What is On Jeffs' Mind http://www.jeffjobb.com Blog for Jeffrey Jobb Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:15:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 A Year Past http://www.jeffjobb.com/2013/06/11/a-year-past/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2013/06/11/a-year-past/#comments Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:15:05 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=608 Today is my one year anniversary of leaving IBM, really does feel like time has gone by quickly. I have to admit, it has taken me some time to get over the shell shock I had experienced working there the past few years, and I feel I am getting back to feeling like a person who has control of his life. I wish I could flip a switch on the past few years of IBM and forget them, but that is not possible, but makes me a bit of who I am today.

Work wise, I still feel quite invigorated with my job, and feel I learn things every day which I like. It somewhat makes me realize how little I did know and how I stopped learning at IBM. I had lost all my motivation for work at IBM, and with that, the learning went with it. The thought of learning something new when working at IBM, would wind up just giving a person more work to do, with the reality that would translate into working over time for free for that company. So a person just goes into a place where they just stick with what they know, in hopes of keeping a sane level of work and hours. It is nice to be some place, where learning really just benefits you in your job. When I started at my current job, I really knew nothing about powershell, but within a few months I had written a few powershell scripts for website creations, and I pulled a bit of satisfaction out of that, I feel like a systems administrator now.

Personally, I just feel a lot better about life in general. I feel I have more time to myself, I don’t come home at night with the burden and the stress that I carried at IBM. I find I sleep much more peacefully at night, I am more relaxed with my view on things, and a more responsive person all around. I like the idea that with my current job, I work in a office, with a desk and a desktop computer. When work is done for the day, I go home, I don’t bring work with me. With IBM, it just felt that work was always tagging along. With IBM a person could work at home, and for some people that was great, but for me, it was like inviting an unwanted guest into my house. Given that the oncall rotation was very frequent, the assigned laptop more often then not came home with me, just a reminder of IBM in my life outside of the office.

paintdesk

I had a desk setup at home for IBM work, and I have to say I hated it. Every time I looked at that desk, just sickly bad feelings came up about IBM, the stressful work and situations I was placed in, and how it had invaded my home life. For the past year, the desk just sat in my office, where I stacked things on it, but sadly a reminder of a past I would sooner forget. About a month ago, I re-purposed the desk into a desk for my modelling, so now I associate it with enjoyable things. I moved it to the basement, and it just looks like a desk of promise now, not the desk that I worked a 100 hour work week full of 100 hours of total stress.

I don’t regret working at IBM, as I did have some good years there, met some lifelong friends and worked with some good people. But I do regret that I stayed there so long. I really should have left years ago, once I saw the signs that employees like myself were no longer valued by the company. I have come to learn, things never change in those situations in organizations such as that. I regret that waiting so long set me back in my career, kept me back from maybe achieving or having things I wanted, and stalled me on my learning. As well, I let it over run my life, where I was no longer in control of it. I was so consumed by anger and bitterness towards the company in my final few years, that I had no energy to pursue the things I wanted out of life.

Where I am now in work, I am much happier, things are never perfect, but to be honest, I really don’t have any complaints. I find it funny in that my current employer spends a lot of time on employee feedback, but I am just happy where I am, I really have nothing to add in feedback and if I did, it would be of a very trivial nature. I have not added much to this blog the past year, it might be that I just really needed to catch my breath, that I had no real negative feelings pushing me. I was getting used to being content with life, that I found I did not have much to say. I am looking forward to some fun things coming up for me, I plan to get back into podcasting with some new podcasts coming, as well focusing more on other hobbies as well.

What can I say, but it has been a pretty good year, looking forward to the next one.

]]>

Today is my one year anniversary of leaving IBM, really does feel like time has gone by quickly. I have to admit, it has taken me some time to get over the shell shock I had experienced working there the past few years, and I feel I am getting back to feeling like a person who has control of his life. I wish I could flip a switch on the past few years of IBM and forget them, but that is not possible, but makes me a bit of who I am today.

Work wise, I still feel quite invigorated with my job, and feel I learn things every day which I like. It somewhat makes me realize how little I did know and how I stopped learning at IBM. I had lost all my motivation for work at IBM, and with that, the learning went with it. The thought of learning something new when working at IBM, would wind up just giving a person more work to do, with the reality that would translate into working over time for free for that company. So a person just goes into a place where they just stick with what they know, in hopes of keeping a sane level of work and hours. It is nice to be some place, where learning really just benefits you in your job. When I started at my current job, I really knew nothing about powershell, but within a few months I had written a few powershell scripts for website creations, and I pulled a bit of satisfaction out of that, I feel like a systems administrator now.

Personally, I just feel a lot better about life in general. I feel I have more time to myself, I don’t come home at night with the burden and the stress that I carried at IBM. I find I sleep much more peacefully at night, I am more relaxed with my view on things, and a more responsive person all around. I like the idea that with my current job, I work in a office, with a desk and a desktop computer. When work is done for the day, I go home, I don’t bring work with me. With IBM, it just felt that work was always tagging along. With IBM a person could work at home, and for some people that was great, but for me, it was like inviting an unwanted guest into my house. Given that the oncall rotation was very frequent, the assigned laptop more often then not came home with me, just a reminder of IBM in my life outside of the office.

paintdesk

I had a desk setup at home for IBM work, and I have to say I hated it. Every time I looked at that desk, just sickly bad feelings came up about IBM, the stressful work and situations I was placed in, and how it had invaded my home life. For the past year, the desk just sat in my office, where I stacked things on it, but sadly a reminder of a past I would sooner forget. About a month ago, I re-purposed the desk into a desk for my modelling, so now I associate it with enjoyable things. I moved it to the basement, and it just looks like a desk of promise now, not the desk that I worked a 100 hour work week full of 100 hours of total stress.

I don’t regret working at IBM, as I did have some good years there, met some lifelong friends and worked with some good people. But I do regret that I stayed there so long. I really should have left years ago, once I saw the signs that employees like myself were no longer valued by the company. I have come to learn, things never change in those situations in organizations such as that. I regret that waiting so long set me back in my career, kept me back from maybe achieving or having things I wanted, and stalled me on my learning. As well, I let it over run my life, where I was no longer in control of it. I was so consumed by anger and bitterness towards the company in my final few years, that I had no energy to pursue the things I wanted out of life.

Where I am now in work, I am much happier, things are never perfect, but to be honest, I really don’t have any complaints. I find it funny in that my current employer spends a lot of time on employee feedback, but I am just happy where I am, I really have nothing to add in feedback and if I did, it would be of a very trivial nature. I have not added much to this blog the past year, it might be that I just really needed to catch my breath, that I had no real negative feelings pushing me. I was getting used to being content with life, that I found I did not have much to say. I am looking forward to some fun things coming up for me, I plan to get back into podcasting with some new podcasts coming, as well focusing more on other hobbies as well.

What can I say, but it has been a pretty good year, looking forward to the next one.

Today is my one year anniversary of leaving IBM, really does feel like time has gone by quickly. I have to admit, it has taken me some time to get over the shell shock I had experienced working there the past few years, and I feel I am getting back to feeling like a person who has control of his life. I wish I could flip a switch on the past few years of IBM and forget them, but that is not possible, but makes me a bit of who I am today.

Work wise, I still feel quite invigorated with my job, and feel I learn things every day which I like. It somewhat makes me realize how little I did know and how I stopped learning at IBM. I had lost all my motivation for work at IBM, and with that, the learning went with it. The thought of learning something new when working at IBM, would wind up just giving a person more work to do, with the reality that would translate into working over time for free for that company. So a person just goes into a place where they just stick with what they know, in hopes of keeping a sane level of work and hours. It is nice to be some place, where learning really just benefits you in your job. When I started at my current job, I really knew nothing about powershell, but within a few months I had written a few powershell scripts for website creations, and I pulled a bit of satisfaction out of that, I feel like a systems administrator now.

