What are you doing with your life!?

Well, where do I even begin…
(psst… try the beginning.)
Oh, good idea, me.

So life never ceases to amaze me. Never letting me rest too long, always keeping me on my toes. I wrote on here awhile back about how my life got twisted, turned upside down. And I told you all about how I became a technician near Bel Air. Torrance to be exact.

I haven’t talked much about my adventures in California. Of which there have been many. Not as much as I would have liked, but I wasn’t established here very well. I packed up and moved so quickly that it put me behind on my bills and forced to borrow from friends. Friends should never be treated as banks, and I hate borrowing from them, but desperate times causes us all to bend our own personal rules.

10 months I have been out here in Los Angeles. It has flown by so fast. From the first few months trying to get settled, the next few months trying to balance work and play. Then moving down to Torrance with Lyndsay to be closer to my office, and now even more new adventures, but we’ll get to those soon enough.

From the first couple of weeks out here and getting my rental car rammed on the way to work, I realized this was going to be a completely different ball game from mild Kansas. And boy was it. The accident with the rental was drawn out for a few months. A crazy senior from Yemen was the one who ran the light and smashed into the car. A month after the accident he tried to sue me for injuries. Luckily, because the evidence that he ran the light was overwhelming he decided to withdraw his suit.

Kyle and I played car tetris with most of my worldly belongings loaded up his parents’ denali and played “Convoy” across the country. We bought walkie talkies so we could talk to each other even though we were in separate cars. The “10-4 good buddy” jokes only lasted about 5 hours into the trip, but they repeated at hours 13 and 21. We also discovered that our separate FM transmitters for our mp3 players had a range large enough so that we could both listen to the same music. Basically we turned our road trip into raid night on ventrilo. “More DOTS! Many gas stations, left side!”

The car lasted until around February. When I fell prey to Interstate 405. The 405 has been dubbed the absolute worst highway in the whole Unites States for traffic. I was mildly handling the 60-90 minute commute to work from the apartment. In fairness, California residents did warn me that it would be a horrible drive. I was a naive Kansas boy who thought 30 miles meant 30 minutes. Which it does in Kansas. But alas, during the routine stop and go, I go’d went i should have stopped and rear ended the car in front of me. Really did a number on my car. It was drivable, but it was ugly. Then on top of that, to save money back in Kansas, I had set my insurance deductible to a ridiculous $2000. The initial estimate was set at $2600 for the structural damage. The hood was bent in on itself and couldn’t be opened. While I saved up for it, I rode the bus to work to save on gas and to give my poor car a break. The bus ride changed my commute time from 60-90 minutes, to 2 to 2.5 hours. I was not enjoying life very much. With the commute to work taking a round trip total of 5-6 hours out of my day, starting with catchign the bus at 4:30AM and getting home around 7PM, I had enough time to eat and sleep before starting the cycle over.

But I lived with Kyle and all my new friends, Heather and Arazi, TJ, and the illusive Turner. And while they were not roommates proper Laura and James were there all the time. This was my new family. But our schedules did not play nice. Kyle for instance, slept in until noon… 9AM! Sorry Kyle, you were totally up by 9. Some days. When you had something to do. So Kyle’s average sleeping schedule had him still in bed at least 5 hours after I left the apartment. I would estimate his average bedtime was at least midnight, probably closer to 1AM. Out of the 24 hour day, I was away with work for around 15 of them. Leaving me with 9 hours inside of the apartment for leisure activity and sleep. 6 of those hours were during my friends’ prime time, 7PM-1AM. So from those hours as a group we would hang out, play video games like Rock Band or maybe even board games, watch movies, just generally being an awesome little group of friends. We were a community. But by the time I got home, I wanted to go to bed. I rarely did at first. Thinking, “I’ll sleep tomorrow!” and I would partake in the evenings activities, trying to make it through the day on 3-4 hours of sleep.

