Adulting: Part 1

I realize there is a very popular blog with its title as the heading on this post, so I sincerely hope that I don't get in trouble for using the term, which I think was likely coined by that blogger.  Obviously this is read by far fewer people, so let's keep it under wraps, shall we?

The reason I'm using that heading is because this is a time in my life when I truly feel like I am "adulting" properly.  I'm starting to make smart choices, think about finances in a particular way, and not sweat the small stuff because there are so many BIGGER things to be worried about.

In addition to that, I'm starting to buy less frivolous items, thinking more carefully about the purchases I make and how they affect (or don't affect) my life down the road.  This may seem like a silly thing, but I'm starting to understand the "live life more simply" thing.

That's not to say I don't hoard particular things like they will never be available again.  LEGOs, some books, video games, crafting patterns, etc.  Since some of my favorite means of obtaining these things digitally are now no longer available, I feel like a lost kid in a shopping mall.  But thankfully it's allowing me to focus.

Let's start with the basics:

Career Goals/Future
Recently I was working for a translation company in downtown Minneapolis.  I was a Project Manager (albeit an unqualified one), and greatly enjoyed my work.  It was fulfilling, fun, and I enjoyed the people I worked with.

However, I found myself between a rock and a hard place when I realized the financial trouble the company was in.  I had a hard time dealing with the conflicting priorities of satisfying our vendor community and not relaying the particular details to our clients, who were often receiving deliveries late or not as they wanted them because of said vendor issues.

Had it been a simple bump in the road, a single erroneous sidestep in normal business activity, I may have stayed.  Instead, it's the tail end of an 8-year sinking ship, with the under-qualified CEO and CFO at the helm, each with rose-colored goggles on.  (Goggles because they know they're obviously going to drown...eventually.)

So I'd been looking for a new gig for awhile, and finally was connected to a recruiter who's been in the 'biz for over 30 years.  She recommended we sit down and talk about me.  My goals, my wants, my dreams, my fears.  Get to know me.  Then find a job that might suit me.

After talking for a couple hours both over the phone and in person, she determined there might be an opportunity with a local company that is very close to our apartment.  Honestly, it would complete the trifecta of working for/with Target (Target, external vendor representative, vendor), and the job sounded great.  We discussed more details, I interviewed, and in the end, I got the job.  It will be a nice cross between program management (which I did quite a bit of at Target, but not as detailed), tracking details and following up with respective sources (which I did all the time at ShopNBC, and made more efficient by creating new processes/procedures), and satisfying business goals/initiatives (which I started to do, but didn't have any opportunity to finish at Jacobs).

I start next week Tuesday (28th), and I'm super excited.  Great benefits, good pay, and a job that I'm excited about and know that I can do with great success, which is most important.  It's weird, because I'm now almost 4 years out of school, but I really feel like life could be "beginning" now, for both Chris and I.

So, What Have I Been Doing in the Meantime?
Technically, I've been "available" to Prisma until today, but I've worked in a very limited capacity this week, mainly just answering a few questions and checking in/forwarding e-mails.  I've been enjoying myself otherwise, reading and sipping coffee in the morning, playing the Wii until noon, then showering and getting ready for my days.  I've re-organized about 50% of our apartment, and cleaned up/simplified a couple rooms as well.  I've also put together our final wedding to-do list (36 days!), and organized days/weeks that everything needs to get done, which will be helpful next week, when the craziness starts again.

In general I feel more "centered", but I'm sure a lot of that also has to do with other changes I've begun to make in my life, many related to things that I've been wanting to do, but haven't really acted on until now:

• Food/Grocery Choices: Chris and I have been shopping as frequently as before, but occasionally we'll go to a "nicer" grocery store and pick up our fruits/veggies as well as some more strange items that are hard to find.  I've been trying to cut back on soda, so instead I'm drinking La Croix with different sugar-free syrups (I know, I know, I should just use the real sugar stuff and not use as much. Working on it, but I already bought the sugar-free stuff).  Also, I've been researching ways I can eat oatmeal (I can't stomach the hot stuff, no idea why, might be a texture thing), and found a good way to eat it: breakfast porridge.  Essentially you mix up rolled oats, chia seeds or flax seed meal (some fiber-rich additions), Greek yogurt and a bit of milk, then add your flavors.  Mix it all up and let it sit in the fridge overnight (will last 2 days or so in the fridge).  My favorite right now is apple cinnamon, though the blueberry maple walnut was also pretty tasty.  For some reason the thicker texture in the morning doesn't bother me; just reminds me of Greek yogurt with a ton of crap in it.

