Driving

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On Saturday (May 13th), I left the Hotel around 12:00ish and made my journey back home after really talking myself into needing to go home. It was worth it because I got to hang out with Matty P and his fiance and we even got to head out the new "European Village" in Palm Coast. That was definitely a pretty chill place with a piano bar, large cinema screens in the middle of the town and just a good ambiance all around. I wish that I could have hit that place up more often when I was back in Palm Coast. Oh well...

I'm back in Fort Lauderdale and come to think of it, I was barely gone for 24 hours. I made my trip back down around 12:30PM and got here in time to work some overtime at 4:00PM.

FOC Auditing

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Now, this is a job for someone who likes to be really neat, clean, organized and get something going out of something that needs to be handled!!! What I mean is, I'm loving the fact that I get to implement tracking and auditing measures for the FOC Packet Folders! I like making this better or just improving procedures. Here's a pic of the new office that I'm sitting in. I'm the only one around only because I chose to work some overtime. I'll be needing every minute I can get. I also have a lot to do and finish, so it's going to be awesome! THe window faces the main runway at Fort Lauderdale International too!!! It's a great view.

Revisions

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Well, I got to learn a little bit more about the Jepp bags today. This time, updating the entire set with a bunch of different stuff. I don't think that I beat my other record, but I definitely got it right. I mean, there were a lot of updates! Nothing new to write really except that I was able to get some peeps monitors working today with their laptops for dual screening it, got wireless access, got my company e-mail yesterday, (enicolas@focusaircargo.com), met more people, and that's about it. I couldn't be more happier.

I'm going up to Flagler I think tomorrow with Justin to do a LOFT or something on Saturday or even Sunday. I still need to find a place to live here in Fort Lauderdale. Everything is so expensive!!! Anyone know anyone looking for peepes to be their renters? Oh yeah, that also reminds me, does anyone need a place up at Flagler? I'll be having quite a bit of openings soon.

Schedule: My sun burn is getting better and I will continue to get better hopefully in the next two days. =) I'm going to to San Diego next Thursday on Southwest to see my gee-eff graduate from SDSU with her Masters on Friday. She's coming back with me on Sunday to the FLL and hang out with me for a bit. I can't hardly wait!

Workspace

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Well, this is it fellas! My temporary workspace. I have been able to find a little space in the back of the Technical Publications Department settle down. I'm connected on a LAN from another desk and just roll back and forth if I get an e-mail or whatever that is company related on my PC. As you can see, I have lots of papers on the desk and on the ground. The ones in the box at the "yet to be done" pile of LoadPlanner worksheets. There was a small printing error and I am going through each of them making a minor correction. It is a tedious job, but I'm loving every minute of it. I got to update some Jepps the other day, and created a whole box of ETR tags. That implies placing a wire through a hole and twisting the protector sleeve and wire tethering them together. So, either than that, there are little things that I am able to help out with here and there throughout the office, and I look forward to everyday!

I had some excellent sushi with a coworker last night on Las Olas Blvd. called Shizen which proved to hold its own. I have to admit that the service on a scale of 1-10 was a -5. I mean, standing around waiting to be seated with 4 workers passing by, waiting forever for the bill, it wasn't that nice of a place to eat except for the ambiance. The food did make up somewhat for the lack of attention. I mean the food was excellent and the pricing was a little above average. I'm definitely going to hit that place up again, but we'll have to be crossing our fingers to see how the service will pan out. Thanks again Mike for dinner and lunch today!

No Umbrellas but...

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F22s and B2s were in the Air!!! Jesse, myself and Justin decided to head out early to th Air Sea Show around 8:30AM to catch all the pregame happenings. We got situated on location just north from the main VIP area which ended up turning out the be the middle of the show. To say the least, we didn't miss a stunt or any of the demonstrations at all throughout the 9 hour day. This is us in the beginning before we began to suffer the 90 degree sun which now have turned us into burnt skin human beings. I'm hurting so bad that I am constantly putting aloe all over and barely moving. Yes, we did use SPF 35 but I guess the spray kind isn't as tough and cakey as the regular lotion. Hey, I didn't think that I was going to stay from Monday to Saturday, but I packed really well in preparation for any extension. I just didn't think of bringing a beach umbrella or any other of my SPF 55 Sun Block. The show was awesome though! We had an American Airline 767 do a fly by and even circled once or twice around the beach area and just a whole bunch of other aircraft. <-- this link has all the information regarding the aircraft that was a part of the show. Now, I'm back at home in Palm Coast and had a great time sleeping at home. I drove home all aching and slept like a mummy because any friction on my limbs with the sheets would end up causing me pain. I'll be driving back to Fort Lauderdale later on this evening after bit of housework with my Dree Brees autographed Tumi bag. I'll probably do some two weeks or so and then head back up here. Finding a place in Fort Lauderdale isn't that easy, but if Manoj ends up coming it, I'm hoping that we could find a less expensive place to live. We'll see how things go in the next two weeks. =) I'm really looking forward to "working" this week. I can't hardly wait.

