Job Satisfaction Continued

I don't think that I explained my position very well earlier. I'll admit that I wouldn't have any job that didn't come with some sort of pay, be it money or the promise of something in the future.

For the purpose of this theoretical question we must assume that you will be able to maintain a non-poverty level lifestyle, have a car, buy clothes for your family, and possibly even take time off for a short vacation.

Imagine two possible career tracks. They are both reasonably secure positions, one career pays more, but you will enjoy the other career more. Do you go for the money or do you go for the job you will enjoy?

I know I would put up with a job I disliked for longer as the wage rises. I would also be more willing to accept less money to do a job I really enjoyed. I think I would go for the job I enjoyed. Obviously, I couldn't do a job I really loved for little to no money. Something like that can only be done as a hobby. That's why I photograph weddings for the accolades of family and not for a career.

However if I could be sure of $10/hr as a photographer I would drop my $12/hr job at the warehouse in a second. Reading that last sentence leads me to believe that I would need satisfaction and security to make up for a simple $2 drop in wage. Or at least the same amount of security that I have at the warehouse, which for me is pretty secure.

This is somewhat of a difficult question for a lot of people because there are more than two variables that can easily outweigh each other depending on amounts. I could be convinced to do a terrible position for copious amounts of money, but I could also be convinced to do accept great position for a moderate amount of money.

Security, unfortunately takes at least somewhat of a back seat, at least for the time being. For one thing, I'm planning on quitting my job in less than three months to move to the far side of the world, a place I've never even visited.

-Gary Milner

Security, Satisfaction, Money

Last night at work, I was with the part-timers for a good portion of the day. The ones that work there twos days a week after school to pay for books and Ichiban.

It's a real pleasure to work with these guys because they are in school and a lot smarter than the majority of the rest of the crew.

Somehow we got on to the topic of what is most important to us in a career. Job security, job satisfaction, or money, and how would we rank the three.

The first nine people all gave different answers. Which was somewhat of a surprise. Some of the answers weren't surpirsing at all though. One guy in particular, probably in his mid-to-late fifties gave an answer that was very predictable. He said, "Having the job is the most important", so he values security, then money, then satisfaction. It wasn't surprising to me at all because of his age and the fact that he was working in a warehouse doing labour at his age.

Another kid, younger maybe in his early twenties, an anarchist/punk rocker type said satisfaction, security, then money. Which wasn't surprising to me because that seems how he approaches just about everything.

I said Satisfaction, Money, Security, but really overwhelming amounts of any one of those could over power the others. Mainly overwhelming amounts of money could keep me in a job I was indifferent to.

There is no wrong answer though, only poorly formed reasoning. What do you think about it and why?

-Gary Milner

Perth, Australia

We've decided that we will be going to Perth, or at least somewhere in the Western half of Australia (Yes I know that's like saying we're going some where in BC, Alberta, or Sask.)

Since it will be winter in Australia when we get there, we want to go to a place that will be a little warmer, and Perth is it.

After the first three months, we will likely move on around the Southern coast of the continent.

Really the locations and dates are still a little up in the air. There has been some talk of going to New Zealand as well.

I guess we'll just have to see what comes our way.

-Gary Milner

June Trip

It looks like Tracie's little sister, Amy, is getting married in June. We'll most likely be flying out to the wedding. The cost of the ferry alone is the price of a one way ticket (not including stupid airport taxes and saftey features that don't work anyway taxes).

This photo is of me at the park where Amy wants to get married. It's a nice park not far from the capitol building in Victoria. Tracie and I went there in 2003 during our trip to BC. The Transcanada Highway starts in that park.

-Gary Milner

Attack

I found this discussion on Plastic.com. Please keep in mind that hurting 5 year-olds is wrong.

The question: How many 5 year-olds could you take on at once?

The specifics:

1. You are in an enclosed area, roughly the size of a basketball court. There are no foreign objects.

2. You are not allowed to touch a wall.

3. When you are knocked unconscious, you lose. When they are all knocked unconscious, they lose. Once a kid is knocked unconscious, that kid is "out."

4. I (or someone else intent on seeing to it you fail) get to choose the kids from a pool that is twice the size of your magic number. The pool will be 50/50 in terms of gender and will have no discernable abnormalities in terms of demographics, other than they are all healthy Americans.

5. The kids receive one day of training from hand-to-hand combat experts who will train them specifically to team up to take down one adult. You will receive one hour of "counter-tactics" training.

6. There is no protective padding for any combatant other than the standard-issue cup.

7. The kids are motivated enough to not get scared, regardless of the bloodshed. Even the very last one will give it his/her best to take you down.

8. How many do you think you could handle, and what fighting styles/combat moves would be most appropriate? Do you have any tips/tricks that might be helpful for dealing with likely problems, such as (but by no means limited to) human-wave tactics, ankle biting or eye gouging?

9. Your thoughtful contributions will no doubt be of great service to the community.

Here is one of the responses:

"Wolf Pack"
The children, enjoying the superiority of numbers, may have better luck with a "wolf-pack" technique- surround the adult and attack from the flanks and behind. As the adult turns to address those attacks, the children she was formerly facing can attack as well.

