Life. Or something like it.

[Cruise Director]

I came to a fork in the road of my life this week. I've made my decision and am now sitting with the sick anticipation of whether or not my path was the correct one. The ultimate problem with this decision is that both choices were good ones; both good and bad.

I have worked for the Home Depot for 6 1/2 years. In that time I have clawed my way (clawed may not be the correct term, how about climbed) to the second in command of my store. I want to be a Store Director more than just about anything. Up until yesterday I may not have included the "just about anything" part of that but I guess that was where my choice was made. I have interviewed twice prior to this and was not selected for those two openings. Both were here in Northern utah and relatively close to where I live now. The two people selected were qualified and I have no qualms about the fact that they were selected over me.

Now the third interview opportunity has arisen. I aced the invterview and the test portion and am apparently the candidate that they wanted. I got the phone call yesterday that they wanted me to go do a drug screen and consent to a background check ( madatory on all offers of promotion ) and made me an offer right there over the phone. The increase wasn't too bad; 12% over what I'm making now, which is higher than some store managers, full relocation and a $7500 moving bonus to do with as I wish.

The excitement of the offer set in but soon the feeling came over me of the true meaning of this job offer. I would be moving 5 hours away from where I live now. I don't know a soul where I would be moving to and my family would be out of range except on holidays and long weekends. Neither of which come around too much in retail. I set off to my dad's house to discuss the issue. I have found him to be a great asset in clearing my head and helping me make decisions and none would be greater than this one. Unfortunately his crystal ball was cloudy and he could only reiterate the facts as I already knew them.

Well, I've made my choice; good or bad. I have decided that although I want to be a store manager more than most anything else, I cannot sacrifice the close relationships I have with my family and my friends. If I had a family to move with me the decision might be a different one. I have done extremely well for this company and sooner or later, the opportunity for advancement will present itself on a more local level where I can have the best of both Worlds. I will be able to run a 40 million dollar business and have the closeness of my dad, sis, neices and friends all at my fingertips.

I called my store manager and my previous store manager. Both of them were a little shocked but I was pleased with their response. Both were completely supportive and understanding of my reasoning behind turning down the position. My current Manager is elated because he gets to keep his number 1 Assistant for a while longer. I can't express how nice it is to have supportive management. I've had the other kind before and it makes a World of difference in your job. My only hope now is that the District and Corporate level management team views my decision in the same light. I hope that they understand that even though I'm peeing in a cup for nothing today, that one day I'd like the same opportunity again.

So here I am. Taking the first steps on the path I've chosen. I look behind me and my vision is 20/20. I look forward and the haze and cloudiness of the future lies before me.

I made a good decision. It was a good decision for me. I just hope I made the right decision.

[Mudflap]

Occupational success and advancement is a good thing, but family and friends are important too. Your decision proves your ambitions have substance and purpose.

Congratulations on the many current successes you've already achieved and your wisdom to reap their rewards.

You chose the opportunity that would enrich your life, not your bank accounts. Good show.

[MuffyTheVampyreLayer]

What Mudflap said. At least you know that you *could* have been the store manager if you'd wanted to...sometimes that's enough.

[Billyman]

Highly comendable Cruise.

A job is a job but finding happiness in a job proves all too often difficult. Happiness found with friends and family is a treasure. There’s no doubt in my mine mind that the opportunity to incorporate the two at a higher level is in your future.

Hang tight bro. Chin up.

[Cruise Director]

Interesting turn of events. My District Manager and my merchandising VP both flew in to Utah today to talk to me. They came to my store and were there when I got there. Both were really concerned about why I would not want the promotion. When I told them that the permanant seperation from my friends and family was something I wasn't willing to do, they both reassured me that the move to St. George was temporary (read: 1 to 2 years) They also told me that I was the only candidate that they wanted in that position because of my attitude, drive and commitment to the Company. Every other promotion to Store Director requires interviews with the "powers that be" in the Division. They do this to make sure they are not getting a knucklehead in charge of a store. They are generally VP types in loss prevention, human resources, merchandising, operations, etc. All of these folks know who I am and signed off on me without even having to do an interview.

After about a two hour discussion, they told me to call my dad and talk it over with him. They took BOTH of us to lunch and answered any questions we had.

It looks like I'm packing. :) I report there Monday and will spend a week in the store, come home for the weekend, and repeat until I find accomodations there.