SA-TSA Training

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Today we covered a slew of various subjects ranging from safety, anti-drug and alcohol all the way to TSA regulations. Had some pretty good chinese for lunch. It was actually awesome because it was still being sponsored! =) I got to meet more of the crew and even help an individual install a CBT for the HT9100 FMS (Honeywell) into their brand new T42 Thinkpad Laptop. It still says IBM on them, but as you may know, Lenovo did take over all of IBMs PC division. Back from being a dork, work is just awesome. Fort Lauderdale is awesome! I can't wait to finally just "move" here. I know that I'll be commuting up to Palm Coast for a little bit because I would have forgotten a few items here or there. It's also going to take a while to find a place or something.

I need to find a place to live soon! I have a room paid for in the Hampton Inn for 30 days so that's tight, but living in a hotel isn't that exciting after a week already.

I'm tired....

VHS 8 Balls and Patriot Acts

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The title isn't that witty. It's just probably dumb, but I'm trying to become more "fun" rather than just telling you about my daily life.

HR Orientation has just gotten upgraded to another level. Multiple VHS tapes on office conduct , harassment, and diversity really complicates what you can and cannot do while at work. I have worked in multiple business environments in the past, but this is one place that takes all the precautions and puts out all the stops. It's quite scary really. They even had a video where in one incident, an individual says that it's kosher and that was offending. It definitely can be, but when used without intention except that of the definition, in my opinion, relieves you from the liability. It truly is not only in the eye of the beholder (dictator) but the listener as well. I am very sorry to all that I might have offended in the past with what I have said with things being kosher or what not.

I find it that Corporate America has reached a new levels of hesistation and caution. Because of the two means, one who cannot take a joke and the other who takes it too far, it ruins the middle ground and turs the water muddy. Not fun I tell ya, but I already can feel that this company is doing it right. There isn't any reason to not be PC anymore. Family was used a lot today and I hope to make it just that.

I hit the winning 8 ball in today after my counterpart did all the work on the table but then I also stunk it up with hitting it out of turn the next game. I had a great time speaking and learning about the company from different individuals. Tonight sealed the deal for me in supporting my feeling that this is the place and environment that I want to be. I want to grow and this company definitely can provide me the paths and tools that I need. I'm loving every starting moment of it.


Checking out...Checking in? + FLL Mex

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I have to admit that the Mexican food in FLL is a great sigh of relief. The food in general is amazing. It's like I was stranded on an island with only pulled pork and Pork BBQ ribs for 16 months and now I've returned. I'm eating too well again, but that will definitely be cut back very soon.

I woke up extra early today to check out prior to the interview sessions, had some breakfast. We got in at 8:00AM with HR to begin filling out paperwork for the application which was a little of a doozy, but nothing that I wasn't overly prepared for. I got too anxious for this interview that I went a little overboard and did bring more than what they wanted, but they didn't mind have the extra things. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. David McElroy, the CEO of Focus Air Cargo and listened in on him for about 45 minutes until I was pulled out of the meeting in order to meet Mr. Greg Vanek, Director of Operations. Mr. Michael Klenz drove me to the Corporate HQ and I got some good interview time with him along the way. I met Mr. Vanek and interviewed with him and the Assistant Chief Pilot, Mr. Bob Farina. One of the main questions was that, am I ready to do what I'm set out to do per the contract. I said yes very enthusiastically and he asked how soon I was willing to start. Not willing really, but just how soon could I start. I said immediately, and he said that there will be an HR orientation meeting tomorrow that I could attend pending on how the rest of the day went. I'm telling you, this company is something else. Service...shoot might as make it our slogan because that's the way that they have tailored this "airline" business. I'm excited and I couldn't wipe this grin off my face.

I got a quick tour of where everyone works and headed back to the Hotel for the interview. I sat in with Mr. George Grinrod and Mr. Michael Klenz again for some quick questions. They asked what was my personal definition of CRM and went well. I was very happy with the response that I gave. We had lunch which was a veal parmesana that Mr. Klenz recommended to me and it was large and very tasty. I then headed to the final interview with Ms. Fe Eschavvaria and Ms. Gina where they asked the personal questions about life and how I got here. It was a good session.

So, I was given a key to a new room, I checked back in and was invited to stay till Friday for the HR orientation. I have a room at the Hampton Inn for 30 days beginning Monday, May 7th so anyone that is in town, come by and lets go for a swim. It's awesome! I'm so stoked and can't hardly wait to dive into things.

After everything was completed, I went upstairs and called a few people here and there. That was a great feeling to have although it is all surreal and still feels like I am dreaming. To be employed in a situation that will get me to an FE spot in a 747 in just a year, is just overwhelming!!! I called up the boys here that I've been talking to who also recommended me and spoke highly of me and went out to dinner. It was definitely a great place that tasted like I was back at home. I still miss San Diego, but FLL isn't that bad. I'm sure that once the humidity kicks in it's going to be crazy, but I'm sure that I'll get acclimated soon enough.

from left to right: Jesse Lindbergh, Corey McCarthy, myself, Justin Emigh -- Thanks fellas!!!

Mission: to find a place to stay in the greater FLL area. anyone need a roomie?