Thursday, January 24, I flew to Atlanta for an interview at Atlanta Children's Hospital. Position is a Technical Trainer for Epic project, specifically the "Order Entry" part.
Late Tuesday, I had come down with what I describe as a severe allergic reaction. My eyes werepuffed, I sneezed these cataclasmic sneezes, I stopped up, and it just got worse.
But, I still went to Atlanta, and with the help of generic Claritin I was able to perform, however, if I tilted my head any way but straight ahead, I felt like holy crap.
Interview was very tough, and included a training demonstration. I chose to demonstrate how to embed an Excel spreadsheet into a Word document, and then link them.
Following the teach was the interview ... and it was a doozy.
My limo picked me up afterwards and I returned to my hotel (the Doubletree, where dozens of over-achieving high school debaters seemed to always be talking to themselves in the hallway) and died. The allergies, the stress, the panic all sent me literally to bed.
I'm back in Tucson [getting back is another story, another time] and should here whether or not i've been selected. If so, I have to move to Atlanta immediately. I really do not know how this will all play out, but I'm game.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Griff’s Training Resume
R. Griffin Gregory
Post Office Box 10497 ¨
Phoenix, Arizona 85064 ¨ [480] 720-9478
rgg.trainer.educator@gmail.com
Trainer/ Educator/ Project Manager
Accomplished professional with a twenty-year diversified background in corporate training and higher education. Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Expertise in instructional design and development. Specialized training in interpersonal relationship development and group dynamics. Seasoned public speaker and presenter.
Corporate Training Projects
Cadbury Schweppes/Technisource (October 2007—present)
IT Software Trainer
- Instructed employees of bottling company on proprietary electronic inventory and sales software applications; and
- Created instructional materials designed to support classes of 20-25 non-English speaking and computer illiterate end-users.
Davita/Berkeley Training (June 2006—September 2007)
IT Software Trainer/Team Leader/Technical Support Provider
- Instructed employees of medical services company (physicians, nurses, technicians, staff, administration) on proprietary electronic medical records [EMR] software applications;
- Led team as primary trainer on majority of assignments: scheduling, coordinating, assessing, reporting, and holding accountable;
- Designed instructional materials for classroom presentation (e.g., syllabi, quick reference guides, pre-assessments, final assessments) and clinical utilization (e.g., posters, "cheat sheets," guides);
- Served as technical support liaison between end-user and Help Desk personnel;
- Trained Facility Administrator on creating clinic-specific PRN (standing orders) panel;
- Collaborated with all levels of management, training, and support in setting strategic objectives and measuring successful implementation;
- Traveled extensively and continuously from clinic to clinic throughout the continental United States for fifteen months; and
- Averaged 4.5/5.0 on training evaluations for entire project.
IBM/Catapult Software (June 1995—August 2000)
Software Trainer/Course Developer
- Instructed corporate employees (Del Webb, Liberty Mutual, American Express, Seattle Mariners, et. al.) in both proprietary and commercial software applications for the PC and Macintosh, including XP operating system, Microsoft Office Suite, Lotus Notes, and GroupWise;
- Co-lead trainer for nationwide roll-out of custom-designed training application for Fortune 500 company requiring 100% travel;
- Designed customized training documentation for selected clients (Seattle Mariners baseball team and scouts; Millipore Corporation sales personnel); and
- Delivered technical instruction on-site, on-line, and in traditional classroom setting.
Intel (April 1992—May 1995)
Technical Writer/Software Trainer
- Developed and authored technical training manuals documenting the introduction, progression, and resolution of testing anomalies and project alterations;
- Trained software engineers on various software applications, including Microsoft Windows and Office; and
- Coordinated agenda and chaired department meetings.
Academic Appointments
Maricopa Community Colleges (Fall 1996—Spring 2006)
Faculty, Communications & Humanities
Project Coordinator, New Horizons Film Festival
- Instructed average of 120 students each semester in media studies courses: Introduction to Cinema; Contemporary Cinema; Hispanic Cinema;
Foreign Films: Classics; Humanities I and II; - Exploited technology to enhance delivery of course subjects and materials: MS Word (handouts and overheads), MS Excel spreadsheet (grade books), MS PowerPoint (class and film festival presentations), MS Access (student progress database), MS Outlook (communication), Blackboard (course management; web page creation and maintenance), Respondus (exam construction);
- Received grants to design and develop curricula for new courses: Hispanic Cinema; Mexican Cinema; Foreign Films: Classics;
- Inaugurated, produced, directed, and curated film series (at Paradise Valley CC) focusing on films from Hispanic nations and Asia;
- Presented lectures on individual films (e.g., Cookie's Fortune, Smoke Signals) and directors (e.g., Robert Altman, Leni Riefenstahl, Luis Bunuel) at various film festivals and symposia;
- Composed and designed instructional materials (e.g., syllabi, course outlines, assessments, chapter notes, PowerPoint presentations, teacher notes) to support classes and film festivals; and
- Chaired or sat on various committees, including Film Festival, Fine Arts, and Diversity committees.
