We had another ultrasound yesterday however, the child was very uncooperative. We were supposed to be able to find out whether Freddy was a Freddy or a Fredrika. Needless to say, we didn't find out. Freddy was so defiant (the tech called him defiant) we could not even get the morphology measurements. So, we have to go back in 3 weeks.
We're pretty disappointed and as my first official duty as Freddy's father I've grounded him (or her)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Catch up
This is the official catch up post. Feel free to gloss over as I quickly re-cap what's happened in the past little while and get you all up to date with the goings on in the Wilson household. I haven't been blogging much lately but I'm sure you all understand.
Anyway...BEST NEWS EVER...OK not quite but, it's still pretty awesome...My sister is getting married!!! Woo!
Margo and I have made a few trips. The first was to my cousin's wedding in Connecticut. It was a bit weird for me considering that I haven't seen my cousin since we were little kids. He's now a NHL hockey player which is awesome. I'm pretty happy for him AND it was really good to see my Family even if it wasn't in the usual setting.
The wedding itself was in Rode Island in a chapel beside a beach. The reception was in the hotel across the road from the chapel. We actually stayed in Mystic, Connecticut because the cost of one night in the hotel where the reception was being held was far more then we could afford. Everything at the wedding was lovely and high class. However, I will have to admit to a bit of a bias when I say I enjoyed my own wedding far more.
During our stay in Connecticut we went to Mystic Pizza...Apparently it's some movie with Julia Roberts in it and this was "THE" Mystic Pizza. I dunno...I've never seen the movie but I guess people ate the pizza and then good things happened to them? Anyway, While we were in Mystic, Connecticut, outside of Mystic Pizza we got a phone call from my Brother-in-law-to-be and he was accepted into the Trade Union so he can start work as an apprentice...Which was great news since he's been wanting that.
My family can be a bit superstitious sometimes...So much so that, I'm not quite sure how I turned out the way I did...Anyway we went back to Mystic Pizza for lunch and they wanted me to eat the Pizza there but I couldn't bring myself to do it because we had stopped at a Pizza Hut Express in a Target store for lunch on our way down to Connecticut. The pizza at Pizza Hut Express was so bad that the thought of Pizza made me sick...I could barely look at the pizza at Mystic Pizza..
We left Connecticut with only a vague plan to get home. We did some shopping and stopped in Lake George New York for lunch where I picked up a bottle of Oban Scotch for no where near what they charge in Canada for the same bottle.. For dinner, and the rest of the evening we ended up in Saratoga Springs, New York for some of the BEST Mexican food I have ever eaten. Seriously, there's not much in Saratoga Springs but I would totally go back just for the Mexican food.
Trip #2
St John, New Brunswick is an 10-12 hour drive. Did you know that? Margo, myself, my brother-in-law, Mike and my nephew, Owen made the trip though. Did I mention it's far? Actually, the trip wasn't so bad at all. Owen managed the boredom of the car quite well. We travelled, convoy style and during my portion of the drive I was following Donna (my father-in-law's wife).
Now anyone who's driven with me knows, I drive like your grandma. Donna, on the other hand, drives like Jacques Villeneuve. With the other adults asleep in the car I really didn't have much choice in the matter except, to try and keep up with her so I would know where to turn off (if anywhere). So, there I am with a fully loaded minivan trying to keep up with a Lexus on the highway to New Brunswick. I did OK. We made it safe and sound with no speeding tickets despite my occasional excess of speed.
The Purpose of the trip to New Brunswick was to attend a family reunion on Margo's Dad's side. Our accommodations were interesting. We stayed at a lovely cabin on the river. There was running water, a shower, a toilet, lights and a stove but, no hot water. Our cabin (I learned a little later in the trip that it's actually called a camp) also had another occupant; a bat which, made a brief appearance by flying around the room a few times on the first morning we were there and then scurrying back up into the rafters.
Anyway, there was a bit of drinking and lots of food. It was generally, a good time until they break out the cards. Personally, I find card games really boring. It's to the point where you have to teach me the rules every time I play them because I never bother to memorize them. Once the game is over, I forget how it's played. I dunno...I never really liked card games. Fortunately, there was a guitar there to keep me busy, so I was happy to do that while everyone else played cards.