Personally, I just feel a lot better about life in general. I feel I have more time to myself, I don’t come home at night with the burden and the stress that I carried at IBM. I find I sleep much more peacefully at night, I am more relaxed with my view on things, and a more responsive person all around. I like the idea that with my current job, I work in a office, with a desk and a desktop computer. When work is done for the day, I go home, I don’t bring work with me. With IBM, it just felt that work was always tagging along. With IBM a person could work at home, and for some people that was great, but for me, it was like inviting an unwanted guest into my house. Given that the oncall rotation was very frequent, the assigned laptop more often then not came home with me, just a reminder of IBM in my life outside of the office.

paintdesk

I had a desk setup at home for IBM work, and I have to say I hated it. Every time I looked at that desk, just sickly bad feelings came up about IBM, the stressful work and situations I was placed in, and how it had invaded my home life. For the past year, the desk just sat in my office, where I stacked things on it, but sadly a reminder of a past I would sooner forget. About a month ago, I re-purposed the desk into a desk for my modelling, so now I associate it with enjoyable things. I moved it to the basement, and it just looks like a desk of promise now, not the desk that I worked a 100 hour work week full of 100 hours of total stress.

I don’t regret working at IBM, as I did have some good years there, met some lifelong friends and worked with some good people. But I do regret that I stayed there so long. I really should have left years ago, once I saw the signs that employees like myself were no longer valued by the company. I have come to learn, things never change in those situations in organizations such as that. I regret that waiting so long set me back in my career, kept me back from maybe achieving or having things I wanted, and stalled me on my learning. As well, I let it over run my life, where I was no longer in control of it. I was so consumed by anger and bitterness towards the company in my final few years, that I had no energy to pursue the things I wanted out of life.

Where I am now in work, I am much happier, things are never perfect, but to be honest, I really don’t have any complaints. I find it funny in that my current employer spends a lot of time on employee feedback, but I am just happy where I am, I really have nothing to add in feedback and if I did, it would be of a very trivial nature. I have not added much to this blog the past year, it might be that I just really needed to catch my breath, that I had no real negative feelings pushing me. I was getting used to being content with life, that I found I did not have much to say. I am looking forward to some fun things coming up for me, I plan to get back into podcasting with some new podcasts coming, as well focusing more on other hobbies as well.

What can I say, but it has been a pretty good year, looking forward to the next one.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2013/06/11/a-year-past/feed/ 0 The Ten Dollar Price Gap http://www.jeffjobb.com/2013/05/14/the-ten-dollar-price-gap/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2013/05/14/the-ten-dollar-price-gap/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 02:48:58 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=605 There is something about me and $10. It seems to hold me back on buying certain things. Last weekend I was at the mall with my wife, well she was off shopping, I poked around a few stores. First up I headed over to a local hobby store to check out the modelling supplies. Well I was there I had a look at the models and they had a Klingon K’tinga Battle Cruiser model. I really want to get one of these to make up for the one I built in my teens which I did a completely horrible job on. The price was $50, and for some reason, if it was $40 I would have grabbed it in a heart beat, but $50 it made me leave it at the store. For some reason I feel I can get it cheaper, but logically if I think it through, I will not, as once I pay for shipping I will probably pay the same or a bit more.  But that $10  was holding me back, like an invisible hand. After that I was strolling down the mall and went to the Seen on TV store, in there I saw a miniature humidifier. I really want to get one for my desk at work and this would probably fill the need. It is small and simple and would be pretty much what I am looking for. But the price tag on it was $40. If it was $30 I would not have thought about it and picked it up, but again, that $10 dollars was putting up a wall between me and the item.

Just felt it was interesting to talk about. This is not the first time I have passed on something that was $10 more then I wanted to pay, I guess I just get something set in my mind on what it is worth, and $10 dollars is the magical number for me where if it hits that number, I hold back. for the past few days I have been thinking of that Model, so the irony is I will probably either go back and buy it if it is still there, or spend more to get one down the road. $10 just seems to be enough to make me stop and pause on things, maybe that is not such a bad thing.

]]>

There is something about me and $10. It seems to hold me back on buying certain things. Last weekend I was at the mall with my wife, well she was off shopping, I poked around a few stores. First up I headed over to a local hobby store to check out the modelling supplies. Well I was there I had a look at the models and they had a Klingon K’tinga Battle Cruiser model. I really want to get one of these to make up for the one I built in my teens which I did a completely horrible job on. The price was $50, and for some reason, if it was $40 I would have grabbed it in a heart beat, but $50 it made me leave it at the store. For some reason I feel I can get it cheaper, but logically if I think it through, I will not, as once I pay for shipping I will probably pay the same or a bit more.  But that $10  was holding me back, like an invisible hand. After that I was strolling down the mall and went to the Seen on TV store, in there I saw a miniature humidifier. I really want to get one for my desk at work and this would probably fill the need. It is small and simple and would be pretty much what I am looking for. But the price tag on it was $40. If it was $30 I would not have thought about it and picked it up, but again, that $10 dollars was putting up a wall between me and the item.

Just felt it was interesting to talk about. This is not the first time I have passed on something that was $10 more then I wanted to pay, I guess I just get something set in my mind on what it is worth, and $10 dollars is the magical number for me where if it hits that number, I hold back. for the past few days I have been thinking of that Model, so the irony is I will probably either go back and buy it if it is still there, or spend more to get one down the road. $10 just seems to be enough to make me stop and pause on things, maybe that is not such a bad thing.

There is something about me and $10. It seems to hold me back on buying certain things. Last weekend I was at the mall with my wife, well she was off shopping, I poked around a few stores. First up I headed over to a local hobby store to check out the modelling supplies. Well I was there I had a look at the models and they had a Klingon K’tinga Battle Cruiser model. I really want to get one of these to make up for the one I built in my teens which I did a completely horrible job on. The price was $50, and for some reason, if it was $40 I would have grabbed it in a heart beat, but $50 it made me leave it at the store. For some reason I feel I can get it cheaper, but logically if I think it through, I will not, as once I pay for shipping I will probably pay the same or a bit more.  But that $10  was holding me back, like an invisible hand. After that I was strolling down the mall and went to the Seen on TV store, in there I saw a miniature humidifier. I really want to get one for my desk at work and this would probably fill the need. It is small and simple and would be pretty much what I am looking for. But the price tag on it was $40. If it was $30 I would not have thought about it and picked it up, but again, that $10 dollars was putting up a wall between me and the item.

Just felt it was interesting to talk about. This is not the first time I have passed on something that was $10 more then I wanted to pay, I guess I just get something set in my mind on what it is worth, and $10 dollars is the magical number for me where if it hits that number, I hold back. for the past few days I have been thinking of that Model, so the irony is I will probably either go back and buy it if it is still there, or spend more to get one down the road. $10 just seems to be enough to make me stop and pause on things, maybe that is not such a bad thing.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2013/05/14/the-ten-dollar-price-gap/feed/ 0 Toy Runs http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/06/24/toy-runs/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/06/24/toy-runs/#comments Sun, 24 Jun 2012 17:13:18 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=598 Lately my friend Dave and I have been doing some toy runs. I got out of doing the standard toy collecting as I have moved to on to collecting more higher end pieces. But Dave asked me to come along as he was out looking for stores that carry Sideshow figures. I have to say it has been a lot of fun to go check things out. On Thursday Dave twisted my arm on buying a Rebel Ground Crew person with Transport. It is basically a little transport that was seen in the Movies in the rebel Hangar that carries Pilots or Supplies. Sort of boring, but looks ok with Rebel ships. The good thing was it was on sale. That was the first Hasbro toy I had bought in quite some time.

On Saturday Dave and I went on a trip over to the south east side of Edmonton. We stopped off At Millwoods Town Centre, and I am not sure if I have ever been to this mall. If I have, I certainly do not remember when that was. Checked out a comic book Shop there, picked up a Star Wars Comic. After that we went to Capilano Mall, that was another mall that it has been years since I had been to. Found some Star Wars figures on sale at a winners that I bought. Not really for me, but something I might sell at the next toy show. I bought an Astromech I thought that I did not have, but when I got home, I realized I had it already. We went to a collectible store in the mall, which had some cool items. They had a replica of the Flux Capacitor from the Back tot he Future movies. It was cool to see as I have seen pictures of them, but never actually had seen one in person. All in all it was a fun day, and was nice to go out and check some things, as has been years since I had done that.

