my storied career

Recent developments in my job have convinced me that I need to accelerate my career switch by an order of magnitude. Something in the next week or two would be best, but a quick skills assessment reveals that I'm not particularly qualified to do anything. That's the downside of being a generalist; you're OK at a lot of things but not great at any of them.

Sigh. Well, barring turning back time a quarter century and majoring in mechanical engineering instead of Creative Writing and Chinese (yeah, I know), maybe I should reflect on what I like to do. The parachute thing:

1. I like hanging out with my wife and kids.
2. I like hanging out with my dogs.

Not much help so far.

3. I like taking pictures.
4. I like riding my bike.
5. I like hiking.

Yup. Still nothin'.

6. I like reading.
7. I like writing.

Mm-hmm. Go on.

8. I like having a sense of purpose, a mission.
9. I like helping people in need.

Not really seeing an office with fluorescents here. What I'm actually seeing is the volcano on the island of the Wauponi Woo.

I asked my brother if I and Ondine could come stay with him should I happen upon a job in Colorado. He said sure, but the temperature was minus one, and what about the rest of the clan? I told him they would wait till it warmed up a little. Then, in the interest of full disclosure, I mentioned that Ondine steals scones from the kitchen counter and that she digs a little and he said he thought she might be happier at my youngest sister's house 'cuz they already have dogs. :)

On the novel front, I don't think it's a novel after all. I think it's something different, and I need to let it become whatever it wants to become.

So, yeah, life's a-changin'.