Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Aug 29, 2014 15:28:18 GMT -5
Or at least a tentative job offer, as all federal job offers are tentative at first until you pass a physical, which I shouldn't have any problems doing.
Anyway, the job is with the Navy on the East Coast, though thankfully not in the DC area. Basically it would involve being an inspector for all non propulsion uses of radioactive material used in the Navy. I'd travel throughout the U.S and to bases in foreign countries and do inspections and trainings.
The job is "up to 50%" travel, which is a lot. On the plus side, the opportunity to do some international travel is interesting. I'm just worried how it will affect my attempts to improve my social/dating life. Being on the road all the time isn't conducive to meeting people, developing relationships, starting and maintaining a family ect. I don't mind doing it for a while, maybe several years, but I don't see myself doing it indefinitely.
Thankfully, the job provides extensive training, which I think will improve my chances of success. I'd much rather do that than start and get "thrown in the deep end."
Obviously, I need to take personal responsibility for my role in what happened in my previous jobs and make the necessary changes to ensure what happened doesn't happen again. I'll eventually run out of places to run to, and I have to make this work. I'll do a careful analysis of what went wrong and what I need to change to ensure I'm successful. Just blaming others doesn't help me.
The job is a grade higher, which is nice, but it's in a area where the COLA adjustment doesn't match the actual cost of living in my opinion.
Most importantly, it's an opportunity to make a new start and get out of my current toxic work environment.
Moving, as always, is a pain in the ass. But hopefully they'll pay for my moving expenses. The job announcement said they might, depending on the budget.
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Peace Of Mind
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[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Aug 29, 2014 15:31:26 GMT -5
That is wonderful news! You have no wife, kids, or pets and this is the best thing now that you have Drucella working at your current job. And my first thought was that this would be the perfect opportunity to meet more people outside of your little town and maybe find your true love at last. Attitude. It's all in the attitude.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:35:45 GMT -5
Congratulations!!! It's great that you got the job, and I agree, the extensive training is a good thing, it will reassure you and make you feel more confident. About the travel: as you said, you don't have to stay there indefinitely. The travel will be exciting too, if you decide it's an adventure and you're going to enjoy it.
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Lizard Queen
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103/2024
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Post by Lizard Queen on Aug 29, 2014 15:38:45 GMT -5
Travel might help your social life. You're more likely to run into someone that you click with, and it helps you be a more interesting conversationalist.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Aug 29, 2014 15:56:50 GMT -5
That sounds like a great opportunity! Sending good thoughts that this works out well for you. Travel can definitely enhance your social life by giving you opportunities to practice interacting with people you don't know well (i.e. honing the first impression you present) and just providing topics of conversation in general.
Good luck!
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Aug 29, 2014 16:17:07 GMT -5
Way to go! You will have to tell us how your toxic boss reacts, when you tell her you're leaving.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Aug 29, 2014 16:19:45 GMT -5
It's the perfect job for meeting all the people you already talk to all day. Let the board know in advance where your trips are taking you, and you can probably meet up with YMers in your travels. You already have something to talk about. It'll give you at least some plan prior to your trips so you don't freak out and envision spending the whole time alone in your hotel room. It'll be great.
If you're ever in the bay area I'll meet up and be your wingman. I'm oddly good at introducing friends to attractive women in bars. However, I take no responsibility for the saneness of the woman in question. If you wake up at her place the next morning surrounded by 20 cats, a shrine to her ex boyfriend, and she starts talking about marriage over breakfast that's not on me.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Aug 29, 2014 16:22:36 GMT -5
Congratulations. I am glad you were able to get another job.
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dancinmama
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LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on Aug 29, 2014 16:29:28 GMT -5
Awesome, Phoenix!! I've been lurking on your other threads and am so happy for you.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Aug 29, 2014 16:35:43 GMT -5
Congrats! Great news to start the weekend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 16:38:16 GMT -5
When the time comes, maybe we can give you some suggestions to make the travel easier. This sounds silly, it's so simple, but I always keep my travel kit 100% ready: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, moisturizer, etc. It's always stocked, so whenever I travel, I just throw it in my suitcase. I also keep a UK adaptor in it since we often travel to the UK. Simple ideas like that, or buying a few extra shirts and pants and an extra set of pjs (so you don't have to worry about doing laundry right before a trip) can make a big difference. You should have different-sized suitcases for varying trip lengths, ie a set of 2 or 3 (with a carry-on). And when you do move, you should find a place that's easy to open and close up, with convenient access to the airport.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Aug 29, 2014 16:39:32 GMT -5
Travel might help your social life. You're more likely to run into someone that you click with, and it helps you be a more interesting conversationalist. ITA! Congrats, P! I think it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for some life changes, which I think you want.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Aug 29, 2014 16:44:02 GMT -5
That's okay. It will give you good experience and the opportunity to see some great places.
I can't see myself doing anything indefinitely
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 16:48:23 GMT -5
What's the timeline Phoenix? When do you take the physical and get a definite offer? When are you supposed to start?
When do you tell your current boss? How much notice do you have to give her?
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Aug 29, 2014 17:01:57 GMT -5
Phoenix, I'm thrilled for you! This is the perfect opportunity for someone your age in your circumstances.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Aug 29, 2014 17:52:42 GMT -5
Travel might help your social life. You're more likely to run into someone that you click with, and it helps you be a more interesting conversationalist. Yes, that's true. "Let me tell you about my recent trip to Japan." Interesting stuff.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 17:54:22 GMT -5
That's great news!
I think you should still meet with somebody to see how you might improve how you come across to people. Just from the things you post about, I believe there's probably something there that you can work on. It can help you in your career and your personal life. We don't always see ourselves the way other people see us, and you can't work on something by yourself that you're not aware of. Just my thoughts.
As far as the job offer, I can see why a person wouldn't want to do all that traveling for the next 30 years, but I'd be willing to do it for a while for the experience and the opportunities to see other places and meet people all over the world. You're young and free, this is the perfect time to do something like that. Good luck to you!
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Aug 29, 2014 17:54:55 GMT -5
On a totally unrelated topic, I just got a ingrown toenail removed and my toe hurts like heck.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Aug 29, 2014 17:59:01 GMT -5
It's the perfect job for meeting all the people you already talk to all day. Let the board know in advance where your trips are taking you, and you can probably meet up with YMers in your travels. You already have something to talk about. It'll give you at least some plan prior to your trips so you don't freak out and envision spending the whole time alone in your hotel room. It'll be great. If you're ever in the bay area I'll meet up and be your wingman. I'm oddly good at introducing friends to attractive women in bars. However, I take no responsibility for the saneness of the woman in question. If you wake up at her place the next morning surrounded by 20 cats, a shrine to her ex boyfriend, and she starts talking about marriage over breakfast that's not on me. Actually, I have traveled to the Santa Cruz area before for work, and planned on stopping by the store the next time I visited, but alas, the boss had other plans....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 17:59:58 GMT -5
On a totally unrelated topic, I just got a ingrown toenail removed and my toe hurts like heck. I've had that done. When whatever he'd numbed the toe with wore off, oh boy! I hadn't gotten the pain pill prescription he'd given me filled, thinking I didn't need it. Well, I did. Hope your toe stops hurting soon.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Aug 29, 2014 18:02:30 GMT -5
Congratulations! I think this will be a great opportunity for you.
I credit travel for teaching me how to start and maintain a proper conversation. Prior to a study abroad trip in college I honestly didn’t know how to meet new people and take a conversation beyond small talk. In your day to day life you might meet someone new from time to time, but you kind of assume everyone already has their social circle, and their routines, and it is hard to break into that. When you travel you can observe the social dance, and you will continuously get new opportunities to make connections. The constant flow of people really alleviates the stress that you might say something stupid and ruin your chance of fitting in.
It is so much easier to meet people when you are travelling. Other solo travelers are eager to make new acquaintances, locals and expats won’t expect you to know anyone and will want to take you in and show you around their town. You have so much to talk about because everything is new and exciting to everyone else, and you can all talk about your travels. At the end of my solo trips I’ve usually talked so much and met so many people I spend the trip home trying to avoid conversations because I just need to decompress.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Aug 29, 2014 18:06:09 GMT -5
We are all so happy for you, it sounds very promising.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Aug 29, 2014 18:09:28 GMT -5
Congratulations!!
I know it wasn't your first choice of jobs, but maybe this will add a bunch of experience you can use in your future, and lead to a job you want even more. Most importantly, you'll get out of the toxic work situation you're in right now. And, as far as the social issue, maybe you'll find someone in the new area! Yes, travel would make it harder, but could work out too. Best of luck in that area.
Hope your toe feels better soon.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Aug 29, 2014 18:12:05 GMT -5
That is wonderful news! You have no wife, kids, or pets and this is the best thing now that you have Drucella working at your current job. And my first thought was that this would be the perfect opportunity to meet more people outside of your little town and maybe find your true love at last. Attitude. It's all in the attitude. Yeah that!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 18:19:22 GMT -5
Ouch Phoenix! Do you have pain pills? It's always better to ward off the pain than to fight it off once it sets in. If you have a prescription, don't hesitate to fill it / take it, at least for the first couple of days.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Aug 29, 2014 18:20:32 GMT -5
So excited for you! This job will definitely give you more small talk topics. A some point, you could join an organization like Rotary international. That would give you groups of people to meet all over the world.
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Peace Of Mind
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[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Aug 29, 2014 18:22:45 GMT -5
On a totally unrelated topic, I just got a ingrown toenail removed and my toe hurts like heck. Just to be clear. This type of conversation is not "interesting" and should be nixed when you meet new people.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 18:23:12 GMT -5
Chloe, that's a great idea.
Or maybe Toastmasters? To help you become more comfortable speaking in public.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Aug 29, 2014 18:42:15 GMT -5
On a totally unrelated topic, I just got a ingrown toenail removed and my toe hurts like heck. Just to be clear. This type of conversation is not "interesting" and should be nixed when you meet new people. Of course. But you and me POM, we're old buddies, so I can complain about my hurting toe.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 20:49:45 GMT -5
I think travelling, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures will improve your social skills greatly. Congratulations.
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