Professional Accomplishments
Honors
Who's Who in America's Community College Instructors, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Delta Phi, National Honor Society
Public Speaking
Key note presenter: Foothills Film Festival (four years), Phoenix Public Library, Paradise Valley Community College, Scottsdale Community College, Sedona International Film Festival
Presentations
Presenter, curator, lecturer, discussion leader: New Horizons Film Festival, Phoenix Public Library, Phoenix Mexican-American League
Professional Development
Continuing Education/Technical Skills: SAP, Salesforce.com, , Microsoft Office (2003 and 2007), HTML, Lotus Notes, PageMaker 6.0, Blackboard, Midas, FrontPage, Train the Trainer, PeopleSoft
Education and Credentials
Master of Business Administration
Master of Arts, Arts Administration
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Languages
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Professional References
David Brennan, Account Manager
Berkeley Training
Four Falls Corporate Center
300 Conshohocken State Road, Ste. 300
West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428
[800] 452-4033, ext. 4194
William O. (Bill) Drum, Training Consultant
801 N Sahuara Ave
Tucson, Arizona 85711
[520] 250-4684
Dr. Gene Rister, Professor of Art and Humanities
Paradise Valley Community College
18401 North 32nd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
[480] 991-6501
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Kay from Iraan
Lately, I've been driving east on Interstate 10 (toward El Paso), pulling off into the desert somewhere between the Sonoita/Patagonia exit and Benson. I've found a wonderful place to park the car, read (Faulkner's The Unvanquished; William S. Burrough's Queer), and watch the freight trains wind through the desert and go right past me. It's a bit like having a miniature train set in the living room and watching it like a kid on Christmas day. Only the trains are real and the boxcars big.
Today, for the first time in my life, I actually fantasized about jumping a train and taking off for a joy ride (like in the movies! yeah really).
Also, I go to the desert to write. I'm determined this year to finally finish a tome I've been writing for too many years, titled "Thank God for Mississippi." More about it in another post.
Another reason I've been heading out east from Tucson is to eat at Reb's cafe in Benson. I drove out there on New Year's Day (trying my best to forget how alone and sad I was), and pulled in to Reb's for some grub. I staked out a booth in the front of the cafe, right behind two weekend bikers (I gathered she was Scandinavian, and he was probably an accountant by day).
I loved this cafe (the anti-Denny's), and had one of the best homemade bacon cheeseburgers in many years. In fact, the last hamburger this good I ate at Miss Annie Mae's cafe back home in Seedtick.
So, I make up reasons to go back to Reb's, and about five cheeseburgers later I'm still an enthusiastic supporter.
Today, I ordered "to go" for the first time (big mistake: they forgot the mayo and the bun was soggy along the perimeter; I still savored it as if it were the Last Supper). While the burger was being prepared, i took a seat at this little two seater booth, right behind this wizened old lady who asked me "where to get gas, I need gas."
Replying that I wasn't a local denizen, she asked several others before returning to me, noting the book i was trying to read, Faulkner's The Unvanquished.
"I'm a teacher" she blurted while stuffing the last bite of blueberry pie in between her thin, wrinkled lips. "I'm Kay, and I read too."
Anyway, i was in the mood to converse, and she was a wonderful character, the kind you find in cafes like Reb's. She noted my accent, and I noted hers. After telling her I was from Arkansas, she volunteered that she was from west Texas, near Midland-Odessa. I added that I was probably one of few people alive who actually likes that drive between El Paso and Midland-Odessa.
I asked Kay what town she was from. She said "Ira Ann." I though she said Ida Ann, which reminded me of the Methodist choir director back in Seedtick. But, apparently there were two people -- Ira and Ann -- who owned a lot of land and formed a town. I asked how they spelled it.
"It's Iraan, but not to be confused with I-ran." It's "Ira Ann."
Then she told me she was Christian Scientist, and how she was walking the dog the other day and said "hello, how are you doing" to another walker who replied "none of you buisness lady." Kay then went home and cried, nursing her hurt feelings all day long.
