17 THINGS YOU WON’T HAVE TO ASK ME IN AN INTERVIEW

1.  Lost my last two “real” jobs…

Yup.  As a program coordinator at a hospital, the position was elimination along with my coworker and two supervisors.  Massive departmental restructuring.  Ouch.  Then while working at a residential  treatment facility for children the entire facility was closed due to funding.  Everybody lost their job.  Oh, well.

2.  Youth Pastor for 23 years…

Speaking to, hanging with, lovin’ on, carin’ for, sharing with, trippin’ all over with, vans, beach, mountains, cross country, next door, planning for, planning on, praying over, you-name-it.  Middle school and High school crowds… the toughest and most loving group to ever be involved with.

3.  One-time Program Coordinator in a hospital behavioral health unit…

I developed and put into motion a system of collaborative intensive case management for under-insured and uninsured frequent users of the behavioral health field.  Collaborating with several organizations in two counties we saved organizations thousands of dollars simply by working together.  Gotta love synergy.

4.  Accomplished Public Speaker…

Spoken thousands of times to small groups, large groups, conventions, middle schoolers, high schoolers, university  groups, old people, parents and two opportunities (each for an entire week) as an adjunct professor (8 hours a day for 5 days).  Can anyone say Ricola?

5.  Computer Geek Wanna-Be…

I know just enough about computers and computing to get myself going and then getting into trouble.  Fortunately, I have a few friends that have a clue and bail me out.  Sometimes free and sometimes not so free, and I’m okay with that.  Either way, I feel very fortunate to have friends that have a clue about fixing the tech messes I get myself in.

6.  Jeep enthusiast…

I own a red 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 liter, 5-speed that I’ve had since ‘04.  A few modifications, but modifications cost money.  Maybe someday I’ll get that lift… and winch… and so on.  I once had to drive 5 miles north of Avon, CO (There’s nothing north of Avon, CO) to rescue a friend and his Toyota Tundra.  Long story, but he called me to bail him out.

7.  Really, really emotional guy…

My wife says this is one of the best things she loves about me.  It’s been said that I’ve shed a tear over a really good beer commercial.  Yea, I’m that bad, but I’m ok with that.  It’s who I am, so just stop…  sniff… stop laughing….  I’m ok.  What moves me to teas the most are good stories about fathers and daughters.  Let’s move on.

8.  Married for 30 years and counting…

I love my wife and she loves me.  We’re committed and we go through everything together.  We work things out, help each other, talk often, communicate, all that stuff.  I go to chick-flick movies with her, and sometimes let her control the remote.  There will never be another like her.  Ever!  I love her so much I’m even willing to be seen in public with her in her Honda.  For a Jeep owner that’s a big deal.

9.  One daughter, also a Jeep enthusiast…

Our daughter just turned 20 in July 2010.  She’s a rising sophomore at a university in BC, Canada.  Our best times recently have been two-day road trips to get her to and from school in her yellow 2000 Jeep Wrangler, 4.0 liter automatic.  She loves to travel, has been to more countries than me and has been known to drive in her mother’s Honda as well, incongnito.

10. Benevolent Traveler…

The inaugural trip was in April 2010.  36 hours… 227 miles (not including air travel)…  Air, land & sea… Denver… SeaTac… Anacortes… Sidney… Vancouver… Langley, BC.  The more my trip was “paid for” by benevolent strangers, through rides, tickets, accommodations, food, etc., the more I had to give away to those in greater need.  It’s a long story.  What a blast!  More trips will follow.  Look it up on Facebook.

11. Dog owner…

Currently we have a 3-year old Australian Shepherd name Moab.  A black tri, he has more energy to burn than the Jack Russell and two beagles next door combined.  He will catch anything you throw and bring it back most of the time.  Sadly, he has seizures and takes a ton of drugs to keep it under control.   At night he sleeps on our daughter’s bed whenever she’s home.  When she’s off at school, he’s at our feet.

12. Theme for the past decade:  “Embrace the Baldness”

In my late twenties my wife thought it would be great if I had an afro.  That lasted about six months.  It wasn’t pretty.  It’s been less and less ever since.  Short cut to buzz cut and finally I just shaved it all off.  Hey, works for me.  What I save by not having to buy shampoo I make up for in razor blades and Edge gel.

13. Loves a good movie, and even some bad movies…

I could spend days watching movies.  Wait, I already do that.  Some may call it a waste of time and it is, if you do too much of it.  But I love a good story.  I’m always looking for some thought, idea or concept to build on.  You can even find one or two in bad movies.  (No, I haven’t watched Gigli and I probably never will.)

14. Sometimes a traveler…

Where have I been?  Well… Canada (born and raised), USA (my current home), Mexico (two hours in Tijuana), Jamaica (family vacation), St. Lucia (25th wedding anniversary), Costa Rica (twice leading church group mission trips), Germany and Austria (H.S. band trip) and Hong Kong (to visit my sister).  I’m hoping this will grow over time.  Oh, and I’m only missing 5 states to make my tour of America complete.

15. In Canada, I’m a Canadian…

Born and raised in Canada, my wife and I moved to the states in 1980.  Twenty six years later, we decided to stay and became naturalized citizens.  When we took up US citizenship we had to denounce all other principalities and sovereignties.  So, in America, we are American and that’s it.  But, in Canada the motto is, “Once Canadian, always Canadian.”  So in Canada, we’re Canadian and American.  But in America, I’m only American.

16. Passionate about selflessness…

If I had unlimited funds, I’d find a way to give it all away (after a few modifications to my current Jeep).  But I don’t.  So I give time when I can, money when I can and try to be spontaneous about all of it.  I want others to look beyond themselves to the needs around them and do something to make a difference.  No need is too big or too small.

17. CAPM (Certified Associate Project Manager)… (yawn)

In August of 2010 I wrote my national certification exam to be a Certified Associate Project Manager.  Yes, it may sound very corporate and boring, but I learned a ton about planning and organizing.  It’s a very detailed process.  How can I use these new skills in this process of servant ethos?