Three Hundred Seventh Entry

I have a mere $20 dollars to spend between now and payday next week. I don't think my funds have ever been that low. That's what I get for driving so much.

Today at work, Phil, Jane and Johnny went in for their second interview for Marcia's old position. I was pleased to hear that I was a topic of one of the questions. "What can this agency do to keep Young Phillip around?" Cool, huh. I am thinking that Phil will get it, but my gut is saying he won't due to agency politics. Too much shit goes on behind the scenes, it's disgusting. The administration may well decide that none of the candidates are suitable for the position and re-advertise the job. It's gonna suck to get a new guy from the outside to fill Marcia's giant shoes. The learning curve is already steep with all the work that Marcia was doing, but to bring in an outsider? It's gonna get ugly. Thank God I'm not gonna be here!!

Phil was telling me recently that they used to do exit interviews for people leaving the county. I doubt they will call me in for one, but I was trying to come up with something to say in case they did. I would probably mention the benefits situation in passing, but would concentrate more on how engineer's are treated pretty horribly compared to most places. I would like to see a training program started at the county for engineers. Or at least send them to some classes at the UC extension or something. I would like to see more challenging projects where an engineer can start using all those permanently sharpened pencils. I would also point out that there is no chance for advancement within the agency. Phil has been at the same pay scale for 10 years. He's been passed up for promotions every time one comes up. It's as if there is some sort of rule that no engineer inside the agency can be promoted above a III. They always hire from the outside.

Speaking of injustices against engineers, word came through last week that our Operations Division is being transferred over to the Traffic boss, Dennis. From what I've heard, he has absolutely no experience with Operations. Furthermore, a lot of people seem to think that the Administration is setting him up for failure, and when he does fail he'll get fired. If all that is true, then I couldn't be happier that I'm leaving. I don't want to work somewhere where there are such blatant and petty politics at play.

Of course, once all the dust clears everything will go back to normal. Someone will be in Marcia's office, someone will replace Dennis, and engineers will continue doing the same inane projects like sidewalks and overlays. It really is disgusting.

More pleasant news: There was a breakthrough in the talks concerning Blas' and my going-away party. After much pleading and begging on my part, Blas agreed to have the party at Me 'n Ed's pizza in Visalia. Yes, there will be beer, but he is willing to overlook that. So far it looks like it is just going to be Design/Graphics and a few people from Solid Waste and downstairs. Should be fun...

but sad. I was thinking on my drive up to San Leandro on Friday about what I would say if asked to say anything at the party. And it almost made me cry. I've spent the last three years of my life working so closely with these people. There are not just my co-workers, but my friends. I know so much about these peoples personal lives that I can't help but feel a connection. And there were my first steady employment after college. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I almost didn't get hired. If it wasn't for some "golden boy" rejecting the offer, I never would have been called. I am so glad that I got the chance to get to know these people. I really do consider them among my closest of friends. So sad...

and now it starts all over. How will I get along with my new co-workers? Will I like them, or more importantly, will they like me? Will I be able to go to the company functions or will I be a wallflower? Am I going to have as good a relationship with my supervisor/boss as I do now? How will it end?(I've had a yen to watch the Truman Show)

Everything happens for a reason.

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If i pick it up i can put it down,
Whatever it is i just can't stop,
For only 20 seconds at a time it's all mine.
I got, too much, pressure,
Got me under it's thumb
And it's no fun, you can lose
Now i got a choice but i can't choose
Insistent as you are, is no guarantee that you'll go far
Rock steady if you can
But i've never been a steady man,
People, wanna shoot you down,
If you can't swim then you will drown
In sorrow, can't get any medical attention till tomorow,

Sadlands, are where i live,
But that's none of your business,
You keep asking, and soon enough
The kids gonna have to get rough,

Maybe i'm a speed king
Push with the foot and i'm smiling,
I can glide on the love inside,
And there was you thinking that my hands were tied
All along i saw you hoping
I would slip and i'm not joking
The evidence in these events
Is still your lack of commonsense
Did you really think that i would sink
Because i like another drink
Have to get up to get down
The remedy is the sound
Absurdity of your suggestion, leaves me asking just one question,
If you're my friend today?
Why do you wanna hear me say?

If i pick it up, can i put it down?
Whatever it is, i just can't stop. (repeat)

Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

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Oooh yeah don't you know that you blow my mind!
Honey you're sweeter than anything,I need you
Want to get closer to you,to you,to you
I want to get closer to you now.

Love ya,I need ya,I think i wanna squeeze ya
Nightly,so tightly,girl you know you really blow my mind
Say it again, Just one more time I've got to know
How you came to blow my mind- Closer

Pleasure, passion- Tonite's the night I'm
looking for your action- I want to hold you
Don't you know that now you blow my mind
Say it again just one more time i've got to know
How you came to blow my mind- Closer

Fever, hot now, help me wipe the sweat
away from my brow- Sexy- oh Lady,
Don't you know this time you blow my mind
Oh don't you know yeah, Don't you know by now
that now you blow my mind (Yeah)
Oh yes you do, yes you do, yes you blow my mind

Blow Your Mind
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai

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You've got to stand up, stay strong start movin' in the right direction
Don't wait, too long, for people promising divine intervention
19 nine three, now I'm taking matters into my own hands
So fast, I can't see
A revolution is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

Well it's hard times, white lines, kids of nine
gettin' down with gun crime
War zones, no homes, ain't it time we gave the dog a bone
Say brothers, sisters, step up and put yourself in the picture
This time you know a revolution
if the only way that we can change change change
I want to fight the power

Question, answer, shake your hand and smile for the camera
But it's no good you should spend time in your neighbourhood
Where black kids, white kids
Now you're working overtime to be a crack kid
No job, no cash, a revolution
is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution
Everybody wants a revolution

Who is, this man,
I'm having trouble finding out where I'm coming from
Preconceptions, it's eternal human infection one chance,
Learn how you're gonna change
the habit of a lifetime my soul, concerned,
That revolution is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

Higher, higher, now we're gonna learn to fight the power
Sunshine, new day, I only know how to get the right way
Faster, stronger, I help my brother and my soul lives longer
Blinded, I can't see
That revolution is the only way that we can change change change
I wanna fight the power

No doubt, in time, everything is sweet sunshine
But in the meantime, mankind, is having trouble
where to draw the line
We still don't, respect, and yet I thought we had intellect
Sometimes I think the music is the only hope we have for revolution

Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution
Everybody needs a revolution

Revolution 1993
Emergency on Planet Earth album
by Jamiroquai