I began to feel a "baggage trip" comin' on, so I accepted a piece of paper with her e-mail address, and left, happy to have met Kay from Iraan, the kind of lonely little ol' lady I'd expect at an ol' timey cafe.
I live for moments like these, and besides, I'd have never heard of Iraan, Texas, had I not started talking to Kay.
Today, for the first time in my life, I actually fantasized about jumping a train and taking off for a joy ride (like in the movies! yeah really).
Also, I go to the desert to write. I'm determined this year to finally finish a tome I've been writing for too many years, titled "Thank God for Mississippi." More about it in another post.
Another reason I've been heading out east from Tucson is to eat at Reb's cafe in Benson. I drove out there on New Year's Day (trying my best to forget how alone and sad I was), and pulled in to Reb's for some grub. I staked out a booth in the front of the cafe, right behind two weekend bikers (I gathered she was Scandinavian, and he was probably an accountant by day).
I loved this cafe (the anti-Denny's), and had one of the best homemade bacon cheeseburgers in many years. In fact, the last hamburger this good I ate at Miss Annie Mae's cafe back home in Seedtick.
So, I make up reasons to go back to Reb's, and about five cheeseburgers later I'm still an enthusiastic supporter.
Today, I ordered "to go" for the first time (big mistake: they forgot the mayo and the bun was soggy along the perimeter; I still savored it as if it were the Last Supper). While the burger was being prepared, i took a seat at this little two seater booth, right behind this wizened old lady who asked me "where to get gas, I need gas."
Replying that I wasn't a local denizen, she asked several others before returning to me, noting the book i was trying to read, Faulkner's The Unvanquished.
"I'm a teacher" she blurted while stuffing the last bite of blueberry pie in between her thin, wrinkled lips. "I'm Kay, and I read too."
Anyway, i was in the mood to converse, and she was a wonderful character, the kind you find in cafes like Reb's. She noted my accent, and I noted hers. After telling her I was from Arkansas, she volunteered that she was from west Texas, near Midland-Odessa. I added that I was probably one of few people alive who actually likes that drive between El Paso and Midland-Odessa.
I asked Kay what town she was from. She said "Ira Ann." I though she said Ida Ann, which reminded me of the Methodist choir director back in Seedtick. But, apparently there were two people -- Ira and Ann -- who owned a lot of land and formed a town. I asked how they spelled it.
"It's Iraan, but not to be confused with I-ran." It's "Ira Ann."
Then she told me she was Christian Scientist, and how she was walking the dog the other day and said "hello, how are you doing" to another walker who replied "none of you buisness lady." Kay then went home and cried, nursing her hurt feelings all day long.
I began to feel a "baggage trip" comin' on, so I accepted a piece of paper with her e-mail address, and left, happy to have met Kay from Iraan, the kind of lonely little ol' lady I'd expect at an ol' timey cafe.
I live for moments like these, and besides, I'd have never heard of Iraan, Texas, had I not started talking to Kay.
The Poop on Boo and Mike
In case this is not known, I have rented a room in a house in central Tucson with two other guys: Boo and Mike. Actually, Boo's name is Mike, too, hence Boo instead of Mike (otherwise it'd be Mike and Mike). Oh, lest I forget, two other members of the household are a dog named Thunderation and a cat named Fatass. Thunderation is justifiably suspicious of me, but Fatass and I have bonded in uncharacteristic fashion (I ain't no cat lover!).
I haven't lived with anyone since college "daze", so the bets are on amongst my friends that this livin arrangement will be about as successful as George Bush at a MENSA coffee klatch. Amazingly, despite having little in common, the arrangement has worked well. Well, almost well.
The backyard comprises a kidney-shaped pool, and little else except for a patch of dirt, rock, and grass outside my bedroom window. Soon after moving in I discovered that Thunderation was using this spot for his constitutional. Why me, Lord?! Better yet, the Almighty Thunderation also sees fit to leave sundry turds all over the patio and even on the rim of the pool. [When I checked out the house, it was night and I didn't go out onto the patio which explains why my dog poop alert did not go off.]
I like my room because it has a huge window that looked out over the Rincon mountains to the north, plus I can see the azure sky that typically hovers over this college town. I hadn't anticipated that my room would abut Dog Poop Lane.
So, several times I've told Boo (my contact since Mike either can't speak or chooses not to speak) that the free range dog crap is not acceptable to me and needs to be picked up post-poop and each poop. This is not a negotiable issue for me.
