Off topic...

Please excuse this post as it is off topic. If you are expecting a running post, you can pass on this one, but if you are interested in a little more of my personal life, then, this is for you.

I have not taken, nor had, a lot of time to post recently as a couple of things have kept me mentally occupied. First is interviewing for a new job. Recently, my supervisor's supervisor has been actively helping me find and prepare for another job within the company. It is not that she wants to get rid of me, rather, she sees potential that is being under utilized in my current position.* She has so encouraged me that she has taken many steps like getting contacts for me, putting interview questions together, coaching me as to the best way to respond in an interview, as well as, reviewing/enhancing written submissions that both me and my supervisor submit for the position.

This week I interviewed for the position and took the entire morning to prepare, interview, and get back to the office. Before the interview started I was able to ask them many informed questions about the prospective area and, indirectly, show the interviewees I did my homework. Once the interview started, I was able, as far as I could tell, to answer their questions appropriately and intelligently. In the second part of the interview, I had to woo their techie associates into thinking I understood how to use Microsoft Excel. Fortunately, I was prepared and had an example of a spreadsheet I use on a daily basis that automatically pulls and updates data from a database and has some other functions not used by most people on a daily basis. Eventually, they had me take their Excel test and it did not amount to much more than using a couple of simple functions. I was able to satisfy their need to "test" me by proving my abilities and using their jargon. Overall, I left the interview thinking I did an excellent job and almost could have done no more to help my chances.

The second thing that was keeping me mentally busy was being summoned for jury duty. Until this week I was a jury virgin, but today I was called in and spent 2.5 hours doing my civic duty. Although I spent that amount of time, I was never seated as part of a jury. The angst of the unknown would not let me sleep very well last night and I was up for a couple of hours pondering the possibility of what today would entail. In the end, it was very informative and I now see why it takes so long for trials to complete. I wonder, is there a better way to come to the same conclusion in a trial, but make the process more efficient.

Thanks for letting me get a couple of things out of my mind; I am sure I will sleep better tonight.

*If you know me, you know I am not conceited, but if you don't know me, please take this part at face value as I don't brag about myself very well, often, or at all.