• Exercise: I've been wanting to really get into this for years,  but just never found the right motivation. I tried the Couch to 5k thing and just found myself with horrible pain in my shins and legs every day, regardless of if I'd run the day before or the week before.  So instead, I took a little time off, did some yoga, then came back to running, but at my own pace.  I stretch a good 5 - 10 minutes before and after, and then just run however I can for as long as I can, stopping to run-walk in between.  After doing this for only a couple of weeks (usually every other day, but occasionally a few days in a row), I can now run better/faster/harder (stronger?) than I ever have before.  I just listen to my body.  Also a great workout mix (and whisper-singing while I run) seems to help, as I'm likely distracted from the pain of running.  Already lost consistently 3 pounds or so, now working on the rest before the wedding.  Chris and I have also been biking a bit more, especially to events and happenings around the Cities.  We are also trying out a bike ride to my new job (5.6 miles each way, so a nice little ride) tonight, so we'll see how that goes.

• Reading: I've always done this, but never focused so much on the quantity of reading or how quickly I was moving through books.  Number isn't necessarily important, but making reading a daily choice (and keeping track of it) is, at least for me.  Because of this I signed up for Goodreads, and now can keep better track of how I progress through novels.  Also, I'm trying for a goal of reading a new book every 2 weeks for the entire year, and so far I'm doing it.  Some take shorter, some take longer.  If I'm a week ahead and then fall a week behind, it's no biggie, as long as it all averages out to 2 weeks per, minimum.  It also helps give me daily reading goals (30 - 50 pages, etc.) so I can better plan my time as well.

• Video Games: I recently signed up for another website, The Backloggery, to help me keep track of games that I own, have played, and completed.  I think with the help of this tracker I'll be able to better plan my time for these games as well.  In the meantime, I've been playing Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii, and completing each level fully (except for the time trials, which are bullshit and make my palms sweaty.  I don't need that kinda stress).  I want to continue this with Super Mario Galaxy afterwards, then move onto all the other games I need to play.  I'm also being more mindful of the time I spend on games I can't win (WoW and Sims, as well as some casual games) so that I'm focusing on others.

• Cleaning/Laundry: A while ago I set up a cleaning schedule that had 7 basic weekly tasks that had to be completed for the entire apartment to be clean.  Some days I do a couple (why not?  I already have the vacuum out), so other days I don't have to do any.  It's been working really well so far.  The only times I miss is when we're super busy with wedding stuff and are out of town for a couple days, since I usually don't plan far enough in advance to get stuff done on time.

Anyway, so with all that, I've been fairly successful in getting myself adequately prepped for adult life.  I feel if I can get to a place where I feel comfortable with myself and the way I spend my time, I can conquer anything.  Also, it would be good to get some of this stuff in order before 3 major things happen (and soon): Chris and I get married, we buy a house (probably some time next year), and he goes back to grad school (probably online, but maybe up to 2 classes at a time).  And then add having kids and doing well at both our jobs, and that's basically the next 20 years of our lives.  Crazy to think of things this way.

For now, I think I'm going to enjoy a few more minutes on WoW while I can, then shower/get ready for my Friday.  Wedding fun tomorrow (Brian/Jess) and Chris's company picnic on Sunday on Nicollet Island.  Should be a fun weekend!

The Beauty of Nerdy Board Game Night

Ever since I started collecting board games (I use that term, "collecting", because it's both relevant and appropriate for the way in which I hoard all types of games, those of the board variety included), I've known that I am the type of person that benefits from board game night.

