Levi J. Bobbitt - The Buzz Blog: July 2008

Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Big Move

After about 10 months of being with the Oregon Department of Transportation here in Salem, Oregon -- I am proud to say that I have been promoted.

I leave my current position as Technology Coordinator on August 1st and will take my new position as Project Manager & Web Developer with ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) of ODOT. This new position will deal mostly with the Trip Check website (www.tripcheck.com). I will be working on other projects as well. I am very excited for this opportunity, but will be sad to leave my friends at the Mill Creek Office building in Salem. The new position will be clear across town near the airport.

This all came as a surprise to me when just a couple weeks ago I was surfing the ODOT jobs page and discovered this position. Once I read into it, I instantly knew I was qualified for it and thought "what the heck...." I'd give it a shot. To my shock, I received a call for an interview by the next day. The interview took place earlier this week, and shortly after I returned to work I had found out I had pretty much been offered the position. After a day of thinking about it, I accepted the new position.

My manager was very happy and supportive of my move. Though she did say it would make her "sick" that I am leaving... and my other friends (Kelly mostly) were pouting over it. I'll also really miss the antics of Laura, Malinda, and my pal Jonathan. I do know we will remain friends, however, and not let this change effect us.

Quite honestly, I didn't know that this could happen to me -- just a small town guy running a computer business... now working for the Department of Transportation... and now already working my way up the ranks. It's a good feeling. :-)

-LB

Blog News

Blog Updates:

11-25-08

It looks like another cancer-related scare has arisen. I plan on keeping you posted frequently (day-to-day) while I deal with this new "tissue" causing me ridiculous amounts of pain!

11-25-08

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

11-25-08

It seems most everyone likes Gmail. No one can dispute it's amazing spam filtering and junk email blocking powers. As a responsible e-mail host, I couldn't refuse this, and with the help of my technical guru, the switch is being made this week. For those of you on my "lbsites" e-mail system... you should be receiving several e-mails from me this week. If you haven't -- contact me asap! You need these valuble instructions on how to make the switch! If you use Outlook, Outlook Express, or an e-mail client similar to it with your lbsites e-mail... you will want to know how to make the necessary adjustments. Contact me - webmaster@lbsites.com with questions!

9-5-08

When I was a senior in high school my class made waves across the state of Oregon when they decided to give up their Senior Class Trip to donate to me for medical expenses. As you can imagine, this act of generosity did not go unnoticed; finding itself in several newspapers, radio spots, and even on television. I have been working on placing some of the past newspaper articles here on my blog. Check them out!

CANCER HISTORY

I have had cancer two times (and am now battling it a third), the first time in 1997 it was Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma where part of my lymph node was removed and I had several rounds of chemotherapy to kill cancer which was quickly spreading across my body. This time in my life was significant in that I was a senior in high school. It made state and regional headlines when my class decided to give up their treasury to go on a senior trip in order to help me with medical expenses. We ended up going on a trip after all because of the people around the state who decided to donate because they were so touched by what the class did.

The second time I had cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (diagnosed October 2007), this was treated with 21 rounds of radiation. It created horrible blisters on my foot and caused my entire body to swell. I missed numerous days of work at my job and none of this was expected. By December 2007 I had beaten this with all of the cancer gone.

In July 2008, my left leg began swelling -- this soon turned to pain. At first I thought I had just pulled my groin. This turned out not to be the case as a CT and my oncologist have confirmed that I have lymphoma in my upper left leg. Surgery and a treatment plan will occur in August 2008-on.

I don't take any day for granted anymore, knowing my days are numbered on this earth.

Christian Ambroson

Christian Ambroson

Christian Ambroson, my best friend (of two), is attending University of Steubenville, is one of my lifetime friends and was a regular at my house when I lived in Joseph. I've known him ever since he moved to Joseph from Lake Oswego. I surprisingly have a lot in common with him because I am a lot more like a city person in a small town. Christian felt some culture shock when he first moved to Joseph, but has adapted. It's great to have my good buddy close to home. Though he will spend some time in Joseph with his folks, he will also visit western Oregon during his breaks from Ohio. I look forward to seeing "Vern" when he comes home for the holidays. He and I drove his car back from Oregon to Ohio last spring. It was a long trip, but a trip of a lifetime, a trip of bonding between two good friends.

Sterling Shetler

Sterling Shetler

Mr. Shetler is my other best guy friend. He and I became a lot closer when everyone disappered from the county. Though, I am no better now that I've taken off as well... I do sincerely hope Sterling and I remain good friends. This is a guy who would do anything for you, and even though he's a bit of a hard ass, he has a heart of gold and is a truley loyal friend who I do not take for granted. I even may have him convinced to come to this side of the state to see me once in a while, and if you know him that is unheard of! But he'll have to trust me that the "wet side" isn't all that bad. Sterling taught me to get outside and enjoy life when I owned my computer business. He is probably one of the reasons I stayed half way sane. He's got a 'get er done' attitude and is a riot to be around when he's on a roll.

Antoun Kehdi

This has got to be one of the coolest kids I know. Antoun works for the Oregon Employment Department. Originally, he worked for the ODOT Rail Division (just upstairs from where I work). I met him through my pal Jonathan at work about seven months ago. Since then he and I hang out on almost a daily basis. People at work call him, Jonathan, and I "trouble." Mostly we blame it on Antoun's "shifty-ness." But the truth is Antoun is a really cool guy that we joke way too much about... he's one of the nicest people I know and a good workout buddy too. Now that Antoun is in Eugene, Jonathan and I don't get to see him as much. He was part of our trio and irreplacable. I still am glad I got to know him and am proud to call him one of my better friends.

Jonathan Stephens

Jonathan Stephens

What can I say about this kid? Well... he's a pretty cool guy that I just met here in Salem not too long ago. In fact only months ago we were strangers, and now we are good friends because of a little place I like to call ODOT. Yeah, we work together and probably see each other at least 8 hours a day if not more. But he's not just a coworker, he's quickly becoming one of my better friends and just a cool 'doood' to hang out with. Interestingly enough, he has a lot of the same qualities of my best friends Christian and Sterling. In fact, when I'm back home in Joseph, I joke to Sterling and call Jonathan 'Sterling 2.' He actually reminds me more of Christian, but nevertheless believe me 'J dawg' (for lack of a better nickname) is very much his own character. I'm glad to know him, and look forward to the good times ahead!