.: What’s Bruin :.

We got a chance to “participate” in Parents’ Weekend this year albeit not through UCLA’s official program. The costs were prohibitive. I think last year we spent over $250. And while we did not get a chance to go to the Rose Bowl for the game, it was nice to listen to the results on the radio during the commute with UCLA trouncing hated Stanford 21-0 for a Homecoming Game victory.

It was nice to visit Tony even though we did not get to do all the official UCLA activities. In many ways, it was much better than last year. We brought Tony lots of food to stock up his apartment. Two of his rommates had to help up unload the car. Then we enjoyed time together at dinner (La Salsa) and coffee (Peet’s Coffee) in Brentwood on San Vicente Blvd. I do have to say that I will never eat at La Salsa again. That place was disgusting. I had a burrito that tasted really weired because of the sauce that was on top. It didn’t even taste Mexican. After dinner we enjoyed sitting at Peet’s. Below are some thumbnail pics taken with my Sony Clié cam - not very good quality, but okay enough for this article. Here is the link to the album (only four pics).

Interesting sights in Brentwood:

1. Jogger runs by in 55 degree weather in underwear/short shorts.
2. Woman with big bird (toucan) comes into coffee store to order a drink, standing in front of counter sign that says: “No pets allowed.” Annoying bird made weird noises and was climbing all over woman while we were enjoying our coffee.

Only 30 days since school started at UCLA. Seems like forever, so it was nice to see Tony again. I miss him.

Tags: family, Pourpa, UCLA

I realize that I take too many things for granted. I complain too much, maybe not so much out loud, but definitely I harbor too much grumbling in my heart. I definitely don’t spend as much time being thankful for the good things that I have in my life.

As I finished reading this book upstairs, I could smell the aroma of dinner being prepared downstairs, the smells of deliciousity (if that’s not a word, it is now), which really are the smells of devotion and love. I feel both grateful and sad, knowing that I take my wife for granted. She is always looking out for me and caring for me. Yesterday while driving home from UCLA, I got angry in the car because of her driving. For much of the time we drove home in silence. I wish I had been more patient, but it was definitely better for me to do the drive home and navigate through the LA traffic.

I’m going to apologize tonight.
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Tags: Books

Our Road Trip to UCLA on October 30th:

1. Almost hit a car (Josephine) while talking on cell phone near the Montana Ave. exit off the 405 freeway north. Car in front put on breaks suddenly.
2. Merging onto the 405 freeway south near the 10 freeway onramp, cars were slowing, and we almost hit them as Josephine was looking over left should to change lanes.
3. Switched drivers (me now), same general area of the 405 south/10 freeway interchange. Lexus from Minnesota, swerves into the lane in front of us, then slams on breaks because cars in front were slowing down near the onramp. I depress horn for a full 30 seconds . . . very angry.
4. Truck on my right wavering between two lanes on 405 south (at Irvine). I could not change lanes because another car was coming up in the left lane next to me. I honk horn, truck “pretends” to enter our lane. Josephine screaming.

Not fun, drove in silence for the last hour of trip. Asshole drivers, speeding on their way for no reason.

Tags: family, Pourpa, Rants, traffic, transportation, UCLA

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Politics (Bad Taste)

Okay, so it’s not true, but you have to admit. It is very funny.

Tags: Humor

Well, I called over there to The UPS Store HQ and the HR contact said that they were still interviewing candidates this week. So I guess I’m still in the running, although her voice sounded a little shaky to me.

I had a suggestion from my career advisor to send something that demonstrates my abilities and my strong interest in the position. So last night I stayed up finishing a short “training module” on a possible solution to a business problem that they have.

The problem is that The UPS Store is responsible for all the content in their training materials. They can protect their Word documents by converting them to locked PDFs with Adobe Acrobat. However, PowerPoint is much more difficult to secure. So I did a little research and found a URL that offers nine solutions to the problem. So I focused on one off-the-shelf software solution and made a module using their training format that provides information about the advantages and features of using the software.

I’ll keep you posted. I should hear within a week. I mailed my letter and module with UPS Next Day Air, arriving by tomorrow at 10:30 AM. It cost $16.97 but hopefully it will communicated my seriousness and initiative.
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Tags: Career, work

I received a team award today at A Corporation. Each team member gets a $25 per person lunch at company expense, which is nice.