Well, Saturday I went out onto the patio anticipating my first day lying in the sun only to be greeted by a sea of poop. It was like "Attack of the Killer Turds." I suppressed a primal scream. Not only did I exit the patio, but I lost my appetite for the day (which, to be honest, is the "up" side of living with poop).
I came into my room and immediately wrote the following Poop Memo: "Boo and Mike, I've asked you numerous times to please pick up Thunderation's poop. Not only is it a disgusting to look at, but it smells and is creating a sanitation issue. If you continue to ignore my request, I will move out as soon as I can find another place to live. In the meantime, I will clean up the poop if you refuse. I cannot live in squalor and filth."
So, in case anyone reads this, or even cares, am I being unreasonable by asking the dog's owner to be responsible and dispose of Thunderaton's recyclables? I know Tucson is near Mexico, the Third World, but it's NOT Mexico and it's NOT the Third World, so until it becomes so (we only have a few more years, by the way) I prefer to live in the civilized world which by my definition is POOPLESS.
Any comments? Feel free to send Xanax to my Post Office Box.
I haven't lived with anyone since college "daze", so the bets are on amongst my friends that this livin arrangement will be about as successful as George Bush at a MENSA coffee klatch. Amazingly, despite having little in common, the arrangement has worked well. Well, almost well.
The backyard comprises a kidney-shaped pool, and little else except for a patch of dirt, rock, and grass outside my bedroom window. Soon after moving in I discovered that Thunderation was using this spot for his constitutional. Why me, Lord?! Better yet, the Almighty Thunderation also sees fit to leave sundry turds all over the patio and even on the rim of the pool. [When I checked out the house, it was night and I didn't go out onto the patio which explains why my dog poop alert did not go off.]
I like my room because it has a huge window that looked out over the Rincon mountains to the north, plus I can see the azure sky that typically hovers over this college town. I hadn't anticipated that my room would abut Dog Poop Lane.
So, several times I've told Boo (my contact since Mike either can't speak or chooses not to speak) that the free range dog crap is not acceptable to me and needs to be picked up post-poop and each poop. This is not a negotiable issue for me.
Well, Saturday I went out onto the patio anticipating my first day lying in the sun only to be greeted by a sea of poop. It was like "Attack of the Killer Turds." I suppressed a primal scream. Not only did I exit the patio, but I lost my appetite for the day (which, to be honest, is the "up" side of living with poop).
I came into my room and immediately wrote the following Poop Memo: "Boo and Mike, I've asked you numerous times to please pick up Thunderation's poop. Not only is it a disgusting to look at, but it smells and is creating a sanitation issue. If you continue to ignore my request, I will move out as soon as I can find another place to live. In the meantime, I will clean up the poop if you refuse. I cannot live in squalor and filth."
So, in case anyone reads this, or even cares, am I being unreasonable by asking the dog's owner to be responsible and dispose of Thunderaton's recyclables? I know Tucson is near Mexico, the Third World, but it's NOT Mexico and it's NOT the Third World, so until it becomes so (we only have a few more years, by the way) I prefer to live in the civilized world which by my definition is POOPLESS.
Any comments? Feel free to send Xanax to my Post Office Box.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Aden Sisters on Gold
(Full post with charts: http://www.kitco.com/ind/Aden/aden_jan032008.html)
Mega Move Underway, Stay With It
Courtesy of http://www.adenforecast.com/
As we enter 2008, gold is hitting a new record high. That’s a great way to kick off the new year and it looks like there’s a lot more to come. Why?
This commodity upmove is over six years old, yet it’s still young and it’ll likely last another decade before it’s over. The falling dollar has certainly given the commodities a boost and there’s really no reason why the dollar will strengthen next year, which is a positive sign for the commodities.
But it’s important to keep in mind that this is not just a reflection of the weak dollar. Most telling is to see the commodities in a strong currency, like the euro. Chart 1 shows this clearly. Be it oil, gold or the commodity index, they are all rising in a strong currency.
This is most impressive because it shows that a true commodity upmove is underway.
GOLD RISE IS SOLID
Gold is now at a new high in U.S. dollar terms. It’s also at record highs in other currencies.
This reflects a strong rise, yet most people don’t realize that gold’s at a record high within an almost seven year old bull market! Gold’s been up every year since 2001, and 2007 was not an exception. Gold gained 31% in 2007, yet most investors do not own gold. That’s going to change. As higher gold prices begin to attract attention, investors will notice and they’ll jump in too. That’s when gold will start soaring. That’s not happening yet, but it will and probably sooner rather than later.
