Campaign For Liberty

I joined the Campaign For Liberty (and you can join here).  While it may take a while to make a difference in our country, it has to start small and local.  I think there is a new generation that does not call themselves democrats or republicans, or conservatives and liberals.  Both parties no longer stand on sound principles, and both political ideologies have lost their original terms.

Liberty is a popular term, but what does it mean?

Webster defines it as the following:

A.  The quality or state of being free

B.  The power to do as one pleases

C.  Freedom from physical restraint

D.  Freedom from arbitrary or despotic control

E. The positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges

F. The power of choice To start,

A. is the most obvious.  So the question is, do you as an American feel you are in a state of freedom?  Do you realize that per capita, we have the most prisoners?  Is it because the average citizen is more prone to law breaking than citizens of other nations, or is it because we have more restrictions and laws?

B.  The power to do as one pleases.  Can we honestly say we have this power?  Can I grow my grass a certain height without facing local fines?  While you may argue that we can do pretty much whatever we want to do (as long as it does not harm another), then why is the government persistent on keeping track of us?

C.  We should have freedom from physical restraint.  What does that mean as an American citizen?  I personally have not been restrained by the government in a physical manner, but there are innocent citizens who have.  James Yee, a former Captain of the US Army, was physically retrained and tortured because they thought he was a spy and a terrorist.  Turns out, oops, they made a mistake.

D.  Despotism.  We don’t have an example of a despot yet.  As we continue to relinquish our rights in the name of “security”, we may one day see the day when either a person, or a government has absolute control.  Granted, with our system of government, to get that far would take a lot of laziness and fear on the citizen’s part.  Doesn’t the Patriot Act and wireless phone tapping concern you just a little bit?  For an example of a leader with absolute control, see here.

So there you have it, liberty.  I don’t feel I need to go over the remaining sub-definitions, but suffice to say, we are losing liberty as our government becomes more and more bureaucratic.  Last night, a speaker at the Campaign For Liberty Rally stated that we live in the bureaucratic age.  I would define that true from the local government on up to the national federal government. Is it not time for us to do something about this?  I look at the present mess we are find ourselves in, and then I look at my children.  I don’t want them to inherit a nation that became weak and scared.  A nation that relies upon the government to do anything and everything, while accomplishing mostly nothing.  I want my children to live with their God given rights.  I don’t want them to worry about government spying and huge deficits, and a weak dollar.

We should all be concerned.  It won’t happen in a short period, but will take years to undo all the harm today’s government has caused.

Don’t give up though.  Stand strong, and stand for your children’s liberty.

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Accepted Position From Company C

Ok, as previously stated, Company C offered me a position.  I did in fact decide to go for it.  While I’ll be making slightly less then my previous job, I think I’ll enjoy the opportunity to learn new technologies and to finally walk away from end user support.  Also, a major bonus is that the position is only 4 and a half miles from my house.  I will save a significant amount money in commute costs over the year.  This will more then help to offset the salary difference.

I am glad to be done with the job search.  As long as this company is a good one, I plan on settling with them for a long haul.  They provide incentive for obtaining industry certifications, so that will help to raise the salary significantly.

Thanks to those who prayed.  I will let you know how the first few weeks work out.  I start after Thanksgiving.

Company C Offered

But below my minimum salary requirements.  Not too much below, but enough to make me think this one over the weekend.  They plan on given me a bonus once I have the certification.  I don’t know, I can’t afford to take much of a pay cut as it is, but this could prove to be a great opportunity.

They agreed to wait until Monday, then I would give them a call on my decision.  The benefits are pretty decent, so that might help to alleviate the cut.  Sigh.  It is about 10 miles closer to my house, 20 miles a day times 5 times 50 can add up.

I’ll let you know what I decide by Monday.

Company C Called Back For 2nd Interview

The surprise of the week came today.  Company C called me back for a 2nd interview.  This time with their technical team.  I am surprised because while I felt the interview went well, they stressed to me that this position was likely for someone with systems experience, which was understood that I lacked.  Also, I feel I bombed the technical exam.

My wife has been praying for this job, as it would be an awesome opportunity, but I am still kind of in shock that they are considering me for this position.  I was real open about my lack of systems administration experience, that I am more of a desktop technician seeking an opportunity to grow into a systems role.