Now what I really think of the award…

I like the plaque and I was pleasantly surprised. But I still think it’s a big fuckin’ joke. My manager, who is still an asshole in my mind, must be doing something right, considering that the majority of the awards yesterday were given to people who are under his management. However, his way of dealing with people still leaves me with little to be desired.

As soon as I find something and someone better, I am outta here!

***************************************

From : Mike Donley
Sent : Wednesday, October 27, 2004 9:05 AM
To : JoeBruin88
Subject : RE: ***** G. - Team Achievement Award

Congratulations, Joe. At least effort is recognized and rewarded to some degree. Other places don’t do anything.

UPS doesn’t know what they are in for, do they?

My fingers will be crossed.

Mike

—–Original Message—–
From: JoeBruin88
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 5:59 AM
To: Mike Donley
Subject: ***** G. - Team Achievement Award

Mike,

Yesterday, I received a team achievement award. Interesting. It seems like a big joke to me. But I was pleasantly surprised. Some people received bonus checks for their individual awards. We get a luncheon at $25/person which is pretty cool for our team.

My Next Day Air letter should arrive this morning at The UPS Store headquarters.

Joe

Tags: Career, work

Free Webcast. Set the slider to 41:51 for the start of the song.

I was listening to this song over and over again on Friday, praying regarding the Uninterruptible Power Supply. This song has special meaning. It speaks of the blessings that God gives us and those things that He takes away. In either case, we are called to bless His name.

The link above is to a free webcast from Maranatha Chapel where Tree 63, a Christian group from South Africa was playing. If you click on the link, it should open your media player, then to listen to the song, slide the time (fast forward) to 41:51 (41 minutes, 51 seconds).

Update: Tonight at church, the played this song. Perhaps, it’s a sign . . .

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Tags: Spiritual

FQ1: If you were able to visit any time period in the past, when would it be? What is it about this particular point in history that appeals to you?

I would visit the time period of around World War II so that I could learn about what my parents experienced growing up and what their daily life was like.

FQ2: If you could meet any person from throughout history, who would that be? What makes them so special to you?

I would want to meet Jesus face-to-face. No explanation required.

FQ3: If you could reach through time and grab a piece of historical memorabilia, what artifact would you take and what would you do with it?

The only thing that comes to my mind right now would be to grab Bjorn Borg’s wooden Donnay tennis racquet with which he won his 5th Wimbledon title. I would frame it and hang it on my office wall. By the same token, I’d like to grab Andy Roddick’s Babolat racquet that he won the 2003 US Open with and do the same thing.

FQ Quantum Leap: You have been given a one-time-only opportunity to travel back in time and interfere with history! Would you do it? Where would you go and what would you try to change?

I would travel back to when I was a young child and not do or undo all the things I did that I now regret.

Tags: Participation

10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?
12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?
–Luke 11:10-12

What I really mean is The UPS Store/Mail Boxes Etc. My interview is tomorrow morning. I really want it to go well. And I really want to work for UPS. They are #42 on this year’s Fortune 500 list - a top-notch company, unlike where I am now. I’m claiming the verses above. My Father in heaven wants to give good things to His children. I’ll let you know if our prayers are answered.

Here is the job description:

The Instructional Designer Supervisor is responsible for applying instructional design principles to the development of training programs. This includes the performance of needs analysis, objectives and content development, maintenance and update. Candidate must also know how to develop instructor-led and self-study training programs through a variety of media, including: print, computer- and web-based. This role will manage and coordinate projects with the Supervisor, program point-of-contact, subject matter experts, and others. Must effectively manage time and deadlines under minimal supervision. Design training programs for retail associates, retail managers, business owners, and home office management. Develop training programs for delivery in the classroom, on the web and/or computer. Generate training support materials (i.e., job aides, reference guides, etc.)Write lesson content for print materials. Manage project deadlines under minimal supervision. Ability to mentor other designers in a dynamic team environment. Bachelors in Educational Technology, Education, Journalism, or related field or experience. Minimum of four years experience designing and developing print-based training programs in a corporate environment. Excellent written and oral language skills. Strong interpersonal skills required. Communicate effectively with other departments. Well-developed negotiation skills. Ability to manage multiple projects. Ability to prioritize deadline. Participate as an effective team member. Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office. Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook.
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Tags: Career, work

UCLA Snaps Four-Game Win Streak At Cal, 45-28 :: Olson’s four touchdown passes not enough for Bruins.

