Too busy this past year!

I have been very busy over the past year and have not been able to participate on the site like I was at first.  Graduate school and working full time I guess will do that to you.

Nearly finished with my first year in my graduate program.  Still working full time at my project manager job tho I hate it.  It is a means to an end tho.  Without my paycheck, I would be unable to pay for school.  So I have to grit my teeth and deal with it.  My employer has been pretty good about my career goals and education, especially considering the fact that my goal is to quit working for them.    Tho of late they are doing things that I don't see as being worthwhile for them or me. 

Background - I am going to school to get my degree in counseling so I can become a licensed marriage and family therapist.  My current job is as a project manager for a construction testing and inspection firm (been there for nearly 19 years now - tho not all of those as a project manager).  They want me to attend educational seminars to learn more about the construction industry and if I don't go to at least TWO this year, I will lose money on my bonus.  I don't see the point tho in attending educational seminars in a field that I have not interest in continuing at.  The company is going to pay for them which to me seems like throwing money away.  They KNOW I will likely be leaving the company in the fall of 2008 so I am just not getting why they feel it is important for me as an employee to increase my knowledge when I won't be using that knowledge for much longer.  I don't care about construction stuff anymore and if they fired me tomorrow, I would rejoice (at least until I missed that first paycheck).  Doubt they will do that because I have the absolute worst client to deal with.   Nobody wants them as their client so as long as I am keeping this client "happy", I will remain employed. 

I will attend these seminars as required so I get my full bonus at the end of the year, but I refuse to learn anything!  That will teach them! 

Have three assignments due next week and have not started any of them.  Instead of working on them this past weekend, I chose to game instead.  I played Oblivion and finally finished the main quest and the fighters guild quest line.  Now am working on the Dark Brotherhood line.    Played some more Gears of War too (working on finishing the game on Hardcore mode).  Have yet to play that online.  I'm not good at shooting type games online and don't want to look stupid.  I also played some Guitar Hero (PS2) and have asked for the 360 version with guitar controller for my upcoming birthday.  Im lame at that game tho as I play it on Easy mode.  I can't imagine trying to use more than 3 of the buttons on the fret portion of the guitar!  New found respect for anyone who can!!!  Or can play a real instrument! 

Later