Monday, February 26, 2007

Day 176, still hate my job!

Ok, but I am not depressed about it... or wanting to shoot myself, or anything like that. Today is a good day, and I am simply going to enjoy the day.

I am going to enjoy the fact that I have a job and a pay check...

But... yes, always a but... I talked to my sponsor, and he told me "If you are suffering enough, you will change" or more to the point, basically that if my job is killing me, that I will change it when it gets bad enough. But my job doesn't really suck, I mean I think it's more me not being a good fit in the job... like I don't belong, no meaning...

That threw me off, cause he use to ask me to find my part in all this, and see where I can possibly work on me... since I was usually the problem... now I am confused. I have people telling me to work the program more, work on me, but also look for a job, and put myself out there more.

So, my thoughts are... maybe I do need to work on me, I do need to work the program like crazy, but also look for a job?? Ah well, I confuse the situation to all hell. Fact is I have a job, it's a good job, I don't like it so much, maybe I can find something I enjoy... end of story.

There are things I would like to try... teaching being one. A good way to start is substitute teaching, and then on to certification and a full time job. Problem with that is the money... I think I fear the change in salary. That is something that is really holding me back. I have a mortgage to pay that requires a certain amount per month, to pay it, and to take a cut in salary would require getting a roommate or moving. Plus teaching jobs don't really open up until the end of the school year... about 2 months away... so that is going to have to wait regardless of what I do.

So I guess I am in fear about it... fear of change... fear of losing prestige, fear of what people think or expect in me... damn fear!

A job is such a huge part of our week, should we not enjoy what we do? Why stay in a job just for money?? I know I can live on half of what I make, but that requires a big change. How do I know if I should make the change or not... am I just hoping others will make up my mind for me??? Is this more co-dependent behavior I so despise?! Ha! Can you tell I am an alcoholic?

Regardless, if you have read this far... I feel very serene today. Not much going on in the office, it is Monday, and people seem to not be busy, or not here. I hope I feel this good throughout the day... I heard alot of good stuff this weekend in meetings, and really want to apply some to my daily routine...

Just gotta stay in the now and be grateful... today is a great day. Enjoy today!

Peace...

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Day 175!

Since my last post on Friday, I am feeling better. Later in the afternoon on Friday, I ended up getting some work done and actually kinda sorta felt better by the end of the day...

I think the big issue here is fear. I fear my bobb's boss, responsibility, putting my self out there, and people in general. I fear accountability big time.. All these fears tend to just explode when I get to the office... some days are better than others. I basically drive my self nuts! I am starting to realize that it is all me... perhaps I am not working the program as well as I could be...

I wonder if I should get a new sponsor, I called him Friday morning, left a message explaining my dire depressive feelings, and he didn't call me back till Saturday! That was nothing new, he has been distant recently, he use to be more available... Plus, he doesn't really kick my butt into gear like he use to.. (he got a girlfriend) and everyone else in my area has been telling me to get a new sponsor... Some of my friends are worried that my sponsor is letting me down, but then I think: well what's my part, and am I not trying hard enough?

I think I may need someone who is a bit more active in AA, rather than his girl...

Hmmm... anywhoo, today is a good day... I need to reach out to some other alcoholics today, as I did yesterday... it feels so much better when I talk with others...

Thank you guys and gals, you are all wonderful!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Day 173! Despair and Depression!

Well, today marks a week before I pick up my 6 month chip! Yea me!

On to a serious matter, and I would love some input, although I realize you may not have all of the facts in the matter. Usually when I get to the office, the despair and depression doesn't hit till later in the day around 3:00ish... today, it hit like the second I got in, or even before when I was drinking coffee at panerra, reading the paper.

I feel like this: I am depressed. I hate my job. I feel like I do not belong here. I do not enjoy what I do. I feel like my boss has me doing two things, neither of which I get done... mostly because I lack any motivation. I do not like the industry I work in, I actualy kinda sorta despise it, and have for over 2 years... I feel despair, almost like crying, right now, sitting at my desk. This is how I feel, daily.

I get paid good enough that anything new that I do would probably mean a 25% - 50% cut in salary....