It feels good to know these guys care enough to take care of me like this. I am both nervous and excited. So is my family.

There are 24 hours in a day and these last have proved to be quite eventful. More details to come as they arise.

[MAC]

contrary to the laws of physics regarding leverage fate is best change with as much force as you can muster as close to the mass as possible

in other words, fate works by transfering energy ONLY at the point of contact. The rest of the time we are balls on a pool table.

The white ball was coming towards you and there was nothing you could do about it. Now I hate to spoil the suprise, but nothing happens by accident...well....to be more accurate, nothing happens that shouldn't happen.

*MAC moves to a clean piece of chalkboard and adds the constant "travis" to a slighty new formula to see what the result is*

[Billyman]

Maybe they just know quality when they see it aye? Good luck in your future travels.

You’ll become homesick shortly (with the distance and all), eventually it’ll get a little easier. The new found friends will make it so. The distance and separation from current friends and family will actually make those future visits home a little more special. CRUISE IS HOME!!! You’re disparity will be replaced with happiness with each and every visit. Although the drive back to the new home may bring a frown, the faces in which you just left will turn that frown upside down.

You’ll be fine you big hunk of love.

Congrats.

[Mudflap]

I'm glad to hear your assignment in a far off land is intended to be temporary. I hope you got them to put it in writing.

Best of luck.

[Koliedrus]

This is tough to say...

I moved with my job, away from my family and friends and found/created new ones.

Umbilical chord is cut. I still have my mommy.

It's frightening at first. Your social skills will be your primary resources.

I started my own family because of events like this.

Change in location can be a good thing. Go with it. You've got what it takes.

[Torque]

So, if the guy that manages the store where you live now was gone, you could stay where you are, and be the manager??

PM me.
;)


All kidding aside, it sounds like you really impressed some folks. Just find some way to make sure that 2 year assignment stays that way, unless you come to really like being there. At my work, we say "The only difference between temporary and permanent is how you spell it"
Gratz on the promotion :)

[Cruise Director]

Well, I'm packed up for temporary housing. I can't think of much to take excpet for clothes, a few books and a few odds and ends. I have somebody checking the mail for me and got the thermostat down to 55 for the next week or so. The home phone gets shut off on Monday (I'm leaving the cable connection so I can talk to you guys on the weekends.)

I really haven't said goodbye to anyone. My dad and I seem to pussy foot around it and figure that I'm only a few hours away so goodbye's aren't necessary. I spent the last two nights out with friends and family and am prepared for the wild-blue yonder.

Hell, if some 18 year old punk kid can join the military for 4 years, I should be okay for a few years away, right? They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger but like most near-death experiences, there is going to be some pain invovled.

See you in a week.

-Travis

[Cruise Director]

Just thought I'd drop in and give you all an update on the new digs. The new store is going great! I walked in to quite a mess from both a merchandising and morale point of view. The associates here have been without guidance for a few months and the store definitely shows it. I have been working lots and lots of hours trying to get it back in shape. The associates have been great and have enjoyed seeing a manager get down and dirty alongside of them.

I haven't had any time to really house hunt yet but am crashing at my best friend's parent's house who happen to live down here. THey live about a half hour from the store but the company and their hospitality more than make up for the long commute. I haven't made it home yet and was hoping to do so this weekend for the superbowl. The demands at the store do not permit this yet. I will, however, be going back up the second weekend in February. I'll get on and share more with you then.

The homesickness hasn't kicked in at all. I've been entirely too busy to be homesick. I do miss the intraweb. I don't know how people live without it.

Thanks for your support, folks. I miss our conversations terribly and await the day when we can be closer again.

-Trav

[MAC]

That "instant karma" philosophy of your is catching up old bean.

This part of your home is still here and I'm thinking of you.

-MAC-

[mute]

This may be a little late for this, but I hope everything goes well. Sounds like it's going great, and ya deserve it all. Moving away from family and friends really sucks. I'm the worse person you'll meet for getting homesick, and you're much stronger than me so you'll do just great, RIGHT? ;)

Home Depot kicks major butt!

[Koliedrus]

A business establishment operating with a management team that has the proper mix of brains and heart kicks butt. It sounds like Travis is the much needed "shot-in-the-arm" for his new location.

Boost morale and increased productivity will follow. It all begins with the managers' attitudes. Once the motivation is present, the feedback-loop will be self sustaining.

