Happy Birthday, RJ!

Today is RJ's Birthday! We had a party for him this weekend (we limited the guest list to mostly family, so please no offense if you weren't invited). His grandma made him a bear shaped birthday cake and he just loved it - as witnessed by the picture.

Although I had many profound thoughts throughout the day, the one that struck me the most was just how lucky Beth and I are that RJ came into our lives.

We endured a lot of heartache and struggle to get to February 1, 2009. Now one year later, it's easy to say that it's all been worth it. It was easy to say that since the adoption was finalized, but it doesn't hurt to say it again. RJ is a blessing beyond blessings. In fact, Beth and I feel so blessed that we'll be re-entering the adoptive parent pool later this month.

This is one of the reasons that Beth and RJ aren't joining me full-time Dublin. We need to maintain residency in Illinois to be eligible to be in the adoption pool. So if we're doubly blessed, RJ will have a little brother or little sister sometime in the (hopefully near) future.

RJ says, "Thank you for all the presents," but it sounds more like "buh buh bah mah nuh dah"

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

I'm a little tired after RJ's first birthday party and don't know exactly where to start. So I'll push that story 'til tomorrow, which happens to be RJ's actual birthday. So in its place, I'll give you an idea of how my commute to Dublin works. I just got back from Dublin Friday night and will be flying back on Monday.

Here's what my Monday/Tuesday will look like:

2:30 PM CST - Beth drives me to the Crystal Lake train station.
3:00 PM CST - UP Northwest Line to Dee Rd station (Park Ridge)
4:00 PM CST - Taxi to O'Hare
4:15 PM CST - Check-in/Wait at Airport
7:00 PM CST - Board Plane
7:30 PM CST - Take off for Dublin
2:30 AM CST - Land in Dublin, Collect Baggage, Wait for Hotel Shuttle
3:45 AM CST - Shuttle to Hotel
4:00 AM CST - Check-in at hotel, Shower
4:30 AM CST - Go to Work (10:30 AM GMT)

That's about 14 hours of travel. During this time, if I don't get any sleep, I'm useless the next day. I really don't sleep well on planes. Thus, Advil PM is my friend.

The flight to Dublin is much harder than the flight home. On the way to Dublin, you lose sleep, on the way home you can gain sleep. So this past Friday when I came home, I fell asleep at 7pm and woke up the next morning at 6am . . . like that I'm back on schedule.

So to recap: Make sure to pack sleep aids (especially if you expect to function the next day). Flying West is easier than flying East. And . . .

Those aren't pillows! [download/rent the movie if you have to ask]

Book Report: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

I figured that since I've taken on the challenge of reading more, I'd include some old-fashioned book reports (or reviews if you like) in the blog.

The Blade Itself is Joe Abercrombie's first book. It also happens to be the first book of his trilogy The First Law. I pulled the title from a general list of Top 25 Best Fantasy Books. The library happened to have the whole trilogy, so I decided to get busy reading it.

The Best Part: This book is all about characterization. Abercrombie does a fantastic job creating the characters of Logen, Glokta, and Jezal. These seem to be the primary characters, though there is quite a bit of character development amongst the secondary characters as well. Glokta is particularly well written. Abercrombie's style is very easy to read, making the book hard to put down once you pick it up.

The Worst Part: The book is not much more than a characterization. Though I haven't read the second or third book of the trilogy, I imagine that this is a good introduction to them. You get to know the characters and some minor events occur. However, you really don't know at the end of the story what the heroes are doing or why they are doing it. This book could not exist on its own.

Life's Lessons Learned: The book has a few themes that you can pick up pretty quickly. The most apparent is that the extremes of good and evil don't manifest themselves in one human being. Good people do bad things, bad people do good things. Most of the time good and evil are relative to your perspective.

Rating: Like one of the main characters in the story, I give this book a Bloody-Nine fingers out of ten. The book left me chomping at the bit to start the next book in the series: Before They Are Hanged. However, it left me a little unsatisfied because nothing really happened of import - other than introducing us to a brilliant fantasy world and a fun set of characters.

Back to Square 1

Yesterday, I left the cliffhanger as I'd reveal which apartment I finally chose. The answer is that I chose the one closer to the hotel, but I'm moving into neither. Let me 'splain.