It was a pretty good trip. We left on Monday (August 2) which, was my Birthday. Margo gave me a Sony E-reader which, is awesome...
Anyway...BEST NEWS EVER...OK not quite but, it's still pretty awesome...My sister is getting married!!! Woo!
Margo and I have made a few trips. The first was to my cousin's wedding in Connecticut. It was a bit weird for me considering that I haven't seen my cousin since we were little kids. He's now a NHL hockey player which is awesome. I'm pretty happy for him AND it was really good to see my Family even if it wasn't in the usual setting.
The wedding itself was in Rode Island in a chapel beside a beach. The reception was in the hotel across the road from the chapel. We actually stayed in Mystic, Connecticut because the cost of one night in the hotel where the reception was being held was far more then we could afford. Everything at the wedding was lovely and high class. However, I will have to admit to a bit of a bias when I say I enjoyed my own wedding far more.
During our stay in Connecticut we went to Mystic Pizza...Apparently it's some movie with Julia Roberts in it and this was "THE" Mystic Pizza. I dunno...I've never seen the movie but I guess people ate the pizza and then good things happened to them? Anyway, While we were in Mystic, Connecticut, outside of Mystic Pizza we got a phone call from my Brother-in-law-to-be and he was accepted into the Trade Union so he can start work as an apprentice...Which was great news since he's been wanting that.
My family can be a bit superstitious sometimes...So much so that, I'm not quite sure how I turned out the way I did...Anyway we went back to Mystic Pizza for lunch and they wanted me to eat the Pizza there but I couldn't bring myself to do it because we had stopped at a Pizza Hut Express in a Target store for lunch on our way down to Connecticut. The pizza at Pizza Hut Express was so bad that the thought of Pizza made me sick...I could barely look at the pizza at Mystic Pizza..
We left Connecticut with only a vague plan to get home. We did some shopping and stopped in Lake George New York for lunch where I picked up a bottle of Oban Scotch for no where near what they charge in Canada for the same bottle.. For dinner, and the rest of the evening we ended up in Saratoga Springs, New York for some of the BEST Mexican food I have ever eaten. Seriously, there's not much in Saratoga Springs but I would totally go back just for the Mexican food.
Trip #2
St John, New Brunswick is an 10-12 hour drive. Did you know that? Margo, myself, my brother-in-law, Mike and my nephew, Owen made the trip though. Did I mention it's far? Actually, the trip wasn't so bad at all. Owen managed the boredom of the car quite well. We travelled, convoy style and during my portion of the drive I was following Donna (my father-in-law's wife).
Now anyone who's driven with me knows, I drive like your grandma. Donna, on the other hand, drives like Jacques Villeneuve. With the other adults asleep in the car I really didn't have much choice in the matter except, to try and keep up with her so I would know where to turn off (if anywhere). So, there I am with a fully loaded minivan trying to keep up with a Lexus on the highway to New Brunswick. I did OK. We made it safe and sound with no speeding tickets despite my occasional excess of speed.
The Purpose of the trip to New Brunswick was to attend a family reunion on Margo's Dad's side. Our accommodations were interesting. We stayed at a lovely cabin on the river. There was running water, a shower, a toilet, lights and a stove but, no hot water. Our cabin (I learned a little later in the trip that it's actually called a camp) also had another occupant; a bat which, made a brief appearance by flying around the room a few times on the first morning we were there and then scurrying back up into the rafters.
Anyway, there was a bit of drinking and lots of food. It was generally, a good time until they break out the cards. Personally, I find card games really boring. It's to the point where you have to teach me the rules every time I play them because I never bother to memorize them. Once the game is over, I forget how it's played. I dunno...I never really liked card games. Fortunately, there was a guitar there to keep me busy, so I was happy to do that while everyone else played cards.