]]>

Lately my friend Dave and I have been doing some toy runs. I got out of doing the standard toy collecting as I have moved to on to collecting more higher end pieces. But Dave asked me to come along as he was out looking for stores that carry Sideshow figures. I have to say it has been a lot of fun to go check things out. On Thursday Dave twisted my arm on buying a Rebel Ground Crew person with Transport. It is basically a little transport that was seen in the Movies in the rebel Hangar that carries Pilots or Supplies. Sort of boring, but looks ok with Rebel ships. The good thing was it was on sale. That was the first Hasbro toy I had bought in quite some time.

On Saturday Dave and I went on a trip over to the south east side of Edmonton. We stopped off At Millwoods Town Centre, and I am not sure if I have ever been to this mall. If I have, I certainly do not remember when that was. Checked out a comic book Shop there, picked up a Star Wars Comic. After that we went to Capilano Mall, that was another mall that it has been years since I had been to. Found some Star Wars figures on sale at a winners that I bought. Not really for me, but something I might sell at the next toy show. I bought an Astromech I thought that I did not have, but when I got home, I realized I had it already. We went to a collectible store in the mall, which had some cool items. They had a replica of the Flux Capacitor from the Back tot he Future movies. It was cool to see as I have seen pictures of them, but never actually had seen one in person. All in all it was a fun day, and was nice to go out and check some things, as has been years since I had done that.

Lately my friend Dave and I have been doing some toy runs. I got out of doing the standard toy collecting as I have moved to on to collecting more higher end pieces. But Dave asked me to come along as he was out looking for stores that carry Sideshow figures. I have to say it has been a lot of fun to go check things out. On Thursday Dave twisted my arm on buying a Rebel Ground Crew person with Transport. It is basically a little transport that was seen in the Movies in the rebel Hangar that carries Pilots or Supplies. Sort of boring, but looks ok with Rebel ships. The good thing was it was on sale. That was the first Hasbro toy I had bought in quite some time.

On Saturday Dave and I went on a trip over to the south east side of Edmonton. We stopped off At Millwoods Town Centre, and I am not sure if I have ever been to this mall. If I have, I certainly do not remember when that was. Checked out a comic book Shop there, picked up a Star Wars Comic. After that we went to Capilano Mall, that was another mall that it has been years since I had been to. Found some Star Wars figures on sale at a winners that I bought. Not really for me, but something I might sell at the next toy show. I bought an Astromech I thought that I did not have, but when I got home, I realized I had it already. We went to a collectible store in the mall, which had some cool items. They had a replica of the Flux Capacitor from the Back tot he Future movies. It was cool to see as I have seen pictures of them, but never actually had seen one in person. All in all it was a fun day, and was nice to go out and check some things, as has been years since I had done that.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/06/24/toy-runs/feed/ 0 Changes http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/06/12/changes/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/06/12/changes/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:27:53 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=595 It has been awhile since my last post. I have been wanting to put a post in before now, but for differing reason have not until now.

I guess the big news is that I have left my job and have taken a new one. After 17 years with my former company, I decided it was time for a change and have accepted a position with our provincial Government. I am excited for the new opportunity, and to get re energized for work.

It is a bit of a different feeling to wake up this morning, and not have to go into the office, or even concern myself with what I have for the past 17 years. I had a nice day yesterday, meeting up with co workers for one last time. At times I felt a little sad, but not as much as I would have expected.

Also, the past few years with the my former employer had been very tough. I thought I might carry more bad feelings with me, but they have sort of washed away. I don’t really hold any sort grudge towards them now, just sort of feels like the past. I guess that is great as I don’t want to carry that as a chip on my shoulder or anything like that. I really have felt like I have moved on.

More posts to come, and check out my collecting site, as I have a few new Items I received lately that I will be posting in the next week or so.

]]>

It has been awhile since my last post. I have been wanting to put a post in before now, but for differing reason have not until now.

I guess the big news is that I have left my job and have taken a new one. After 17 years with my former company, I decided it was time for a change and have accepted a position with our provincial Government. I am excited for the new opportunity, and to get re energized for work.

It is a bit of a different feeling to wake up this morning, and not have to go into the office, or even concern myself with what I have for the past 17 years. I had a nice day yesterday, meeting up with co workers for one last time. At times I felt a little sad, but not as much as I would have expected.

Also, the past few years with the my former employer had been very tough. I thought I might carry more bad feelings with me, but they have sort of washed away. I don’t really hold any sort grudge towards them now, just sort of feels like the past. I guess that is great as I don’t want to carry that as a chip on my shoulder or anything like that. I really have felt like I have moved on.

More posts to come, and check out my collecting site, as I have a few new Items I received lately that I will be posting in the next week or so.

It has been awhile since my last post. I have been wanting to put a post in before now, but for differing reason have not until now.

I guess the big news is that I have left my job and have taken a new one. After 17 years with my former company, I decided it was time for a change and have accepted a position with our provincial Government. I am excited for the new opportunity, and to get re energized for work.

It is a bit of a different feeling to wake up this morning, and not have to go into the office, or even concern myself with what I have for the past 17 years. I had a nice day yesterday, meeting up with co workers for one last time. At times I felt a little sad, but not as much as I would have expected.

Also, the past few years with the my former employer had been very tough. I thought I might carry more bad feelings with me, but they have sort of washed away. I don’t really hold any sort grudge towards them now, just sort of feels like the past. I guess that is great as I don’t want to carry that as a chip on my shoulder or anything like that. I really have felt like I have moved on.

More posts to come, and check out my collecting site, as I have a few new Items I received lately that I will be posting in the next week or so.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/06/12/changes/feed/ 0 Committing to my Resolutions and to myself http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/04/14/committing-to-my-resolutions-and-to-myself/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/04/14/committing-to-my-resolutions-and-to-myself/#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:08:30 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=591 I have been really trying on keeping to my 2012 resolutions, so far I would say the good word would be consistent. Probably the resolution I am most excited about is my Star Wars vintage collecting. I have been getting a new figure each month so far, but I really wanted to step it up. When I got my bonus from work last month, I said to myself I was going to go out and get one of the more expensive figures. So after a few attempts on some auctions I finally won a figure I had set my targets on.

The Blue Snaggletooth was one that I had in the back of my mind, I was debating between going for him, or a Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper disguise. In the end I really just had the urge to get the Blue Snaggletooth, as it is an expensive figure and if I did not get him when I made the commitment, I was not sure when I could get back to him. As stated, I had tried a few times on some auctions, but always seemed to come up just a bit short. I think part of what makes me happy to get this was getting the figure, but also pushing past that barrier that sometimes holds me back, where I don’t really fully commit to something. So winning this auction represented to me sticking with something, fully committing and achieving. I am hoping that this will be a bit of a lift of for me in other pursuits as well, and that at times, to get something, you have to put yourself all in.

Thankyou Blue Snaggletooth for pushing me past the barrier that holds me back :)

]]>

I have been really trying on keeping to my 2012 resolutions, so far I would say the good word would be consistent. Probably the resolution I am most excited about is my Star Wars vintage collecting. I have been getting a new figure each month so far, but I really wanted to step it up. When I got my bonus from work last month, I said to myself I was going to go out and get one of the more expensive figures. So after a few attempts on some auctions I finally won a figure I had set my targets on.

The Blue Snaggletooth was one that I had in the back of my mind, I was debating between going for him, or a Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper disguise. In the end I really just had the urge to get the Blue Snaggletooth, as it is an expensive figure and if I did not get him when I made the commitment, I was not sure when I could get back to him. As stated, I had tried a few times on some auctions, but always seemed to come up just a bit short. I think part of what makes me happy to get this was getting the figure, but also pushing past that barrier that sometimes holds me back, where I don’t really fully commit to something. So winning this auction represented to me sticking with something, fully committing and achieving. I am hoping that this will be a bit of a lift of for me in other pursuits as well, and that at times, to get something, you have to put yourself all in.

Thankyou Blue Snaggletooth for pushing me past the barrier that holds me back :)

I have been really trying on keeping to my 2012 resolutions, so far I would say the good word would be consistent. Probably the resolution I am most excited about is my Star Wars vintage collecting. I have been getting a new figure each month so far, but I really wanted to step it up. When I got my bonus from work last month, I said to myself I was going to go out and get one of the more expensive figures. So after a few attempts on some auctions I finally won a figure I had set my targets on.