Eventually the need for sleep won out, I would come home, sometimes trying to sneak into the apartment as to not let anyone notice my presence and go straight to bed. I would remain there asleep until they came looking for me. Wondering why I would not play in all their reindeer games. Weekends would come and I just wanted to lie in bed the entire time.

My work ethic faltered, my social life faltered, and my friends began to feel I was being distant. I began to feel my routine was becoming a rut. Then I actually started feeling the need to become distant. I am pretty sure this caused some ruptures in some of my new friendships, which I hope one day they can be repaired.

But it came down to a choice, Work or Play?

What could I do? What would any of us do? Seriously, what would you choose?

Feel free to leave some comments, I’ll be continuing my tales and catching you all up on my many adventures. Until next time, true believers…

“The Erik” Sanburn
Sleepless Wonder

Erik, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more: Part 3

PART III

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I arrive at home. Still in shock at what is actually transpiring. I am in no hurry to return to the office. In some form of denial, I think the longer it takes me to go back, the less the events are actually happening. I can't return anytime soon though, I have several gigs of data on my work issued usb drive. I plug it in and begin transferring all my data off of the drive. I find my missing keycard that aided the cause.
I go pour me a stiff drink, Pepsi, on the rocks. I go sit down in front of my computer. Staring blankly at the screen as the data transfers. As each byte of data transfers I realize more and more how much I can not afford to be unemployed. Debt up to my eyeballs and it's only going to get bigger as my meager paycheck comes streaming in after the holidays. I hope that the job interview I had the week before pays off. It would mean moving to Wichita most likely, but that wouldn't be so bad. I could start over, a new life. I've been wanting something new and drastic for awhile, perhaps this is my chance.
I mean Wichita is a great city. I enjoy hanging out there, I have a friends there, one in particular who I would greatly enjoy spending a lot more time with. My actor friend is there as well and we could move in together. It would get me back into a more creative environment. My spirits brighten slightly as I think of possibilities.
I browse the web a bit and find the site for Kansas Unemployment Benefits. I am an unlikely candidate since I was fired and not laid off, but might as well cover my bases. I also go through and update my resume with an end date on my last employer. Send off a couple of applications online and then decide to go and head back to the office.
I drive back in. I come in through the back and my supervisor is in a meeting. I go ahead and begin cleaning up and packing up my belongings. I had such a nice cubicle. I pack up my trinkets and my swag I've obtained over the last year and a half. Picking up my tools and looking over at unfinished projects sitting on my workbench. Whoever gets stuck with those projects is going to have a heck of a time completing them. Not because of any sabotage on my part, but because I have been the only one who reassembled laptops in the last 2 years.
My supervisor exits his office and gestures for me. We march through the building and I take a seat in the board room. The lady with the paperwork comes in and explains the process to me. I sign the documents stating that I won't sue for anything and then head back to my cubicle. I continue the process of packing up what is mine and returning what was theirs. This goes on for another hour or so. I get the last of everything loaded into my car. I inform my supervisor and head for the door. The scheduler stops me.

This is a woman who has been working on my downfall for awhile. office politics can turn some into bitter human beings, and she had been turned long ago. She offered me condolences and words of empathy. I took nothing from the hollow words. I was becoming quite bitter over the whole incident.

I get into my car once more and I drive away. My car full of debris and a collection of paperwork and guides. I drive home once again. I feel empty, exhausted. Not sure where to go. What I will do? I am falling. I collapse onto my couch. Sleep engulfs me. Restless, uneasy sleep.

To Be Continued...

A+ Certified IT Technician

I mentioned in yesterday's tribute post that I was now A+ Certified. I also mentioned I was certified with IBM, but I think more people are familiar with IBM than with A+.

I am also guessing the majority of you are not familiar with CompTIA either. Here is an excerpt from CompTIA.org: 

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry.  Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy.

