The Journey Is Complete

Tags

2012, Belterra, casino, Happy Holidays, Midwest, unemployed, workforce

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly sixty (60) days since I was informed my position was being eliminated at Ipsos. What do they say, time flies when you’re having fun? Perhaps it flies all the time- regardless of the amount of fun involved.

As I mentioned previously, I encountered this leg of my life journey for a specific reason. Perhaps it was to find work or an industry I was more passionate about. Whatever the reason, there are some positives that stem from this experience. And they include:

1. Spent more quality time with the family. Bar none, this was the greatest benefit of all. I had the opportunity to participate in my children’s daily activities that my typical work schedule does not allow for.  The kids may be less pleased Daddy found a new job- they’ll get over it.
2. Acquired a deeper appreciation for my wife’s hard work. And I do stress hard work. The mental challenges that come with being a stay-at-home spouse are severe. And I believe many can’t fully appreciate them until they experience for themselves. I’ll make it a point to more frequently show signs of appreciation towards my wife for her work in raising our children.  She’s amazing at what she does!
3. Acquired a deeper empathy for those affected by workforce changes. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don’t believe we can ever truly understand what people go through once they are required to work through when “in transition, “but at least I have a realistic point of reference to work from.
4. Caught up on some reading. This is an area where I believe people who have been recently displaced can invest more time. I enjoyed a number of books (6, I believe) across multiple genre: motivational, self-help, spiritual, & sports history. Reading allows our minds to work in different ways- and sparks our creativity which allows us to find solutions to life’s problems. It may also direct you towards work that utilizes your natural talents & passion.
5. Developed an even stronger positive mindset. By nature, I tend to be a pretty optimistic guy. I view challenges as opportunities to grow, I prefer to see the good in people, etc. Describing oneself as “unemployed” or “in transition” is certainly not a badge of courage. But I always stayed focus on the goal: Find an opportunity that utilizes my God-given talents working with a company & people I respect (oh yeah, and do all this by the beginning of the New Year). Mission accomplished.

So where do I go from here? Well, I’m sure those in the Midwest are familiar with the recent news regarding casinos. I’ll be actively engaged in those efforts as I join Pinnacle Entertainment (which owns Belterra & River Downs locally) as a Career Development Manager.

Should anyone ever have to navigate though a similar experience, I’d be more than happy to lend advice or an ear to listen.

Happy Holidays, everyone, & here’s to looking forward to a fantastic 2012!

F

10 Buck Chuck

Tags

Bogle, Chardonnay, cheese, holidays, value, wines

With the holidays in full swing, a number of folks are in search of the best “value” wines. For those Chardonnay fanatics, I’ve got just the ticket- Bogle’s Chardonnay.

http://www.boglewinery.com/ourwines_chardonnay.php

It’s priced @ $9.99-$10.99 a bottle depending on where you shop. No oakiness & a splendid array of fruit on the palate. While normally I would lean towards reds out of the Bogle line (namely Syrah), this Chardonnay has continued to impress.

We enjoyed a bottle last night with a cheese tray (havarti, goat, & gouda) coupled with fruit (asian pear, grapes), veggie tray, & walnuts.

Go pick up a bottle of Bogle- & get in the holiday spirit!

Beans, Beans Good For The Heart…

Tags

beer, Bell's, black bean, chilli, Cincinnati, dinner, guacamole, Porter, Rachel Ray, soup

The weather’s ripe for enjoying a nice bowl of soup (sometimes, I get a little tired of chilli living in Cincinnati- AKA: Chilli-town USA).

This morning, I contemplated breaking out a couple cans of Progresso black bean soup to enjoy this evening with a loaf of hot bread. But on second thought, a homemade version would be a much better option. Thus, I consulted the various Rachel Ray cookbooks in our kitchen cabinet. And I found just the ticket: Spicy Black Bean Soup With Limed-Up Shrimp. I’ll make some minor adjustments to the recipe- omit the shrimp and add some red pepper, beer, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and a dollop of guacamole on top prior to serving.