The Blue Snaggletooth was one that I had in the back of my mind, I was debating between going for him, or a Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper disguise. In the end I really just had the urge to get the Blue Snaggletooth, as it is an expensive figure and if I did not get him when I made the commitment, I was not sure when I could get back to him. As stated, I had tried a few times on some auctions, but always seemed to come up just a bit short. I think part of what makes me happy to get this was getting the figure, but also pushing past that barrier that sometimes holds me back, where I don’t really fully commit to something. So winning this auction represented to me sticking with something, fully committing and achieving. I am hoping that this will be a bit of a lift of for me in other pursuits as well, and that at times, to get something, you have to put yourself all in.

Thankyou Blue Snaggletooth for pushing me past the barrier that holds me back :)

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/04/14/committing-to-my-resolutions-and-to-myself/feed/ 0 April Resolution Update http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/04/06/april-resolution-update/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/04/06/april-resolution-update/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:41:36 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=587 An update on my 2012 Resolutions as of April

My Fitness is coming along, I have not really pushed myself to hard, but I have managed to regularly exercise and I think as well I am eating a bit better. We have had some spring snow storms lately so that has prevented me from getting out and walking as much as I would like, but hopefully those are behind now and I can get back to those walks. With the weather getting a bit warmer, hopefully I don’t need to wear such a heavy coat. I am hopeful at some point I might even be able to jog a bit as well as I build up the strength in my legs. For now I will try and to increase the intensity of my bike rides.

I have started back on my reading, and I think I have made some good progress on that. I have already read one book cover to cover, and about 2/3rds the way through the next. I had been trying a Star Trek book but was having a tough time getting through it, so I put it down and picked up some others. I want to get on a roll on my reading, and then I will go back to that Trek book I was having some trouble with. But I am hoping I can get through 2 books a month, so will be pushing myself to keep at my reading.

I was able to get a working computer in the basement, so now I can start on my models again. So I am going to start on them again this weekend. I have some Star Wars droid fighters sitting on my desk right now, it is a small snap together model that I will paint up. After that I think I will take on a Tie Fighter. Really looking forward to building models again, and happy I got my desk setup the way I want to do that.

For March the Vintage figure I picked up was a 8D8. I got it for under 10 dollars. It is not in the best of shape, so most likely this will be one that I will upgrade at some point. There is some pink highlighter marker on the side of it’s head, and looks like some other pen or marker has been cleaned off of it. So this figure will do for now, but will replace it down the road with one in better condition. It is not an expensive figure, so should not be hard.

Last week I was at our annual toy show. It was a great chance to find my April vintage figure, and I picked up an Empire Strikes Back Lando. He looks to be in great shape and I was pretty happy with the price and the condition of him. It was nice as well to find a figure at a Toy Show instead of all my eBay purchases to date. I also have another figure coming that I got of eBay, I will blog about it when I get it, but have to say, I am excited. This Vintage collecting has really renergized my passion for collecting.

]]>

An update on my 2012 Resolutions as of April

My Fitness is coming along, I have not really pushed myself to hard, but I have managed to regularly exercise and I think as well I am eating a bit better. We have had some spring snow storms lately so that has prevented me from getting out and walking as much as I would like, but hopefully those are behind now and I can get back to those walks. With the weather getting a bit warmer, hopefully I don’t need to wear such a heavy coat. I am hopeful at some point I might even be able to jog a bit as well as I build up the strength in my legs. For now I will try and to increase the intensity of my bike rides.

I have started back on my reading, and I think I have made some good progress on that. I have already read one book cover to cover, and about 2/3rds the way through the next. I had been trying a Star Trek book but was having a tough time getting through it, so I put it down and picked up some others. I want to get on a roll on my reading, and then I will go back to that Trek book I was having some trouble with. But I am hoping I can get through 2 books a month, so will be pushing myself to keep at my reading.

I was able to get a working computer in the basement, so now I can start on my models again. So I am going to start on them again this weekend. I have some Star Wars droid fighters sitting on my desk right now, it is a small snap together model that I will paint up. After that I think I will take on a Tie Fighter. Really looking forward to building models again, and happy I got my desk setup the way I want to do that.

For March the Vintage figure I picked up was a 8D8. I got it for under 10 dollars. It is not in the best of shape, so most likely this will be one that I will upgrade at some point. There is some pink highlighter marker on the side of it’s head, and looks like some other pen or marker has been cleaned off of it. So this figure will do for now, but will replace it down the road with one in better condition. It is not an expensive figure, so should not be hard.

Last week I was at our annual toy show. It was a great chance to find my April vintage figure, and I picked up an Empire Strikes Back Lando. He looks to be in great shape and I was pretty happy with the price and the condition of him. It was nice as well to find a figure at a Toy Show instead of all my eBay purchases to date. I also have another figure coming that I got of eBay, I will blog about it when I get it, but have to say, I am excited. This Vintage collecting has really renergized my passion for collecting.

An update on my 2012 Resolutions as of April

My Fitness is coming along, I have not really pushed myself to hard, but I have managed to regularly exercise and I think as well I am eating a bit better. We have had some spring snow storms lately so that has prevented me from getting out and walking as much as I would like, but hopefully those are behind now and I can get back to those walks. With the weather getting a bit warmer, hopefully I don’t need to wear such a heavy coat. I am hopeful at some point I might even be able to jog a bit as well as I build up the strength in my legs. For now I will try and to increase the intensity of my bike rides.

I have started back on my reading, and I think I have made some good progress on that. I have already read one book cover to cover, and about 2/3rds the way through the next. I had been trying a Star Trek book but was having a tough time getting through it, so I put it down and picked up some others. I want to get on a roll on my reading, and then I will go back to that Trek book I was having some trouble with. But I am hoping I can get through 2 books a month, so will be pushing myself to keep at my reading.

I was able to get a working computer in the basement, so now I can start on my models again. So I am going to start on them again this weekend. I have some Star Wars droid fighters sitting on my desk right now, it is a small snap together model that I will paint up. After that I think I will take on a Tie Fighter. Really looking forward to building models again, and happy I got my desk setup the way I want to do that.

For March the Vintage figure I picked up was a 8D8. I got it for under 10 dollars. It is not in the best of shape, so most likely this will be one that I will upgrade at some point. There is some pink highlighter marker on the side of it’s head, and looks like some other pen or marker has been cleaned off of it. So this figure will do for now, but will replace it down the road with one in better condition. It is not an expensive figure, so should not be hard.

Last week I was at our annual toy show. It was a great chance to find my April vintage figure, and I picked up an Empire Strikes Back Lando. He looks to be in great shape and I was pretty happy with the price and the condition of him. It was nice as well to find a figure at a Toy Show instead of all my eBay purchases to date. I also have another figure coming that I got of eBay, I will blog about it when I get it, but have to say, I am excited. This Vintage collecting has really renergized my passion for collecting.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/04/06/april-resolution-update/feed/ 0 Getting a Better Handle on Vintage Figures http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/03/18/handle-vintage/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/03/18/handle-vintage/#comments Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:45:50 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=582 I had last week off, and I wanted to spend it doing things I enjoy. One of my goals for 2012 was to make good progress towards a complete loose Star Wars Vintage collection. So over the past week, I put in some time on really looking for figures, and getting a good handle of what they would be worth. I started the year off very conservatively in what I was buying, as I really did not know what the going rate was on figures. My first few purchases (The Emperor, Hoth Rebel Trooper and Bespin Han) did not cost much. But I really want to get into some of the figures that are a bit more expensive. I did win an auction for a 8D8 figure, but again, another inexpensive one, which is not bad as I need to fill out my collection, and saving money of these figures will go towards others I can’t.

I have said to myself that I would really like to get one of the more pricier figures. I recently got my bonus at work, so want to treat myself. I Had a few figures in mind, and got close on an auction for one of them, but got out bid in the end. I have my eye on a few others right now, and a bid on an auction, so will see how that goes and if I win it or not. I wanted to get something in the week I was off, but decided to I will take a bit more time. I had my mind stuck on a few different figures, so really wanted to wait and see if some more come up in the next little while, as I might not be able to revisit them for awhile.