While growing up, my parents and I played board games many nights, usually the normal variety (Monopoly, Trouble, Payday, etc.) with an occasional card game thrown in.  We'd didn't really plan on any specific night of the week in which we would play, just ended up doing it roughly once a week, sometimes more or less, depending on people's schedules.

Obviously that became less of a habit as I grew up, though we still did it even while I was in high school.  My dad and I especially - we'd try to get a card game in every once and awhile, even if just for King's Corners.  During college, I'd still insist on playing some games whenever I'd go home, along with the usual movie-watching, junk food-eating and video game-playing activities.

Now, as an adult, I fairly recently decided that we should do a board game night with friends.  Since moving to the Twin Cities we have had a pretty regular group of friends (all transplants from WI, oddly enough) and have begun playing Dungeons & Dragons on a fairly frequent basis.  We had once a week going for awhile, but with the occasional missed session due to schedules and such.

Then one night, Chris and I invited over the normal bunch and planned ahead for a productive Nerdy Board Game Night.  I set a strict agenda of games so everyone had an idea of what the night would bring.  The setup was as such:

• Spy Alley: a fairly easy collecting board game, everyone played
• Miskatonic School for Girls: a Kickstarter deck-building game, 1/2 played simultaneous
• Carnival: another Kickstarter game, card/dice combo, 1/2 played simultaneous
• Scotland Yard: a fantastically strategic board game, everyone played

 We provided some basic food/snacks, as well as some special treats.  This was different from our usual DnD nights, which are sort of a BYOB, though occasionally people will share/provide for others.  I think by providing much of it, it made it more a party setting, and set a more comfortable mood.

The results was phenomenal.  Everyone had a blast, and our DM even noted that he had a great time and asked when we would be doing it again.  Our apartment is the perfect host spot for such events, as we have adequate space, probably the highest inventory to choose from, and a fairly central location for everyone to get to.

So we had another night a few weeks later - albeit less organized.  :)

The second night we essentially just got together with the normal DnD crowd, but since everyone was exhausted from the other events over the weekend and had no session-planning time, we just played Cards Against Humanity, which is just like Apples to Apples, except 17+ and definitely funnier.  Also, apparently they send out different versions with each printing, so there are always some wild cards with different people's versions.

Now I've noticed we've just been playing more games with friends/each other.  Chris and I will be finishing up on the computers for the night and ask to play a game with each other.  It's interesting - we've always had the games just didn't have the inkling to play until now, I guess.

I think the Nerdy Board Game Nights do similar things that DnD sessions do, but differently.  They make people feel welcome, comfortable, full of friendship and likely food/beer.  Usually I go to bed those nights having laughed so hard my stomach is upset, and not minding that I may have stayed up a little later than I anticipated.

Also, usually we play games that require at least a little bit of strategy and often induce some competitive anxiety.  When I play games by myself (or even World of Warcraft, etc.), I don't get that type of anxiety.  I don't necessarily feel challenged in the same way I do when I play with other humans.

Finally, I think board game nights provide a better overall experience.  There aren't often times where I remember specific hilarious things happening when we watch movies with friends (especially if I've already seen the movie before), but I definitely do while playing games.

Anyway, there are my 2 cents.  Chris would like me to remind everyone that board games are not inherently nerdy, and by calling it "Nerdy Board Game Night" I'm implying that all board games are nerdy.  I'd like to think that I'm not, but when your paragraphs also mention DnD, WoW and deck-building card games, I think it's obvious that "Nerdy" should be a part of the title.

I had a good idea for a future board game night, but I need to remember how to play a few things.  Since I purchased a mahjongg set in China and also have hanafuda cards from Japan, I figured we would do some Asian board games.  We could even pick up a Go set, or something similar.  Haven't quite decided yet.  Either way, it's gonna be good!

Work is Hard

I imagine the average working adult with any years of experience has come to find out that work is hard.  I've always known this, yet I've never really felt it until now.