Mission statements are a little wordy sometimes, so I'll summarize. CompTIA is an organization that regulates the standards of technology. Such as what knowledge and skills a technician should have to work on computers. They are the governing factor and are a pretty big deal in the IT world. NMGI and CompTIA are like this. (And when I say like this I am crossing my fingers, but you can't see that.)

As far as the A+ Certification is concerned this is the main test. This is IT 101. There are a ton of certifications one can achieve in the IT world, but A+ is a prerequisite for a majority of them. So completing the A+ exam with a passing score is an important step in an IT career.

A+ isn't just one exam either, it's broken into parts. A+ Essentials is the first part. The Essentials exam is mandatory, you have to take it and you have to pass, no exceptions. Once this is completed you open up a choice for your next exam. You have to make a choice between IT Technician(220-602), Remote Support Technician(220-603), and Depot Technician(220-604). Each of these are specialized and focused in different areas. I obviously went for IT Technician, which is what I needed to have. I'll break down the different options though, just for clarification.

• CompTIA A+ 220-602 validates the ability to perform tasks such as installation, building, repairing, configuration, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance in the context of the field service or enterprise environment. This credential is appropriate for those who work, or plan to work, in a mobile or corporate environment, or hold a position characterized by a high-level of in-person customer interaction. Candidates who pass this exam plus CompTIA A+ Essentials will be CompTIA A+ certified with the IT Technician designation.

• CompTIA A+ 220-603 tests the candidate’s ability in troubleshooting and interacting with customers remotely via the telephone or e-mail. Candidates who pass this exam plus CompTIA A+ Essentials will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Remote Support Technician designation.

• CompTIA A+ 220-604 tests the candidate’s ability in work-related scenarios such as repair bench that emphasize computer repair and troubleshooting. Candidates who pass this exam plus CompTIA A+ Essentials will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Depot Technician designation. 

The options are similar, but IT Technician is probably the most beneficial for someone on the go like myself. I studied for this test for months. I had been studying before I even came to NMGI. The problem was actually being able to take the test. These tests don't come cheap. An A+ Certification is said to be equivalent to about 6 months professional experience, and instead of earning a paycheck for an actual 6 months of experience. You need to pay almost $200 per test. That is just to get in with the test, pass or fail, it's $200. So the A+ which is 2 tests ends up being close to $400 dollars. That was my major setback, until starting at this company which believes in the value of knowledge and will pay for all my tests, I was on my own. Which was a major reason why it wasn't happening.

So I studied it hard for a long time, and I went in to the Essentials exam feeling kinda iffy. It's intimidating, these tests are so important. I didn't have a lot of trouble with the Essentials. I got 835 out of 900. Which equals out to about 93%. I took the IT Technician exam about 2 weeks later. I was feeling cocky, I was confident. I should have taken the weekend to study just a little more, but I took it last thing on Friday. I got in there and was slammed from all sides with questions that I didn't even remember from the study guides and practice tests. I sneaked by with a 710 out of 900. I needed 700 to pass. I barely made it out alive, but I got it. That's what is ultimately important. Actually having that piece of paper. Here's a picture of the framed certificate hanging on my cubicle wall.

I felt the need to devote a day to explaining the hours and emotional strain that went into taking this test. Also giving everyone a briefing on why this was such a big deal to me.

Until Next Time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified

90 +2 Days Employed.

On the 18th of November, I celebrated my 90-day-iversary. It had been exactly 90 days since I started here at NMGI (Network Management Group Inc.) So far I feel I've learned so much and come along ways from when I started. I have my A+ Certification now, I'm also certified with IBM now. I've been out to work with clients all over Kansas and into Oklahoma.

It's pretty amazing working there. That may sound like sucking up, but it's not. I still find myself in awe sometimes. I sit there in my cubicle, I look up at my framed certificate hanging on the wall and I just feel this surge of happiness and accomplishment. I think it's what they call "pride." I'm not used to it just quite yet.

