happens to what you’ve been working on. You hope that it takes off and flies, up, up and away. When the failures happen, you can’t help but feel responsible. Now if that failure is something you’ve seen before, it only makes you feel worse because you knew it could happen, made the appropriate warnings, levied the caution flags, done what you think will bring appropriate attention to the issue.
Let me tell you a little story. It’s one that has a young man, fresh from home, heading out into the big world. Stepping way out of his comfort zone thinking he’s heading into a great adventure and a new life. Yet, there is something tying him to that old life. A girlfriend. Someone who in the last couple of months of their senior year things happened and it appears their relationship has taken a really serious turn. Talk of marriage come up frequently, but this great adventure looms on the horizon, getting closer every day. There are long talks on the phone, long moments of closeness and neither person can think of being without the other. A plan is hatched, he will go off to do his thing, make some seed money and then bring her along. The marriage will be a quiet one, and they will attend college together and things will be great.
Does this story sound familiar?
The time to depart arrives; he leaves and goes north swearing promises the whole time. She starts college and letters and phone calls are frequent. Then life begins to overtake them, and phone calls stop because of schedules, then the letters slow down to almost nothing. During a phone call, they finally realize they have grown apart; they have EXPERIENCED life outside high school and realized there is more out there. They decide to remain friends and write whenever they can.
Okay, now that you have the backstory, let’s talk about what happened to the boy. He met another girl and things got serious, way serious, way too fast. The next thing he knows, he’s a father at 21. Not exactly in the plan and again life changes the path. Now I’m not going to go into further detail, but trust me, it’s more experiences that he finds simply overwhelming.
Time to get to the grist of the matter and make this a little more personal… simply directed at my son and his future fiancé…
Now that “boy” is me. So when I start spouting off about the choices being made, well it’s because I’ve been there.
I’m not sure if anyone has said anything like this before, but as I’ve said, I have nothing against the marriage itself. If you stop and really think about it, are you sure that you are ready for it? If he plans on making the military his life, I can tell you, it’s not a fun life. Until he makes a commissioned rank, there won’t be a stipend for housing, so living on base won’t be happening. Now it could have changed but I don’t think so. As it stands now, what he gets paid is below the poverty line.
“The heart wants what the heart wants.” That little statement can be defined as many things, but once the head gets involved it gets complicated. I think if you two give it a little more time, you’ll find out that the feelings have for each other will change. High school was a microcosm of society, now that both of you are out of there in the world, you’ll see what I mean.
Now with that said – If a wedding happens, I’ll be there, but don’t think I’m going stop lecturing or asking the tough questions. Why? Because the hindsight I have may not necessarily apply to you, but it is still someone with experience talking about it. Believe it or not, I was engaged 3 times before it finally happened, so when it comes to experience, I've got loads.
For many years, I’ve tried to tell you about what I know, what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced. Why? Well, much like a professor, I’ve tried to lecture you in some form or another in the hopes that you would learn things from me. At some point in everyone's life, there has to be a cut-off point. That point where you just set back and watch what happens to what you’ve been working on. You hope that it takes off and flies, up, up and away. When the failures happen, you can’t help but feel responsible. Now if that failure is something you’ve seen before, it only makes you feel worse because you knew it could happen, made the appropriate warnings, levied the caution flags, done what you think will bring appropriate attention to the issue.
Let me tell you a little story. It’s one that has a young man, fresh from home, heading out into the big world. Stepping way out of his comfort zone thinking he’s heading into a great adventure and a new life. Yet, there is something tying him to that old life. A girlfriend. Someone who in the last couple of months of their senior year things happened and it appears their relationship has taken a really serious turn. Talk of marriage come up frequently, but this great adventure looms on the horizon, getting closer every day. There are long talks on the phone, long moments of closeness and neither person can think of being without the other. A plan is hatched, he will go off to do his thing, make some seed money and then bring her along. The marriage will be a quiet one, and they will attend college together and things will be great.
Does this story sound familiar?