I'm actually having a hard time understanding the presumption that the children should use human wave and frontal assault tactics, because that removes two of the children's greatest assets- nimbleness and energy.

Attempting to draw out the adult, make him swing at kids he can't hit, seems to be the wisest course for the kids. Most five-year olds can run any adult into the ground, so "keep moving" could backfire. A vicious pack of children can harry an adult into exhaustion at very little risk to themselves, and an exhausted adult is easy pickins.

Nature has had a lot of time to develop strategies for lots of small creatures to take down bigger ones. Kids could learn a lot.

-Gary Milner

Negotiations

We got a call from the first couple who came to look at the house yesterday. They want to come by Friday and discuss buying the house.

We're both pretty excited, because that means we can probably have the house conditionally sold after only having the house listed for one week.

-Gary Milner

You Must See This

This is the coolest thing I have seen all week. It is the Dragon Optical Illusion.

This little dragon appears to be looking at you. But if you rotate the base this way or that the dragon's head appears to turn the other way...

There is a video you can watch and a file you can download to make your own! I'm making mine right now. It's too bad for me that I don't have any colour ink for my printer. I'm sure it will work with grey paper too.

-Gary Milner

Best Buy Really Was Today

The other day I went to the grand opening of the new Best Buy store here in Calgary. Really, I don't know what possessed me other than the fact that they were having a draw for $500.

While we were standing there, the Best Buy guys were holding little contests and giving away prizes such as gift cards or in one case concert tickets to some mediocre band I had never heard of.

I went in a contest that consisted of doing your impression of something. The only thing I could think of was to do an impression of Tom Cruise shouting, "Show me the money!". It was by far and away better than the first two contestants but only somewhat better than the last contestant. Unfortunately for me the last contestant was there with his university freshmen buddies (who acted more like high school freshmen, by the way) and so they cheered the loudest and I ended up not getting the $25 gift card. A little while later, the lady supervising the ordeal gave me a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase for participating.

Then after standing there, in the freezing cold for 45 minutes, they held the draw and I didn't win. You could probably tell, because I would have posted about it three days ago if I had.

15 more minutes passed and they let us into the store. I wandered around for a little while and the lady came up to me and gave me a $10 gift card. It really made my day because I probably wouldn't have used the $5 off a $10 purchase with out it.

I decided to buy a copy of "The Three Amigos" with my free $15. We haven't watched it yet, but I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

-Gary Milner

PUBLIC TRUST

According to a newspaper article in this mornings paper politicians and automobile venders continue to be the most distrusted people we know, while firefighters, nurses, and farmers are the most trusted. A marketing poll said that 16% of people trust politicians. Car salesmen are trusted by 18%. Firefighters are trusted by 97 %. Nurses are trusted by 94% followed by farmers at 91%. Doctors scored 89% and teachers scored 88%. I guess there were others included in the study but they weren't included in the article. Most conspicuously absent were the figures for lawyers. I think they should have been mentioned and I think they should rank about the same as docters who should be ranked pretty much equal to gaming house operators. Why anyone would rank them above a car salesman is a mistery to me.

Potential Buyers

We had our second group of potential home buyers come by today. It's exciting to know that so many people that see our ad are actually coming by to see the house.

I think having the photos along with the ad goes a long way in trying to get people to come in and see the house.

Update: Another couple came to look at the house just now. That makes three groups to go through in two days.

Update #2: a third couple came to look at the house today. They seemed pretty interested but want to come back for a second viewing with one of their parents. I suppose that if they do, they want to get the house.

About the Shriners,
Dad is correct. You must be a mason to become a shriner. When you wash their faces in the snow, make sure that Mom takes lots of photos for Flickr. I would like to see it happen.

-Gary Milner

HERE'S WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE SHRINERS

A few days ago my daughter asked me what I knew about the shriners. I said that all I knew was that they are masons. Well, you should have heard the scoffing and guffawing coming from both Jackie and Glen. I wish now that I would have bet, and the bet would have been that both guys who lost the bet would have to have their faces washed in the snow. The fact is that applicants to the shriners have to be third degree masons just to be able to apply for membership to the shriners. Anyone else doubting this is welcome to bet me and then get their faces washed in the snow.

Why I Haven't Purchase the Camera

A few posts down, I mentioned that I haven't purchased a new camera yet, and Adam commented that he thought I was buying one when I lost all the weight. Well I haven't lost all the weight yet. My goal was to go from 245 to 205. I weight myself today (no like yesterday, I'm cool I'm calm I'm gonna be ok so take a look at me now, cause it's your last look, your last look forever) and I weigh 212 or so. I still have about seven lbs left to lose. Unfortunately for me, the last seven pounds are the hardest to lose.