The other really important thing, is that I got a good idea of what different figures go for. I think I have pretty much collected all the lesser cost figures, so going forward, the ones I am looking for will be a bit more. I was getting a bit scared off on the price on some, which in the end were not that much. I think I was more chased off as I was not sure what the actual going rate was, but now I do, so I should be more confident in what I am bidding on.

It was nice to just be able to put in some time, looking at auctions, and reading up on figures. I was even able to research some things. I had a small vintage Jawa blaster from when I was a kid. It looked a little different then the ones I saw in auctions but was able to determine it was a variant, and I saw a picture online of the one I had. A bit amazing that I was able to hang onto this small piece of plastic all these years, when I have lost all the others. I also found a missing part for a one of my other figures, so I was happy about that.

The other bonus for the week for me, was I able to get a internet working computer in my basement. I finally worked through what my plans were and came to the conclusion for now, I will you an old computer in the basement. I bought a USB wireless network adapter, which I was able to get working on my older PC. I am happy as now I should be able to use that computer to reference pictures when I work on models and other collecting things. I also bought a chair, which I needed for the basement. I guess I was being cheap, as I had a chair in mind, but did not want to spend much, so was able to find one that suited my needs at the price I wanted to pay. Slowly but surely my basement is coming along.

]]>

I had last week off, and I wanted to spend it doing things I enjoy. One of my goals for 2012 was to make good progress towards a complete loose Star Wars Vintage collection. So over the past week, I put in some time on really looking for figures, and getting a good handle of what they would be worth. I started the year off very conservatively in what I was buying, as I really did not know what the going rate was on figures. My first few purchases (The Emperor, Hoth Rebel Trooper and Bespin Han) did not cost much. But I really want to get into some of the figures that are a bit more expensive. I did win an auction for a 8D8 figure, but again, another inexpensive one, which is not bad as I need to fill out my collection, and saving money of these figures will go towards others I can’t.

I have said to myself that I would really like to get one of the more pricier figures. I recently got my bonus at work, so want to treat myself. I Had a few figures in mind, and got close on an auction for one of them, but got out bid in the end. I have my eye on a few others right now, and a bid on an auction, so will see how that goes and if I win it or not. I wanted to get something in the week I was off, but decided to I will take a bit more time. I had my mind stuck on a few different figures, so really wanted to wait and see if some more come up in the next little while, as I might not be able to revisit them for awhile.

The other really important thing, is that I got a good idea of what different figures go for. I think I have pretty much collected all the lesser cost figures, so going forward, the ones I am looking for will be a bit more. I was getting a bit scared off on the price on some, which in the end were not that much. I think I was more chased off as I was not sure what the actual going rate was, but now I do, so I should be more confident in what I am bidding on.

It was nice to just be able to put in some time, looking at auctions, and reading up on figures. I was even able to research some things. I had a small vintage Jawa blaster from when I was a kid. It looked a little different then the ones I saw in auctions but was able to determine it was a variant, and I saw a picture online of the one I had. A bit amazing that I was able to hang onto this small piece of plastic all these years, when I have lost all the others. I also found a missing part for a one of my other figures, so I was happy about that.

The other bonus for the week for me, was I able to get a internet working computer in my basement. I finally worked through what my plans were and came to the conclusion for now, I will you an old computer in the basement. I bought a USB wireless network adapter, which I was able to get working on my older PC. I am happy as now I should be able to use that computer to reference pictures when I work on models and other collecting things. I also bought a chair, which I needed for the basement. I guess I was being cheap, as I had a chair in mind, but did not want to spend much, so was able to find one that suited my needs at the price I wanted to pay. Slowly but surely my basement is coming along.

I had last week off, and I wanted to spend it doing things I enjoy. One of my goals for 2012 was to make good progress towards a complete loose Star Wars Vintage collection. So over the past week, I put in some time on really looking for figures, and getting a good handle of what they would be worth. I started the year off very conservatively in what I was buying, as I really did not know what the going rate was on figures. My first few purchases (The Emperor, Hoth Rebel Trooper and Bespin Han) did not cost much. But I really want to get into some of the figures that are a bit more expensive. I did win an auction for a 8D8 figure, but again, another inexpensive one, which is not bad as I need to fill out my collection, and saving money of these figures will go towards others I can’t.

I have said to myself that I would really like to get one of the more pricier figures. I recently got my bonus at work, so want to treat myself. I Had a few figures in mind, and got close on an auction for one of them, but got out bid in the end. I have my eye on a few others right now, and a bid on an auction, so will see how that goes and if I win it or not. I wanted to get something in the week I was off, but decided to I will take a bit more time. I had my mind stuck on a few different figures, so really wanted to wait and see if some more come up in the next little while, as I might not be able to revisit them for awhile.

The other really important thing, is that I got a good idea of what different figures go for. I think I have pretty much collected all the lesser cost figures, so going forward, the ones I am looking for will be a bit more. I was getting a bit scared off on the price on some, which in the end were not that much. I think I was more chased off as I was not sure what the actual going rate was, but now I do, so I should be more confident in what I am bidding on.

It was nice to just be able to put in some time, looking at auctions, and reading up on figures. I was even able to research some things. I had a small vintage Jawa blaster from when I was a kid. It looked a little different then the ones I saw in auctions but was able to determine it was a variant, and I saw a picture online of the one I had. A bit amazing that I was able to hang onto this small piece of plastic all these years, when I have lost all the others. I also found a missing part for a one of my other figures, so I was happy about that.

The other bonus for the week for me, was I able to get a internet working computer in my basement. I finally worked through what my plans were and came to the conclusion for now, I will you an old computer in the basement. I bought a USB wireless network adapter, which I was able to get working on my older PC. I am happy as now I should be able to use that computer to reference pictures when I work on models and other collecting things. I also bought a chair, which I needed for the basement. I guess I was being cheap, as I had a chair in mind, but did not want to spend much, so was able to find one that suited my needs at the price I wanted to pay. Slowly but surely my basement is coming along.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/03/18/handle-vintage/feed/ 1 February Resolution Update http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/19/february-resolution-update/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/19/february-resolution-update/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:46:34 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=577 An update on my 2012 resolutions for the month of February

My exercising has been coming along alright after the original set back from earlier in the year. I have been able to do this more regularly the past few weeks, and starting to mix a few things more into it. For the most part I have been riding the exercise bike, but I have added some walking into my routine as well. The exercise bike I feel I have slowly been pushing the intensity up on it, so I am hoping if I keep riding the bike on a regular schedule that I can start to see some more results. I have started longer walks as well, I did a lunch time walk on Friday, and then I have done two early morning walks. I am hoping the weather stays mild as I think if I can keep these regular, I can also push up the speed that I am walking. I feel that I am walking a good distance, as my morning walks take me 35 minutes or so, and I cover a lot of ground. If I keep at them for the next few months, maybe by spring I might be able to jog or run for part of it. I want to build up the strength in my legs, so that I would be able to handle it. The walks must be doing something as my body aches a bit today, so I have hit some muscles that I haven’t used for a bit, so I am happy about that. I also planning to add some more stretching into my routine as well.

My Star Wars vintage figure resolution is coming along well also. This month I won off eBay a Hoth Rebel Soldier. Again, not a figure at the top of my list, but one that I did not have, or if condition that I felt was in great shape to be displayed. I got it for a decent enough price, so happy about that. I had won another auction for a Bespin Han, but oddly enough, all I received was the gun for him. I had sent out an email to the seller to ask if the the figure will be coming. Truthfully, I was more interested in the gun, since I already have a Bespin Han that I received from a friend a few years ago, so it means more to me.  Also looking at the pictures, it is in better condition then the auction I won, so the gun completes him. So if the actual figure never comes, I will probably not be to upset, since what I won the figure for was not much, and with the gun, I have a complete Bespin Han already. I am looking forward to next month and what I can find. There is a toy show right at the start of the month, so I am hoping possibly I can find a figure locally, to mix things up from doing the eBay route. Also I am hopeful if my bonus from work this year is decent, I might have some extra money to go after one of the more expensive figures I need. This is definitely my favorite resolution for 2012.

some resolutions that still need more of my attention.

I did clean out a lot in my office, when I was off for a few days a few weeks back. I still have more to do, notable the basement. I am hoping that when I take some time off in a few weeks, I can tackle that a bit more of the basement and get some more things cleaned up.

