Welcome to my regular Friday feature, Worst of the Week. As a white, suburbanite husband and dad of two kids, there’s a lot that can go wrong and this entry is all about how to fix it. I hope you enjoy it!

2009 isn’t going as well for me as I had hoped. You see, last year I applied at a major auto company for a job that I felt that I was well qualified for. I also had a good connection and I had brushed up on a few things that I was shaky at so I would be fully prepared on my first day at work. Sure, I may have been a bit over confident, but in-lue of everything that has gone on in Detroit lately, I had to stay positive and upbeat.

Then I got the dreaded e-mail from my contact. I didn’t get the job. They went with someone else for whatever reason. Like anyone in a similar position, I was very disappointed. I really thought that I was a good fit, with tremendous ideas and eager to share. Now, of course, the company won’t be able to utilize my talent and I’m back where I started.

But springtime is in the air and some new opportunities have come my way that will allow me to give back. One of them is that I volunteered to be the new Commissioner of Girls Softball for our city league. This is exciting, because I get to have full reign and decision making, not to mention I’ll be able to watch over Erin who will be starting this summer. Secondly, I’ll be one of the coaches of Patrick’s baseball team (something that I did last year and loved every minute of).

Also, I just got a call that I’m the front runner to be the host and producer of a corporate podcast. I already do one for a different company, but this second one will give me more resources and greater exposure. Here I go again being over confident.

So, when the world gives you lemons; make lemonade – and toss a shot of vodka in there too.