FINALLY OVER!!!!!!!!!! (99% sure.......)

So today, June 29, 2010, at 7:30 am, was the scheduled date for the hearing with my former company Nuskin regarding Unemployment. (See this and this )

So I have literally been losing sleep over this stupid thing for the last 2-3 weeks. Essentially since I found out Nuskin appealed it and wanted a hearing, which was I think June 11th.......yeah, it's been on my mind that much. I know it wasn't/isn't a big deal, but really to me, this whole thing, well the decision that would be made, would completely validate my feelings on what happened and the whole issue. If the decision was made against me, then it's a lesson learned and I move on. If it was made in my favor, I was right and never should have been fired, and the lesson would be learned for those involved from Nuskin.

So I rolled around all night waking up literally every half hour thinking it was time to get up to face the music. I wrote things out last night that I wanted to say; points I wanted to make, rebuttals to the "evidence" they sent to me, so I was ready to go. My parents were up and we were just talking about how I needed to be calm and collected on the call and just be open and honest about everything (hmmmmmm isn't that my philosophy on life ANYWAY?). My phone rings, finally, at 7:31. On the other line is Judge *Last name* (yeah I didn't write his name down.....oh well). He informs me that he called my former employer first, and they didn't answer. He left a message and told them they'd have until 7:45 am to call him back, or the case would be dismissed. Huge smile on my face, I told him that would be great. He said he'd let me know as soon as he had them on the phone, or if they never called back. I almost jumped out of chair with excitement. My Dad just laughed. How IRONIC!!!!!!!!!! Part of the reason I got fired was because of problems with being tardy.........seriously........to not make your OWN HEARING!??!?! WHO DOES THAT!!!!!!!! There are a lot of things that could have happened. Maybe they decided it really wasn't that big of a deal since I was just a nobody at Nuskin. Maybe the CEO aka my Parents Bishop, caught wind and told them they would not continue with the hearing. Who knows. All I know, is the CASE IS DISMISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't felt so relieved, so happy, in a long time. When I got the email from the unemployment office saying I wasn't at fault, that was a great moment. However, this tops it for sure. It's an amazing feeling. The only 2% of uggghhh still, is that they can reopen the case............if they do, they have to do it in writing and submit a valid reason why they didn't make the time. THEN it will be CONSIDERED to be opened again. I'm pretty sure it's over (that's where the 99% came from).

I have work off today. I'm playing Tennis at 10 with Steve. Japan is playing (USA and Mexico both lost........World Cup........so I chose Japan as my new team ) and they're going to win. Today is my day!!!!!!!!!

Vindicated. That is all.

Music!!!!!!!

So my Dad's company, First National Bank of Layton (but he works in the Draper branch, in the mortgage department. Or something.), had a picnic thing last Monday night, June 14th. There was food, then a free concert. The performer was Peter Breinholdt, a LDS/Folk Musician. The concert was pretty amazing to be honest. I seriously love live music in any form, especially if the people performing actually have real talent. While watching him perform, I thought..........why can't I do this? Really? I mean I have written a fair amount of songs, I'm comfortable playing for other people, and I really want to start pursuing at least a part time career in Music. I really want to make music more of a part of my life, not just something I casually do on the side. I don't need to be completely famous or anything, just have good music and be able to relate to people through that. I know that I'm the only one holding myself back. So I'm going to start looking into recording gear, and getting my stuff out there. Anyone I've shown my songs to, always tell me they are good. Maybe they're just being nice, or maybe it's just my own self doubt or insecurities, but sometimes I don't feel they are "World ready" or Good enough to be put out in the public. But I'll never know if I don't know.

Anyway, during the concert there were a few songs that Peter told all the kids to come up to the front and dance along with him. There was this one kid (you'll see in the video below) in a Football Jersey who would come up and just dance like crazy. He'd turn around to the crowd and put his hands in the air like at a rock concert. His dancing was HILARIOUS. We were all completely BUSTING up. I also love the girl in the striped dress right in front of the camera. Kids are so innocent,and they just don't care what other people think. They were told to dance, so they did. And they had FUN! So, I took some video, I mean how could I NOT take video of this? So I hope you enjoy it as much as I did then :)

Random stuff

So I rarely upload pictures. I love taking pictures, I just never do it. So here are some recent pictures and things. So enjoy :)

I took this picture randomly. I was bored. I actually shaved off my goatee today.......It was just buggin me. But I still have the Patch.

I finally went to a Bee's game. I didn't go to any last year, and wanted to go. A bunch of people went, however the Bee's lost......Lame

I think a big reason of why we went the night we did, was the fireworks. I only took a couple pictures. I can't seem to get a good picture of fireworks......ever

Tiki In the Sun........yeah I know........She's adorable. Oh, and there's my Mom too :)

Brent Can Literally sleep anywhere. We were out with my Dad one day, and my Dad took a motorcycle on a test drive. While we were waiting I wanted to see if the latch in my trunk actually works. So I made Brent get in the and I closed it on him. It DOES!! It even glows in the dark! So while we were waiting, he chilled there......and literally fell asleep.

Tiki is Small. That is all.

Not quite there

I thought I was done dealing with Nuskin. Nope. They appealed the unemployment decision. I have a PHONE HEARING (yeah, what the crap?) This next Tuesday (June 29th). I'm kinda freaking out, even though I know it really won't be that big of a deal. Hopefully they will find out I have a new job and let things go. I will update on that after it's over.

~~Vindicated~~

There are certain words in the English language that one can rarely find a use for. Personally, I've always wanted to find a really good excuse to use the word Vindicated.

Dictionary.com defines Vindicated as: to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like.