Let us know if you're getting the support you need from upper management to realize the tasks set before you, Cruise.

I'd like to take this time to order a Travis-clone for my store. Please do NOT get a co-worker preggers just to fill that order!

[Cruise Director]

i've made it back to Ogden for the weekend. I don't want to call it "home" because. well, it really isn't anymore. I was excited to get back here for a few days to see my friends and family but I've already been on the phone a few times doing the store manager thing. I'm really enjoying the assignment and the store is getting better by the day. I have some great people working for me and I am getting used to the small town life. It is mostly snow-birds down there and the streets pretty much roll up at 10 p.m. The town has one beer bar and that's it. The community is VERY conservative and to have any fun a person needs to drive 30 minutes to the South to a town called Mesquite, Nevada.

Anywho, home for a few days and then back to utah's Dixie. (and out of this damned snow!)

[Cruise Director]

Just a quick update for anyone that may or may not care.

Life is good. I closed on my house yesterday and I will be moving my stuff from the old house to the new house this next week. I drive up on Wednesday, pack on Thursday, and have my stuff delivered on Friday. It will be the whirlwind tour. I hope to have web access next Friday so I can be back amongst you hooligans.

Hope all is well with all of you. See you real soon.

-Cruise

[Pianomahnn]

Yea for good times and good stuff! :)

On a Home Depot note. . .I don't like their selection of hammers. Oh, and the lumber sucks. Maybe that's just the ones by me, though.

[MAC]

:)

This thread is a life in progress.
*MAC saves the link.*

[Cruise Director]

I'm home.

Amazing how much that statement means. I am now surrounded by my own computer. My own couches. My own bed and my own t.v. I have just relocated all of my stuff 350 miles from my family to the first piece of property that I have ever owned. And I couldn't be happier. The move went stunningly smooth and now I am left to unpack and get things situated. Hanging pictures and all that good stuff.

Pics of the house later. It's just good to be back.

It's good to be home

[Billyman]

Well welcome home then. :D

It’s great to see how well and how quickly you have adjusted to your new life……..away.

Just think, several weeks ago it was just another house.

Good to see you again and keep that hat close by too.

[Cruise Director]

A couple of pictures of the house I bought. These were taken a few weeks ago but not much on the outside has changed except the lawn is now green.

Pic 1:

[Cruise Director]

pic 2:

[Cruise Director]

Something that they forgot to include in the relocation offer was the bugs. You see, living in a climate that froze hard every winter, most bugs only grew to a nominal size. This is the desert, however, where bugs get "king sized."

Take, for instance, cockroaches. In Salt Lake if you got cockroaches they only grew to about 3/4 of an inch and it meant you were living like a pig. Apparently here in the desert it means, well, you live in the desert. They get up to 2 inches long and the bastards talk back to you! My first experience with them was at work when I moved a soda machine in our breakroom. They were everywhere! I went in to full panic mode and went to my garden shop to find every chemical known to man to kill roaches. My associates were quite entertained at my efforts and gave me the "welcome to desert life" speech. I guess most people have the bug guy come to their house like clockwork down here.

I've got to find the local yellow pages. SOON.

[MAC]

cockroaches:
I moved into a trailer that was in horrible shape and it was infested with roaches. We cleaned and scrubbed and kept the place spotless. But in the end only spraying every month destroyed them. Find a good local guy who will do the whole place, inside and out once per year and then return each month to spray the basesboards and cracks.
I hate the idea of the chemicals but I hate the bugs that refuse to leave when their food is gone more.

anyway

nice house!
got room for visitors?...who want to catch snakes? :D

[Cruise Director]

I actually have lots of room for visitors. Two guest rooms and two couches.

As for snakes, I hear they are a plenty. I have yet to see one yet but I did see my first scorpion today.

[Mudflap]

[nazi admin]

Pictures! Don't make me move this thread to D&D!!!!!

:nono:

[/nazi admin]

Nice house, Mr. Cruise. How about some pictures of the inside? Maybe some shots of your neon beer sign collection.

Better yet, what do the wimminz look like down there? Have you established your pimp daddy status in the community yet? Pics!

[Cruise Director]

Interesting how things turn out. I'm happy. Real happy.

Tonight I sat on my front porch and watched the sun go down. I watched my sprinklers kick on and water my freshly mowed lawn.