I had made an offer on Monday on the apartment closest to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Here is how the conversation went (they were asking 950 Euro per month):

Me: I'll offer you 875 for the six month lease

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (a few moments pass) . . . No we're pretty set on 950.

Me: Ok, I can go up to 950 if you give me a 3-month "break-out" clause.

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (a few more moments pass) . . . Ok, we can do that. When do you want to move in?

Me: How's Thursday?

That's how the initial conversation was left. Ever since then, they've been trying to get me to remove the 3-month breakout clause saying things like, "so long as you give 28 days notice, we'll just take the deposit as the last month's rent." It sounded feasible, but I felt that I need to do some due diligence to validate their claims.

I read through Irish letting laws most of the afternoon. I did find reference to the 28 day notice period, however, I did not find it referenced where I would not be liable for the remainder of the lease if I was to break at 3-months. I also had somebody from my company do a little look into it for me as well. I called them back late this afternoon:

Me: I checked with my company and their recommendation is that I get either the break out clause or your interpretation of the 28-notice added to the contract in writing.

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (hangs up, then calls me back shortly). Sorry, my manager and the landlord think that a 3-month breakout clause is just like a 3-month lease. The landlord needs a 6 month lease.

Me: Ok, if you remember, I made an initial offer on the apartment at 875 without the break out option. Here's what I'm willing to do: I'll offer 900 a month for the place.

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (hangs up, then calls me back shortly). Sorry, the landlord can't go below 950. He's got a mortgage to pay.

Me: That's too bad. Have a nice day.

Though at least 10 wittier things to say have come to me since like "900 Euro is greater than zero Euro," or "It's harder to pay the mortgage without a lease." But I was still feeling pretty good because the other apartment still looked to be available.

Alas it was not. Back to square 1.

The Northwood 350

By the time this blog posts, I will have completed my last lap of the Northwood 350. What is the Northwood 350 you ask? It's not a race, but it obviously does involve me doing laps - in this case up and down Northwood Avenue in Santry.

Because there is a catch 22 in regards to housing in Ireland (or any foreign country, I suppose), I've spent the last week and a half walking up to the local convenience store everyday to get cash from the ATM there. The catch 22 is this: To rent an apartment in a foreign country, you need a bank account. To get a bank account, you need an proof of address. The plot thickens.

Dun. Dah. Dah.

Lucky for me, cash is king. To rent the apartment that I'm looking at, I can also pay cash: first months rent and a deposit (equivalent to the last months rent). Two times rent is a significant amount of cash to be carrying around. The local ATM has a limit of 400 Euro. Thus, I've been making serial withdrawals from the ATM of $350 for the last week to be able to rent an apartment. I have thus dubbed the walk to and from the ATM, The Northwood 350.

Last night I stopped by the apartment that I'm going to rent. Today, I'm signing and paying. Next week, I setup a bank account over here so I don't have to walk the Northwood 350 again.

Ooohh the suspense . . . which apartment did I pick? Find out tomorrow in the next episode of The Adventures of HRputer!

Arbeit Macht Frei

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Sixty five years ago Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by soldiers of the Soviet Union. The sign that hung over the gate at Auschwitz read "Arbeit Macht Frei" or "Work Makes One Free." Irony. Auschwitz was not a work camp, it was a death camp - part of a network of death camps created by evil men.

Though I could produce paragraph upon paragraph of text about the issue of evil in our world, so many more before me have done so already, and they've done it more eloquently than I could. Thus, I give to you a litany of wisdom from minds far greater than my own:

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

"Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings." - Helen Keller

"He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done." - Leonardo Da Vinci

". . . evil will always triumph because because good is dumb." - Mel Brooks [Spaceballs]

Do you get where I'm going with this? If you guessed "Evil flourishes because not enough people care to do anything about it" you're on the right track. One more quote for the heck of it:

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayanna

Today, please take a moment to:

1) Remember the millions of people who have lost their lives to the whims of evil men.
2) Thank the good Lord (or other deity of choice) for what you have today.
3) Care enough to do something, anything for those who suffer at the hands of evil men.

Amnesty International is a good place to start if you're looking for ideas.

It's Raining Apartments - Hallelujah!