The time to depart arrives; he leaves and goes north swearing promises the whole time. She starts college and letters and phone calls are frequent. Then life begins to overtake them, and phone calls stop because of schedules, then the letters slow down to almost nothing. During a phone call, they finally realize they have grown apart; they have EXPERIENCED life outside high school and realized there is more out there. They decide to remain friends and write whenever they can.
Okay, now that you have the backstory, let’s talk about what happened to the boy. He met another girl and things got serious, way serious, way too fast. The next thing he knows, he’s a father at 21. Not exactly in the plan and again life changes the path. Now I’m not going to go into further detail, but trust me, it’s more experiences that he finds simply overwhelming.
Time to get to the grist of the matter and make this a little more personal… simply directed at my son and his future fiancé…
Now that “boy” is me. So when I start spouting off about the choices being made, well it’s because I’ve been there.
I’m not sure if anyone has said anything like this before, but as I’ve said, I have nothing against the marriage itself. If you stop and really think about it, are you sure that you are ready for it? If he plans on making the military his life, I can tell you, it’s not a fun life. Until he makes a commissioned rank, there won’t be a stipend for housing, so living on base won’t be happening. Now it could have changed but I don’t think so. As it stands now, what he gets paid is below the poverty line.
“The heart wants what the heart wants.” That little statement can be defined as many things, but once the head gets involved it gets complicated. I think if you two give it a little more time, you’ll find out that the feelings have for each other will change. High school was a microcosm of society, now that both of you are out of there in the world, you’ll see what I mean.
Now with that said – If a wedding happens, I’ll be there, but don’t think I’m going stop lecturing or asking the tough questions. Why? Because the hindsight I have may not necessarily apply to you, but it is still someone with experience talking about it. Believe it or not, I was engaged 3 times before it finally happened, so when it comes to experience, I've got loads.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Well boys and girls, it looks like it going to be official now. My last chance at staying with EDS just "poofed" because of some red tape. As of March 7 I'll be an ex-EDSer. Still got a couple more irons in the fire, but waiting is always the hardest part.
On the bright side... PAY ME! Yep, it looks like I get my severance package after all! I'll let you know how that works out.
You know, it's all starting to hit home. That's it... after 11yrs, wave bye-bye and see you! I'm really kind of bummed. Even though I knew it would mean losing my package, part of me was still hoping to stay there at EDS. It's been a love-hate relationship for sure. No, wait, that's wrong.
(EDIT: This will have to wait as I realize what I was about to type could have been construed as slander towards EDS - check back after I signed by paperwork - trust me, it will be worth it)
11 years, it has been a learning experience. I've been part of 2 re-orgs, a group sell-off, and at least been missed by the layoffs 8 times. This job became my career and now my career with this company is over. As one door shuts, another opens. That's my optomistic spirit speaking.
Now if you don't mind.. I'm going to go curl up in my blankets and have a good cry.
Out!
On the bright side... PAY ME! Yep, it looks like I get my severance package after all! I'll let you know how that works out.
You know, it's all starting to hit home. That's it... after 11yrs, wave bye-bye and see you! I'm really kind of bummed. Even though I knew it would mean losing my package, part of me was still hoping to stay there at EDS. It's been a love-hate relationship for sure. No, wait, that's wrong.
(EDIT: This will have to wait as I realize what I was about to type could have been construed as slander towards EDS - check back after I signed by paperwork - trust me, it will be worth it)
11 years, it has been a learning experience. I've been part of 2 re-orgs, a group sell-off, and at least been missed by the layoffs 8 times. This job became my career and now my career with this company is over. As one door shuts, another opens. That's my optomistic spirit speaking.
Now if you don't mind.. I'm going to go curl up in my blankets and have a good cry.
Out!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A little tanget today... this one is an open letter to my son. I figure once I get it off my chest, I can move on - and hopefully the strain on my brain will release.
From: Art Crego
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 11:17 AM
To: John Crego
Subject: past events
Not sure how much you heard of me yesterday…it was loud and crowded at the arena.