Just wanted to put that out there, I feel like I am about to self destruct, and would prefer not to. Everyday I dream of putting in my 2 weeks notice... but don't, because I would have no job to go to..

Any whoo, feels good just putting that out there.

Thanks for reading.

Jonathan

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Day 171! People going out and stuff...

Man,

Do you guys ever like get excited about people not showing up at meetings, or not posting to their blogs??? Like, kinda wonder "What's going on with so-and-so, I haven't seen her in a week or two..." and things like that? I kinda do, and I don't know really why, but I was just doing that two seconds ago... like two blogs I follow daily, and always have... the persons writing the blogs just kinda "dropped" off the planet... no posts in like 3 weeks. No warnings, just gone.... makes me wonder where they went!!!! And I do care, I want to make sure they are A.O.K!

I can't help but wonder...

And, when it's in the rooms, or someone I know personally... it's even more like wanna know, gotta find out what's going on with that person... weird. It's like if you know someone is on shaky ground, and they disappear, I want to know why they went out, and if they did, sometimes I feel good that I haven't gone out or what not....

I am rambling... (have a sugar/coffee buzz from starbucks... ;)

My point is, I like talking to people, checking in, wondering about people, basically being a social being. Sometimes I feel bad for taking an interest in how people are doing if they relapsed, or even talking about those folks with others... but isn't that our nature? To talk, to connect with others, and try to help?

When people go back out, I try to give my two cents in the most non-direct way... most of the times, the people listening who relapsed are like "Yea I know, but I am different" or "Yea I see what your saying but...". It is kinda fun to hear how people think and stuff, I am probably the same way, cause we all know I am different and you don't know anything about me. LOL, that is a joke, but you get the point right?

Any whoooo, I am so glad to be sober, and can't believe I am almost up to 6 months!!! SO cool.

Today I am grateful...
For Ted inviting me out to dinner tonight, to celebrate his divorce... sober.
For my friends
Family
kitty cats
And AA

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Day 170!!!

Day 170!!

Interesting, I was just surfing around on the internet, and found tons of people just like me! Specifically, I was looking for more guidance on my work situation, depression, motivation, and those sorts of things. So I find it not too surprising that out there, people, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, seem to experience the exact same things I do when it relates to my career...

Lol, that is funny... like I actually expected to be alone and different?

So anywhoooo, I am at the office and not doing too much work at the moment. Earlier in the day I was trudging, and I mean trudging through a stack of bills. I read an article about motivation, and it said you need to just do it... cause otherwise you'd just sit there and tell your self all those "Why can't I..." questions. Once you start doing, you can actually then look back at what you did and feel good about it, or objectively say "that sucks"... or what ever. Point is, you gotta do, you can't just sit around like I do sometimes and be a slothful ass... cause that is a downward spiraling scenerio if you let it happen...

So I did, and felt pretty good. Unfortunetly, that stack of bills is now gone, and finished. I had a few phone calls to make a second ago, but now am kinda sorta idle. My boss is in a meeting, but even if he were out and about, I'd probably still not have much to do....

At lunch, OMG, I was sitting down at a table, and 3 people came and sat down next to me. All three of them, turns out, were training to be substitute teachers. Can you believe that? Is that God talking, saying "Hey you! Yea you! Go try it out, and see if you like it!" That's kinda what I got out of it any way. I talked to them a bit and listened... I think now more than ever I'd like to give it a shot. The problem is my high paying job pays the bills, and substitue teaching wouldn't even pay half of my bills... oh well. Not like tenure would pay much more... hmmm. Any whoo, I am trying not to take too much control, but seriously, work takes up half of my life, and I am not happy. Should I not try to find something else? I have never been much for corporate office environments....

Ok, end rant.

Today I am grateful for:

My house
My cats
My family
My brother and his soon to be child
My friends
AA
My AA friends for hanging out with me...
My sponsor
My kitty cats are so cute
My journal at home
My health
Being single... ok, that one kinda sucks, but I can see how I should be grateful and not dwell on it.
My life

Monday, February 19, 2007

Day 169!

Only 11 days to my 6 month chip!!!! OH YEA!

Well, this weekend was simply fabulous! I went to the State Fair and saw all the perty animals and did some white trash watching, and fat folks watching too. I almost had to try out the deep fried snickers bars, but opted instead for a piece of beef jerky.

