Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Answering the call


Last night President Obama gave his first State of the Nation address to congress. One of the three areas his administration will invest in to secure our nation is education.
In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity. It is a prerequisite....So tonight I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be a community college or a four-year school, vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma.
This is good news to me because this means that there is a place for me and the work I want to do. My challenge is now finding how I fit in.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Wide Open Spaces


This reminds me that I have my road trip to Orlando to look forward to in 2 weeks. Yeay!

In August 2004, I went to Las Vegas to celebrate Cyndi's 30th birthday. On one of those days we rented a convertible and drove out for a day trip to the Grand Canyon. We took the interstate most of the way to save time, but every once in a while we'd change over to Rt 66 for some nostalgia. It was worth it. I love to drive as long as the road is open, the weather fine, gas cheap and the music good.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Be the change

As I go through my morning ritual of reading email, horoscope, twitter feeds and e-learning blogs, I came across the T+D Blog and this particular article.

Although unemployment is at an all-time high, you should not assume that employees "should be just happy to have a job." They need a purpose, a reason to work and they need to feel like the work that they are doing is meaningful and valuable to the company.

This is exactly how I feel right now. I don't feel that it's good enough to just have a job. I don't want a job, I want a career. I want to be proud of the work that I do. I want to be able to show it off and say "Look what I can do!", I want to hang my gold star on my refrigerator to show my dog.

I wish I could anonymously send a link to this article to the top dogs of my company. But I don't think it would change anything, and really, I'm not interested in change here anymore. I'm more interested about the change in me and what I care about.

I will be finishing my Masters degree in Education in a few weeks. I say that as if it's going to magically happen, but the reality is that I still have a lot of work to do on my final project. I'm using that milestone as the catalyst to start looking for another job. Time to move out of Project Management and on to Instructional Design. For the first time in my life, I will actually take a job in the field that I went to school for.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Advanced Personality Test

Another personality test at Youniverse.com

Intellect: Thinker
Skills: Listner
Emotions: Theorist
Dynamism: Grafter

Your Core Skills

You are highly academic with a love of complex intellectual challenges that require you to really use your brain and an impressive ability to absorb and synthesise very detailed material. You find comfort in philosophical theory and abstract conceptual thinking. You're very compassionate and understanding and so your colleagues often come to you to share their problems or ask for advice. You are regarded as a sensitive and emBonaire rainbowpathetic team-player.

Potential Areas Of Weakness

You have a low tolerance for inefficiency or lack of clarity which means that you sometimes resist involving colleagues in your thinking in case it slows you down. You may sometimes come across as detached or reserved and it's important that the need to communicate doesn't get overlooked when you are engrossed in analytical work. You have the potential to be an effective thought leader but don't always demonstrate the necessary confidence.

Areas You Might Want To Work On

  • practice public speaking in front of the bathroom mirror
  • ensure that your natural role as facilitator or mediator does not mean that you fail to express your own opinion
  • make a conscious effort to involve others in your work and enjoy the positive impact on your mood and creativity

Careers That May Suit You

data analyst computer programmer research scientist focus group facilitator

Your Detailed Personality Assessment

You are able to apply yourself successfully to pretty much whatever takes your fancy. You owe it to yourself to make sure that your work environment offers you maximum stimulation and satisfaction. You are at your best when you are energised by serious brain-work. Focus on setting out a clear career plan and developing a set of powerful self-promotion techniques that will give you the confidence to step up and achieve your goals.

When it comes to leadership, you are a firm believer in conviviality. You like to be a friend as well as a boss. Job satisfaction lies in building strong relationships with the people you work with. But it's important to always be careful not to blur those boundaries.

You have a very good eye and are naturally attuned to aesthetic beauty. You appreciate craftsmanship and understand the value of true mastery. You have strong ambitions and like to push yourself.

As far as you're concerned, hard work is the best way to achieve your goals. Short cuts to success are just a false economy. You tend to be quite traditional in your perspective and like to have a clear sense of your career milestones. You believe that effort should be rewarded and that if you put in the hours you'll reap the benefits. However that doesn't mean you always follow your own wisdom. It can be hard to maintain intense levels of focus all the time.

Dol-fun

Life may feel quite bleak to you right now. It seems like there's not much on the horizon and you could really use some inspiration and positive vibes to propel you into the next phase. It's not surprising you're feeling fraught. Work is taking over your life and it seems that things may be starting to get on top of you. You could really use some time and space to think. Maybe it's time for a change.

The way you approach each day can have huge implications for your success in the workplace. Positive mental attitude comes naturally to you. You definitely seem to have your priorities right in life. You have a strong sense of self and know what you need to feel good. It's just important that you make sure that you can always summon the motivation that you need to pursue your goals with ambition and determination.

The Future

Maybe you've outgrown your current job or perhaps you want make your mark with a big career move. You may not be ready to make a change just yet, but you're definitely thinking about your options and you understand the value of doing lots of research and thinking so that you make the right move when the time comes. Life an feel like a bit of an endurance race sometimes. It's all about making sure that you have the stamina and commitment to go the distance. You seem to be quite pragmatic about the fact that work has its ups and downs, and this is a really healthy way to be, as long as this doesn't dampen your natural enthusiasm for life.



The Quarry Overlook

My Creative Self

I took Chelsea's lead and did the Creativity quiz on Youniverse. Here are my results:

Hands On
About Me
palace For you, creativity is all about getting physical. You like to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Being able to make something with your hands is an important expression of who you are. Art is probably a big part of your life. And you like to use your natural flair for creativity at work and at home. You particularly enjoy the feeling of seeing a project through from start to finish. Nothing beats the sense of satisfaction that comes watching your own creation evolve and grow. Chances are you really appreciate the special skills that you have -- its a wonderful gift to be able to express yourself this way. Bright lights and red velvet. You really enjoy conjuring a true sense of occasion, highbrow and high emotion.

