The Third Decade

A New Chapter

Today marks the beginning of a period in my life which I will either come to regret very quickly or which will become a great jumping off point for something new. Whichever it is, all I know is that maintaining the former status quo simply wasn't an option.

Basically, I quit my job on Friday and I don't have another already in place. I'm fine financially as I don't have any debts and a decent enough reserve to float myself for a short time. But, there's nothing like joblessness to serve as a reality check. I think what I find the most amusing about my situation is that former co-workers and friends have been calling me brave and bold for my decision. Personally, I don't think I'm either; nor am I the opposite. My resignation was from a company which I liked, but also from a position which wasn't right for me. If I had stayed any longer than I did, I would've grown increasingly unhappy and unable to work competently. So, with few opportunities presenting themselves internally, I left. It feels like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders and other people have noticed the change. I can move forward with a clear mind and plenty of focus.

Now what? Well, I'm still working on that. Naturally it's time to enjoy the holidays. There's no sense in worrying over things which are unlikely to change until the beginning of January. After that, a full-scale job hunt is in order. Fortunately, my contacts are providing leads and I've been finding interesting openings on my own. Without a full-time job occupying my time and energy, this will be an chance to make a concerted effort toward a career change.

Meanwhile, this is also an opportunity to have some fun. I've been meaning to get more involved in the local art scene and ramp up my own work for a while. With time on my side I can finally do both. This is also the time to get back to the mission of finding the best brunch spots in the area. Somehow I lost sight of this goal in the middle of the year. Now seems like as good a time as any to revisit it.

If anyone has suggestions regarding any of my plans, feel free to drop me a line.

John Legend

John Legend was in town earlier this week. I was assigned to photograph his concert and snapped a couple of decent shots.

Pow!

I'm just beginning the process of sorting through the 1000 photos I took at the fight on Tuesday, but here are a few gems from the later part of the batch. I wasn't much of a boxing fan before, but with assignments like these I could be. I was ringside, baby, ringside!

On a related note, my photos from Saturday's event with the kids at Body By Brandy in Dudley Square were published in this week's Banner. The pdf of the page is here .

Land of Opportunity

As much as people complain about how small Boston is, sometimes that's the best thing about it. On Friday I called an acquaintance who does freelance reporting for the Banner to see if the paper was looking for photographers. Five minutes later I was given an assignment to photograph an event in Dudley Square where four of the guys from The Contender would be talking to and working out with local kids. It was much needed experience and great exposure. Best of all (perhaps), is that I got an invite to photograph the match on Tuesday at the Garden! I'm still awaiting details on that, but I credit the tight-knit fabric of the city for the opportunity. In NYC or LA I think I would've been lost in the shuffle or lost the chance to more experienced sports photographers.

Anyway, I'm excited for the match on Tuesday. I haven't watched a boxing match in years. And what better way to be reacquainted to the sport?

Just How Hot Is It?

It's so hot that

• even after running my A/C all night with the bedroom doors closed I woke up wondering whether it was still on,
• a hot shower felt better than the humid air coming in through the bathroom window,
• I was dripping in sweat while standing completely still on the subway platform,
• I jumped on a subway train going the wrong way just to get some A/C and to beat the crowd at my own station (unfortunately I had to wait for my connection at another hot station),
• all the blinds in my office building are closed to keep the sun out,
• I actually started looking forward to autumn and winter!

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Today I met with one of the HR people at work. This particular HR person is responsible for following up with new hires and for making sure that everyone at the firm thinks about their career and their future growth and development as a professional. In a nutshell, this was supposed to be a routine check up. I went to her office expecting to give feedback about my time so far (things are good), to talk about my ideas for where I'd like to move around the company (marketing sounds interesting), and then leave.

Instead, I was somewhat blindsided by her suggestion that I think about becoming part of the management! I had never given more than a passing thought about becoming a manager. It doesn't sound like a particularly creative position and my anti-establishment-meets-fight-the-power streak bristles a little at the idea of becoming "the Man" to someone else. At the same time, however, I ain't gettin' any younger and I can't keep bouncing from job to job in country after country at my advancing age. Plus, I need to challenge myself more and stretch my abilities. The HR person agreed - those were her words actually - and she's assigned me to think about how and where I can grow in the company and to think seriously about a managerial position. She sees qualities which she thinks would be a good fit for both me and the firm and really emphasized a move to management over the other areas where I expressed an interest.

So...it seems that the jump to this new job is working out better than I expected.

