OT: Life Changes

A month or so ago, I started a thread about what was then "possible" changes coming in my personal life, well those changes are no longer possibilities, they are reality. And, my tie back to PC is this: I think the life changes that a significant medical issue forces on us (certainly forced on me) has made it possible to look at the situation as an opportunity, not as a disaster.

Briefly, for nearly 36 years (yes, if you add it up, I started just after my 22nd birthday), I have worked in the coal-fired power generation business. I've been at the current plant for just under 26 years. I have ridden through the transition from being part of a regulated Utility to a deregulated (sort of) independent production facility. A few months ago, our corporate leadership announced plans to mothball 1/2 of the plant I work at, with the subsequent elimination of 49 jobs on October 3. Guessing that my job might be on the elimination list, I started being proactive, and have found and accepted a position at a consulting and service company based a long way from my current home in southeastern Illinois. So, on October 17, I start my new job based in the northside suburbs of Philadelphia.

Big changes. Opportunities. And not nearly as stressful or challenging as hearing the "your biopsy came back positive". I've written before about how my diagnosis and treatment changed me. Not about the physical changes, but about the mental ones. I know I'm better at listening, I'm more thoughtful and introspective. I'm more willing to embrace life on life's terms. And so, as I prepare to sign a real estate sales contract in the next few days, and plan a house-hunting trip to the new area, and wonder if I'm really capable of doing the job I'm being hired to do....I know that I've weathered harder things, and this will just be another blip on the road.

Halbert,

Congratulations on the new job and the opportunities that brings. I used to live near Princeton, NJ and spent many pleasant weekends in New Hope, enjoying the nightlife in Philly, and driving along the Delaware River. It's a beautiful area with lots of great things to do -- I think you will love it.

You have written several times about the limited medical facilities out in the sticks. Now you will have Fox Chase, UOP and Thomas Jefferson all within an hour's drive or less, and such great institutions as NIH, MSK and JH not too far away. I hope you never need them, but nice to have them close.

I don't mean to minimize how stressful a big change like that can be. I've found it's only stressful when I try to grasp onto the whole thing all at once in my mind. Much better to stay focused on each new thing as it comes along, and not try to anticipate it all.

- Allen

Halbert,
Congratulations on the new job and staying ahead of an oncoming train in a threatened industry. Having made more than a couple of major job changes in my life, I've always liked best the excitement, fear, and challenge of jumping in over my head and figuring it out. In my own case, I then get bored and need to do it again. But it has always worked out for me.

My favorite jumping off the deep end experience was quitting a Fortune 100 radio systems sales job to return to writing, editing, and white knuckle negotiating to join my wife in turning a freelance writing gig into a subscription newsletter business with employees, contractors, office space, health plans,etc. and nothing to lose other than everything we owned if we screwed up. That was hands-down the best decade of my working life. Eighty plus hour weeks and sometimes floating the payroll on credit cards while sweating out the arrival of a late payment. It was the longest I ever worked at one place but it never felt like work.

And when the Internet squeezed away the market for newsletter subscribers and I feared at age 55 I'd be unemployable, I nonetheless managed to BS my way back into corporate America and stay ahead of more mergers, downsizing, departmental coups, etc., than I would have thought possible, for another decade until retirement.

Enjoy your move and your new job. The new and unknown is where it's at.
Jim

congratulations halbert. Closer to Maine too.

Thanks Prat......I grew up in a near-in suburb of Cleveland, and have spent my entire adult life in rural midwest. This is going to be a shift, to be sure. Unfortunately, I'm also used to things like natural gas for heating and central air conditioning. I don't think I'll mind no longer sharing the roads with massive planting rigs in the spring and combines in the fall.

Be careful...If you end up becoming an Eagles or Phillies fan you will suffer much heart ache. Just saying'

Go Cowboys!

What's a Cowboy? You would think that Texas being so large and grassy would have some giants and broncos
Good luck Halbert! I know you'll do great, but if you need a bigger change, silicone valley is in Andrew's and our neck of the woods (which are Redwoods).
Beth
PS we do propane for heating, well for water and wood stove for heating. Our phone line is attached to a coffee can and we read by candle light.
Ok. I fabricated the last two.

Post Edited (celebrate life) : 8/14/2016 1:30:32 AM (GMT-6)

Too bad I never got a chance to buy you a cocktail at Firefly Grill...but I'm actually in Philly much more than SE IL, and have learned a few similarly good places there. I can make some recommendations when you are ready. But the first thing you've got to do is check out the Reading Terminal Market for lunch downtown...fun! Save room for a donut at Beiler's.

Good luck, and best wishes in the transition