I could not watch all of this game. It was a lesson for the Bruins being schooled by Cal, 45 - 28.

Tags: Sports, UCLA

FQ1: In one word, describe a luxury item you would want if stranded on a desert island for a year. Why?

I would bring a digital camera plus some storage media to record all my adventures. Then I would have pictures to along with all the stories I would write about on this blog.

FQ2: In one word, describe a food you wouldn’t mind eating every day for a month. Why?

How can you describe it in one word? I would have to say: Greek Salad (made by my wife). Because it tastes great; it’s healthy; and it has everything you need.

FQ3: In one word, describe an occupation that you wouldn’t necessarily want as a career, but wouldn’t mind trying out for a week. Why?

Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War. So I could purposely ruin an already lame Navy career of John Kerry, getting him a dishonorable discharge so his name and reputation could be smeared.

FQ Search: Enter your first name PLUS the above three words into a Google search and see if anything interesting comes up!

“***** + digital camera + Greek salad + Secretary of Defense” produced 108 results. I did not go through them all. Here are two that caught my attention. But in general, not very interesting.

• Weird Tabloid
• Military Magazine with Ronald Reagan’s memorial service on the front cover

Tags: Participation

This Week In UCLA Football :: UCLA returns to the road to play at California.

The schools in the Pac-10 that I hate (in order) are:

1. U$¢
2. Cal
3. Arizona

UCLA plays the Cal Bears next. Game report coming soon. Cool pic below. You like?

Tags: Sports, UCLA

Wow. The interviewing experience with Booz Allen Hamilton was awesome. It’s only a few minutes away from A in Mission Valley. What an operation, so posh, and clearly, the upper echelon of consulting. The physical layouts and environment was simply elegant and top-rated.

It was an Open House style interview, so there were several candidates and interviewers in the same room with three long conference tables for us to sit at.

I actually had two interviews. The first was with Brad T. for a training-related position. I was a little nervous and my responses to the general questions seemed very “canned”. He started off by asking me the traditional “Tell Me About Yourself”, so I responded with my memorized response.

I am a highly experienced presenter and communicator with over 10 years experience powerfully relaying ideas in public education, international ministries, and direct sales and marketing.

I have written, produced, and developed a variety of informative materials in multiple formats using creative, high-impact, web-based, written, and multimedia presentations. I have been involved in both a hands-on and training manner in computer operations, web design, graphics, desktop publishing, copywriting, as well as, science, mathematics, and tennis.

I did not go on to my third paragraph of this memorized response and started to ad lib at that point because he had asked me about what I was looking for. So I told him that I wanted to wake up every morning and be creative, as well as capitalize on my current skill set and to learn new things and broaden my horizons applying my MBA degree.

We then moved to a table and continued. He asked me about my web design capabilities. I definitely did not talk as confidently about this, even though I know I do pretty well. I think it was because I don’t have formal training or a computer science degree. He asked about my experiences in Instructional Design. Our customer here at A is also their customer, so it was a good bridge-builder.

He also asked what is it in my training experience that makes me stand out. I kind of fumbled around here, but I eventually said that I have the ability to take technical and complicated information and to make it so others understand it clearly.

Then he asked if I had any questions for him about Booz Allen. So I asked about what I would be doing as a consultant. He said that in addition to designing training tools and analyzing the needs of the customer, I would be giving briefings and presentations to top-level military personnel, which I thought was pretty interesting and exciting. I asked about the hiring process. Then, this interview was over. (And I forgot to give him my CD-ROM of my digital portfolio, so I will have to mail it to him as part of a thank you note.) It lasted about 15 minutes and I could tell that he was not that interested. We had not connected. But he asked some of his colleagues and found out that there was another group that wanted to talk to me.
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Tags: Career, work

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Man Gives Up Millions for God

This is amazing. I don’t think I could do it.

Tags: Spiritual

I got a new cell phone, just a replacement of my old one. I dropped it in the parking lot at work on Friday morning, which cracked the display glass. I called the insurance company (Asurion) that I have through Verizon Wireless and my new phone was in my hands by Monday. That’s fast service.

Tags: cell_phones, general_stuff, Life, Verizon