Yesterday, to pass time away while I was at the GNIB, I decided to make a call to a letting agent and make a deal on an apartment. This apartment could not be closer to the hotel where my company has our project based. It is literally right across the parking lot. We talked and I didn't get a great deal on the price, but it was within my budget. More importantly, I got a 3-month break clause so that if I need to return home after 3 months, I won't lose my security deposit.

Now, to bring the audience up to date, I had called a lady last Friday to make on offer on her apartment, but she said that she had already let it out. I got a call from her last night at 10pm (I was being anti-social and was already in bed) saying that she couldn't rent to those people. They didn't tell her they had a dog and the apartment complex doesn't allow pets.

So now here's my conundrum. I liked the lady's apartment better than the letting agents'. It's cheaper, but further from the hotel. It's also better furnished and closer to the shops.

The one that's close is a basic apartment, I wasn't thrilled with it. However it is very convenient. And the letting agent would probably be easier to work with than a landlord that is living abroad.

Decisions, decisions, decisions . . .

(By the way, the photo is of the apartment that is next to the hotel)

The G.N.I.B.

The Garda National Immigration Bureau . . . stole a day of my life that I'm never getting back. I had previously gotten my Intra Company Transfer Permit set up through my company - for which I needed to be out of Ireland for roughly 4-5 weeks.

Once that process is complete, I was able to re-enter the country and work in Ireland as a foreign national. The catch was that I needed to register with the GNIB within one month after my first arrival. At the airport, they told me that it's going to take about 2 hours to get through the process.

It took over 5 hours to get through the whole process. When you add in travel time to get to Dublin City Center - it totaled almost 7 hours to complete the process. Let me explain.

I arrived at the GNIB then walked around for about 5 minutes until I figured out that there is a queue to get into. It took 45 minutes to get through this line. The results were that I got a ticket with a number on it: 224. The agent says it will take roughly two and a half hours from that point. I look at a bank of windows on the right: now serving 122. The bank of windows on the left: now serving 113. One hour later - serving 144 and 125 respectively. I go out for an early lunch.

Upon my return: serving 171 and 139 respectively. I started reading a book that I brought with me. After 3 hours of total wait time, the bank on the right was up to 220 - I was giddy with anticipation - but the windows started closing. What? Panicking, I asked a lady what's going on as she tried to shut the window on me. She says they're closing. I show her my ticket. She tells me that my number is a waiting number for the bank of windows on the left. Now serving 173 . . .

Four and a half hours after I arrive, the numbers blow through from 210 to 222. I stopped reading my book, though I almost finished it. I stood up and moved closer to the windows at the left. It seemed like a short eternity waiting for 224 to come up, but it did. It took me only 5 minutes with the agent before I was shoved away from his window to wait for my Certificate of Registration to print out. Half an hour later, I'm heading back to the hotel with my Certificate of Registration in my hand.

Truth is that the process was pretty efficient once I got to the window. It just took me forever to get to a window.

Advice for people visiting the GNIB: 1) Get there early, 2) Bring a book, 3) Plan something fun to do in case of a long wait, 4) Make sure you know which bank of windows you're waiting for, and 5) Plan on the experience stealing a day from your life.

The Missing Begins

I've noticed that from my previous trips, it's the first weekend away when I really start missing Beth and RJ. The first day on the trip is pretty bad, too, but I soon get too busy with work to notice. When the weekend rolls around, it's not just a business trip anymore, it's extended time away from my family.

I'll be home this Friday, for RJ's first birthday party, but I'm back out the following Monday for three weeks. I haven't quite made it three weeks yet - I was scheduled for three weeks in December, but I came home early. I don't look forward to missing Valentine's Day.

I do look forward to when Beth and RJ can join me over here. I'll be making an offer on an apartment today. It's a 2-bed, 2-bath that is literally right next to the hotel that I'm working at. Some of the other guys moving to Ireland think it's too close, but then they've committed to longer stays than I have. After commuting almost 50 miles each way for the last 3 years, I think a walk-across-the-parking-lot commute would do me well.

Thank you everybody for reading my the blog. Your comments and feedback are welcomed and enjoyed.

Beth and RJ - I love you and I miss you.