I need to get this off my chest – and since I’m not talking to you on the phone here goes:
Yes, you are wrong on this one. The maturity I thought you had gained while at boot camp has apparently disappeared the minute you got away from that setting. I can’t believe that you think I’m so terrible telling you what I think. Someday you’ll realize how you deal with this in the correct fashion. Now it’s been 3 weeks and you should know that I’m not caving in on this until you apologize. You really need to stop and think about your choice here and I’m not talking about your choice in psycho girlfriends. I’m talking about the what you want, because if you look at the relationship that I have (or don’t have) with Art Sr. out in Hannibal. I only talk to them to make sure no one has died. My own sister, who I grew up with, as well. How about my step brother Jimmy? It’s been 12+ years since I saw him and have only spoke to him maybe a ½ dozen times. I’m that way, if you don’t want to talk to me, then fine. This is your call. I hope you realize this error in the next 20 days. I’m sure there will be moments at sea where an e-mail or letter from home would make you feel better when your homesick. Again… your choice not mine. My choice comes only in letting you leave for sea without saying good bye properly.
I know, you’ve got “friends” again, so we get the boot. We won’t mention the 10+ text messages a day, or the multiple phone calls during the week for us to cheer you up when your bored.
Now, as I said, as long as I have a home, you’ll have a place to stay. I won’t ever take that away from you. Now, whether you feel welcome in that home is another matter. These past weeks have pissed me off so much you have no idea. In between your bullshit attitude and losing my job (oh yeah, thanks for the support on that one as well) of 11 years it’s been quite an emo roller coaster. You make poor decisions and I’m sorry you don’t like someone telling you. I’m doing for you, what my Grandma & Grandpa did for me, but you know I didn’t listen to them either. Of course I would have NEVER told them to stay out of my life because of the respect I had for them. Your actions only open the wound from before (selfish Fucking asshole?) and exacerbate it further. Now, you went and bought a laptop, which I KNOW you paid too much for. Again – you think you know stuff and you don’t. We both know that opening the credit card was a mistake as well. I’ve managed to survive most of my adult life without credit cards. It works along the lines of if you don’t have the money you can’t afford it.
(I bet if you took the money you were using for the plane ticket and hotel you would have enough to purchase a new laptop – did you think of that? Oh and since I’m offering unsolicited advice – Shannon’s parents are really big on the “respect your parents” thing. I wonder how this would fly with them?)
I have no idea what went wrong in your life to where you think I’m the enemy. I’ve talked to Teresa as well, and she is stumped too. You always had everything you wanted and needed. Now it’s come to this, at what point did we fuck up and make your life so horrid? The Erie family is also very shocked at this turn of events – they can’t believe you’d be this way as is your mom (at least as far as I can tell – she’s told me that she’s been saying the same thing to you about “those girls” and she thinks that’s why you failed out of CTT school).
This time, you’ve hurt my feelings quite severely and because of that you’ve lost my respect. For the record, you would have never told me that to my face because we both know what would have happened.
Love ya!
Dad.
From: Art Crego
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 11:17 AM
To: John Crego
Subject: past events
Not sure how much you heard of me yesterday…it was loud and crowded at the arena.
I need to get this off my chest – and since I’m not talking to you on the phone here goes:
Yes, you are wrong on this one. The maturity I thought you had gained while at boot camp has apparently disappeared the minute you got away from that setting. I can’t believe that you think I’m so terrible telling you what I think. Someday you’ll realize how you deal with this in the correct fashion. Now it’s been 3 weeks and you should know that I’m not caving in on this until you apologize. You really need to stop and think about your choice here and I’m not talking about your choice in psycho girlfriends. I’m talking about the what you want, because if you look at the relationship that I have (or don’t have) with Art Sr. out in Hannibal. I only talk to them to make sure no one has died. My own sister, who I grew up with, as well. How about my step brother Jimmy? It’s been 12+ years since I saw him and have only spoke to him maybe a ½ dozen times. I’m that way, if you don’t want to talk to me, then fine. This is your call. I hope you realize this error in the next 20 days. I’m sure there will be moments at sea where an e-mail or letter from home would make you feel better when your homesick. Again… your choice not mine. My choice comes only in letting you leave for sea without saying good bye properly.