Well, I will update here on how the interview goes and if they respond back after the interview.  Your prayers are appreciated!

Company C Interview Is Done

I seriously doubt that Company C will hire me.  I am totally unqualified for the position, and I believe I did terribly on their technical exam.  I am beginning to feel restless and irritated.  I know what I’m good at, yet I think I might have an idea of what I want to do.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the experience, and it seems that everyone wants the experience, no one is willing to take on a competent but inexperienced person.

I can’t afford job training right now.  I wish I could make money doing what I love, and that is music, but to be honest, I’m just not that good at it.  This is starting to feel like a pity-me festival right now.  If I still smoked weed, I’d be toking hard right now.  I don’t.  I rarely drink as it is, so I’ll just have to play my guitar as loud and as lousily as possible when I get home from work.

Company C Tomorrow, Company A Responded Back

Tomorrow I have the interview with Company C. Though I am nervous, I at least have the attitude that I have nothing to lose. I will try my best to put my best foot forward with them. Who knows, maybe they’ll hire me.

Company A responded back after I sent a couple messages to their IT manager and HR rep. The HR rep was kind enough to inform me that they will be deciding early next week on the correct candidate. To be honest, if both A and C were to offer, I’d choose A as it is right now.

The past few days have spent covering my job duties and taking plenty of online exams. I find I can learn a lot just from taking these quizzes over and over. Sad, but I have forgotten the principles of the OSI Model, so in preparation of these interviews, I printed a chart out and have it next to my monitor. It is amazing how much I have forgotten since I graduated. I am debating continuing my education if the job search proves to be ruthless. I am hoping to make the jump from desktops to servers/networks, and realize this is kind of a huge jump.

Company A and C offer positions that would give me the ability to work in both environments on an equal basis. My current position gives me maybe about 25 percent exposure to the Windows Server Environment.

No Reply Back From Company A – Company C Interview Coming Up

So far I haven’t heard anything from Company A. I sent a follow up message to their HR representative today. I was promised a call back early this week. Crickets are ringing in my ears…

On the plus side, I received a call for a local company we’ll call Company C. I don’t know if I’m qualified for the job they are seeking, but this company offers a promising career. HR Lady explained that I would come in on Thursday, complete their application, and then take a test. Yes, a test. Blah. I hate tests. I tried some technical tests online today to see how I would do, and let us just say that maybe I should be seeking a gas attendant job. I have been out of training mode for so long that I have become rusty.

Even though I have until the end of March, I can’t help but feel like I have a monkey on my back. I think I need to get alone with my Bible and let God give me some comfort.

Update: Company B – Blah

I don’t think I’d take the job from Company B if offered.  The manager’s attitude clued me in that this was not the place for me.  People seemed rather miserable, and even though this job is close to my house,  I don’t think I’m interested.

Also, I just found out my sister was pushed by her long time boyfriend and father of her children.  What do you suggest I do?

Next Interview Today

In about an hour, I will be sitting in someone’s office trying to impress someone enough that they’d consider hiring me.  This is my second interview in as many days.  Yesterday’s interview with company A went well, I believe.  They sent me their package of benefits, and I have to say I wasn’t too impressed.  Medical alone would cost me about ten thousand a year if I am to take the job that I think they will offer.  The job itself seems like a great position with plenty of opportunity for growth and experience, and the manager seemed like a personable individual.  Again, the commute is a bit on the long side.

Company B interview starts at 1:30 today.  I don’t know much about the job, as the description was very short.  They contacted me after I sent my second resume to them.  The big bonus to this job is that it is a 10 – 15 minute commute tops.  I’m actually a little nervous, which is unusual, as I typically handle interviews with ease.   Hopefully everything goes well, as I will consider taking a pay cut if the job is closer to home.

First Interview Tomorrow

I have an interview setup for 10:30 tomorrow morning.  The job is located in Fair Lawn, NJ, which is about 20 miles from my house.  Unfortunately, it is heading east towards the city, so I’ll have to see how the traffic is.  I have a feeling that once passing 287, it will be ok, but going home could be a nightmare.  If the company doesn’t seem like a place I would enjoy, then I will not take it.  I have a 30 minute commute right now, I don’t plan on adding more to it.

I’ll update everyone tomorrow.  I have to get a haircut and find my suit.  Sigh.  I hate this game.