P.S. - Trying to find a picture of Beth is like trying to find a picture a vampire. She just doesn't appear on film. So, you'll have to make-do with a picture of RJ. :D

Denis Laoghaire, the star of "Rescue Me"

Some of my Irish colleagues were asking me if I had any plans to do anything this weekend. This IS, after all, the international ADVENTURES of HRputer. I told them that I was planning on having an apartment ready to go and would probably spend my time moving in and making my new accommodations cozy. However, I added, I had a Plan B to go to Dun Laoghaire, which is a dock area south of Dublin City. It's supposed to be a beautiful walk along the coast. They looked at me cross-eyed.

I decided to explain to them my theory about making travel plans in Ireland:

Always have a Plan B. If you're planning to do something outdoors, always have a Plan B that is indoors. If you're planning on doing something indoors, have a Plan B that is outdoors. As an American I well knew the first of these to pieces of wisdom. Why, would you ask, do you need a Plan B when you have indoor plans?

If the weather is good, don't waste it. Be ready to go out and enjoy it.

I quickly learned that this wasn't what confused them; rather, it was my pronunciation of Dun Laoghaire. I pronounced it: Dune LaGare. They had a chuckle while explaining to me that it's pronounced Dun Leary.

Me: "Like Denis Leary, right?"

Them: "Who?"

First Impressions - What Are They Worth?

We recently hired a new Business Analyst to work on the SAP project with us. I met her on Wednesday at 4pm. On Thursday, she spent the day reading through a bunch of the documentation and was not overly conversant. So far I've been able to glean that she has dogs, does not have children, has an hour commute, and just got off an assignment in London.

So Thursday evening, the HR Director that hired her asked me this: "What do you think of her?"

My response: "She seems amiable enough."

I just don't know enough about her yet to know if she's a good addition to the team. I won't know that until she starts working on project tasks and getting stuff done. I'm not sure if the HR Director was looking for validation, conversation, or valid feedback regarding this person he just hired. You can probably tell by my response, he didn't get much of anything.

I've been in situations like this from a different perspective as well. Before the holidays, somebody asked me of my impression of a person he'd just met. I've known this person for a few years. My opinion wasn't that favorable, but I didn't say much. He seemed to think highly of this person, based on his first impression. I figured, "Why ruin an impression, he'll figure it out himself." So I nodded and smiled my way through the conversation.

So before I go rambling on with more examples, I guess I'll get to the point: Spend the time to form the correct opinion of a person. First impressions - though powerful - are often misleading. More importantly, form your own impression of a person, don't borrow other people's opinions.

Ever have a first impression blown away after you got to know a person? Let's hear it!

McQueen, The Musical

The big thing in Dublin for the next two weeks is the musical "We Will Rock You." Throughout the week, I've been hearing about how so-and-so is taking their wife, boyfriend, or dog to go see the musical at The O2 Arena.

So a few of us that don't have our wives, boyfriends, or dogs with us in Dublin decided to go out and see the musical last night. It just so happened to be opening night. The gremlins showed up en masse.

Five minutes into the show, they shut down for about 10 minutes due to technical difficulties. The show made it successfully through the intermission and then just prior to the finale, they had to shut it down again due to technical difficulties. The sound problem was so bad that they couldn't even announce that they had a technical difficulty over the PA system. They had somebody come out on stage and make the announcement - but nobody could hear her.

During this second shut down, the crowd broke out into a couple of choruses of "We Will Rock You." A clever heckler then changed the words to "We want, we want, our money back." He got some laughs. Luckily the show restarted before that became a battle cry of the masses.

Aside from the technical difficulties, the show was fun. I didn't know what to expect. The story is based in 2310, 300 years after Simon Cowell killed Rock 'n Roll with a ceaseless supply of pop stars. Obviously, it was the protagonists fate (his name was Galileo Figaro) to restore Rock 'n Roll to this futuristic world of Music Programmers.

The plot had to stretch at points to get to a Queen song, but the finale was absolutely awesome.

Did I mention Brian May came out and played the solo during "Bohemian Rhapsody?" I think I just did.

Apartment Toilet

On my first few trips over to Ireland, I kept seeing signs that said "toilet." I started to wonder why people kept advertising their toilets. After awhile, I found it odd that they were all missing the "i" in the word. Then it dawned on me. "To Let" They're advertising that their apartment is To Let.

This is just one of those intricacies between how we speak English (at least in the Midwest states) and how the Irish speak it. I'm looking for apartments to let, not apartments for rent.