I left Target, where I was making a decent amount of cash and had acceptable benefits, to hopefully gain more experience in analysis and gain more flexibility in my work.  Instead I got a failing company with micromanagement up the wazoo.

I left that company to make excellent cash working for a super small firm where I'd hopefully capitalize on my earlier knowledge of Target.  Apparently saying there will be adequate training and providing adequate training are two separate things, however.

Finally I work for a place where the work is interesting, challenging, and there are few rules surrounding my work environment (hours, dress, working style, etc.), yet now I'm faced with a likely failing business environment, questionable payment strategies (if any), and varying spikes of stress that cause near-vomitous afternoons, depending on the day.

Something just isn't working.  I mean, the grass is always greener, but when the grass is UTTERLY INSANE, what do I do?

I know some of it is my attitude (as about a million people have told me), but I honestly feel I've gotten the short end of the stick in a lot of respects, lately.  I've done the research, asked opinions, confirmed (confirmed) details in countless interviews, all to no avail.  What can I do when the employer (or boss, HR, etc.) outright lies to you about the job itself?  The benefits?  The company's financial position?

What rights do we, as potential or future employees, have in this situation?  Fight through it, I suppose, and then embrace the havoc that comes from having 4 companies on a resume in a span of 6 months.

Or fight back.

But that can mean multiple things.  You can fight back by biting the hand that feeds, questioning the employment tactics that may have brought you in, but now make you want to leave.  Question the lies that were told and see what you can change about them.  But that may have limited options, depending on the company, the boss, or the HR department.

You can also fight back by working extremely hard, working through the growing pains.  Pouring your heart and soul into your work environment, your co-workers, your learning and development.  Personally ensure you will succeed, and bring the company success.

But at the end of the day, if the company just simply won't make it (or...won't gain lots of success just because you're there, trying your hardest), is it really worth it?  Is it really worth all the potential late nights, stress-filled meetings and tool trainings, and client relationship statuses?  When you could just walk away from it all?  Get rid of the to-do list and upcoming deadlines, simply because you don't want to do it?

I'm still trying to figure out the answer to this question.  In the meantime, I'm contemplating my life if I didn't have to work.  The things I would do, the way I would spend my time, the places I would travel.  In the meantime I would like to discover a way I can incorporate these hobbies and interests into my current life so I don't feel so lost.  I can try to do like my dad suggests and just "not bring it home with me."  But when 1/3 of your waking life is work, I'd like to get something out of it.  Maybe that's just me.  But at least it's a goal.

Apparently People Read This Thing...So Let's Write

I learned recently that several people had been reading this blog and when I suddenly stopped updating so frequently, they (likely) threw themselves into a state of utter despair, desperate for word of my life, random musings, and potentially some well-placed profanity.  This is what I hope it was like, anyway.

I still feel like I've got a few creative stories to tell, bones to pick, and perspectives to force on others.  Let's try to write more often!  A good start.

Quick update today and then I'll start trying to do at least a post a week - not sure of the day that will work best yet.  With my new job and wedding planning I feel like Mondays/Fridays are tough, but the weekends are nice to just sit and relax, so I'll have to play around with it.  I'll liken it to cleaning: as long as it gets done once a week (mostly), I guess that's going to have to do.

Location: We now live in Edina (really Hopkins/St. Louis Park in terms of proximity to Downtown, though you could probably also call it Eden Prairie), in a nice apartment with an outdoor pool, 2 bedrooms + office, and a balcony that Mishkin is still not allowed to explore.  We're working on it, don't fret.

Job: I think I've had 3? 4? jobs since Target...it's hard to count/keep track.  Currently (as of only a few weeks ago, in fact), I'm working as a Project Manager for a translation and localization company located in the Warehouse District of Downtown Minneapolis.  The job is very interesting, I'm learning a lot about the translation industry/market in general, translation memory tools, proofreading, editing and quality checking documentation (particularly medical, industrial, scientific and software strings), and I get a chance to work directly with foreign languages (and foreign-based translation teams) every day.  The only downside is, you know, the fact that the company may not be able to pay me regularly.  But hey, that's a story for another day.