Next comes the landscaping in my back yard. I find small rewards in things I do everyday being a homeowner. Who'd a thunk it?

[Pianomahnn]

[typing like mac]
Iw annao wnah ome.
[/typing like mac]

[ms. bing]

i wanna own a home, too.
right now i'm enjoying helping dad enjoy his.
(he might enjoy it more if i werent constantly in it!)
flower gardens are fun. try one of those with the desert flowers. and i hear citrus trees grow really well there, if you can keep them watered.

[Cruise Director]

Well, its' been a year. 375 days to be exact and I am going to sit here, type, and take a little inventory.

I wish I would have known sooner that this was a good thing. The homesickness, while still there, has dwindled down to next to nothing. I really don't miss the city life, traffic, snow, or smog. My neices and my friends are still in my life; now through phonecalls, internerd and infrequent visits. The three or four times I have gone North since moving down here has made me cherish the face time I get with those people and I still feel a closeness that I had when I saw them more. The house is great and I love desert living. It has cooled down a bit over the winter and has actually gotten down to about 29 degrees a few times. I watch the weather reports from the northern part of the State and find that I really don't miss it. Driving back home has gotten easier every time I go up there and even at Christmas I left a day early to come home.

Home. This is now home.

As for the store I couldn't have asked for a better year. I recently got rolled in to a new district and have new store peers that I have never dealt with and a new chain of command above me. Seems to be going okay so far and the changes, while drastic, have been mostly positive. I find that I look forward to going to work everyday and I really do make a difference. In the course of a year I have weeded out most of the undesireables and have got a team in place that is clicking quite nicely. The feedback I get from the "townmeetings" we do is that most of my employees are having fun at work. I take that as a huge compliment.

Anyhow, you were right. It didn't kill me to make the move and it won't kill me next time I make the move. The distance from the family has actually been nice and I think that I have grown a lot because of it.

[Mudflap]

Success couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Of course, the nice guy in question made it happen for himself.

I still maintain he's holding back about the wimminz.

[Cruise Director]

Interesting how time changes things. I read back and I see a scared little boy. Even at my age I was scared to move away from the things I knew and love.

I got a call recently from my old District Manager. There may be a store manager position opening up very soon back where I came from. In fact, it's the store I started working in 8 years ago when I joined the company. The man running that store now is a great friend of mine who's looking at a promotion. It's a great store and it does about twice the volume my current store does. It's about 85% a sure thing.

I've enjoyed my year and a half away from home. I bought my first house and love it. I built the yard from scratch and take pride in it. I took a previously unprofitable store and made money. I was lonely for a while but a good friend pointed out that it gave me time to focus on my store without distraction. I made a few good friends down here.

Most of all, I think I learned what was important to me. Talking with my dad and my nieces has become cherished time and not an obligatory phone call. I always look forward to a day or two at dad's house to spend with the family. I miss my friends. Not the 20-30 people that I'd see in social circles every week but the 4 or 5 true friends that I always took for granted.

I also learned that I can be independant. I can move away from home and it doesn't kill me. I can stand completely on my own and survive.

I simply choose not to.

I hope I get to go home.

[Cruise Director]

The paperwork has been signed and I'm awaiting a call from our relocation department. My new boss and current boss are fighting over me. The new boss wants me right away and the current boss wants me to stay through the end of August. Either way, it's for sure that I am going. The compnay wants me bad enough that they offered me the full relo package again. I'm waiting for the paperwork but am pretty sure they pay realtor's fees and the whole 9 yards. I've already investigated the capital gains tax and found that since the company is relocating me, I only have to pay a small portion of it.

I'll be sad to leave my store
I'll be sad to leave my first home that I've worked so hard for.
I can't wait to be home again.

[skalie]

Can just imagine you turning up at your new job with 19 framed pictures of yourself under your arm.

[skalie]

.................in a loud shirt of course.

[Cruise Director]

I dress very conservatively at work. Heh.

[Cruise Director]

Relo is approved and in motion. The 'For Sale' sign went in the yard today. Tomorrow I head up North for a week to house hunt. I officially report to my new store on August 29th. I still have mixed emotions about leaving but find that I am getting more and more excited to be around friends and family again.

[Pianomahnn]

With what little life experience I have...

I spent a few months pretty damned far from all of my family and all of my friends. It was fun...but it was really far from my family and friends.