No progress on the apartment hunting today. I did get a call from a letting agent asking if I might be interested in viewing an apartment close to the hotel. The letting agent asked me when I was available and I said that I could be there in 10 minutes. He said that he needed to contact the tenant that was there to see when it would be alright if I came by. I haven't heard from him since.

I suppose that I shouldn't assume that everybody is waiting for me to look at their apartments. Yet, it would have been nice if when they contacted me to rent the apartment, they had a couple of times already set for me to choose from. Truth be told, I think that this was the letting agent's trainee that called me. I think he may have just learned something.

The Hunt Begins

I spent most of my day on Monday recovering from jet lag, but managed to sneak out to see a couple of apartments. It was a very disappointing day. The first apartment I saw was way below my standards. Although, what was more disappointing was that it was one of the apartment complexes I had set higher hopes for.

Later in the afternoon, however, my hopes were restored when I saw another apartment in the same complex. It was well decorated with upgraded flooring and well maintained. I doubt that I'll get that one, though. The landlord is looking for a 1-year lease and there were a bunch of other people looking at it while I was there. I wouldn't have much bargaining position.

I've got an appointment to see two other apartments later this week. I've got my hopes set high for a Wednesday evening appointment. That landlord is looking specifically for a 6-month lease.

The one thing that I've noticed as a drawback so far was the lack of TV's in the furnished apartments. I may have to buy more things than I thought while I'm over here. So much to learn about the Irish housing market so little time.

Now it's time to re-engage myself in the project that they're paying me to work on.

The Adventure Begins . . .

. . . with a man wearing a cowboy hat and chaps at the Crystal Lake train station. WTF? As I struggled with the door and two suitcases, however, I was glad that the cowboy was there. He was kind enough to hold the door for me. Inside I was quickly met by the "Can I sell you a used weekend ticket" man who was down on his luck. From his waistline, however, I can't imagine he was too far down on his luck. Still I have a weakness for helping people, so I gave him five bucks for the used ticket (If nothing else, I appreciated that he was being resourceful). I still bought a legit ticket on the train as train tickets are non-transferable.

I get to the airport by 4:15pm (for a 7:30pm flight) thinking that the TSA might give me a private screening. No luck there. This was the fastest I think I've ever gotten through security at O'Hare. So it was 4:30 and I had two and a half hours to kill before the flight began boarding. Luckily the Jets/Chargers game was on. On Friday, I gave out my Super Bowl picks as San Diego over Dallas. I think I need to revise.

You know it's a good travel day when you're lucky enough to have a whole empty row of seats on an international flight. I got some good sleep on the flight (well . . . as good as you can get). As a bonus the dreadlocked retro hippie sitting in front of me didn't smell like he hadn't showered in weeks.

One drawback to the flight. For those gluten-freers out there. My gluten free breakfast came with a gluten-full muffin. It said "Contains Wheat" right on the label. I did log the complaint with the Flight Attendant who apologized profusely and swapped me a banana for the muffin.

Otherwise, I landed safely in Dublin, got checked into the hotel, and I'm looking forward to a shower. I smell like a dreadlocked retro hippie who hasn't showered in weeks. Gotta wash the travel off!

TSA Provides Private Screenings

Today, I travel to Ireland to commence my international assignment. I decided to go check the TSA website to see if I need to take any precautions due to heightened security measures. I found the following quote.

In instances where passengers choose not to remove bulky clothing, including headwear, our officers are trained to offer a private screening area . . .

Oooh! A private screening area! I haven't seen Avatar yet, so I'm thinking that I might choose not to remove my stylish fez so I can get a private screening.

I was treated to a private screening before one of my flights back from Ireland. It wasn't a pleasant experience, just inconvenient.

Admittedly the quote sounds much funnier out of context. Click here if you would like to be let down by reading the full quote. Here's the pertinent info for travelers:

Q. Should passengers plan to arrive at airports earlier than normal?
A. Passengers may want to allow additional time to get through security on international flights bound to U.S. These times may vary by airport - check in with your airport or carrier.

So it looks like the extended security checks are for flights coming back into the United States. I'm still planning on giving myself an extra hour leeway on this trip out, but will need to allow even more time for the trip back. Wish me a safe trip!