How I Create
Holy HoleYou've got a creative head on those shoulders. You grab any opportunity to record bright ideas as they strike. It's all about form, man-made just can't beat the beauty of nature. You're the type that can think better in wilderness. Your strength lies in your ability to record what we all see, but from your own perspective.

How I Think
Deep down you have a curious spirit and like exploring new places and ideas. You seek out your creativity by grabbing opportunities that come your way. Unexpected challenges invigorate your mind and inspire you to new levels.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Explorer/Director


Your Major and Minor Personality Types

Characteristics of all four personality types can be found within each of us, but there is almost always one personality type that is dominant. We call this the major personality type.

The Chemistry Profile also identifies your minor or secondary personality type. You exhibit some aspects of this personality type, though not to the same degree as with your major type.

* Your major personality type = Explorer
* Your minor personality type = Director


You are an EXPLORER/director

You are a skywalker. You love adventure, both intellectual and physical. And you greet new challenges with passion and bravery.

When you get interested in a project, you can become extremely focused on it, sometimes to the exclusion of all around you. You complete it carefully and thoroughly, often with great originality.

And because you have a lot of energy and tend to be enthusiastic about your ideas, inventions, and projects, you can be very persuasive.

You tend to like to collect things, experiences or ideas. And you are eager to make an impact on those around you, as well as the wider world.

Although you enjoy people and can be charming and humorous, you are not very interested in routine social engagements or boring people. You are comfortable being by yourself, pursuing your own interests.

People probably call you a non-conformist, an original. You like to have good conversations on important topics. People tend to admire you for your innovativeness. You make an exciting, though at times distant, companion.

(Taken from the Chemistry dating site.)

Friday, February 13, 2009

Yaaaaaaa!


I love hippopotamuses... or is it hippotomi? Whatever, hippos. You know what I mean.

I can only imagine the cringing and rolling of eyes the momma hippo as her little one screams in her ear.

"Mom? Mom? Mom? Mommy? Mom? Mom? Can I have a cookie? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Timmy's looking at me! "

Sigh.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Flashback: 2/10/2002

I bought my new journal today because my old one is almost full. I got myself another Moleskin square ruled journal. I love it.

I always carry a journal around with me to capture thoughts that can't wait until I put them in my blog, or are just too personal.

To celebrate my new journal, I thought I'd take you back to an entry from seven years ago today.

2/10/2002
Michele's all moved in.

I went in on a Saturday afternoon to help her unpack.

I took the train in from New Brunswick. I hadn't been in NYC since September. As I passed Newark and looked east at the skyline, my heart hurt -- as it always does. But I was able to put my arms around it now.

Growing up in the 80's, it was all about excess. If you did anything, you did it over the top. Expensive toys, loud clothes, high hair. It was always more, more, more.

Well, when I looked at the alien skyline, I realized: there was just too much sky.

Once I got to Penn Station, the familiar smells came back to me. I think the popcorn guy was the same one. The black karaoke guy was still there next to the news stand singing those corny songs, wearing the same hat, jacket and shiny shoes. It was comforting to still see him there. The world could fall down around me, but as long as that guy is still there singing to a captive crowd of commuters, then the world will be ok.

I got on the A/C/E downtown. There were still signs on the subway and in the station for World Trade Station. I took a picture. I transferred to the L train and all I could think of was David Reynolds singing "There ain't no party like an L train party!"

I got off at 23rd and wandered around. I had to ask a cop where I was going because I got a little disoriented. Didnt' have those familiar towers to guide me. I passed a firehouse and looked at the cards, signs and flowers that were still on the sidewalk.

I found Michele's apartment building. It's right on the edge of Gramercy Park. It's fantastic. I'll be coming here a lot.

I have more to write, but I'm tired and I want to go to bed.

The weekend is over too soon.

[musical notes] "I still love you New York" [musical notes]

[sketch of the NYC skyline with the Twin Towers and Statue of Liberty]

Monday, February 09, 2009

I've got a little secret

I'm being intentionally vague.

I didn't expect to have an interest, but now that I do, I can't seem to ignore it.

At first it was...well, not really shocking or unexpected, but unintentional. The reconnection was comfortable and easy. Hours quickly passed before I realized that it was time to go. In one swift action, the balance shifted. After a few days of contemplating it, I realized that yes, this was something that I was curious to pursue.

The next time was even better than before. Again, there was an easy familiarity. Again the time passed too quickly. But unlike before, the end was not shocking, but sweetly anticipated.

The last time... didn't happen. Drama, miscommunication, unexpected visitors. The perfect storm to dampen an otherwise perfect day.

Patiently waiting, but I struggle. Patience is not one of my virtues. I'm about 'now' and 'dive in head first'. Time, distance and bits & bytes all seem to get in the way.

Dammit all to hell!


Photo by Rainbeaux

Monday, February 02, 2009

Today's Horoscope

This is my horoscope for today:

A blast from your past will offer a pleasant and much-needed distraction for you today, and it will inject your life with new energy and new ideas that will reawaken you to a real sense of possibility. This person's stories are just as amusing as ever, and more inspiring than ever. Make sure you get as much time in with this person as possible. They have a lot to teach you, although they might not be comfortable being in teacher mode. You might have to push them to share their knowledge.


I wonder if the universe is off by a day or two?