Family and friends, I've found, are awesome and totally worth living near.

[Cruise Director]

I went house hunting last week. I walked through 42 houses. Each one had great qualities. Each had qualities that I didn't like. I guess I am just in love with my current house. I finally quit being so damned picky and found a great little house in the price range I was looking for. Instead of getting 'house poor', I chose a house that, after a sizeable down payment from my equity, would be less of a house payment than what I have now. There will also be no PMI ( about $130 a month ) due to the fact that I am putting over 20% down. It's a 2 level rambler with 1620 up and 1620 down. The basement is fully finished. There are some upgrades I can do and will, like tiled floors, solid surface counters, etc.

My house in St. George was on the market for 3 whole days. I had 4 different offers to choose from. Life is good.

I won't be closing on the new house until around September 19th, so I may be without internerd access from the 27th of this month until the 19th. I will update you as I can.

[Mudflap]

Whine, whine, whine.

[Cruise Director]

Yesterday was my last day in the store. It was also inventory. Depending on the number, I'd be carried out or thrown out. My previous inventory was the best in the district and they figured I could only get a bit worse. We reduced shrink in this inventory by almost 30%. It made it easy to walk out on my last day with my head hung high.

I was given two different plaques and a bunch of gifts and letters. My boss was impressed and told me he'd never seen such an outpouring from a crew. I mostly walked around inventory day giving hugs and saying my goodbyes.

My first assignment was a success. Hopefully me next will be even better.

[skalie]

19 framed pictures and two different plaques

[Cruise Director]

I forgot to take the pictures. Hopefllu they send me 18 of them and keep one for the "greatest hits" wall. :D

[skalie]

...... more commonly referred to as "the dartboard"

[Cruise Director]

Without much ado, I'm back.

347 miles from my first house is my new house. I looked at over 40 homes before I "settled" on this one. I was trying to compare everything to my first house. This one is a little older and will need a little love, as it was a foreclosure. Good thing I know somebody that works at a hardware store.

It feels good to be back with family and friends. The mountains are turning colors with the chilly fall air and I had forgotten how beautiful they are. I have quite a bit of unpacking and arranging to do but have nothing but time to do it in.

My new store is going to be a challenge. If there is a metric, they are missing it. My last store was given to me to fix and I did. Now I have to buckle down and get this one fixed. Good thing I'm so damned good at what I do. :)

Anyway, glad to be home. Both in Ogden and at the Tribe.

[Mudflap]

Welcome back.

Did you bring me a present?

[Cruise Director]

Almost 6 months later and I feel like it was yesterday. Amazing how hesitant I was to make the initial move and now I am homesick for my house in the South. Now that the snow is melting and the ground is thawing, I can get out and do a little work around the place. It won't be as fun as in St. George because we don't have the cool desert plants here. Everything dies here in the winter.

Overall life is going good and the store is going great. I really am enjoying living this close to my dad. I get to see him as much as I want, which has been a few times per week.

Good times. :)

[Mae]

I'm glad you are content. Congrats.

[mute]

It's funny. I'm in the same predicament you were at first, sort of. Thoguh, I will state this before going on: I am in no way interested in staying with this organization as a long term choice. If I don't continue on with my passion then I will grow old and regret, and resent, my choices. Why chose something I ultimately don't want to do? The pay might be more steady, but I like living on the edge and not knowing what beholds ahead of me.

The organization I work for is a car dealership. They now own Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan, GMC delaerships mainly in Halifax and some outside including a Suburu. They also run used car-dealerships, rental services and detail/body-repair shops. They were recently voted one of Canada's top 50 Best Management Companies (or something like that). In other words, great place to work if you're looking for a permanent well paying job that isn't going to go anywheres (as in down-hill) anytime, ever.

I am at the bottom of the list, but if i continued to work here 10-20 years from now I could be in a great postion making good salary and getting great deals on vehicles. Sounds great eh? You probably wondering why I'm not doing it. And my metaphor goes something like this (with the help of skalie):

In 50 years I would rather be telling the stories I have from doing what I really wanted to do, rather than 50 years of working in a car lot.

I already had someone tell me "Oh you think my life is boring then?". But I don't mean that in any way what-so-ever. I'm glad your happy with your choices and I hope things keep on working out for you. Just don't make the choice when it's not something you really want to do.