It was a pretty good trip. We left on Monday (August 2) which, was my Birthday. Margo gave me a Sony E-reader which, is awesome...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Goodbye Charlene
It's not been an easy first year of marriage for Margo and I. Shortly after we were married, we discovered that Margo's mother (Charlene) had stage 4 lung cancer. Incurable. I've never mentioned this before because I did not want to expose my family's painful situation to the Internet. Charlene asked me once when I was going to write about it? I told her I would not. I still won't write of the terrible experience now that she is gone.
In a way though, I do feel like I owed her some time on the blog.
The hard thing to wrap my head around is that, though I am married to her daughter, I really didn't know Charlene for very long but, Margo and I are a bit older then a lot of newly married couples and we had a bit of a whirlwind journey to married life and that didn't seem to matter much. Though I'm a relatively new addition to Margo's family, I've always felt welcome by everyone, especially Charlene. I met Margo on June 1st 2008. We were married on October 24th, 2009. Pregnant by April 2010. Charlene was a big part of our lives throughout.
Sadly, Charlene died on July 16th and it's been a bit of a hard time since then for Margo and her immediate family. It's such a huge loss and it's left a great big "Charlene shaped hole" in everyone's hearts that sadly, can never be quite filled in again. As we try to pick up the pieces and continue building the life that we want and, that we know Charlene wanted for us, the hole may seem less deep. After all, we have a new baby on the way, friends and family that love and support us and our whole lives ahead of us.
Grand adventures are still ahead for all of us but, those adventures are also the times when we'll miss Charlene the most. She seemed to love to hear about our antics in the world. I would go so far as to say part of the fun of an adventure was being able to come home and listen to Margo tell her mom about it. In a way, it was a chance to relive the experience by telling someone who was always truly excited to hear about it.
I'm very sad that my child will not get to meet Charlene, but he or she will get to know her through the memories of Charlene which, we can share. For a non-believer such as myself, this is the closest thing to an afterlife as I can grasp. We who are left, are the the custodians of those memories and products of Charlene's influence on our lives, obviously more so with Margo and her brothers then myself. But, for myself, I think I will always remember how strong Charlene was, how bright and fun she was and how not much escaped her notice and comment.
Those memories are precious things, worth protecting, worth writing down so that our minds do not change them. Time is usually very kind to the memories of a loved one though, in Charlene's case, I don't think any time is needed.
In a way though, I do feel like I owed her some time on the blog.
The hard thing to wrap my head around is that, though I am married to her daughter, I really didn't know Charlene for very long but, Margo and I are a bit older then a lot of newly married couples and we had a bit of a whirlwind journey to married life and that didn't seem to matter much. Though I'm a relatively new addition to Margo's family, I've always felt welcome by everyone, especially Charlene. I met Margo on June 1st 2008. We were married on October 24th, 2009. Pregnant by April 2010. Charlene was a big part of our lives throughout.
Sadly, Charlene died on July 16th and it's been a bit of a hard time since then for Margo and her immediate family. It's such a huge loss and it's left a great big "Charlene shaped hole" in everyone's hearts that sadly, can never be quite filled in again. As we try to pick up the pieces and continue building the life that we want and, that we know Charlene wanted for us, the hole may seem less deep. After all, we have a new baby on the way, friends and family that love and support us and our whole lives ahead of us.
Grand adventures are still ahead for all of us but, those adventures are also the times when we'll miss Charlene the most. She seemed to love to hear about our antics in the world. I would go so far as to say part of the fun of an adventure was being able to come home and listen to Margo tell her mom about it. In a way, it was a chance to relive the experience by telling someone who was always truly excited to hear about it.
I'm very sad that my child will not get to meet Charlene, but he or she will get to know her through the memories of Charlene which, we can share. For a non-believer such as myself, this is the closest thing to an afterlife as I can grasp. We who are left, are the the custodians of those memories and products of Charlene's influence on our lives, obviously more so with Margo and her brothers then myself. But, for myself, I think I will always remember how strong Charlene was, how bright and fun she was and how not much escaped her notice and comment.
Those memories are precious things, worth protecting, worth writing down so that our minds do not change them. Time is usually very kind to the memories of a loved one though, in Charlene's case, I don't think any time is needed.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Whatever you do, don't say the B-word!