So the kicker question, what should one pair with such a hearty soup? I’ll give the following brew a shot: Bell’s Porter.

http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/#Year_Round-4

Dinner will be served at 6 sharp- don’t be late!

What’s Your Weakness?

Tags

chianti, Cincinnati, Costa Rica, Dewey's, Fellini's, food, New York, Peachtree City, pizza, weaknesses

It’s the most common (not to mention, least useful) question used in interviewing. Those of us who truly understand how to best align opportunities to people, analyze individual’s strengths and ensure the position plays to them. But today, I want to broach this topic from a different perspective.

I’ve been asked what my food weaknesses are- I tend to be a fairly disciplined eater, and I think it disturbs people at times. I’m capable of eating a single potato chip and I typically pass on dessert.  For some people, this is a big deal.

So what’s my weakness? Pizza.

What I love most about pizza are the regional differences. The pizza one enjoys in Italy is completely different from New York which is entirely different from Cincinnati.  Deep dish, thin crust, stuffed crust, no crust, wood fired, stone fired…you get the drift, the list of choices is endless. This might explain why so many independent pizza chains are able to stay in business-   everyone wants their pie made “their way”.  As such, there’s a pizza chain on every block.

My favorite pie establishments include the following:

Partner’s II Pizza: this was the pizza I get up on in Peachtree City, GA. My brother and I took full advantage of the buffet. http://partnerspizza.com/index.htm

Dewey’s Pizza:  unique pizza options, they know how to use garlic, superb service, and a nice offering of regional beers.  http://www.deweyspizza.com/

Fellini’s Pizza: a great spot to grab a slice and dine outdoors with a beautiful view of Peachtree Street.   http://www.fellinisatlanta.com/

Johnny’s Pizza: the only international (Costa Rica) mention on my list (but then again, I’ve never been to Italy).  http://www.pizzeriadejohnny.com/index.html

And I’d also include a random pizza stand where I grabbed a slice in Hoboken, NJ, but it’s been over ten years and I can’t remember the name of it for the life of me.  I’ve heard there’s something in the water in New York/New Jersey that makes the crust (same goes for bagels). Based on my very limited experience, I would tend to agree. I’ve even heard of pizza establishments going so far as to import water from New York to ensure their crust is the best possible).

Well, enough rambling. No pizza for me tonight-  time to throw the pre-made lasagna in the oven.  But be rest assured, there will be Chianti on the side!

Ciao!

In Transition

Tags

career, change, creative, HR, layoffs, networking, transition, unemployed, work

It’s been awhile since my last post. I think it would be easiest to blame it on the fact my wife & I have three young children (Don’t get me wrong, I love ‘em to death, but sometimes it can be next to impossible to get things done around the house!).

Today, I find myself with a little more “free time” on my hands since my position was recently eliminated at Ipsos, a global market research company. As I’ve told many, everything happens for a reason. And I remain confident I’ll solidify a great new opportunity where I’m meant to be. So far, I’ve enjoyed the time networking with others, enjoying more special moments with family, getting creative in the kitchen, & finishing long over due home projects.

It’s been an interesting experience thus far (it’s been a whopping 11 days).  Ironically enough, I spent the last four years in HR delivering the news/communication & subsequent severance packages to affected employees of company downsizings (AKA: reductions in force, layoffs, rightsizings- in the end, it’s all the same right?). While I tried desperately to sympathize with the people affected, I could not truly empathize having never been laid-off myself. If there’s any silver lining in this “transition”, it’s that perhaps I can better understand/appreciate what people go through “in transition” (This is the new coin phrase for unemployed) & I can be better equipped to assist them in the future.

I’m a huge proponent of change. I embrace & excel at it. My wife, on the other hand, detests it. This, I believe, is what’s making the current transition the most difficult. But I remain quite optimistic the exciting career opportunity that awaits me, is right around the corner. My goal: to get back engaged in work that inspires me on or before January 1, 2012. Until then, you’re quite likely to get more frequent babble from the Fortisseur.

Onward & upward!