As for Robert Blake, I heard that in celebration of the NCAA basketball tourneyment, he will be taking on the winner of the Michael Jackson trial with the winner of that advancing to take on O.J. Simpson. But the most interesting thing about the Robert Blake was the gunman outside caught on video shooting a lawyer. Police said William Strier, who apparently was angry that Gerry Curry was being paid from his trust fund, fired a revolver from close range at the lawyer just outside the Van Nuys courthouse on Friday. Curry was hit several times in the upper body. Gerry Curry was the divorce lawyer for Stirer's wife.

Barretta found Innocent

I just have to comment on the Barretta case. Here's the deal. He wasn't found innocent, it just wasn't proven that he was guilty. I'll buy that because noone saw him do the murder. But isn't it ironic that he got away with the murder after the stupid story about leaving his gun in the restaurant? That story was like wearing a neon sign saying I'm guilty. Isn't it funny that he thought that nobody would be able to figure out that he could have had two guns instead of just the one he left in the restaurant. It was a well known fact that his wife was a rotter and he hated her. He should have bought her off instead of killing her because he claims the court case cost 10 million dollars and five years of his life. He better hope that the lawyers desearve the money more than his wife. Personally I don't think they do but that's a whole other topic. I'd be more than happy to elaborate though , if anybody asks.

Pictures of the House

Here are some of the photos of the living room. I stitched them together in photoshop. The top two, of the living room are the first two that I did, and are my favorites. I got quicker with practice and by the end, I could make one in about half an hour depending on the complexity/clutteredness of the rooms.

I like the photo of the basement as well.

We got a phone call about two hours after the house was put onto Welist.com. Tracie talked to the man and answered all of his questions. It has given her a lot of faith in the system.

So if you are looking for a
house for sale in Calgary go ahead and click the link.

House for Sale

Want to buy a house in Calgary? In Country Hills? Buy ours....it's for sale.

Take a look at www.welist.com/calgary.html. Look in the drop-down "by community" section on the left hand side for Country Hills and we're the blue house at the top.

-Tracie, Soon to be homeless and happy about it!

Washer Fixed

We had our washing machine fixed today. The timer was shot, and it wouldn't go into the spin cycle. It works now, probably better than when we got it.

In other news, the price of digital slr cameras has come way down from when we bought that first one at the Gauntlet. The one I'm thinking of getting is down to S1050.00 + memory card and extra battery. I get the feeling that the whole thing would come in at less than $1500. Which is a lot more realistic than the $4000 the gauntlet spent two years ago.

I guess that I just have to save up my pennies, or put it on the credit card while Tracie isn't home.

-Gary Milner

Happy Birthday Jeff

It is my brother Jeff's birthday today. I hope he gets to have a pirate party.

Happy birthday Jeff.

-Gary Milner

Painting the House

We finished painting the trim on the front side of the house. Let me tell you, it looks a lot better. I guess that just leaves the deck of the deck and one or two bedrooms on the inside.

I wish we were designers, but we will probably just paint them the same poopy beige that they already are.


Last night I had a really good conversation with my brother Jeff using a program called Skype. It lets you do voice communication over the internet for free. If you want to talk to someone who doesn't have a computer, you can use it to call their telephone for 0.02 per minute.

Jeff has already purchased 10euros worth of time and used some of it to call Anna in Edmonton.

I guess I'll have to pay into it when I move to Australia.

-Gary Milner

Painting the Deck

Tracie and I finished painting the railing on our deck yesterday. It looks a lot better now. We decided to paint it white, and it was a good choice. We're going to paint the deck of the deck grey.

Tracie is getting really excited about going to Australia. We are almost done painting the exterior of the house. When that is done we will do an extreme cleaning and then put our house up for sale.

I also got a flickr account. Right now there are a few pictures of some of my Brother-in-law Dann's reptiles. I will be adding more soon. Gary Milner's Flickr Account

-Gary Milner

Visa Application

I got a response to my visa application.

Dear GARY MICHAEL MILNER,

This is to advise that you have been granted an Electronic Working Holiday Visa, Subclass 417.

This visa allows you to make your initial entry into Australia no later than 12 months from the date that this visa was granted. Your initial entry to Australia must not be after 04 March 2006.

This visa permits you to stay in Australia 12 months from the date that you first enter Australia. It provides you with multiple travel to Australia, which means that you can leave Australia and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish during your 12 month stay.

It looks like we'll be leaving in a little over four months.

We're in the process of painting the deck. Tracie did a lot of it yesterday. It's really surprising how long it takes to paint the railing on the deck. We're also going to paint the deck of the deck with a second coat of paint as the first coat is wearing off a little.

When the painting is done, we'll start super cleaning the house.

-Gary Milner

More Work

We had a stat holiday a little over a week ago and instead of giving guys overtime, they gave some of them Saturday off. That Saturday we had a crew of 7 guys instead of 13. Luckily the stars had aligned and the guys scheduled to work were the ones who actually work and the ones not scheduled were the lazy ones.

It was a pretty heavy night with 1100 pieces needing to be shipped and not the normal 800-900. The funny thing is that, we got done at the same time we usually get done with the extra people.

It's funny how you can get rid of six people, add work and still come out on time when none of the lazy people are there to get in the way.

-Gary Milner