BABY!!!!!!
It's been a little quiet around the blog and, not for lack of news either. I've been kinda avoiding writing anything for a while because I couldn't talk about what I really wanted to talk about, and that is, Babies. Specifically, I'd like to write about how Margo and I are going to become parents in January.
Anyway, we're in the second trimester and it's OK to start telling people now. Of course most everyone knows already. I believe, after we gave my mother the green light to tell people she informed most of the world. If you haven't received your notice yet from her then just be patient...the mail room is working overtime :P
Anyway, We're going out today to look at nursery furniture. I probably have no idea of what I'm getting into...it's all good though. I'm pretty happy about the whole thing.
While I'm out shopping why not have a look at our ultrasound photos?
It's been a little quiet around the blog and, not for lack of news either. I've been kinda avoiding writing anything for a while because I couldn't talk about what I really wanted to talk about, and that is, Babies. Specifically, I'd like to write about how Margo and I are going to become parents in January.
Anyway, we're in the second trimester and it's OK to start telling people now. Of course most everyone knows already. I believe, after we gave my mother the green light to tell people she informed most of the world. If you haven't received your notice yet from her then just be patient...the mail room is working overtime :P
Anyway, We're going out today to look at nursery furniture. I probably have no idea of what I'm getting into...it's all good though. I'm pretty happy about the whole thing.
While I'm out shopping why not have a look at our ultrasound photos?
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| Here's the standard pose. This is the photo everyone uses to tell people on Facebook that they're having a baby. I'll get to that eventually. It looks like grey blobs but if you use your imagination you can see a cute baby here. |
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| These blobs aren't as cute as the last blobs but, you can see that the baby's skull has formed which is really cool. Again, not so cute, unless you're dad. :) <--That's me! |
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| Yet another cool picture! You can see the spine has formed. |
I've got one more baby thing to share until the next entry and that is the baby's heartbeat. Margo and I purchased (because it was cheaper then renting) a fetal heart rate Doppler. This is a cool little bit of technology that allows you to listen to your baby's heart beat. Of course, I figured out how to record it on the computer :) click here!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The earth will shake...
Lil ole' Ottawa had an earthquake today. Relatively speaking, it was a big one for Ottawa. A 5.5 magnitude. Consider however, if we lived in California a 5.5 magnitude quake would barely be noticed.
My personal experience of the quake was that I was on the 2nd floor of my house. The house started to shake. my first thought was "earthquake". I remember a long time ago my dad took a geology course and when I set about moving to Ottawa for university, he informed me that there were fault lines in Ottawa. We've had a few of these in the years I've been here...Though I think this one was probably the biggest I've felt. All in all, minimal damage. A few things were knocked over.
They say the animals know earthquakes are coming...I'm calling BS on that. Our cats seemed pretty clueless during the entire episode....
They say the animals know earthquakes are coming...I'm calling BS on that. Our cats seemed pretty clueless during the entire episode....
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The issue that will not die
The IT outage from last week rears it's ugly head again. This time, in the form of paperwork. Of course, we need to know how long we were out, who we took with us and most importantly why and what we're going to do to prevent such things in the future. Oh, and we need this now...right now.
And look at me go...Here I am, blogging about it! It's because even though they say I'm on the hook for the paperwork, I'm not.really. I thought I was but, when I went to find out how to get this done I found out that I actually am not on the hook for it. I only need to be available to answer questions for the people who are on the hook for it. No problem.
I had already written the report anyway and I provided it to the people who are on the hook for it. They'll review it and ask me any questions they have. Hopefully, It will be done by it's due date.
A "thank you" for my work during the crisis came my way as well. It's a small thing but, it means something to me.
I walk away with a lesson from all this and that is to get helpdesk people involved as soon as possible. Don't wait to confirm a problem. They'll may be able to tell you.
And look at me go...Here I am, blogging about it! It's because even though they say I'm on the hook for the paperwork, I'm not.really. I thought I was but, when I went to find out how to get this done I found out that I actually am not on the hook for it. I only need to be available to answer questions for the people who are on the hook for it. No problem.
I had already written the report anyway and I provided it to the people who are on the hook for it. They'll review it and ask me any questions they have. Hopefully, It will be done by it's due date.
A "thank you" for my work during the crisis came my way as well. It's a small thing but, it means something to me.
I walk away with a lesson from all this and that is to get helpdesk people involved as soon as possible. Don't wait to confirm a problem. They'll may be able to tell you.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ouch...things are rough
New lesson, children:
Don't use FTP for anything important.unless you have no choice.
I have no choice....FTP has made the past two days of my life miserable (at work anyway)...
Basically, I got a bad file through an automated FTP. One bad character and one of my processes imported said file and didn't realize there was a problem with it...Chaos ensued. There was fire and burning. Men with machine guns descended from the ceiling and started to kick down cubicle walls... Wolves howled and carrion animals scoured the wasteland that was my office building for human remains. Faintly, in the background of the carnage, I heard a soft whimpering of what was likely a programmer/analyst separated from their protector; a parent or perhaps another IT guy.
The sky turned black and there was a voice from above. "You really need to fix this as soon as possible".
"Yes" I reply. My eyes ever fixed on the computer screen; my window to potential salvation.
No one cares that I saw this coming and no one cares that I tried to warn them. The prophets are seldom wrong. No, the only thing that matters now is salvation and the restoration of order or, at least, the appearance of order.
It doesn't help that I've been awake since 2:30am working on another crisis and I can't even see straight. It helps even less to know I will be awake at 2:30am again tomorrow because one apocalypse begets another.
The issue is resolved. Now, we wait...for salvation
Day 2: I arrive at the crisis centre early. Maybe, if I keep my head down they won't notice me...No luck. I'm spotted. Maybe, if I walk fast and pretend I'm deaf or busy I can get away. No..
A daunting task lies before me. Find the survivors and tend to the injured. Re-assure those beyond hope, that everything will be OK. I almost believe it myself but, you kinda have to if you're going to say it to others. Eventually it will be OK, but things will be different. They HAVE to be.
I begin my search. Some of the injured will find me, but they are not usually the ones I need to help. Carefully, I write down everything I find. I listen to the voice from above from before, for advice you see but, there is no help for me, only demands...I must obey.
Heal the sick, they say. Make it better. Make it so that this never happens again...I must obey.
IT Outage perspective by Sean Wilson
Don't use FTP for anything important.unless you have no choice.
I have no choice....FTP has made the past two days of my life miserable (at work anyway)...
Basically, I got a bad file through an automated FTP. One bad character and one of my processes imported said file and didn't realize there was a problem with it...Chaos ensued. There was fire and burning. Men with machine guns descended from the ceiling and started to kick down cubicle walls... Wolves howled and carrion animals scoured the wasteland that was my office building for human remains. Faintly, in the background of the carnage, I heard a soft whimpering of what was likely a programmer/analyst separated from their protector; a parent or perhaps another IT guy.
The sky turned black and there was a voice from above. "You really need to fix this as soon as possible".
"Yes" I reply. My eyes ever fixed on the computer screen; my window to potential salvation.
No one cares that I saw this coming and no one cares that I tried to warn them. The prophets are seldom wrong. No, the only thing that matters now is salvation and the restoration of order or, at least, the appearance of order.
It doesn't help that I've been awake since 2:30am working on another crisis and I can't even see straight. It helps even less to know I will be awake at 2:30am again tomorrow because one apocalypse begets another.
The issue is resolved. Now, we wait...for salvation
Day 2: I arrive at the crisis centre early. Maybe, if I keep my head down they won't notice me...No luck. I'm spotted. Maybe, if I walk fast and pretend I'm deaf or busy I can get away. No..
A daunting task lies before me. Find the survivors and tend to the injured. Re-assure those beyond hope, that everything will be OK. I almost believe it myself but, you kinda have to if you're going to say it to others. Eventually it will be OK, but things will be different. They HAVE to be.
I begin my search. Some of the injured will find me, but they are not usually the ones I need to help. Carefully, I write down everything I find. I listen to the voice from above from before, for advice you see but, there is no help for me, only demands...I must obey.
Heal the sick, they say. Make it better. Make it so that this never happens again...I must obey.
IT Outage perspective by Sean Wilson
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Cure the blind? Not if Jesus has anything to do with it...
Embryonic stem cells are amazing things...They can be used to create new organs (like Eyes) for people who have lost part of themselves to disease or accident or whatever. Personally, I could use a new pancreas. I'd imagine some people could use new eyes or livers
check this out
Now let's add some context. Many Christians are opposed to such research. I, for one, am very glad that some people have the courage to stand up to these barbarian cavemen and advance these causes anyway. The potential of this type of research is huge! If we could grow their own organs for people then imagine the consequences...cures for diseases previously thought to be incurable. The enhancement of already (proved) viable life.
I agree that it would be immoral to create an entire lifeform and harvest it for one or two organs...I don't think you'd get any argument about that from most people but if you can grow an organ, technically, something that cannot survive on it's own (ie without a body), Why not do it? Cure some blind people, Diabetes whatever...Really, what would Jesus do? According to the Catholic church, rather then heal the sick he would damn us for all eternity to hell.
The stem cells we're talking about here only have the potential to become viable life if we allow it. If we were to allow it, they'd become a clone of the donor...tell me that's not cool? I'd totally clone myself and then raise my Sean clone pretty much the same way I was except I'd have him taught ninjitsu....
check this out
Now let's add some context. Many Christians are opposed to such research. I, for one, am very glad that some people have the courage to stand up to these barbarian cavemen and advance these causes anyway. The potential of this type of research is huge! If we could grow their own organs for people then imagine the consequences...cures for diseases previously thought to be incurable. The enhancement of already (proved) viable life.
I agree that it would be immoral to create an entire lifeform and harvest it for one or two organs...I don't think you'd get any argument about that from most people but if you can grow an organ, technically, something that cannot survive on it's own (ie without a body), Why not do it? Cure some blind people, Diabetes whatever...Really, what would Jesus do? According to the Catholic church, rather then heal the sick he would damn us for all eternity to hell.
The stem cells we're talking about here only have the potential to become viable life if we allow it. If we were to allow it, they'd become a clone of the donor...tell me that's not cool? I'd totally clone myself and then raise my Sean clone pretty much the same way I was except I'd have him taught ninjitsu....
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Rawlio's Sausage Party
My first movie...Sure, It was filmed in March and we had no plan...Maybe the next one will be better
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Been choppin' on the axe
Otherwise known as playing guitar...Lately, I've been stuck on Tom Petty songs..some of the easier ones...Wildflowers, American girl, Alright for now (which, is harder then it sounds), Yer so Bad etc...Most of Tom Petty's songs are easy to play. I guess I'm excited for the concert this summer.
In other entertainment news...there aren't really any interesting video games coming out until the fall which is good because some of the better ones are like a black hole into which all time, matter and energy flows into and never escapes. So, maybe there will be some more time to play guitar this summer. I'm still trying to get used to playing with a wedding band on which, is more difficult then I thought I would be..
In other entertainment news...there aren't really any interesting video games coming out until the fall which is good because some of the better ones are like a black hole into which all time, matter and energy flows into and never escapes. So, maybe there will be some more time to play guitar this summer. I'm still trying to get used to playing with a wedding band on which, is more difficult then I thought I would be..
Has anyone seen my brain?
It's been one of those days... I made it around the corner from home before I realized I forgot my Cell and GPS (needed for after work) at home. I turned around and drove home to pick them up and continued on my way...I got as far as Kanata when I realized that I forgot my Laptop at home too so, I drove all the way back to Orleans to pick it up figuring, that I would just work from home until noon and drive in when the traffic wasn't as bad so I could make my afternoon meeting.
Yeah so , I forgot also that today was "migration day" meaning, I couldn't work from home because they were changing something on my PC account and you need to be in the office for it to work so, I drove all the way back out to Kanata in prime rush hour traffic. I arrived at work for 9am. Normally, I'm in just after 7am. The rest of my day has been uneventful and I seem to have recovered my brain somehow.