My Podcasting is still not there yet, I did figure out some issues with my mixer, so I am hoping I am close to recording again. I sold my Mac Mini a few weeks back, and I have found another program that will allow me to enhance my Podcast on the PC.  So I need to get focused again on my collecting podcast, pick a topic, and start going on it. The Mixer really did take the wind out of my sails, if I was in a better position financially, I would sell it and get something else, and still might do that, but will see.

My Model building is still out there as well. I got the idea to build up my workspace down stairs so that it will have everything I need. Slowly I am building that up, the big thing right now is getting a new computer for the basement. I had my eye on laptop, but after looking for awhile, just nothing really impressed me in the price range I wanted to spend. I am now thinking that since I sold my Mac Mini, I will replace that with a newer one that is wireless. But I have been holding off, as I am not certain when they will be releasing a new version. I still have memory from the last Mac Mini I bought, and how a month or two after they came out with a wireless one. I don’t want the same thing to happen again, so I am taking a bit of a wait and see attitude to see if something new gets released in the next few months.

My reading is not going anywhere right now, I am thinking I might have to either set some time for myself each day to read, or pick a new book that will really grab me. I find I still spend a lot of wasted time each day, that I could be reading. So I am going to have to figure out where I can fit it in, as I know I have time, just pushing myself to do so.

So hopefully if I keep myself more accountable through these updates, that when I get to the end of the year, I will have more successes then failures in the terms of resolutions.

]]>

An update on my 2012 resolutions for the month of February

My exercising has been coming along alright after the original set back from earlier in the year. I have been able to do this more regularly the past few weeks, and starting to mix a few things more into it. For the most part I have been riding the exercise bike, but I have added some walking into my routine as well. The exercise bike I feel I have slowly been pushing the intensity up on it, so I am hoping if I keep riding the bike on a regular schedule that I can start to see some more results. I have started longer walks as well, I did a lunch time walk on Friday, and then I have done two early morning walks. I am hoping the weather stays mild as I think if I can keep these regular, I can also push up the speed that I am walking. I feel that I am walking a good distance, as my morning walks take me 35 minutes or so, and I cover a lot of ground. If I keep at them for the next few months, maybe by spring I might be able to jog or run for part of it. I want to build up the strength in my legs, so that I would be able to handle it. The walks must be doing something as my body aches a bit today, so I have hit some muscles that I haven’t used for a bit, so I am happy about that. I also planning to add some more stretching into my routine as well.

My Star Wars vintage figure resolution is coming along well also. This month I won off eBay a Hoth Rebel Soldier. Again, not a figure at the top of my list, but one that I did not have, or if condition that I felt was in great shape to be displayed. I got it for a decent enough price, so happy about that. I had won another auction for a Bespin Han, but oddly enough, all I received was the gun for him. I had sent out an email to the seller to ask if the the figure will be coming. Truthfully, I was more interested in the gun, since I already have a Bespin Han that I received from a friend a few years ago, so it means more to me.  Also looking at the pictures, it is in better condition then the auction I won, so the gun completes him. So if the actual figure never comes, I will probably not be to upset, since what I won the figure for was not much, and with the gun, I have a complete Bespin Han already. I am looking forward to next month and what I can find. There is a toy show right at the start of the month, so I am hoping possibly I can find a figure locally, to mix things up from doing the eBay route. Also I am hopeful if my bonus from work this year is decent, I might have some extra money to go after one of the more expensive figures I need. This is definitely my favorite resolution for 2012.

some resolutions that still need more of my attention.

I did clean out a lot in my office, when I was off for a few days a few weeks back. I still have more to do, notable the basement. I am hoping that when I take some time off in a few weeks, I can tackle that a bit more of the basement and get some more things cleaned up.

My Podcasting is still not there yet, I did figure out some issues with my mixer, so I am hoping I am close to recording again. I sold my Mac Mini a few weeks back, and I have found another program that will allow me to enhance my Podcast on the PC.  So I need to get focused again on my collecting podcast, pick a topic, and start going on it. The Mixer really did take the wind out of my sails, if I was in a better position financially, I would sell it and get something else, and still might do that, but will see.

My Model building is still out there as well. I got the idea to build up my workspace down stairs so that it will have everything I need. Slowly I am building that up, the big thing right now is getting a new computer for the basement. I had my eye on laptop, but after looking for awhile, just nothing really impressed me in the price range I wanted to spend. I am now thinking that since I sold my Mac Mini, I will replace that with a newer one that is wireless. But I have been holding off, as I am not certain when they will be releasing a new version. I still have memory from the last Mac Mini I bought, and how a month or two after they came out with a wireless one. I don’t want the same thing to happen again, so I am taking a bit of a wait and see attitude to see if something new gets released in the next few months.

My reading is not going anywhere right now, I am thinking I might have to either set some time for myself each day to read, or pick a new book that will really grab me. I find I still spend a lot of wasted time each day, that I could be reading. So I am going to have to figure out where I can fit it in, as I know I have time, just pushing myself to do so.

So hopefully if I keep myself more accountable through these updates, that when I get to the end of the year, I will have more successes then failures in the terms of resolutions.

An update on my 2012 resolutions for the month of February

My exercising has been coming along alright after the original set back from earlier in the year. I have been able to do this more regularly the past few weeks, and starting to mix a few things more into it. For the most part I have been riding the exercise bike, but I have added some walking into my routine as well. The exercise bike I feel I have slowly been pushing the intensity up on it, so I am hoping if I keep riding the bike on a regular schedule that I can start to see some more results. I have started longer walks as well, I did a lunch time walk on Friday, and then I have done two early morning walks. I am hoping the weather stays mild as I think if I can keep these regular, I can also push up the speed that I am walking. I feel that I am walking a good distance, as my morning walks take me 35 minutes or so, and I cover a lot of ground. If I keep at them for the next few months, maybe by spring I might be able to jog or run for part of it. I want to build up the strength in my legs, so that I would be able to handle it. The walks must be doing something as my body aches a bit today, so I have hit some muscles that I haven’t used for a bit, so I am happy about that. I also planning to add some more stretching into my routine as well.

My Star Wars vintage figure resolution is coming along well also. This month I won off eBay a Hoth Rebel Soldier. Again, not a figure at the top of my list, but one that I did not have, or if condition that I felt was in great shape to be displayed. I got it for a decent enough price, so happy about that. I had won another auction for a Bespin Han, but oddly enough, all I received was the gun for him. I had sent out an email to the seller to ask if the the figure will be coming. Truthfully, I was more interested in the gun, since I already have a Bespin Han that I received from a friend a few years ago, so it means more to me.  Also looking at the pictures, it is in better condition then the auction I won, so the gun completes him. So if the actual figure never comes, I will probably not be to upset, since what I won the figure for was not much, and with the gun, I have a complete Bespin Han already. I am looking forward to next month and what I can find. There is a toy show right at the start of the month, so I am hoping possibly I can find a figure locally, to mix things up from doing the eBay route. Also I am hopeful if my bonus from work this year is decent, I might have some extra money to go after one of the more expensive figures I need. This is definitely my favorite resolution for 2012.

some resolutions that still need more of my attention.

I did clean out a lot in my office, when I was off for a few days a few weeks back. I still have more to do, notable the basement. I am hoping that when I take some time off in a few weeks, I can tackle that a bit more of the basement and get some more things cleaned up.

My Podcasting is still not there yet, I did figure out some issues with my mixer, so I am hoping I am close to recording again. I sold my Mac Mini a few weeks back, and I have found another program that will allow me to enhance my Podcast on the PC.  So I need to get focused again on my collecting podcast, pick a topic, and start going on it. The Mixer really did take the wind out of my sails, if I was in a better position financially, I would sell it and get something else, and still might do that, but will see.

My Model building is still out there as well. I got the idea to build up my workspace down stairs so that it will have everything I need. Slowly I am building that up, the big thing right now is getting a new computer for the basement. I had my eye on laptop, but after looking for awhile, just nothing really impressed me in the price range I wanted to spend. I am now thinking that since I sold my Mac Mini, I will replace that with a newer one that is wireless. But I have been holding off, as I am not certain when they will be releasing a new version. I still have memory from the last Mac Mini I bought, and how a month or two after they came out with a wireless one. I don’t want the same thing to happen again, so I am taking a bit of a wait and see attitude to see if something new gets released in the next few months.

