A New Chapter

Some of you have known, many have not, but over the past 6 years or so, I have gone to school (at night), completed a program that earned me a degree in construction inspection, and earned two inspection certifications (residential & commercial).  For the past two years, I have been applying for inspection positions all over the country. While I would absolutely hate to leave San Diego, providing for my family is more important than area preferrence. This search has included, but not limited to, nearly a hundred applications; road trips to the Bay Area, Louisiana, and Texas; phone and in-person interviews, countless no-responses, numerous reject letters, a close second in Texas, and two job offers. In May, I applied to the city of San Diego for the Combination Inspector position. After being on a wait list for months, I got a call in October letting me know that a position was available and I was asked if I was interested in an interview. I, of course, said yes. After the interview, which was in November, I was told I'd hear back in 4 weeks. Meanwhile, the following Monday, I received a call from Louisiana offering me a position. I told them I was interested but I would need to figure out the logistics. Two days later, San Diego called and also offered me a job. I promptly called Louisiana back and declined their offer. My first day as a Combination Building Inspector for the city of San Diego will be 12/23. 

This will be a bittersweet transition. I have been with Floit Properties for 9 years. It has been a fantastic company to work for. They have provided me with a great skillset and good friendships, among much more. From the start, they have been accommodating with schooling, getting married, having Jude, emergencies, etc. Even when the economy wasn't the greatest, this company made changes to ensure that they were able to keep most of their employees. This was just one reason of how I went from a laborer, to quality control tech, to maintenance tech, and several other things. Floit provides for their employees and for that I am sincerely gratefull. I was allowed to do my job without people hovering and with flexibility. I met a lot of great people: co-workers, tenants, vendors, etc. If you are ever looking for a quality place to rent, check them out. You may pay a little more, but you'll get a quality product and quality service. 

This will be a new and welcomed chapter. A lot in my and my family's life will change. It will take some getting use to but we are expecting it and will learn to adapt. 

Thank you to all who knew and where supportive. It means a lot. 

Here's to a great 2014!

The Future

For most of my adult life, I have not thought of the future. I take that back, for most of my life I have not thought about the future. There are things that I imagine myself doing and places I'll be but that is more like a daydream, an image. How can I expect to go places in my life if I don't create a path or use a map? I'll end up going in circles, getting lost, or perhaps worse, not going anywhere at all. Today I am a handyman for an apartment company, live in two bedroom apartment, have a wife and child, and two pets. Where was I 5 years ago? The exact same place. Suffice to say, I have gone no where.

I propose a new map for my life's journey. Here are the stops:

1) By this time next year, I would like be with a new employer, earning and providing more for my family. I would also like for Nichole and I to either be pregnant with a second child, or at least, trying for one. I would like my relationship with the two most important people in my life to be stronger. I can accomplish that by being a better communicator (ie. expressing how I feel about things, being open and honest, and being consistent).

I should write more, but I have some job searching I have been way too lax on doing lately, so off to that.

From the Journal of a Maintenance Technician: Common Sense...yet again

If you have a condition that requires a certain amenity, please rent a place that has that amenity installed and fully functioning. Example: I had a situation thrown on my lap that involved me finding some way for a dishwasher to fit in a tiny kitchen of a unit in a building that is over 90 years old. Why? Because a tenant has a skin condition where dishsoap causes a bad reaction with his skin and the property manager said we'd install one for him, which he probably shouldn't have.

From the Journal of a Maintenance Technician: Common Decency

When a repair person is at your place, please wear pants, especially if you have stand a foot away, and make the situation less awkward.

From the Journal of a Maintenance Technician: Tip

If you live in an apartment complex in any story but the top and your sink backs up without you using it politely ask the neighbors above you to not use their sink. There is a clog down the line from you and whenever water is ran down the drain, it will stop at the clog and rise up until it finds the nearest opening. Water will always find the path of least resistance.

Last holiday season I got a call the night we were to go to my parent's to celebrate birthdays when I got a call from a tenant who had just returned home from a two-week vacation. Dirty water had filled their double sink, fell over the counter, and ran 6 feet away from the cabinets, across the tile to the carpeted living room and hallway. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, it had filled a kitchen cabinet drawer or two.

From the Journal of a Maintenance Technician- Shout Out

So, instead of complaining or ranting, I thought I'd post a shout out. People in professions like mine want to be in your place just as long as you want us to be there. Although there are some aspects and some jobs I really do enjoy doing, I don't want to be in your place very long. Get in, do the job, get out. Whatever the tenant can do to expedite that is fantastic, even though most of the time it's just staying out of the way. On to the shout out. Last week I had to investigate a leak under a kitchen sink. I walk in, lo and behold everything had been cleared out from under the sink so I had full access! To top it off, the  tenant came home and apologized for the mess! Great job tenants on Park Blvd!

From the Journal of a Maintenance Technician: Common Decency

I'm all for being naked in your own place, but please close your door and blinds; not many want to see what you have.