International Driving Permits

Since it looks like I'll be driving around Ireland for six months (mostly around Dublin), I needed to get an International Driving Permit. If you're just going for vacation, you don't need to get one of these. However, if you're going to be in a foreign country for an extended stay you need one.

So, I venture off to the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles and Terry tells me I need to get it from a AAA office. I was confused - not only because I had to go to AAA for an official document, but also because I got great service at the DMV!

It turns out that getting an International Driving Permit is pretty easy. Just bring two passport photos (I got mine at Walgreens for $8), your driver's license, and $15 to AAA. It took me longer to get my photos at Walgreens than it took me to get the permit at AAA.

Today I'm giving kudos to AAA for providing a needed service, efficiently and at an affordable price. Also, I'm giving Terry at the Libertyville, Illinois DMV kudos for surprising me by being helpful.

Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a customer service experience?

Poker Theory and Snow Blowers

This week I came across a real life application of what poker players would call a "value bet."

A value bet is a bet that make when you're quite certain that you have the winning hand, but you still want to get some money from your opponents. If you bet too high, they will likely fold. If you bet too low, you're missing out on an opportunity to capitalize on a winning hand. So, you try to figure out the highest bet amount that your opponent would call.

So back to my real life application of the value bet. Our snow blower broke this weekend when I ran over a chunk of ice that was too big for it. This snow blower is over 20 years old, but still runs like a champ. I dropped it off at the local outdoor equipment repair shop. They said they'd get back to me with a quote. I agreed.

Later in the week, I get a call from the shop. They say that it will cost $125 to replace the plastic plate. They say "it would cost more to take the piece off the 'carcass' they have in back." I tell them I'll call them back.

Searching online for snow blowers, I find that even the cheapest models run about $250. I quickly call back and tell them to go ahead with the repair.

It's an excellent example of a value bet, because they know that my other options are limited. You can't even find used snow blowers for much less than $200. To me, $125 is too much to pay to screw a new plastic wedge to the underside of my snow blower. However, looking at the hand I was dealt (I'm leaving for Ireland in a few days; it needs to be working for Beth; I don't have time to shop for a used model), I quickly agreed.

Does anybody else have a real life example of a value bet that they reluctantly paid (or charged)?

Why I Can Say Yes

My faith in my company is restored.

I had a meeting with my new boss (VP HR) and the HR Director from Ireland yesterday. When last we met, we tried to come to an agreement on what would work for me, my family and the company, a win-win-win scenario. We had a few disagreements during that conversation . . . part of the reason that the situation was a throbbing mass of stress.

During our meeting yesterday, they presented me with the new offer, which was exactly the way that I had hoped it would turn out. I gave a little and the company gave a little. All in all, I'm satisfied with the situation.

As it turns out now, I'll be signing a three month lease for an apartment when I get back over to Dublin, with an option for a monthly renewal. After three months, we'll have a better picture the plan to roll-out the software. I expect I'll be there for 4-5 months, then returning to the US to do a 3-6 month project before heading back to Dublin to test & roll out the software.

In addition, we've gotten two new team members added to our team, so we're no longer understaffed. There will be some long days, but my company has stepped up and made a commitment to me and to making the project a successful one.

Giving it Legs

My wife asked me the other day why I decided to write a blog. My answer: "I need a place to vent. I need an outlet." In the car on my way to work yesterday morning, I got to thinking (scary, eh?).

I said to myself, "Steve, it's all well and good to vent, but most of the time you're a pretty cheerful guy. What are you going to do when you're done venting?"

I know myself well enough to realize that without a higher cause, this blog will fail when I run out of piss and vinegar. I don't want that to happen. That is, I don't mind running out of piss and vinegar, I just don't want the blog to end when it happens.

Facing a 6 month (and possibly longer) assignment in Ireland, during which I'll be separated from my wife and son for long periods of time, I've decided to take another angle.

At it's base level, this blog is for my son. I'm writing it to pass on whatever sage wisdom I might have learned in life so that he might also learn from it (or choose to ignore it). It is, in essence, a moral will - values and a story I can share with him.

I will still tackle subjects that may not be of interest to my one man audience because it may give him more insight (if/when he reads it years down the road) into his father. I also hope that anybody else who comes along for the ride finds it entertaining and insightful. I do plan to include you all, instead of being all preachy, but at the end of the day this one is for RJ. I love ya, kiddo.