I know, you’ve got “friends” again, so we get the boot. We won’t mention the 10+ text messages a day, or the multiple phone calls during the week for us to cheer you up when your bored.
Now, as I said, as long as I have a home, you’ll have a place to stay. I won’t ever take that away from you. Now, whether you feel welcome in that home is another matter. These past weeks have pissed me off so much you have no idea. In between your bullshit attitude and losing my job (oh yeah, thanks for the support on that one as well) of 11 years it’s been quite an emo roller coaster. You make poor decisions and I’m sorry you don’t like someone telling you. I’m doing for you, what my Grandma & Grandpa did for me, but you know I didn’t listen to them either. Of course I would have NEVER told them to stay out of my life because of the respect I had for them. Your actions only open the wound from before (selfish Fucking asshole?) and exacerbate it further. Now, you went and bought a laptop, which I KNOW you paid too much for. Again – you think you know stuff and you don’t. We both know that opening the credit card was a mistake as well. I’ve managed to survive most of my adult life without credit cards. It works along the lines of if you don’t have the money you can’t afford it.
(I bet if you took the money you were using for the plane ticket and hotel you would have enough to purchase a new laptop – did you think of that? Oh and since I’m offering unsolicited advice – Shannon’s parents are really big on the “respect your parents” thing. I wonder how this would fly with them?)
I have no idea what went wrong in your life to where you think I’m the enemy. I’ve talked to Teresa as well, and she is stumped too. You always had everything you wanted and needed. Now it’s come to this, at what point did we fuck up and make your life so horrid? The Erie family is also very shocked at this turn of events – they can’t believe you’d be this way as is your mom (at least as far as I can tell – she’s told me that she’s been saying the same thing to you about “those girls” and she thinks that’s why you failed out of CTT school).
This time, you’ve hurt my feelings quite severely and because of that you’ve lost my respect. For the record, you would have never told me that to my face because we both know what would have happened.
Love ya!
Dad.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Okay... so the first week is down. I've gotten all my resume out to CareerBuilder and Dice websites. I should prolly toss Monster in there too, but I just don't have the strength to do another sign-up process.
Been contacted by Bernie and he's got 2 possibles lined up that he's submitted me to. Still no word from Ajilon or the others. I'm not worried, it's the beginning of the year and I don't think things are going to pickup for another week or two. Budgets and projects are getting ironed out - been there, experienced that, so the panic meter is still at DEFCON 4.
Bad colds in the Crego household. Nasty stuff coming out of nose and lungs. Yeah.. were talking sticky green and not the good kind! (how's that for a visual?)
By the way? How many of you people are out there on Facebook? It's a great way to connect with old friends and keep current with uh..current friends... yeah that sounded a might better in my head.
-Art out!
Been contacted by Bernie and he's got 2 possibles lined up that he's submitted me to. Still no word from Ajilon or the others. I'm not worried, it's the beginning of the year and I don't think things are going to pickup for another week or two. Budgets and projects are getting ironed out - been there, experienced that, so the panic meter is still at DEFCON 4.
Bad colds in the Crego household. Nasty stuff coming out of nose and lungs. Yeah.. were talking sticky green and not the good kind! (how's that for a visual?)
By the way? How many of you people are out there on Facebook? It's a great way to connect with old friends and keep current with uh..current friends... yeah that sounded a might better in my head.
-Art out!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Well.. so it begins. I've been laid off from the company I've given 10 years of hard work to. Oh, it's okay, I'm not bitter (well a little bit) about it, it's just the wheel of life spinning.
Okay. I have 60 days to keep my nose clean till I get my severance package. If you are checking up on me from work to see how I'm handling this and find yourself a little dissappointed, just check back after I get my check.
I'll try to keep this updated with new of what's going on with my job search and who I'm dealing with, so as to help any of you guys following behind me.
Peace out!
Okay. I have 60 days to keep my nose clean till I get my severance package. If you are checking up on me from work to see how I'm handling this and find yourself a little dissappointed, just check back after I get my check.
I'll try to keep this updated with new of what's going on with my job search and who I'm dealing with, so as to help any of you guys following behind me.
Peace out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)