September 2, 2011
Today, September 2nd, is a day which changed my life, in the best way possible. However, at the time I did not know this. I had been working for Florida Bank for almost 3 years and in the previous year, had been the IT Manager and also the Systems Administrator and doing a very good job of it. However, I had a boss who was short sighted, clueless when it came to technology and who really had no business being the CIO in the first place. As what happens more times than not, he thought he had a sense to how an IT Department should be run and decided to outsource to a company that was milking him dry and telling him he needed to do this and that and of course he llistened cuz HE was making these decisions. Yeah right. The owner of the company was dragging him along by the nose and telling him anything and everything because he had no knowledge of what he was talking about and was able to make a shitload of money off him and is still doing so. I know he was in his ear telling him to get rid of me and my guy because he could do it better and cheaper. I very much know that to be full of shit. What my guy and I were getting paid was shit. I mean secretaries were getting paid more than I was and tellers were making more than my guy. And to say they could do it better was bullshit because I had the relationship with the people in the bank and the knowledge and experience as to how it all worked on a daly basis. So I got walked out the door like a common person who had been fired. Not even a thanks for all you've done, a sorry that it has to be this way or any kind of gratitude. I was pissed and bitter and I still am but only now how it was handled. I have moved on to bigger and better things and am seeing the bank suffer makes me feel a little bit vindicated. I hate to see my friends and the ones who actually work be affected by this but I really hope all the over paid execs and other worthless people there will get theirs in the end.
So while this seems like a hate filled venom blog, it's more of therapy because I am moving on now and looking forward with my life and taking my skills, experience and abilities to another level. Plus I have to thank Florida Bank and Kim Buchanan for letting me go in the first place. I had been looking for a new job for a few months because i saw the writing on the wall and getting let go was not a shock. I mean, I've been to Dublin, Ireland for St. Patty's Day(Week), Germany, Dubai, England, Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq now. I've also been able to send my son a cruise for his 12th birthday and have seen myself get out of the financial burdens I was in before. None of this would have been possible if I still worked at the bank.
So as I close this out and move on, I bid adios to that part of my life and look forward to a bright, happy future.
Bill out...
Posted by Bill Bickford.
September 1, 2011
Well here we are in September. August is now history and things are moving right along here. I can't believe it's already been 3 weeks since I've been working over here in Iraq. It's been a very nice change of pace and I'm seeing things from a totally different perspective now in my field. It's very welcome and I look forward to learning more and becoming better at what i do. Today, September 1st is also my nephews birthday. Josh turns 26. Happy Birthday.
Well, this is a short but swee...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
August 15, 2011
This has been a very crazy past few weeks but it has all come to an end...at least for now, though a lot of work is still needed. I officially ended my time with ITT on August 11th and began my new contract with Five Rivers. I also left Kabul, Afghanistan and am now in Iraq, which is 100% better. Though I have to share a room with someone, it's not nearly as bad as the mold infested, disgusting house I lived in while I was in Kabul. The food is better and the environment seems a lot b...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
August 7, 2011
It's been a month and a half since I wrote. Have had a lot of things going on since then that has pre-occupied my time. The first and foremost was my Grandmother, Mildred E. Bickford, passed away on July 22, 2011. It was a very sad moment for me as I hadn't seen her since a few days before I left to come out here in November of 2010. I flew back to the states for her memorial and it didn't hit me that she was gone until I got back. The memorial service was just like she wanted. Short an...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
June 18, 2011
I can't believe I've let this go for a month. But before I go on, I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to my father and grandfather. This is my 12th Father's Day and I really miss my guy. While I'm over here in this place, he's back in the states. I love him so much and can't wait to see him again.
So it's been a month since I wrote on here and not really a whole lot has changed in that month. I work for 12 hours, go to the gym and then sleep and start the process all over again. It's...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
May 17, 2011
Happy Birthday Z!!! Today is dedicated to my boy. He turns 12 today and is currently in The Bahamas. For his birthday I sent him on something he's been wanting to go on for a while now but previously I couldn't afford it. I sent him on a cruise and for the past few weeks he's been really excited. I'm so happy that's he's happy and excited cuz for a while, things weren't that great for him but I'm hoping this will be the spark that starts setting things into motion. He's such a good ...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
May 1, 2011
I know it's been 2 weeks since my last post but there are times when I just don't seem to have the time or energy to do any writing on here. I'm on a computer all day and spend quite a bit of time on it when I get off but there is only so much I can do. I keep saying this but I will try and vent, err I mean post at least once a week.
So another fantastic time here in Afghanistan. Hearing all sorts of rumblings about various rumors and other stuff happening or going to happen. I just need t...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
April 15, 2011
So it's been a week and a half since my last post. I never realized how hard this could be when you're working and also trying to have some kind of a outside of work life. It might be different if this was all I did but it's not. I can't blame anyone though as it's my fault.
Gonna try to get some of my pictures added to the site. Especially the ones from Ireland. I can't believe it's been one month since I was there. It seems like years now. This place does seem to make time fly. ...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
April 4, 2011
Sorry been so long since I wrote but there always seems to be things to do than to keep up with this. Gonna try to at least make it weekly visit. So been back from Ireland for 2 weeks now and needless to say, things could be so much better. I've been trying to stay positive but something happened today that has realy got me bent. I won't go into detail right now but I will soon enough. I'm just staying positive on my other thought and situation and it will see me through. Gotta keep the...
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
March 18, 2011
Here we are in beautiful Dublin, Ireland. Been an awesome couple of days so far. Landed at about 2 pm Mar 16th and have been going since then. Throw in a few hours of sleep and that's what's been going on. Gonna have a ton of pics to add on here when I get back. Until then, talk to you soon. Bill out...for now.
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Posted by Bill Bickford.