F

 

Beauty is many times the by-product of transition

Change of Season

Tags

Cincinnati, Fall, gardening, Midwest, season, spring

It’s interesting how we’re hard-wired.  Something as simple as a new season inspires us to appreciate new colors & temperatures.  How fun would life be if not for the “seasonality of life“?

Everyone has their favorite season depending on their own personal preferences.  I’m always torn between spring & fall.  Each brings a little something different to the table.  I appreciate spring even more now that I live in the Midwest because of Cincinnati’s gray winters.  Plus, it’s an opportunity to get your gardening hands in the dirt after a long winter reprieve.  As for fall, one can’t beat the excitement of college football, the leaves changing color, or the raging fire pits on cool fall nights.

So what’s your favorite season?  Are you able to narrow your favorite to just one?

Knockout roses, sedum, & clematis

 

Pansies & sedum in a container among azalea and clematis

You Gotta Groom Your Boys

Tags

annuals, deadheading, low maintainance, Miracle-Gro, summer, wave petunias

By reading the title, one might think this article is about any number of varied subjects.  How to raise your children?  Nope, I’m still learning the ropes on that one.  Is this something you might read about in MAXIM magazine?  Sorry, those days are over for me.  I’m glad to be “settled down” as I get closer to the dreaded 4-0 (but still have a few years to go).

So what’s this about?  Yep, you guessed it- how to maintain the beauty of your summer annuals (and even perennials, for that matter).  Annuals, in particular, enjoy a little “hair cut” this time of year.  You may have noticed your wave petunias getting a bit leggy with the recent balmy weather.  When plants grow exceptionally long, they don’t produce as many blooms.  Thus, trim the plant back by an inch or two; water with Miracle-Gro, and watch your plants respond!  Also be sure to remove those spent blooms (also known as deadheading) to encourage new, healthy flowers. 

These “low maintenance” activities will ensure  you have great looking plant arrangements all the way through September.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Tags

annuals, composting, creative, green gardening, recycling, water fountain

As I’ve grown older, I like to think of gotten at least a little greener (my wife might argue with that statement).

There are plenty of ways to promote green gardening.  Composting is an obvious choice – if you want your yard to smell like refuse (not to mention, the Swamp Thing may pay you an unexpected visit this summer!)  Want more low hanging fruit ideas? Recycling all those plastic containers that litter the yard after planting annuals would apply.  Or how about this, reusing a wall fountain & creating a new annual planter to create vertical interest.

Gardening is full of opportunities to spark your creative juices.  How creative have you been this summer?

A fountain was transformed into a plant container now holding petunias.

Bringing Your Garden Indoors

Tags

annuals, cut flower arrangement, garden, hosta, summer

The beauty of the summer is we’re offered the ability to bring the garden closer to us.  Nothing beats the look & smell of freshly cut flower arrangements (which is why it’s recommend your color palate outside match the one inside).  If you’re not bringing flowers into the home, you’re really missing out.

I recently read an article with some great ideas regarding cut flower arrangements.  We often focus on the colorful annuals to put on display.  But what about the striking foliage that adorns your landscape?  I was intrigued by the thought of using hosta leaves in a flower arrangement.  It helps achieve a sense of balance in the display.

Anyone else trying something new this year with indoor flower displays?

Good & Affordable Summer Wines

Tags

brancott, budget, Chardonnay, crane lake, Sauvignon Blanc, wine

Let’s face it, we’re all in search of wine that tastes good but doesn’t break the bank.  I’ll admit, I’m guilty of buying the $20 bottle on occasion (although I’ve been quite good so far this year).

Here are a couple of my favorite summer wines for the budget conscious:

Crane Lake Chardonnay: You can buy this for around $10 for the big bottle.  Surprisingly, it has a nice vanilla undertone.  My wife & I consider this one a “sleeper”.

http://www.snooth.com/wine/crane-lake-chardonnay-2006/

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc: Typically retails for $10-13 a bottle.  The best way to describe this wine is ”fresh & yummy”.  It pairs exceptionally well with salads and/or paninis. 

http://www.snooth.com/wine/brancott-vineyards-sauvignon-blanc-2006-25/