11 replies to this topic

[Scubatooth]

I promise I am not a ghost, just a lot going on behind the scenes... some good and bad.

Back at the end of April I resigned and walked away from a company I have been with for over 5 years. I had been spinning my wheels for a while as no room for advancement or changes and finally called "No Joy" and walked away really without a plan or new job lined up. As much as it sucked to not be working and having regular money coming in it was the best thing for me in reality. I had run myself so far down in that I was so worn out (from working nights for 2 years and only sleeping 2-3 hours a day) that the day after I walked away I ended up passing out for 36 hours before finally coming to. It also allowed to finally take care of and deal with things that had been put to the side for so long. In the process managed to shed the demons of the past that had been haunting me to come out on the other side in much better shape.

In the meantime I have been working some per diem gigs including event medical for adventure races / trail runs, concerts (Including Pit bull, Kesha, Miranda Lambert, Deirks Bentley, Zedd, Fun, Imagine Dragons and others, commercial and production shoots in the Dallas Area. It has led to alot of rubbing shoulders with the upper crust in society, networking and other contacts along the way that have brought in some other work along the way.

In the Dallas area I had been applying for jobs all over the place but not heard back from anyone. Then in late August someone close to me talked to the bosses where they worked and a hour later had a interview scheduled for the next week. Someone must have given the rundown on me and or spoke very highly of me as the interview must have been a formality as the questions were softballs one could hit out of the park underwater. At the end was offered a job and at a starting rate right (adjusted after the probationary period) at what I was making after 5 years from the job I walked away from which is said and says a lot.

Beyond that I haven't been in the water this year at all and really wanting to get back into the water, but will probably be next year they way things are looking right now. The photography has been SoSo mainly shooting on various projects but nothing new to release this year. Once I get settled and get the studio reestablished will have a few gallery editions and such to release / announce.

In any case at the end of the month I will be moving to Baytown (South of Houston) to start a new job and get back on the ambulance working in the field while I work on getting some certs to work offshore as a paramedic. There is another reason for moving to the Houston area; In time that will be revealed. Single is my buddy status ... for now


So that is my 2psi and what has been up lately

Tooth

[ev780]

It can take a time or two to find the right fit in our business. I know it did for me.

Good luck in your new gig! Stay Safe!!

F

Edited by ev780, 21 September 2013 - 02:28 PM.

[scubaclint]

Very happy to hear your good news, Dan.

[Greg@ihpil]

Tooth,
Glad thing's worked in your favor.I know what it was like to be without work for a long period. Things have started to be alomost normal again. As for the rest of "your" status/story....we'll stay tuned........MMMMM

[Scubatooth]

It can take a time or two to find the right fit in our business. I know it did for me.

Good luck in your new gig! Stay Safe!!

F

Pretty much. When I first joined it was a good opportunity where mgmt took care of its people. Somewhere along the line it changed and became more of a "Do as I say not as I do" and "Now what you know but who you bravolimaoscarwhiskey". This new company is a true family operation and the owners are very hands on (without micromanaging) day to day operations and truly care about there employees. In the 3 hours I was there I was made to feel "at home" and treated like family and that I already worked there and that is a rarity now a days from what I have seen and witnessed.

Guys & Gals I don't mean to be vague but I am on the protective side and I have my reasons.

I could say that I wish I had taken some of the advice given to me a few years ago. However that would have not lead me to where I am today. A little worse for the wear but still a nice guy, alive and kicking.

[WreckWench]

Hey tooth...good to have you back and even happier things are falling into place!

You'll be back in the swing of things in no time and diving soon! We've missed you for sure and can't wait for the next installment!

As for a possible buddy status change...well that's nice too!

p.s. Just remember we can help you book um...special occasions too!

[Scubatooth]

WW - we have talked about a couple of ideas I have, but still a road to go till that point and a OW certification. Although I would like the info on the jeweler Bill used for your ring for reference.

As for a special trip it would be something like wakatobi or something of that level for 2 weeks min so as to maximize the value on the FF miles/time. Although still a ways to go till that planning needs to be kicked into gear.

[ScubaSis]

Congrats, Tooth!! I hope it all works out the way you want. I'll be passing through Baytown, to and from work! Give me a holler sometime after you get settled and maybe we can meet up(including your status changer)! ;-)

I see a Houston Happy Hour in the making!!!!

[WreckWench]

YES!!! A HOUSTON HAPPY HOUR WOULD BE GREAT!!!!

[little mermaid]

Dan glad to hear the good news!!! Best wishes all around /> /> />

[Scubatooth]

Well I will need numbers / email etc to contact you.

Well let me get settled before a HH is set up. I'm staying in a house a friend bought as a distressed property and is renovating it. It's about 70% right now but depending on how it goes may end up buying if I can get the financing, etc.

Will have to see how things are going. Long story short things are in a rebuilding phase right now but working that way back to where things were earlier in the year. She wants to get certified so will get to meet her.

[Scubatooth]

Figure an update would be good.

Started the new job on October 2nd and in the short time I have been with the company I must have made one heck of an impression with managment and staff a like (Total 180 from where I last worked). First off its good to be back in the field again as I love being a paramedic... /> /> />

However while Im not the young parapup I used to be I still have the skill and ability to handle what is thrown at me including a higher percentage of Critical Care calls then I was getting in Dallas. Which is a good thing as it keeps me on my toes and proves a challenge, plus management has gotten compliments from patients, families and facilities on my clinical skills and bedside manner .

Then normally when management wants to talk to you its not a good thing. Which is my normal reaction (oh crud what did I do now) but not here as its been all good feed back, getting my opinion on things, or more recently to bring me onboard for making changes to training / education offerings and standards with in the company. Also has been talk of putting me through some training classes to offically get my Critical Care Paramedic (CC-EMTP from University of Maryland Baltimore City), Instructor Cards for all the card courses were required to have (CPR, ACLS (Adv Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)plus a couple more. The biggest is sending me to get my state EMS instructor cert so that I can start teaching continuing education (hour) classes to keep people up to date for license renewals.

Also been asked to help develop a program for putting together a inhouse disaster response team before the start of hurricane season. This will be interesting because I am already on a federal disaster medical team so thats on call three of the seven months of hurricane season in 2014.

Finally a request I dont want to jinx it, but could use all the prayers and good vibes as I have a oppotunity if it all goes through for a position (non mgmt) that would be a 40-60% raise in base rate but also would give me a schedule that would be more condusive to having a "normal" life and being able to dive again.

More later but my shift is over and I gotta run.

Tooth

One of the reasons for moving to houston was on the personal side of things however didnt workout the way I hoped it would. Its not a total loss but I'm definately still single.