I didn't really go for the food or rides, I just wanted to go walk around, and am glad I did. I also pretty much did what I usually do on the weekends, did my coffee commitments and went to meetings... I also hung out with a few AA's last night after our 7:30 meeting... that was cool.

Hmmm... not much to really say. I still can't get motivated at work. It seems I have some bills stacking up right next to me as I type this, and don't feel much like doing anything with them. Seems today is just over. I should probably wrap it up and just head home... but I won't, I will stay till 5:00 and "act" like I am really doing something. I probably shouldn't type this sort of info on here, what if my boss were to come across it? LOL, that would be funny. Maybe I'll try googling me and see if anything pops up from this blog.

I have a meeting tonight at 7:00. I look forward to it, I think I may jump on the ol' bicycle and run on over to the gym before, and get a good work out in. I need to start doing more weights, as I feel like I am gettig skinnier...

Well, that's all she wrote folks! Nothing new with me! I am still sober, and that is what counts! Just trying to figure out my work situation... ya know? I'd really like for a Math Teacher position to open up, so I can try that career field out.

Peace to you all!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Day 165

Today has been a great day!

This morning, I talked to my boss about what I do here. He basically said that he thinks I should manage my time better. Hmmm... well, I kinda sorta got a good idea of what he expects. So now I can go do my job right? Right, I think.

Bottom line, is that it felt good to tell my boss what I was thinking and how I was feeling. Someone last night said "What's the worst that could happen?" If you ask that question, in almost all of the real world issues that I obsess about, the answer usually is... not much.

Nothing much bad can happen over most, if not everything I worry about. So why worry?

Well, today I am trying to get motivated to do some good work. This morning I was kicking butt, but now, after lunch... starting to wane a bit.

Today i am grateful... for:

My two pretty kitty cats
My Town Home
My car
My bike
My tang so do
My friends
AA
My family
My brother
You guys

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Day 164!

Day 164!

Last night my ex-girlfriend called me up, and asked that I be her date to some golf-function-fund-raiser-thingy. Apparently, she couldn't find anyone else, so she called me! I haven't seen her since sobering up, so it was a good experience. We danced, or she danced and I kinda sorta shook my head, we ate food, and I dropped $300 on a Payne Stewart momento plaque thinga-ma-jig.

Plus, my feet were just killing me by the end of the night. I was glad to go home and go to sleep.

So, yea, we are still friends, she is still the same as am I to a point... Sometimes I wonder if we could have another go at it, but I kinda feel like I am not ready for that, as I know she would be pretty serious. Anyhow, we will stay friends for now, and I won't even try to make it any more than that. I am so fortunate to still be friends with her! Such a nice person she is!

Today is Valentine's Day. I am not too excited about it, but the weather outside is simply fabulous... so I am going to have to enjoy it once I get out this hellish labyrinth also known as "my office". Can you tell I still don't like the job? I bring it up more for me than you... to remember how I feel and write it down. Yesterday my boss was trying to explain how I can better do my job, and he actually said "I am not supposed to work, I don't do anything... you should do all my work for me and read my mind." Seriously, he said he wasn't supposed to actually do any work. He asked me for some utility fee numbers, which I gave him... then proceeded to tell me how he actually wanted me to count up the numbers and do some simple math, and then send it to him. Oh well, sorry guy, my fault mista masta! Geeze, what an ass, if you want the numbers added, cause your too lazy to do it, just ask please!

Furthermore, I think I may need to sit down with him and discuss my role here. I feel like they are asking me to do two separate jobs, which really prevents me from doing a good job at either. Not sure how to broach that subject... but I think it may help to actually sit down and talk with my boss about what he wants me to do... it seems like he wants a bazillion things, but changes goals and deadlines all the time. Driving me nuts... and driving my motivation into the muck.

One problem with that is, they may view it as me not wanting to work, and proceed to firing me. That would be simply be icing on the cake. Oh well, I really want to feel motivated, I pray all the time about it, and actually this morning felt pretty good in a meeting. I spoke up and acted the part. But, my motivation hit the rocks soon after. Hmm, interesting, very hard to live in the moment...

Regardless, today is a beautiful day!