Kitties:

• Mishkin is still a bouncing boy; he often lays on his back with his arms extended over his head.  Someone walking in may think he's died.  He has not.  He's just trying to balance his stomach over the carpet in the most efficient way possible.  Intelligent, really.  He has his moments.
• Mao is our sweet baby girl, but really she's grown into this massive (length-and-fur-wise) black cat with a penchant for random freakouts, poop flinging and ever-cuteness.  She's always adorable.  If there are people at our house, you can pretty much assume someone will be saying "Aww, look at Mao!" all the time.  It's science.

Life, General: Good!  Despite not having a regular(ish) job and feeling slightly overwhelmed by adult things like insurance, bills, and how to appropriately change your name once you're married, things are great.  Oh yes, did I mention that?  We are engaged, and getting married in September.  September 29, 2012.  We'll have at least a few months before the world ends, so that's good.  No honeymoon, YET.  Unless you count hiking the Grand Canyon 42-mile-kill-me-now rim-to-rim-to-rim trip in 2013 a vacation.

Exercising: Off and on.  I want to get "on" again, mostly because of the wedding.  (That's not really true.  I also want it for the long-term.  But it would be great to lose like 15 pounds in about 3 months.)  Next step here is a weekly exercise spreadsheet (because we all know I won't do it unless a spreadsheet is involved) for Monday - Friday, a different exercise every day.  Variety.  That should help.

Video gaming: I'm so addicted to games that mean nothing.  For those who know me really well: The Sims, Burger Shop 2, Sudoku-like Japanese puzzles on the NDS that I seriously think I've done 15 times now.  It's crazy.  I'm steadily working on achievements in WoW, but I really need to go back to the games I've paid really good money for and that are truly awesome.  I need to think of a plan for this.  It may or may not also involve a spreadsheet.

Crafting: I'm still pretty regularly making homemade cards for some holidays (namely Christmas), but it's a complicated process to utilize the set-up we've got now.  It involves trying to determine all the crafty things you might be about to do with the crap you've got, grabbing those things out of a closet and onto a not-so-sturdy table that you've rigged to somehow be effective for this adventure, then trying to be creative.  Not so much.  I want to re-organize a bit and see if I can do more - and I've got some new books and projects I want to try!

Reading: This is actually an area I've been doing really well in.  I enacted (mentally) this policy of reading a new book at least every 2 weeks, and I've truly stuck to that in the past few months.  It started with The Hunger Games, which I devoured toward the end of last year, I think.  From there I've been picking up some random fantasy/sci-fi, historical fiction and short story books that have been pretty good.  I'll report some goodies soon.

So for those still reading - thanks.  Don't worry, future posts will be funnier, livelier and with more purpose.  Here are some ideas I have brewing that you should plan ahead for:

•  Living in Minnesota: Why It Sucks and Why It Can Sometimes Be Alright, I Guess (A Fellow Midwesterner's Perspective)
• How to use a drive-through - Minnesota-style
• How to avoid planning a city's transportation system entirely (Twin Cities edition)
• My morning commute, a.k.a., why my life expectancy is now 3 years less than it was an hour ago
• Weather: it happens in Minnesota, too, though not like you'd expect
• Wedding Planning: The Effective, Easy and Cheap Way
• Weddings: Jesus Christ there are so many in 2012 - WTF
• Why Burger King is Definitely the Best Fast Food Restaurant
• The Foreign Service - Should I Try to Join?
• The End of the World as I See it (I would like to coincide this with a December 21st posting, but we'll have to see the likelihood of that.  Either way I've got a neat little story for it)
• LEGOs.  They are the greatest.
• Dungeons and Dragons for the Non-Dungeons and Dragons Player (I'll have to make sure our DM doesn't read this one)
• Crafting!  Can I Make Money Doing It?

I hope that's enough to keep you coming back for now.  At the very least I'm going to write and make fun of Minnesota.  It's something.