A Well Kept Man

Well, after almost two months back in the US, I have a lot to talk about. First, thanks to all of those who have suggested I make a more earnest effort to continue writing. I must say that I have missed this venue, and look forward to continuing to write as often as I am able. I am back at work (never even missed a beat), but I am missing a key person in the equation. My darling wife is now in Colorado, working for Medtronic in Louisville meaning I am here in the Cities all by my lonesome (with the dog of course). Our house went on the market about two weeks ago (www.4708-10thave.com) and while there was some early interest, that didn't really pan out (ask me about it over a beer sometime...

So as many of you know I have been looking for a job here in Switzerland to occupy my time until we move back to the United States. Today I received news back from my most promising opportunity to date, work as an Operations Strategy Specialist (basically what I've been doing in the States, but for coffee makers and hot chocolate instead of warships and naval electronics).

Needless to say they decided to go in a different direction, which reminded me of that time in high school when I asked out a girl I thought I had a chance with because we both had so much in common (we were in the same grade, we were in the same Spanish class, I liked girls, she liked boys...soul mates for sure). Even though at the time the rejection stung (much as this does now), I have learned from my experiences that God always has something better in store.

Like Alli.

So anyway, back to looking for another job...

I again embarked on my quest to have a better tan than George Hamilton by taking another long bike ride (arms, legs, and face are great....unfortunately I also have the world's best farmer tan, oh well). Today I wandered towards Alli's work and then down by the lake. I must have circled Medtronic at least two or three times before the security became suspicious and made me leave (just kidding, that didn't really happen). I forgot to pack a water bottle so I was forced to forage for nourishment in countryside.

In every little town around here are public wells that in some cases date back to the early 19th century (I am sure the springs themselves are much older than that, just the masonry has changed). Much to my chagrin once I realized that I was a wee bit parched every well I came across was label "Eau Non Potable" (French for "Cow's Bath Water"). Undaunted I pressed on until I found myself in a grove of apple trees. I was lucky to 'find' a couple of apples that nobody seemed to be using (judging by the number of apples on the ground and size of the specimens still clinging to the trees, I didn't seem to think anyone would miss these two).

They weren't the tastiest apples (pommes) on the planet but they were juicy enough to refuel my reserves for the ride home. In somewhat unrelated news (loosely related because if I actually had a job I couldn't have such wonderful biking adventures) I also applied for two jobs in the past week, one with Medtronic which they basically told me I was extremely overqualified for (which wasn't a surprise as it was mostly an administrative assistant job without the lipstick), and the other with Nestle (in their operations strategy group). This position would actually be something I am qualified for but we shall see if they feel the same way. I can't say it's easy finding jobs to apply for around here, and there is definitely a bit of reluctance on my part as I am still not sure I want to be here for the long term (i.e. more than a year). However, should we decide to stay I will have to derive some income lest Alli trade me in for some French speaking Duke from Anjou.

Last night I had a pression (draft beer, more formally a 'bière à la pression') with the husband of a colleague of Alli's from Medtronic. The purpose of the meeting was to get advice relating to securing a job here in Switzerland, as he had been through the same situation when his wife was transferred here nearly three years ago. For those wondering, the beer made in Switzerland is pretty much uneventful (so far...I'm determined to find a good one). As a result I tried to order a familiar beer at the "British" pub. There are many "British" pubs in Switzerland, which supposedly have all of the international beers that an typical expat would look for in lieu of the lesser Swiss varietals.

The gentleman I was with immediately ordered a Guinness, which the garçon (French for waiter...also refers to a young boy depending on the context. It appears that the original purpose for having children, at least French male children, was to have a servant who waited on you and brought you libations; apparently my father knew this as I often recall fetching his evening beer as a young lad) had no problems with. "Oui" he said, and then looked at me. Surely if they had Guinness, and being a "British" pub I would have no trouble ordering an ale or lager with a British Isles heritage. As there was no menu, and we were seated outside on the patio, I assumed that I could just pick a British ale and resume our conversation.

Now, for those that have enjoyed a pint or two with me know I don't prefer to drink heavy stouts and porters as they make me sleepy (and I find them too sweet and malty..nothing like a meal in a glass), so silly me I order a good British ale (at least in my mind)...a Bass. You would have thought I asked the garçon for a bucket of shrimp milk (if this isn't funny replace 'shrimp milk' with 'dolphin sweat'). It's like he's never even heard of such a thing. So then I figured, ok, maybe it's just Irish beer at this place, so I order a Harp Lager (similar to a Bass, but a lager instead of an ale). Again, he treated me like I was suggesting he drain the contents of battery into a glass and serve it to me.

So at this point I'm at a loss...do I order a beer I don't care for or try for another beer of the British Commonwealth (Fosters maybe...Australia was once a British colony. Maybe India has some good beer)? It was during this time the garçon became quite fed up and just leaves. He brought me back a draft beer from the very (un)British colony of Denmark (is that a hint of Lox I taste in my beer? MMMM). I am not sure what is going on here but when you think Carlsberg is a British beer you have some serious problems that can only be cured by retaking high school geography and history classes...

Needless to say next time I network I will be sure to study the beer list ahead of time for suitable choices. Heineken is readily available by the way, whereas Budweiser, Miller, Coors, etc. are not (pretty much impossible to find unless you are in a specialty shop that imports American goods). Don't even get me started about the lack of Bell's Oberon and Two-Hearted Ale...(Dad, be sure to stock up for my trip back at Christmas).

With respect to the networking itself, I received some great suggestions of how to go about securing a job (including the proper format for my CV = curriculum vitae; this is the equivalent of a resume, only instead of omitting anything that might indicate what you look like, what your family situation is, how old you are, etc., they are required. Thankfully there is a shortage of tall, skinny, American, house-husbands around age 30 in Switzerland.), some potential job agencies (for part-time or full-time work, which tends to look for trailing spouses who are in my situation), as well as offering some help getting my CV passed around to some of his contacts (of which he has many as he is basically a sales guy).

So once I can get my CV together I will begin looking (more intensely) for a job. Apparently all I really need is my residence permit, a job contract, and then I pay about $100 bucks and I get a work permit (it seems like everything here costs money to "process"...who would have thought I needed to pay the government for the privilege of providing economic growth and stability? Why hasn't the U.S. thought of this???....oh wait, the payroll tax is their version. Last time I checked that was a little bit more than $100.). It's probably a little more involved and harder than I have made it sound, but I will hopefully get some leads in the next few weeks and maybe be employed before the weather turns to less-than-bike-friendly (but then ski season starts, so maybe not...).