A New Day...
Life is changing and new day has come. I recently relocated back to Las Vegas, Nevada from Atlanta, Georgia after spending about five months finding myself, rekindling old friendships and deepening other friendships. Some friends exited my life while others entered it. The only thing constant in life is "change".
Lets start back at the beginning so you have a little reference of the past couple years....
After spending eight great years at Bank of America I found myself position eliminated and given a few months severance. I decided to travel on my flight benefits and see the world. The world turned out to be back home in Ohio, San Diego for a few weeks and a couple weekends in Vegas. A cousin of mine has lived in Vegas for years and suggested that I move to Vegas instead of San Diego due to being more affordable. Those familiar with Vegas, I applied for a position with Bellagio and Lady Luck downtown. I interviewed with Lady Luck and received a polite decline letter in the mail. The same week I was turned down by Lady Luck I was accepted by Bellagio and started working at the most beautiful property on the strip.
I enjoyed a few months in HR at Bellagio and then went to Corporate being MGM MIRAGE. I worked in Government Affairs for MGM MIRAGE and got to tour Senators and Congress People around back-of-the-house at Bellagio. After receiving a job offer back in Atlanta more than doubling my salary, I picked up and moved back. After a few months and the job not working out the way it was suppose to be I found a position back with MGM MIRAGE that truly got my interest.
I decided to pack it up in Atlanta once again and head West. I arrived back in Vegas on April 26th and that evening enjoyed taking Mathew Palmer to see Celine Dion in concert. After the show we enjoyed a backstage tour. I started working back at MGM MIRAGE in Corporate HR on May 1st while starting the interviewing process for Diversity Leadership Manager. The position facilitates a three day workshop on self awareness and team building for Executive to Line Management employees. The three days are absolutely amazing with powerful break troughs for employees. I am happy to say that I was selected after going through six levels of interviews which included a panel interview with five managers and an audition where I had to facilitate a 20 minute presentation.
I shared my news with Trent Jones, Richard Cherry and Andy Tsangarides on Friday night as we enjoyed all you can eat Alaskan King Crab at the Mandalay Bay Buffet. This past Friday night started what would be my most memorable weekend yet in Las Vegas. I will be posting our very memorable weekend over the next few days so stay tuned!!
posted by Craig at 7:31 PM
10 Comments:
CONGRATS!!! I'm thrilled for you,Craig.(Burkharts' Alex here).Finally an example of good things happening to someone who deserves it.MY TURN.lol....Again Congratulations.
Kudos on landing the new job! Sounds like the interview process was quite extensive and competitive, I'm very happy for ya!
Matt
WoooooooHoooooooooo You got the AMAZING job! Craig your right everything does happen for a reason. If you hadn't moved back to Atlanta we never would have had the opportunity to become great friends. Nor would you have got the idea to start a blog like one "t"....lol I can't wait to read your post.
Love Ya,
Christine
Hi Craig! Glad to hear life is keeping you on your toes. I think Las Vegas "fits" you. Plus, I love to come see you every year!
By the way, we're coming in September. I hope you can squeeze us in for a dinner! Take care! Angie (your Wynford chick!)
Craig -
I have a great way for you to break the ice at your new workshop on Diversity - show us as Anna and do your she spins me routine! If they make it through that - they should graduate on the spot as diverse individuals - well only if they tip really well! Hey - just an idea!!
Thanks for the link to your blog - I will visit often as this seems the only way to keep up with you these days (little bitter taste still from you leaving without saying goodbye or letting us throw you a party - you know us queens love to throw a party).
Have fun and good luck - I agree that they have picked the right person for the job - go get'm gurl!
Thomas
Aleks, thanks for the message... when you coming to visit Vegas? You know I have to sell you on the benefits of living in the desert!!
I'm not sure if Matt is Matt Jones, Day or another Matt I know but thanks for the message.
Christine, Atlanta had a great purpose for me moving back temporarily and that was deepening friendships and creating new ones. Aleks is a prime example of a new friend and the first one to post a comment!! Anytime you want to come play in Vegas just let me know!
Angie, part of me moving back to Vegas was so I could see you more often. Bob and you come to Vegas annually and I love playing tour guide. I really love catching up with you and your family and reminiscing about old times in High School. Next visit think we'll do either Red Rock Canyon or Mt. Charleston!!
Thomas, thanks for posting that comment. You make me laugh whenever you send me emails and now I'm sure you have others laughing as well. Annie died in Atlanta when she overdosed on Alcohol spinning on a barstool was thrown off like a rat on a record player, hit her head on the wall and broke her neck! Her hair was donated to Mary Edith Pitts but not sure it will look the same!
Craig,
I am glad to hear that everything worked out in the end, I think we all learned a valuable lesson this time. I will miss the laughs that rattled the walls. I will also miss the fact that you were one of the few who could make me blush at will. I hope Vegas exceeds your wildest dreams. I think we learned alot from each other. I appreciate all the help and fun we all had together at our two stops. Here's a thought for you!!!!Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Good luck in all you do!!
Stephen W.
Hey Stephen,
I missed you the week I left the Mall. Working with you and Jill again was a huge perk to moving back to Atlanta. I had soooo much fun making you blush and you were incredibly cool with me! I often say that we need to know when we are in the presence of "true" masters and I consider you to be one of them. I wish I would have had more time in an ideal situation to have learned a lot more from you.
I love the quote, where did you get it? You know I love all the Stephen Covey stuff and the new position will focus on a lot of The Seven Habits and The 8th Habit. Get The 8th Habit, it's amazing!!
Let me know where you land and your next adventure. I don't want to loose touch with you and hopefully someday I'll be able to tour you and your wife around Vegas.
Hello Craig,
I am so proud of you and all that you have achieved since you left Charlotte NC. You are such a great person and alway a great friend to me. I really do miss you a lot. Everything great that has happened to you in your life is because you are great peson. You alway put a smile on peoples face and you can light up a room like no other. I do hope that sometimes in the near future we can get together and have some more good times. I love and miss you very much......
John
Hey John,
Thanks for the very nice message. It's been years since I've seen you and I do miss the times we use to have. You're one of those people I can just sit and talk to for hours. You will have to plan a trip out here to Vegas soon so I can tour you around and we can tear up the town! Please keep in touch and lets talk soon. I've kept my same cell number here in Vegas so it hasn't changed in three years.
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