Yeah so , I forgot also that today was "migration day" meaning, I couldn't work from home because they were changing something on my PC account and you need to be in the office for it to work so, I drove all the way back out to Kanata in prime rush hour traffic. I arrived at work for 9am. Normally, I'm in just after 7am. The rest of my day has been uneventful and I seem to have recovered my brain somehow.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
An Introduction to the World of Consulting
Lately I've been working 2 jobs. My regular day job as well as another part time job. A former colleague who moved on to a different company sought me out to help with his company's LDAP server. I had to think about this for a bit. The problem was that the company that my colleague works for is a supplier to the company I work for so, If I just start to work for them (even part time) I'd be in a perceived conflict of interest position.
I have about 30 more years of work to put in so, being fired for an ethics violation this early on in my career would be a really bad thing. Still, there's always the draw of a puzzle which gets my interest up. So, Ethics violation or no, I'm still interested in a difficult problem which, is what this company has.
Margo and I don't absolutely need the extra money from one of us holding down a second job, though a little extra cash is always handy. We need to purchase a car to replace Margo's ageing Mazda Protege and our 13 year old mattress is finished so we recently purchased a new bed to replace it. These are 2 very important things...sleeping and driving. I HATE driving but there's no discounting it's importance.
So I ran through the process. I flagged the opportunity to my manager from my regular job and indicated that it was a perceived conflict of interest situation. I also was upfront with her and said if this was going to be a huge issue then I would be OK with not engaging with the other company to avoid any ethics violation in my regular job.
The request needed to go up several levels in the organization I work for but, they got back to me fairly quickly with an answer of "Yes, but future requests will not be entertained." I think that's a bit of a strange response. I mean, why not just say no if it's an issue?
Anyway, I've been working on this problem in my spare time while I'm not at work. What's interesting about this experience is that I'm functioning as one of those consultant type of people. I decided my rate of pay and I have to invoice this company for hours worked. We have an understanding that I cannot work on their problem while I am engaged with my regular employer. Obviously, this has an impact on how much work I can do for them as I do need a bit of time to myself to eat and sleep. The other interesting thing is the taxes. I'm not en employee so they're not taking taxes off what they pay me. I'm also not a business or self employed but the income I make from this job still needs to be declared. I did some research and it counts as casual employment which means I will need to set aside some money so I can pay the tax on this income for next years taxes.
I have about 30 more years of work to put in so, being fired for an ethics violation this early on in my career would be a really bad thing. Still, there's always the draw of a puzzle which gets my interest up. So, Ethics violation or no, I'm still interested in a difficult problem which, is what this company has.
Margo and I don't absolutely need the extra money from one of us holding down a second job, though a little extra cash is always handy. We need to purchase a car to replace Margo's ageing Mazda Protege and our 13 year old mattress is finished so we recently purchased a new bed to replace it. These are 2 very important things...sleeping and driving. I HATE driving but there's no discounting it's importance.
So I ran through the process. I flagged the opportunity to my manager from my regular job and indicated that it was a perceived conflict of interest situation. I also was upfront with her and said if this was going to be a huge issue then I would be OK with not engaging with the other company to avoid any ethics violation in my regular job.
The request needed to go up several levels in the organization I work for but, they got back to me fairly quickly with an answer of "Yes, but future requests will not be entertained." I think that's a bit of a strange response. I mean, why not just say no if it's an issue?
Anyway, I've been working on this problem in my spare time while I'm not at work. What's interesting about this experience is that I'm functioning as one of those consultant type of people. I decided my rate of pay and I have to invoice this company for hours worked. We have an understanding that I cannot work on their problem while I am engaged with my regular employer. Obviously, this has an impact on how much work I can do for them as I do need a bit of time to myself to eat and sleep. The other interesting thing is the taxes. I'm not en employee so they're not taking taxes off what they pay me. I'm also not a business or self employed but the income I make from this job still needs to be declared. I did some research and it counts as casual employment which means I will need to set aside some money so I can pay the tax on this income for next years taxes.
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