We All Walk The Long Road

Crazy to see my last post came January 5th of this year and the post before that was an anonymous question (a q anon...get it?) I am alive. Much of this year was shitty, I was out of work for much of the year. I had probably at least 3 emotional breakdowns related to COVID, job stress, financial stress, etc. The funny thing was the day I had my last emotional breakdown I was in the process of interviewing for a job with a recruiter. I was going through the back and forth and was about to set up an interview with the team looking to hire when I got a call from their HR person saying that they were looking for someone who was currently working, or at least a shorter time between jobs compared to what I had on my resume. I lost it, like completely lost it in an ugly. It was so bad, Daisy saw me crying hysterically in my room and freaked out not know what to do. So she ended up running to my wife and barked at her and ran back to me until my wife came from her office to see me in my shattered state.

I mention all that because not 2 hours after that breakdown, I got a call from an HR person at a company that I had applied to and asked if I would be willing to come in for an in person interview later that same week. They were looking to fill the position quickly and were hoping I was available. I came in, I did as best as I could (and I thought I bombed) and a week later I was offered a job! I’ve been at the company since the end of October and am loving it. I love the work, more importantly, I love the people here I work with. The drive is tough, having to commute about 52 miles (or in California time speak about 1 hr 15 minutes) each way but it’s worth it to say I have a job again, and have found purpose. 

If I could erase a time from my life, I would erase this 40th year so far. It has been absolute shit, and not getting any better. Going on 4 months now unemployed after losing my job with no real prospects on the horizon, my marriage is nothing to write home about, my dog had emotional issues that prevent her from letting people get within 5 ft of her that's not mom or dad and won't let dogs get within 500 ft without losing her shit.

Daisy with some deep thoughts today.

I was tagged by the very cool @the-kxpx​, whom I miss hanging out with very much here in Oregon. Let’s see what these questions are.

Nickname: I’ve only got a couple nicknames, my main one is Rob. My family calls me Robbie, my nickname in high school when I was on the baseball team was Rafiki (from the Lion King) because I used to meditate for 30 minutes before every game that I started as a pitcher, so they used to give me hard time about that. 

Height: 5'7

Last thing I searched for: my laptop to work on some job hunting (and see Tumblr)

Favorite musician: Pearl Jam is number 1 for me. I have a wide range of favorite musicians and groups, it depends on my mood. Right now I’m really into Queen, the Doors, Linkin Park (after watching a No Life Shaq reaction video here) I would also be remiss if i didn’t include my girl Kelly Clarkson as a favorite as well.

What song is stuck in your head: Numb by Linkin Park

If I had a time machine would I go back or into the future: I would want to go to the future, I’ve lived the past already, but would be curious to see how things are in the next 10, 20, 30, 50 years (if we’re still around after Climate Change and earthquakes change the planet)

Do I get asks: Never.

Who am I following: Mostly tumblr vets, some since the day I joined in 2011. I also follow some Machu Picchu blogs just to remember what it was like to see that place in person twice.

Would I rather be rich or famous: Rich, easy. I’d still like to be able to walk down the street without being bothered, but I’d love to not have to sweat making my rent and other things like I worry about today the longer I’m out of work. 

How much sleep do I get: I get about 6-7 hrs, it’s been better since Daisy has been to board and train for the past 2 weeks, but i still try to get a good night sleep and get up early so I keep the depression at bay by staying in a working routine until i find said work. 

What’s my favorite food: Mexican food, such a comfort food for me.

Favorite books/games/films/shows:  Not much of a book person. Games I really enjoy the Nintendo Switch games like Mario Party and Mario Kart. Films, too many to list but I’ll go with the original Star Wars trilogy, Clue, Three Amigos, Blazing Saddles, the Godfather I and II, Lincoln, West Side Story, Sound of Music, Avengers trilogy, Captain America trilogy, Forrest Gump, Indiana Jones 1 and 3 (2 and 4 don’t exist to me). Shows, I’d have to go with the West Wing as my all time favorite show and still watch on occasion today, especially in these trying political times of this Administration. Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Game of Thrones seasons 1-7.

Lucky number: 24

Do I play any instruments: Not at all, but am thinking of getting a guitar and learning while i have the free time right now. 

What am I wearing: Shorts, sandals, a workout shirt, nothing special at the moment. 

What is my dream job: Professional Sports mascot (my idols are the Phillie Phanatic, Bailey from the LA Kings, Mr. Met, Clutch from the Houston Rockets, the KC Wolf

Dream trip: I would probably really want to go to the Caribbean or some tropical place like Fiji. i really want to be in a place with such beautiful waters, and warm temperatures where I can just let all my stresses and worries go away. 

If I were an animal what would I be: My spirit animal is a Grizzly Bear. I just want to sleep, walk around for a bit, eat some fish and be left alone. 

Hobbies: not many at this time sadly, maybe that’s why I’m struggling with things right now.

Zodiac: Pisces to the core of me

Age:40, just turned it this year and I gotta be honest, it has been awful. 

Describe myself in aesthetics: Sandals, sunglasses (if the sun ever showed up in Oregon for more than 3 months) hockey jerseys, coffee, dog hair (thanks Daisy)

for @dame0fgroans and in honor of Flashback Friday, I present a series of photos. Daisy from the day we got her (top 2 pictures) to when he ears perked up and became buddies for about 10 days (2nd 2 pictures) to a few months later when she started to grow into them. The bottom picture is Daisy fully grown as of 2 weeks ago, before she left for training.