My reading is not going anywhere right now, I am thinking I might have to either set some time for myself each day to read, or pick a new book that will really grab me. I find I still spend a lot of wasted time each day, that I could be reading. So I am going to have to figure out where I can fit it in, as I know I have time, just pushing myself to do so.

So hopefully if I keep myself more accountable through these updates, that when I get to the end of the year, I will have more successes then failures in the terms of resolutions.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/19/february-resolution-update/feed/ 0 Not a bad way to spend a day off http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/11/day-off/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/11/day-off/#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:51:45 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=573 Yesterday, I had the day off from work. I had to work extra hours this week, so it worked out well, as I was able to do something I was not able to do nearly 13 years ago.

I was able to go and see Star Wars Episode 1 the Phantom Menace on opening day. This time around, it was in 3D. When it originally came out, I could not go opening day, as at the time I was busy at work, and a few other things happening that did not allow me to go first day. Being a big Star Wars fan, that always ate at me a little bit, so I have corrected that :)

I went with my Dad and two nephews, and had a good time. Epsiode 1 is what it is, and I know that a lot of people really dislike this movie. I will admit, that if I rank all the Star Wars movies, this one would be at the bottom of my list, as it can get a bit slow at times, and doesn’t have the best pacing. But to me, the movie does really setup what the Star Wars universe was, on a greater scale then the Original Trilogy ever did. I am a big Star Wars fan as stated, so I like to do the “Deep Dive” so to say into the who Star Wars universe. This movie gives a person plenty to get into, like myself, who wants to be immersed into that universe. I am really looking forward to the other movies coming out. The 3D in the movie was alright, I don’t think it will ever be a showcase 3D, but it was well applied in my opinion, and added some depth to the scenes. I guess maybe in the end, the 3D was more just a vehicle to get Star Wars back onto the big screen. I am amazed, that a movie that a lot of people pan, that 13 years after the fact, it still can get released into the theatre again. There are plenty of Academy Award winning movies that would not be able to be released 13 years after the fact, even some of the big blockbusters from the past few years, could not even get released again.

When I got home, I had something cool waiting for me at the Post Office. The next in the series of Star Wars Kubricks was released. I had ordered this set a few weeks ago, and had been anticipating it for some time. It was Deluxe series 4, which included 6 figures and a build up figure of the Probe Droid. I think what got me the most excited, was the vintage style figures they released. In the last series they released a Vintage Style Obi-Wan, and now they released 3 more. A Vintage Vader, Princess Leia and Tie Fighter Pilot. Also they released a R2-D2, Captain Antilles and Imperial Dignitary. So this morning I opened then up and assembled my Probe Droid. So now I have to find some space on my shelf for them. I am thinking I might separate my vintage style figures from the rest. I also included my 3D glasses in the picture from the movie yesterday.

]]>

Yesterday, I had the day off from work. I had to work extra hours this week, so it worked out well, as I was able to do something I was not able to do nearly 13 years ago.

I was able to go and see Star Wars Episode 1 the Phantom Menace on opening day. This time around, it was in 3D. When it originally came out, I could not go opening day, as at the time I was busy at work, and a few other things happening that did not allow me to go first day. Being a big Star Wars fan, that always ate at me a little bit, so I have corrected that :)

I went with my Dad and two nephews, and had a good time. Epsiode 1 is what it is, and I know that a lot of people really dislike this movie. I will admit, that if I rank all the Star Wars movies, this one would be at the bottom of my list, as it can get a bit slow at times, and doesn’t have the best pacing. But to me, the movie does really setup what the Star Wars universe was, on a greater scale then the Original Trilogy ever did. I am a big Star Wars fan as stated, so I like to do the “Deep Dive” so to say into the who Star Wars universe. This movie gives a person plenty to get into, like myself, who wants to be immersed into that universe. I am really looking forward to the other movies coming out. The 3D in the movie was alright, I don’t think it will ever be a showcase 3D, but it was well applied in my opinion, and added some depth to the scenes. I guess maybe in the end, the 3D was more just a vehicle to get Star Wars back onto the big screen. I am amazed, that a movie that a lot of people pan, that 13 years after the fact, it still can get released into the theatre again. There are plenty of Academy Award winning movies that would not be able to be released 13 years after the fact, even some of the big blockbusters from the past few years, could not even get released again.

When I got home, I had something cool waiting for me at the Post Office. The next in the series of Star Wars Kubricks was released. I had ordered this set a few weeks ago, and had been anticipating it for some time. It was Deluxe series 4, which included 6 figures and a build up figure of the Probe Droid. I think what got me the most excited, was the vintage style figures they released. In the last series they released a Vintage Style Obi-Wan, and now they released 3 more. A Vintage Vader, Princess Leia and Tie Fighter Pilot. Also they released a R2-D2, Captain Antilles and Imperial Dignitary. So this morning I opened then up and assembled my Probe Droid. So now I have to find some space on my shelf for them. I am thinking I might separate my vintage style figures from the rest. I also included my 3D glasses in the picture from the movie yesterday.

Yesterday, I had the day off from work. I had to work extra hours this week, so it worked out well, as I was able to do something I was not able to do nearly 13 years ago.

I was able to go and see Star Wars Episode 1 the Phantom Menace on opening day. This time around, it was in 3D. When it originally came out, I could not go opening day, as at the time I was busy at work, and a few other things happening that did not allow me to go first day. Being a big Star Wars fan, that always ate at me a little bit, so I have corrected that :)

I went with my Dad and two nephews, and had a good time. Epsiode 1 is what it is, and I know that a lot of people really dislike this movie. I will admit, that if I rank all the Star Wars movies, this one would be at the bottom of my list, as it can get a bit slow at times, and doesn’t have the best pacing. But to me, the movie does really setup what the Star Wars universe was, on a greater scale then the Original Trilogy ever did. I am a big Star Wars fan as stated, so I like to do the “Deep Dive” so to say into the who Star Wars universe. This movie gives a person plenty to get into, like myself, who wants to be immersed into that universe. I am really looking forward to the other movies coming out. The 3D in the movie was alright, I don’t think it will ever be a showcase 3D, but it was well applied in my opinion, and added some depth to the scenes. I guess maybe in the end, the 3D was more just a vehicle to get Star Wars back onto the big screen. I am amazed, that a movie that a lot of people pan, that 13 years after the fact, it still can get released into the theatre again. There are plenty of Academy Award winning movies that would not be able to be released 13 years after the fact, even some of the big blockbusters from the past few years, could not even get released again.

When I got home, I had something cool waiting for me at the Post Office. The next in the series of Star Wars Kubricks was released. I had ordered this set a few weeks ago, and had been anticipating it for some time. It was Deluxe series 4, which included 6 figures and a build up figure of the Probe Droid. I think what got me the most excited, was the vintage style figures they released. In the last series they released a Vintage Style Obi-Wan, and now they released 3 more. A Vintage Vader, Princess Leia and Tie Fighter Pilot. Also they released a R2-D2, Captain Antilles and Imperial Dignitary. So this morning I opened then up and assembled my Probe Droid. So now I have to find some space on my shelf for them. I am thinking I might separate my vintage style figures from the rest. I also included my 3D glasses in the picture from the movie yesterday.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/11/day-off/feed/ 0 Great Day the other day for Depression Awareness http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/10/great-day-the-other-day-for-depression-awareness/ http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/10/great-day-the-other-day-for-depression-awareness/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:47:31 +0000 jeff http://www.jeffjobb.com/?p=568
On Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012 Bell in Canada supported a day called Let’s Talk. It was a day to bring awareness to Mental Health and Depression. Throughout the day I followed on Twitter a lot of inspiring tweets and blog posts of people sharing about their depression. I think what I took out of it, was that people suffering from this are not alone, and to find a person to talk to about it. In the spirit of the day, I sought out some people to talk to about my own battles with depression and to share with them theirs. I think by the end of the day, I had a very hopeful feeling. Like I said, I took time to read peoples posts on their depression, talk with others and also reflect on how I handle my own.