Steps about complete
If gold stays above $850 it will have completed its fourth step of the bull market. Chart 2 shows that gold entered the fourth step in December 2005, when it broke above $500. That in itself was a milestone and gold started to break away from the dollar. Gold has been rising steadily since then. By staying above $850, the steps will be complete and gold will be entering a new stronger phase of the bull market.
Gold stronger than many markets
Gold has a lot going for it. It’s strong compared to several currencies, and it’s stronger than the stock and bond markets.
Chart 3A shows that gold has been stronger than the Dow Industrials since 2000. This was a major change and the trend in the ratio clearly favors gold on a mega trend basis. The ratio reached an intermediate low last July while the indicator (B) was at a gold too low area. Both have been rising since then showing that gold has been outperforming stocks and it’s poised to stay stronger.
There are many reasons why gold’s bull market has further to run, and the ongoing political and financial uncertainty in the world are just two important reasons why. Recent events in Pakistan have further reinforced this.
Gold is a safe haven, which is why demand is rising. Even though gold’s bull market turns seven years old in February, it’s strong and solid, and a buy and hold strategy is the best way to make the most profits… ride the mega-major wave to completion and keep in mind that the long-term trend has a lot further to run.
by Mary Anne & Pamela Aden
Mega Move Underway, Stay With It
Courtesy of http://www.adenforecast.com/
As we enter 2008, gold is hitting a new record high. That’s a great way to kick off the new year and it looks like there’s a lot more to come. Why?
This commodity upmove is over six years old, yet it’s still young and it’ll likely last another decade before it’s over. The falling dollar has certainly given the commodities a boost and there’s really no reason why the dollar will strengthen next year, which is a positive sign for the commodities.
But it’s important to keep in mind that this is not just a reflection of the weak dollar. Most telling is to see the commodities in a strong currency, like the euro. Chart 1 shows this clearly. Be it oil, gold or the commodity index, they are all rising in a strong currency.
This is most impressive because it shows that a true commodity upmove is underway.
GOLD RISE IS SOLID
Gold is now at a new high in U.S. dollar terms. It’s also at record highs in other currencies.
This reflects a strong rise, yet most people don’t realize that gold’s at a record high within an almost seven year old bull market! Gold’s been up every year since 2001, and 2007 was not an exception. Gold gained 31% in 2007, yet most investors do not own gold. That’s going to change. As higher gold prices begin to attract attention, investors will notice and they’ll jump in too. That’s when gold will start soaring. That’s not happening yet, but it will and probably sooner rather than later.
Steps about complete
If gold stays above $850 it will have completed its fourth step of the bull market. Chart 2 shows that gold entered the fourth step in December 2005, when it broke above $500. That in itself was a milestone and gold started to break away from the dollar. Gold has been rising steadily since then. By staying above $850, the steps will be complete and gold will be entering a new stronger phase of the bull market.
Gold stronger than many markets
Gold has a lot going for it. It’s strong compared to several currencies, and it’s stronger than the stock and bond markets.
Chart 3A shows that gold has been stronger than the Dow Industrials since 2000. This was a major change and the trend in the ratio clearly favors gold on a mega trend basis. The ratio reached an intermediate low last July while the indicator (B) was at a gold too low area. Both have been rising since then showing that gold has been outperforming stocks and it’s poised to stay stronger.
There are many reasons why gold’s bull market has further to run, and the ongoing political and financial uncertainty in the world are just two important reasons why. Recent events in Pakistan have further reinforced this.
Gold is a safe haven, which is why demand is rising. Even though gold’s bull market turns seven years old in February, it’s strong and solid, and a buy and hold strategy is the best way to make the most profits… ride the mega-major wave to completion and keep in mind that the long-term trend has a lot further to run.
by Mary Anne & Pamela Aden
Friday, January 04, 2008
A Redbird Christmas
I'm on a reading jag, and by chance, picked up Fannie Flagg's A Redbird Christmas (the big print version, of course).
I enjoyed the hell out of this book, though I admit it didn't seem particularly well-written. But, it was enjoyable, and that is what sustained my late-night interest.
I enjoyed the hell out of this book, though I admit it didn't seem particularly well-written. But, it was enjoyable, and that is what sustained my late-night interest.
Lust, Caution
Last night, January 3, 2008, I saw Ang Lee's Lust, Caution. While I'm still processing the film -- it simply will not let go of me -- I can say it's one of the best films I've seen in eons. Complex, mysterious, stimulating, enigmatic -- these are all words that come to mind.
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