Why I Can't Say No

I've gotten some feedback on my first post to the blog. I was asked why, if the assignment is (as I put it) "a throbbing mass of stress in my head," don't I just say no. In order of pertinence, here are the reasons that I can't say no:

1. Job Security - If you read Monday's Blog, you'd know that my boss was recently let go. It was explained to me that his position had moved to Ireland and since he did not wish to relocate with his position, he was let go. I don't fully believe that's why he was let go; I think there were other factors. However, in light of the fact that my position is also moving to Dublin for the short term, I did not think it wise to turn it down. My wife gave up her career to be a stay-at-home Mom, something we both feel strongly about. As the only bread winner in the family now, I need to make sure that they are taken care of.

2. Opportunity - I truly like the project and believe in the project. It is an excellent opportunity to for me and my career.

3. Personal Experience - During the last six months on the project, I've met some wonderful people and seen some extraordinary places. I'd really like to share these experiences with my family. Who knows when we might get another chance?

Beth and I would like to adopt again. To remain active in the adoption pool, we need to maintain residency in Illinois. Thus, I'll be working in Dublin and they'll be living at home. They do get to visit a couple of times, though. I will get a few long weekends at home as well.

That's it in a nutshell - why I can't say no to the project and why they can't come with me full time. Too much is at stake for the security and well-being of my family.

Have you ever felt handcuffed by your job? Let's hear about it!

When the tide is coming in . . .

. . . don't be the only person standing on a deserted beach.

In November, while touring County Kerry in Ireland, I drove around Slea Head on the Dingle Peninsula and stopped at Coomenole Beach. To get to the beach you walk down a cliff side staircase. I walked down to take some pictures. I got a little cocky and walked further down the beach to a place where the waves were coming all the way in to the cliff face. They weren't that high - covering, at most, the rubber soles of my sneakers.

That's when Mother Nature put a warning shot across my bow. A big wave came in and soaked me up to my knees. While drying off on the cliffs, I realized that if that wave were a little higher, or I was further down the beach, it could have carried me out into the Atlantic Ocean. Nobody would have heard my cries.

Where am I going with this? Last Monday, my boss was let go. He was the best boss that I've had in my career and I had the pleasure of working for him for just over three years. We've had a couple fun adventures together in Ireland.

I used to think moving to Ireland would be like heaven. But to quote Doug McKenzie from Strange Brew: "Now he's not here, and I've got two soakers... this isn't heaven, this sucks."

Yes, I have been blessed with this opportunity, but having my boss let go just before I'm set to begin an international assignment has left me feeling like I did back on Coomenole Beach - a bit scared that I'll be carried out to sea.

If nothing else, perhaps I'll get some great pictures.

Catching Up With the HRputer Story

One week from today, I begin a 6 month assignment in Ireland.

I haven't signed the offer yet. It sucks. Four months ago, this was going to be the best thing that ever happened to me. Now it's just a throbbing mass of stress in my head. Some stress is good; some stress isn't. Let me recap a brief time line:

June 2009: I participated in a 5 week High Level Design for our company's SAP implementation. It was based in Dublin. I had a blast!

September 2009: Detailed design begins. I'm told that I will receive an offer to relocate to Dublin for 12-18 months by the end of the September.

October 2009: Detailed design continues. I enjoy a few weekend trips in and around Dublin. Still loving the experience, but I haven't yet received my expatriate/relocation package.

November 2009: Detailed design continues. We do a week in Tralee and I have time to tour County Kerry. Absolutely beautiful. A colleague of mine, Conor, takes time to make sure I'm comfortable and looked after while there. Still I have not received an expatriate package. Home for Thanksgiving with a week off to enjoy the company of my wife and my infant son.

December 2009: Detailed design continues. The package finally comes. I'm underwhelmed. I'm asked to sign and return the forms in 5 days. My wife sends me an email in frustration as a huge snow storm has hit the midwest and she's thrown her back out. I book a flight home and use this as an excuse not to sign the package.

My wife as it turns out is OK, but was frustrated because I hadn't gotten everything done that I needed to get done at home before heading back to Ireland. Regardless, I'm overjoyed to be home an extra week for the holidays with some extra time to do research on what expatriate packages should look like, but have a limited time to do so. I know my company will be looking for an answer after the holidays.