I started off strong out of high school. I went to K-State Salina, I was all excited about being a Computer Systems Major. It was a great experience. However I started getting that gnawing feeling inside, the one that tells me not to get too comfortable. I'm so used to being unhappy with my station in life, that when things are going good I tend to self-destruct. This was a big one. I was going strong in school, but got antsy, and freaked out. I dropped out of college, moved back into my mom's house and started hanging out with my friend's again. It was safe, it was normal, it was the same rut I was in from high school. I had a blast, it was a fun time, however it was also a time when I worked about 20 different part time jobs over the next year, none of which I left on good terms. I wanted fulfillment, I took a job, learned what I could and when I got used to everything, I would just walk away and start over. It seemed to work for me back then. However as time went on I realized it was harder and harder to get a job anywhere.

I had been applying to NMGI for about 2 years before they finally hired me. I had 5 or 6 interviews over that time period as well. However until this last string of interviews I had never felt like I nailed it. This time around my approach was something different, I decided to show a little more heart and passion than simply knowledge about the subject matter. I went into the interview clarifying to Steve Harper, the CEO, that  I knew I was not a very experienced candidate. I was good at fixing minor issues, but on a business class level I had a lot of learning to do. Even though I was not the most experienced or knowledgeable, I was sure that I was going to be one of the more passionate and willing candidates. I wanted this job more than anything, I just needed a chance. My resume was average, my job history a little lacking, and my training was sub-par. I firmly believe it was my passion that set me apart from the rest.

Needless to say, Steve did take a chance on me. I am loving it here, and I've never been happier with an employer. It's continually an intellectually challenging work environment. I like being kept on my toes. Everyone here is so friendly, it has that "family" feeling, where everyone generally cares about each other. This is where I need to be right now, not only am I advancing myself intellectually, but also am finally correcting my finances. I am finally undoing the errors over the last 4 years since graduation.

I may not have gotten to the destination in the quickest way, but I took the scenic route, I struggled on my path, but I finally got there, and I learned so much more along the way.

Until Next Time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified / Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI)

Extra Notes: I will leave you with a statement from NMGI.com

Vision, Mission and Profile:

Our Vision    NMGI, along with our clients and partners, will continually improve performance using technology. Together we will enhance efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and profitability. Our Mission    To design, implement and manage technology solutions for clients using quality services and products, while leveraging our flexible technical and consulting expertise.

Our Value Proposition We will listen and deliver on what we promise. We will commit ourselves to making a difference everyday. We will focus our efforts on building valuable assets for our company and our partners. We will speak and listen in the language of possibility. We will commit ourselves to customer intimacy. We will have fun.

Profile Company Name Network Management Group, Inc. Incorporated 1991 Ownership Privately Held by Steve Harper and Randy Johnston Headquarters Hutchinson, KS (map) Affiliate Office Pensacola, FL (map) Employees 24 Business Model Two Tier: 1. Small and mid-enterprise strategic technology consulting firm 2. Small and mid-sized business value-added reseller (VAR)

Adventures in Beaver

So I'm going to play catch up and start posting some things that have taken place recently that I never got around to blogging about. Yet...

First of November I had to travel to Beaver, Oklahoma on business. The job went relatively smoothly, not alot of time leftover to sleep however. So I spent two days in Beaver, we ate at a relativley new Mexican restaraunt. The food was average, nothing spectacular. At least the combination dinner wasn't. I'd be willing to go back and try something else another time.

We finally finsihed the job about 1PM on the second day. I went to load up the company car when I noticed something. Something big...

So I wandered over to the giant 20ft tall beaver an took a couple of snapshots to share with all of you.

I guess you really do learn new things everyday. On this day, I learned that Beaver, OK is the world cowchip throwing champions. I'm sure that will come in handy at some point.

Also in case you were wondering Beaver, OK is about 4 hours from Hutchinson, KS. Which is where I reside and work at.

Until next time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified / Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI)