Interviewing & Dating: Is there really a difference?

So I've been interviewing with this one firm for the past two to three weeks and have come to the conclusion that interviewing is a lot like dating, in that at the end of the day you ultimately want to get closer and have a good relationship......or at least that's true assuming you aren't just out for a brief encounter in which case interviewing is nothing like dating because you would never put yourself through it for a one-night stand. Too much work for too little gratification if you ask me.

I actually have three opportunities that I'm currently engaging and all three have very positive aspects with some minor drawbacks just to keep things balanced. The one that I'm interviewing for is here in Atlanta and that makes it particularly attractive. One of the other positions is in NYC and while it pays very well and is with a top-notch company, the idea of moving to New York is hard to digest. Still, it's a great job and I'd be working with someone that I respect immensely.

The last opportunity is also here in Atlanta, but a contract position that would only last about 6 to 9 months. Again, it pays very well and I'd be working with an old trusted friend and there could be some collateral benefits from working the contract in that I would get serious exposure to a firm that I would like to work for in North Carolina should the opportunity arise. This gig could provide that opportunity.

So, all good opportunities and I'm just going through the process of determining which one is best for me and in which one I'd deliver the most value. I like to think that the two most important issues in any situation are as follows: one, you have to be having fun and two, you got to make a contribution. The absence of either is sufficient to make me want to run away. Does that make sense?

Okay, so back to work. I need to prepare for my next interview. Yep, it's a lot like dating!

The Man in the Moon

I remember the first time I saw the film, primarily because Reese Witherspoon was so young. I looked it up and it was released in 1991, which is sixteen years ago and that would have made her 15 years old playing the part of a 14 year old. Good casting if you ask me. She was great and the film took me back to 1957 when things were so much simpler and life was in so many ways easier; or at least upon reflection it seems today that 1957 was an easier time.........I don't know, perhaps not for my parents who had a 3 year old, a 5+ year old, a 7 year old and a 9 year old plus Joe and Judy, who were 6 years older and 9 years older than me respectively. Judy was would marry that year at the age of 16.......different times indeed!

So why bring this movie to your attention? Well, I suppose because it reminded me of my first love. Her name was Sandra Wood and she lived across the street and she was the first girl I ever kissed........there's a first kiss in this movie as well. They are special you know and you never forget your first kiss. Plus there was tragedy and heartache and we had plenty of that in '57 as well. My Mom had cancer and Dad was lost. I broke my foot that year and had my appendix removed as well.......We moved several times and I remember being constantly frightened......funny how memories come back to you.

Anyway, good movie. You should watch it!

Lazy Saturday

I've been absolutely doing nothing today except for a bit of reading and a few minutes of exercise. Nothing wrong with me except perhaps I'm all alone and feeling a bit sad with Kate and the children in Europe for the next six or seven weeks. I need to get up early tomorrow and get some things done including visiting Mom, who is also leaving for the summer to visit my sister Mary in Ohio. Everyone wants to get of Atlanta during the summer, but we are in fact having a fairly nice summer with the exception of the smoke and smog and pollen and screwed-up traffic. We could also use a bit of rain as the grass is turning brown and we dare not water it given the restrictions on watering at the moment.

Watched "The Queen" a short while ago. Great film! Kate and I were living in England when Diana was killed in the auto accident in Paris. We had just woken up and were laying in bed having a cup of tea watching the morning news, except there was no morning news, only a running commentary on Diana. I had just remarked that they should leave the poor girl alone when it dawned on us that something was horribly wrong with the way they were speaking about her; i.e.: in the past tense. The screen then flashed two dates (born and died) and we realized that we were witnessing history. I always liked her even though I knew she was a bit of a drama queen and enjoyed the press whenever it could be used to her advantage. She was hounded however and I suspect that somehow the press did have a hand in the accident. Ten years she has been gone and her lads seem to be growing up to be decent chaps. I think Harry has actually matured since he entered the forces and he seems to be growing into his role in life on his terms. I don't know if they should have kept him out of Iraq, but I'm glad they did even though as a former U.S. Marine I can understand his disappointment at not being given a chance to serve. Wars are where soldiers learn their trade first hand and it is a bitter pill for Harry to swallow. I think he would have created a very high risk for his comrades and for that reason I think it was probably the best decision.

Still reading Al Gore's new book. I'm very impressed and warming more and more to the idea that he just might be the right guy to put in office in 2008. I even spoke with a fairly well heeled Venture Capitalist today at a local bookstore who noted that even though he is a Republican he thinks Al is growing more popular and that no one has really taken off in either party as a national leader. I could not agree more. My thoughts on Hillary are well known. I don't dislike her, but I think she presents far too many problems for the Democrats and that Bill's potential role makes things even more complicated. I don't really like any of the Republicans that are running and I'm getting less and less enamoured with Newt. Too much baggage from my point of view although I do like a lot of his conservative thinking.

Okay, nothing more worth noting this evening.........except our neighbors mentioned that they are having a baby this afternoon. I don't think it was planned, but they seem happy and I guess that is all that matters.

On Individual Human Nature

"The poet E.E. Cummings wrote, 'To be nobody but yourself when the world is trying its best night and day to make you somebody else is to fight the hardest battle any human being will fight.' No matter how many forces try to make you be like everybody else, the scientific truth is that in all of the earth's history there has never been another person exactly like you, and there never will be again! (Quoted from page 289 of "Get Out Of Your Own Way" but Dr. Robert K. Cooper.)

A good solid read filled with wonderful ideas and thoughts for the soul. This note goes out to my son Joe who is in Europe with his Mom. Remember everyday how special you are and how much you are loved!

On-Line Again

I just realized (with the help of my sister Mary and brother Joe) that I have not posted in over two weeks. I guess that birthday just kicked the heck out of me; what with me being so much older and getting more feeble!

Anyway, sorry for drifting away. I have actually been having a relatively good time since my last note to you folks. I am in the process of examining three job opportunities while they are in the process of examining me. Fair enough I suppose...........we all want to get it right and we all want to make a good decision.

Joe got his first stripe on his green belt just before he took off to Europe with his Mom and Ellie. (See photo above.) He also graduated from elementary school and is off to middle school next term..........(look up again for the photo's). Smart kid, that son of mine! I guess he takes after his Mom.....you know, good looking and smart too.

Reading Al Gore's new book, "The Assault On Reason". Never thought I'd say this, but he makes a lot of sense and I think I actually regret not voting for him in 2000. I guess a lot of conservatives are feeling the same way at this moment if they would be honest with themselves, which is why I'd like to see the guy put his hat in the ring. I would vote for him because I've gotten to know him over the past eight years and I realize that he was the perfect example of a book being judged by its cover.........it was a tragic mistake for the whole country and given what I've learned about the Florida results, it was an election that should have been clarified by the real voter count and not a Supreme Court decision to hand the election to Bush. I know this will come as a shock to a lot of my family and friends, but while still a conservative I am tired of this administration and I'm tired of hearing the American body count on television every evening. We need to stop this bloody war and I am so disappointed in the Democratic Party for backing down to Bush..............okay.....I admit I've been on the fence for far too long..........but I've seen the light and I realize that we can't win this thing given our current approach. We need to change and we need a leader to has the credibility to lead change............Gore has the credibility unlike most of the folks who have entered the race thus far. I think we have had enough of the Clinton's and Bush's and need some new blood. I like Gore because he seems genuinely not interested in running and the good Lord knows we need someone with just a bit of humility at the moment.

Anyway, I've now posted and will try to resume doing so regularly. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Goodnite Folks.