The Return of the King - Well, the King of this Blog

Been awhile, huh?  I bet you can't even guess what I've been going through.  Well, actually, for those of you that know me, you can guess.  My wife, Joanna, gave birth to our daughter, Abigail Grace, on September 22.  So, since then, I've been busy taking care of my wife and newborn daughter.  I've not had a lot of sleep, though I think that we might be turning a corner there.  Who knows. 

But enough about the baby.  Like I said, this is going to be a blog about me because I'm selfish and I don't want to talk about the baby.  Sue me.

Remember last month I wrote about new beginnings and all that?  I wasn't just writing it to write it.  Obviously, becoming a dad is a new beginning, but I also started a new job at the beginning of October.  Wait, you're probably thinking, "a new job?"  Yes, sadly (and with no regrets or bitterness), I was let go from the Chaffey High School District because of the wonderful California Education system.  With not even enough money to keep one of their continuation schools active, a lot of things had to go - me included.  But I wasn't mad.  I've been in Education for a long time and I've seen the budget problems cut funding left and right.  Even at Chaffey the past couple of years, I've seen funding dwindle, so it was not a shock.  What was a shock was dealing with bills and an impending baby.  But we managed.

Now, back to my new job.  I was hired (after 20 unsuccessful applications around the area and only 3 actual interviews) to be the Web Content Manager for the School of Nursing at Loma Linda University.  The ironic part is that web content management is only a third of the actual position.  Let's get scary and try to do some Math:  Seventy-five percent of that other two thirds consists of supporting the Blackboard environment for the faculty and students and supporting the Kaplan testing that takes place each quarter.  Now, the other twenty-five percent of that original two thirds is doing techonology support around the building - stuff that I'm already familiar with doing.  If I'm not mistaken, that should equal one hundred percent of the two thirds to go along with the other third that make up my job description.  Lost?  Me too.

Of course, add on top of all that the fact that I am one of three men on the staff in the entire school and therefore will be called upon to move furniture and boxes, hang pictures on walls or any number of "other duties as assigned".

Don't get me wrong, though, this is a great place to work and I am glad that I found it.  The people are wonderful and friendly and I have been welcomed and accepted.  They understand the fact that I have never used Blackboard or Kaplan testing in the past and are patient as I learn the systems that they are comfortable with.  In time it will be second nature, but for now, I'm still learning.  But as long as I stay one chapter ahead of the faculty and staff, I should be okay.


Until next time.