Peace!!

Monday, February 12, 2007

Day 162!

Day 162!

Still can't believe I am sober for almost 6 months! That is amazing!

Has it been all a bed of roses? No, I have things that need dealing with while abstaining from alcohol: I have thoughts and feelings, I have friends I hang out with, I have to wake up without a hang over (ok, that's easy sober!), I have commitments I have to keep.

Sometimes I get depressed, happy, sad, agitated, angry, or just plain silly. Sometimes I am a complete ass, other times I am a nice out-going person. It seems to get better with time, but I can't tell, and sometimes I don't do the things I should be doing, but all and all I stay sober. Isn't that the point?

Basically I have to learn to love myself, and live with my self as I am. It can be hard at times, but I am learning... sometimes faster, sometimes slower.

If there is one thing I have learned, one thing that I would suggest to someone who really wants to stay sober, I would tell them my secret: Commitments.

Coffee commitments, meeting commitments, setup commitments, friend commitments. Get off your ass, volunteer for something. Anyone at any meeting has something for you to do on a weekly basis. That has kept me sober more than anything else. Today I got a call from someone, asking that I make the coffee for them tonight, because they couldn't make it. I don't really feel like it, but when I thought about getting to the meeting early, and preparing the coffee, setting up the chairs, and silently waiting for everyone to show, I realized how blessed I truly am! People call me to take care of things for them in their absence. It makes me feel wonderful, important almost! *Jonathan's ego swells to epic proportions *

Yea, that's cool. I am responsible... but who am I kidding? I don't do it for them, I do it because I know it will keep me sober; just one more day at a time.

One word: Commitment

Enjoy the light of the day!

Friday, February 9, 2007

Day 159!

Day 159! 3 Weeks to 180 days! Woot woot!

I can't believe it. Surely God is working in my life, because if I had it my way, I'd probably be drinking...

Well, today is a good day. I feel like lately I have been beating myself up a bit too much and not living in the moment, enjoying the light of the day.

Today I feel good. As frustrating as work can be, I shall not let it get the best of me, and I will do a good job. With my HP beside me I can do anything, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Tonight, I have my coffee comittment, which I swear to God has been huge in keeping me sober. Saturday as well, I help setup at a meeting. Having a commitment on Friday and Saturday night has kept me out of my head, and hanging out with people. I love it, and every weekend, I look forward to having dinner with alchoholics... so much fun.

Any whooooo, I feel good today. Let's keep it that way, shall we?

Enjoying the light of the day, from Tampa....

Jonathan

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Day 158!

Ugh! Sloth at work!!!

Today, I feel totally lazy. I don't really feel much like doing anything. I have answered the phone a couple times, called a few people, sent a few emails, and functioned for the most part.... but it's killing me!!! Lol. Just need to post how I feel... My boss came in and was like "You busy or what?" I was like "yea"... He senses me being quite and withdrawn....

Besides that!!!

Not much else new.

Still sober!

I am grateful for:

My job... not... ok, maybe a little
My family
My health
My finances
My sobriety
My security
This Country we live in
My friends
My health
My friends
AA
My sobriety!

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Day 151!

Well,

Today I feel better. Although, I feel like it is because I got something I wanted, and not because I surrendered, although I was about to surrender, I swear!

Coming into the office today, I fully intended to get right down to business and get a whole lot of good work accomplished. I have, for the most part, and feel wonderful. However, a big part of it is because I just got a response from the most promising computer programming jobs yet. The said I was selected out of 100 resumes to take the process further. So, I got way ahead of myself and started fantasizing about it as I sent them the additional info they were looking for...

So I am happy about that. I really need to be turning this one over asap, because if anything doesn't go "my way" I am sure to loose it. HP, if this is what you want of me, then so be it. If this is not what you want for me, so be it. I shall live in the moment, and try to be of service today, as best as I can be. Amen.

Last night I went and bought a new PS2 video game... SOCOM Combined Assault. Yea, I know, an opportunity to isolate... but maybe not. I can't neglect the video game lover in me any more.

Tonight I have TangSooDo and my big book study afterwords, a very full evening. Lord knows I need to get out of my head, so this should be a fabulous evening.

Today I am grateful...