Sick Day

It's funny how things can sneak up on us when we least expect them.

Today I'm the victim of a one-two punch. First, I'm home under-the-weather. I don't know if it's allergy-induced or if I've just been drinking too much recently. I suppose it could be either, but I'll place the blame on myself (Mother Nature, I'll give you a break this time around) and say that I've been drinking too much. It's not that I'm a big drinker or anything like that. Instead I've been stocking my place with liquers and wines ever since I bought this cabinet at Crate & Barrel last month and a mini wine fridge on sale at Target last week. Again, it's not that I'm a big drinker. But lately I haven't been eating right or eating enough with my drinks. Poor nutrition obviously results in poor health and a sick day. No real surprises there, but I thought I was in better health.

Anyway, having a day off is something I've been wanting since the last holiday. Unlike my previous employer where we had one day off per month, I can't remember the last time I had a day off with this company. However, unlike my previous job, where I'd be scheming ways to extend my "illness" by another day or so, today I actually find myself kinda missing work. I don't miss the commute, the office politics, or being scheduled, but I miss the work itself. I didn't realize that I cared as much as I do, and that is what's snuck up on me. As cloudy and as heavy as my head feels, I've been logging on to my work email address occasionally to make sure there are no burning issues. So far, so good.

In the meantime, I've also been preoccupying myself by watching Fire, sending friends the sexy Cleaning Hunk, and checking out some blogs. Bugaboo Blog in particular caught my eye with a piece about race, class, and privilage and how it differs in the North and in the South in the context of the Duke lacrosse scandal. As for this afternoon's activities, I think I'll read more of Jeff Chang's Can't Stop, Won't Stop. I won the book via a contest on Bostonist. It's part history, part social commentary, and fits right in with my desire to see and hear hip hop return to its political/progressive roots. I'm only starting in on chapter 3 this afternoon, but based on what I've read so far, I'd recommend the book to anyone with an interest in history, social politics, or hip hop.

Anyway, I just heard the mailman park outside, so I guess I'll see if I have anything. In the meantime, cheers to all you working stiffs out there. I'll see you tomorrow.

Here We Go Again

I could really use another day off. Weekends really are too short. As much as I enjoy my new job and think I made a good move from the public sector to the travel industry, sometimes the customers really wear me out. Indecisiveness drives me crazy. But the madness of others gets to me too. Last week's winner comes from a mother in the mountain states who threatened my coworker with having her 6 foot 3 inch tall daughter come to the office and "squish" her if she couldn't get direct flights. Sheesh, people, has it all really come to this?!

Happy Monday.

First Day

And so it begins...

The first day at the new job went smothly. It was only orientation and paperwork, but I am still T-I-R-E-D. The job duties are sounding more and more exciting now that I have a better idea of what's going on, but this new company is really going to work us! I'm excited nonetheless. I even surprised myself by having enough energy to make it to the gym after work.

As I sat on the train and crawled slowly underground for my workout, though, I remembered that the train carrying me 'neath the streets used to run all the way to my old stomping grounds, Jamaica Plain. While riding, it hit me that some people actually want the Green Line to resume its run up South Huntington Avenue and down Center and South Streets. Um, are y'all sure you really want it back? It's so slow and its not a smooth ride. In fact, it just plain sucks. Jamaica Plain, are you sure you want the E train and not better 39 bus service? Take a ride through downtown and then imagine what it would be like riding on the surface roads. You might change your mind.

The Sweet Nectar of Freedom

I wish we could have three-day weekends every week. I'm lucky to have today off - given the heavy snow falling around the city - but, I would've had it off anyway as I quit my old job on Friday and will start at my new job tomorrow. This morning I awoke ready for a large drink of the sweet nectar of freedom. Unfortunately, I'm snow-bound and stuck indoors and will have to put off my errands and lunch date with my former coworkers for another day. Still, this small sip of freedom is refreshing. As much as I miss some of my former coworkers, I don't miss some of the menial tasks and the office politics. However, I realized today that this year I won't receive an envelope with cash for Chinese New Year. One of my former coworkers is originally from Hong Kong and she gave the youngest of us in the office $5 every year as part of the celebration. It was an unexpected surprise, but a tradition I'm glad she felt comfortable including us in. If I had known any other customs associated with Chinese New Year I would've helped celebrate without the $5. At any rate, It'll be interesting to see how my new office and office mates will be. I'm excited to start tomorrow and hope things will start off smoothly.