In the evening, I watched a great documentary on CTV/TSN hosted by Michael Lansberg. In the documentary he shared about his own struggles with depression, which I felt took a lot of courage to do so. There was one scene near the end of the documentary, that really resonated with me, not many words were spoken, but I could feel it, as I have felt it. Michael was talking with Mick Foley and Roddy Piper on his show, and at a break, he got up to take a break and walk away, just that little moment is one that I have had many times, and could sense what he felt at that time.

The documentary also really hit home with me as they talked to Stephane Richer former NHLer, Darryl Strawberry former MLBer and Clara Hughes a Gold Medal winning Olympic Athlete. It really did show to me, that people could look to have everything, but still depression is there, and they have struggles. They talked about an emptiness inside that cannot be filled, and I have felt that, they talked about being on top after winning and still cannot feel joy of the success, I felt that as well. It was a real powerful documentary, and meant a lot to me to see people struggling with the same things I do. I commend all those brave people for having the courage to be on the documentary and share with everyone else. I encourage people to watch this show, I think it is well worth it. It is called Darkness and Hope .

I have to admit, I am a bit nervous to write this post, as it is hard to admit to others my depression. I was talking with a friend during the day, there is still a stigma about depression, where a person is viewed of as weak, so why I was so inspired by the people who shared about theirs. To see people talking about it, and having the same feelings as I did, really did show me that this is a disease. This is something I have struggled with for years, it has flared to near intolerable levels 3 or 4 times in my life. Once in my teens where I actually did think of suicide, but a well timed call from a friend was able to draw me back. Another time in my first year of a new job, where it led to me breaking down in my managers office as the pressures of work overwhelmed me. Then the most recent time, which was a few years ago, where a difficult software upgrade at work pushed me to the brink, when it was done I went through months of post traumatic stress, and not really sure if I ever fully recovered from it.

But I think what is the most maddening for me, is that daily depression, the one that lays in the weeds, not enough to send you totally over board into despair, but enough that it holds you back from doing what you want in life. The type where by the time you get home from work, you don’t have energy or desire to really pursue what you want in life. The depression that always acts as a wall between myself and the life I want, causes me to doubt and second guess. Even this blog post took me a few days to write after the fact. But inspired by the brave people I saw on Bell Lets Talk day, I decided to write this. To beat this stigma of depression, I think more people like myself need to share and not be so afraid of what other might think. The day has shown me there are more people out there who go through depression and can help.

]]>

On Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012 Bell in Canada supported a day called Let’s Talk. It was a day to bring awareness to Mental Health and Depression. Throughout the day I followed on Twitter a lot of inspiring tweets and blog posts of people sharing about their depression. I think what I took out of it, was that people suffering from this are not alone, and to find a person to talk to about it. In the spirit of the day, I sought out some people to talk to about my own battles with depression and to share with them theirs. I think by the end of the day, I had a very hopeful feeling. Like I said, I took time to read peoples posts on their depression, talk with others and also reflect on how I handle my own.

In the evening, I watched a great documentary on CTV/TSN hosted by Michael Lansberg. In the documentary he shared about his own struggles with depression, which I felt took a lot of courage to do so. There was one scene near the end of the documentary, that really resonated with me, not many words were spoken, but I could feel it, as I have felt it. Michael was talking with Mick Foley and Roddy Piper on his show, and at a break, he got up to take a break and walk away, just that little moment is one that I have had many times, and could sense what he felt at that time.

The documentary also really hit home with me as they talked to Stephane Richer former NHLer, Darryl Strawberry former MLBer and Clara Hughes a Gold Medal winning Olympic Athlete. It really did show to me, that people could look to have everything, but still depression is there, and they have struggles. They talked about an emptiness inside that cannot be filled, and I have felt that, they talked about being on top after winning and still cannot feel joy of the success, I felt that as well. It was a real powerful documentary, and meant a lot to me to see people struggling with the same things I do. I commend all those brave people for having the courage to be on the documentary and share with everyone else. I encourage people to watch this show, I think it is well worth it. It is called Darkness and Hope .

I have to admit, I am a bit nervous to write this post, as it is hard to admit to others my depression. I was talking with a friend during the day, there is still a stigma about depression, where a person is viewed of as weak, so why I was so inspired by the people who shared about theirs. To see people talking about it, and having the same feelings as I did, really did show me that this is a disease. This is something I have struggled with for years, it has flared to near intolerable levels 3 or 4 times in my life. Once in my teens where I actually did think of suicide, but a well timed call from a friend was able to draw me back. Another time in my first year of a new job, where it led to me breaking down in my managers office as the pressures of work overwhelmed me. Then the most recent time, which was a few years ago, where a difficult software upgrade at work pushed me to the brink, when it was done I went through months of post traumatic stress, and not really sure if I ever fully recovered from it.

But I think what is the most maddening for me, is that daily depression, the one that lays in the weeds, not enough to send you totally over board into despair, but enough that it holds you back from doing what you want in life. The type where by the time you get home from work, you don’t have energy or desire to really pursue what you want in life. The depression that always acts as a wall between myself and the life I want, causes me to doubt and second guess. Even this blog post took me a few days to write after the fact. But inspired by the brave people I saw on Bell Lets Talk day, I decided to write this. To beat this stigma of depression, I think more people like myself need to share and not be so afraid of what other might think. The day has shown me there are more people out there who go through depression and can help.

On Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012 Bell in Canada supported a day called Let’s Talk. It was a day to bring awareness to Mental Health and Depression. Throughout the day I followed on Twitter a lot of inspiring tweets and blog posts of people sharing about their depression. I think what I took out of it, was that people suffering from this are not alone, and to find a person to talk to about it. In the spirit of the day, I sought out some people to talk to about my own battles with depression and to share with them theirs. I think by the end of the day, I had a very hopeful feeling. Like I said, I took time to read peoples posts on their depression, talk with others and also reflect on how I handle my own.

In the evening, I watched a great documentary on CTV/TSN hosted by Michael Lansberg. In the documentary he shared about his own struggles with depression, which I felt took a lot of courage to do so. There was one scene near the end of the documentary, that really resonated with me, not many words were spoken, but I could feel it, as I have felt it. Michael was talking with Mick Foley and Roddy Piper on his show, and at a break, he got up to take a break and walk away, just that little moment is one that I have had many times, and could sense what he felt at that time.

The documentary also really hit home with me as they talked to Stephane Richer former NHLer, Darryl Strawberry former MLBer and Clara Hughes a Gold Medal winning Olympic Athlete. It really did show to me, that people could look to have everything, but still depression is there, and they have struggles. They talked about an emptiness inside that cannot be filled, and I have felt that, they talked about being on top after winning and still cannot feel joy of the success, I felt that as well. It was a real powerful documentary, and meant a lot to me to see people struggling with the same things I do. I commend all those brave people for having the courage to be on the documentary and share with everyone else. I encourage people to watch this show, I think it is well worth it. It is called Darkness and Hope .

I have to admit, I am a bit nervous to write this post, as it is hard to admit to others my depression. I was talking with a friend during the day, there is still a stigma about depression, where a person is viewed of as weak, so why I was so inspired by the people who shared about theirs. To see people talking about it, and having the same feelings as I did, really did show me that this is a disease. This is something I have struggled with for years, it has flared to near intolerable levels 3 or 4 times in my life. Once in my teens where I actually did think of suicide, but a well timed call from a friend was able to draw me back. Another time in my first year of a new job, where it led to me breaking down in my managers office as the pressures of work overwhelmed me. Then the most recent time, which was a few years ago, where a difficult software upgrade at work pushed me to the brink, when it was done I went through months of post traumatic stress, and not really sure if I ever fully recovered from it.

But I think what is the most maddening for me, is that daily depression, the one that lays in the weeds, not enough to send you totally over board into despair, but enough that it holds you back from doing what you want in life. The type where by the time you get home from work, you don’t have energy or desire to really pursue what you want in life. The depression that always acts as a wall between myself and the life I want, causes me to doubt and second guess. Even this blog post took me a few days to write after the fact. But inspired by the brave people I saw on Bell Lets Talk day, I decided to write this. To beat this stigma of depression, I think more people like myself need to share and not be so afraid of what other might think. The day has shown me there are more people out there who go through depression and can help.

]]> http://www.jeffjobb.com/2012/02/10/great-day-the-other-day-for-depression-awareness/feed/ 0