tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409366391759971866.post1306589180869641059..comments2023-01-23T15:36:14.711-08:00Comments on Cloro: Job InterviewClorohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06177046455525466980noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409366391759971866.post-64842844685802300942015-04-27T17:16:43.822-07:002015-04-27T17:16:43.822-07:00Um, that's not an appropriate question to ask ...Um, that's not an appropriate question to ask in an interview (I think it's a Prohibited Practice in fact), however…it does make one think. I'm in a similar place. I love my job - and I like the people I work with. However…I have to think long-term, and this project is going to be done soon - and what then? Do I want to go back to my old section (no offense guys, I like you too, but..)? Do I want to stay with this District? What else is out there that might challenge me and make me grow for the rest of my career? <br /><br />One thing I learned from a boss is that the organization will not take care of you - you have to take care of yourself, no matter how loyal you are to the organization. <br /><br />Extreme self-care - check out my blog and you'll see that it is a common theme in my postings. <br /><br />What fuels you? What's your passion? Follow it wherever it leads!MaXIMIze!https://www.blogger.com/profile/00428656884468754588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409366391759971866.post-44977238278277043562015-04-25T21:23:50.542-07:002015-04-25T21:23:50.542-07:00Get OUT of New Orleans…the city is TOXIC. The gun ...Get OUT of New Orleans…the city is TOXIC. The gun crime alone is indicative of an immature and corrupt society. It becomes about SAFETY and peace of mind. <br /><br />The Pacific Northwest is a very different place. People make jokes about the West Coast being the 'Left' coast, but the place is far more progressive and while nowhere is perfect, just look at the crime statistics. <br /><br />I would've moved to Seattle in 2000 and lived happily if other things hadn't constrained me to moving to NOLA. Those 4 1/2 years in NOLA were some of the most stressful and challenging of my life. It was the Blessing — yes I said the Blessing — of Katrina that forced us to finally move out, and our life changed immeasurably for the better. Moving out of NOLA opened my eyes to how significant the ailments of the place are. Life in Easley made us realize that it is not normal to live in fear inside your home, that it is not normal to fear walking from your car to the front door of your house, it is not normal to barricade your house like a fortress, it is not normal to deal with incompetent civil services, etc, etc, etc…<br /><br />New Orleans is a great place to visit, but I'm not sure it's ever been a great place to live — I say that because it was a steep learning curve adapting to life outside when I first moved away.<br /><br />I was recently asked about moving from Dubai back to the US, and I thought why would I? Dubai has a bigger population than New Orleans and yet the crime rate is virtually non-existent in comparison. I can walk the streets here at night and feel safe, can you do that in NOLA?<br /><br />For me, there is no choice, if it's the right job, the right challenge, then go. Besides, we have daily flights to Seattle from Dubai ;-)GMBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409366391759971866.post-5943513282950827172015-04-24T09:43:35.415-07:002015-04-24T09:43:35.415-07:00This place is just so heavy. I have gotten so bogg...This place is just so heavy. I have gotten so bogged down in the heaviness of it all, of the struggles of the people around me, of the criticism and negativity that seems epidemic in all discussion of change, the crime, the awful streets, the most corrupt system in the country, and on and on like this as the pain and anger, other people's pain and anger, that just consumes you. You can't look at houses being renovated without having the "gentrification" alarm sound in the back of your head. You can't go to the grocery without thinking about the places in town that don't have grocery stores. You can't get mad at the criminal who broke into your neighbors house, because you recognize the harsh reality that likely led that person down that path. There's not a single place in the city that the feeling of victimization doesn't permeate. <br /><br />About two weeks ago I felt as though I was at a breaking point of it all, and I fortunately had a chance to get away back to the piney woods of East Texas. And a dear old friend and I were talking on the drive from the airport to her house and as I'm talking and bitching and unloading all of this that I have been carrying she looks at me and says, "How wonderful for you that you can be the light in so much darkness."<br /><br />That single thought rejuvenated my soul. I have begun the process of trying not to internalize so much of the sadness that seeps into every home, grocery store, and dinner party, and have started trying to be that light. Actively pursuing that role in my community and friend group. And it's hard, and I'm only two weeks into it, but that change in perspective has really helped me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952666298572615126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409366391759971866.post-71313503773676354792015-04-24T09:22:17.839-07:002015-04-24T09:22:17.839-07:00Very well expressed. I understand this dilemma in...Very well expressed. I understand this dilemma in a deep and personal way. Every point you have made is one that I feel on a constant basis. You'll know if/when it's right. NOJujuhttp://www.nojuju.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com