My last post, over a month ago (yeah I jacked up my 4/month goal.....i'll write 8 this month to make up for it), mentioned how I lost my job. I want to go a bit more into detail on the specifics of what happened, and how unfair it was; nevertheless, at this point, I am beginning to see it more as a blessing.

So Ricky Martin came out of the closet, big deal right? Well not really, I'm sure as he was losing popularity, he came out to cause a stir and be recognized again. Pop Stars, Famous People, the Media, the paparazzi, Whatever; I could care less. I was at work when one of my friends messaged me to tell me to check out a fellow co-worker/friends FB status. His status was simply "OMG RICKY MARTIN!!!!" or something to that effect. After seeing a few of the comments on the status, I decided to join in on the conversation. There was no bashing, (that I recall) and everyone commenting back and forth, the majority of which are members of the LDS church and share common beliefs, were just stating their opinions on the subject. So after work, I go home and think nothing of this. A month later (April 28th), I wake up to a text from the same friend who informed me of the conversation happening. This friend told me that everyone in her department, Distributor Support, had all been suspended for this conversation. Even those that withdrew their comments. I was informed that while asking about me, the HR rep that suspended them, told them that I would be disciplined as well. I go into work that day expecting to be suspended. I hadn't had any problems being tardy and what-not for almost a year. I was prepared to take it like a man, be apologetic, humble, and accept the consequences.

I was there for 2 hours, and get an IM from Tina. Tina isn't my manager, but basically the head of the call center. I'm thinking: This is weird......why wouldn't it be with my manager? I go in, and the HR person, with whom I haven't ever had a good relationship with, is there. I told them I knew what it was all about, and I understood what was going on. They had me sit down then proceeded to tell me why it was wrong, blah blah blah, etc. I was expecting that to be it, but then she informed me she had gone back into my chat history to see if there were any other things they could find (WTF? What cause?) and found a conversation i had had with another friend, regarding my manager and a team leader in the call center. This conversation wasn't vulgar, even though later I heard they found it to be "embarrassing and offensive." BS. But it was just about them possibly having an affair or something since they seemed to be spending a LOT of time together, in the managers office with the door closed. Then HR proceeded to tell me I had been put on a Language Action Plan (AGAIN, WTF!!! I was told EVERYONE had to do it and it wasn't just me or just the gringos......EVERYONE, was I lied to?)(This was also like the day before....) They felt, they being this specific HR person, that with all these things combined, It was enough for dismissal.

I went to the CEO, Truman Hunt, since he's my parents ward Bishop, and told him how I felt and my side of the story. He had been informed with an extremely exaggerated story, with sketchy details, and inconsistencies up the wazu. He told me he'd look into it all, and see what he could find out. I didn't expect my job back, and to be honest I doubt I'd want it back after that crap. I never heard back from him.

Unbelievable. Completely unjust and unfair. Not right. Not rectified. I could go on, but that was that.

Honestly, It was time for a change. I have been feeling stale for the past year, 2 years, maybe longer. I've lived in this house for 3 years, of which I have no regrets. My roommates are some of my best friends. But change needed to happen.

I informed my parents, of course, and then went from there. I applied for unemployment and started searching for jobs. About 3 weeks later, after being unsuccessful and even being turned down from one place because of why I was fired, I received a call from the unemployment office. She called to clear up a few things regarding my vacation pay I was paid out, and some details on what happened. She informed me what she had been told, and then asked for my side and rebuttal. Nuskin had told them/her the only reason I was fired was from the Facebook Conversation. They didn't include anything else, like tardies, or the "Language probation," or anything. Why? Because it WASN'T RELEVANT!! They also didn't mention the fact that 7 other people were involved, I know of at least 2 of which had had past disciplinary actions, and they weren't fired. Just suspended. With these inconsistencies, and crucial details, she told me she needed to talk to them again to clear some things up, and would get back to me. It wasn't even 2 days later (I think...) that I noticed an unemployment payment in my bank account!

The relieve and stress lifted from me, there is no description except one word: Vindicated. I feel completely vindicated from what happened. To make things even better, I got a letter from the unemployment office saying the following:

"Based upon the information presented to this Department, it is determined that you were not at fault in your discharge from work."

The words "You were not at fault" made me the happiest I've been in a LONG time. Something so simple, but something I knew that really made everything that had happened, feel it had happened for a reason. I'm a firm believer in that, things happen for a reason and you need to learn from whatever it is that has taken place, and go with it and take the changes with your head held high and a good attitude. Sure I was really really depressed for the first couple days after I was discharged, but looking back I know it was meant to be. I've needed to change my life around, in many areas, and I can honestly say I know this was a push from God. Some would say that's far fetched, and unlikely, but after all that has happened, I know differently.

I am currently in process of moving back home; it's not something I really want to do, but I haven't felt better about a decision in the last 3 years, as I have with this. It'll be temporary, especially after I find a job. Who knows what will happen; perhaps I will transfer to the U (totally theoretical at this point), perhaps I'll find a job that can lead into a career and take that for a while, really anything can, and i'm going to take it as it comes.

I'd like to leave you with some words. The song Vindicated by Dashboard confessional. Even though the song is really about him parting ways with a girl, or something along those lines, the part I have noted down, relates to me perfectly.

Hope dangles on a string

Like slow spinning redemption

Winding in and winding out

The shine of it has caught my eye

And roped me in

So mesmerizing, so hypnotizing

I am captivated

[Chorus]

I am Vindicated

I am selfish

I am wrong

I am right

I swear I'm right

I swear I knew it all along

And I am flawed

But I am cleaning up so well

Sorry this post has no pictures, no anything, and might be kinda boring. I promise to write more this month and to be more exciting. I just felt this story needed to be told, and hopefully someone can gain hope or inspiration from what I have gone through.