Varying Degrees of Potential
Looking for work: such a difficult and vile task to undertake. A full-time job in itself, except when you have a real job you don't take to bed with you the prospect of how you are going to survive after the next month each night. Such sour dreams unemployment can create. Such a wonderful thing also. All the time in the universe in an amazing new place. The wavering back and forth from one state to another is more than dizzying.
I have already had two interviews this week. Both went very well, but I am uncertain if either will pan out. There are no guarantees, ever. So I plan on scheduling a few more before the week is over. If the end of next week arrives and no job offers have come about then I will resort to taking a part-time job at a bookstore or similar occupation to help pay the bills. Not the worst thing in the world, after all. I could always fall back on some extra calligraphy on the side.
Portland and Minneapolis - two extremely different worlds, but there are some things that have not changed since I left. I'm still irritated by details. Still stressed about small trivialities. And I still question elements of conformity more than the average hippie ever will hope to. You may not see it if you talk to me casually, but it is there.
I have only been here for 8 days, but I can tell you a few things I have observed that MAY be different about living here:
1 - Portlanders are probably more environmentally oriented. I've never seen so many "recycle" brochures on doorsteps/sidewalks etc. And literally the microsecond the starlight parade was finished the city kicked everyone off the streets so they could be power-cleaned spotless.
2 - There are hills/bluffs/mountains here. Minneapolis was as flat as my professional life compared to this. The city is full of ups and downs on the roads and driving is a bit different, maybe more difficult.
3 - People in Oregon are a bit more outgoing. I wouldn't say they are "nicer" but they will interact with you more if they don't know you. They have more of a laid-back feel to them too, and they may be slower paced. Kind of a west-coast thing.
4 - The job/professional scene is probably stronger in Minneapolis. There are more opportunities for growth in the Twin Cities and it seems like the economy is better.
5 - Minneapolis also has more to do late at night than Portland. About 7/8ths of Portland shuts down every night at 10 except Friday and Saturday, from what I can tell.
6 - Finally, I personally like the nature/parks/walking scene here in Oregon a lot more. Minneapolis was beautiful in it's own way and had places to go (Lake Calhoun, the Mississippi Riverfront etc.) but here it is everywhere, even downtown. Can't wait to get a bike.
So, there are pros and cons about both places.
I'll write more later. I'll leave with this thought though:
Wherever you go in life, you are forced to take yourself with you.
;)
I have already had two interviews this week. Both went very well, but I am uncertain if either will pan out. There are no guarantees, ever. So I plan on scheduling a few more before the week is over. If the end of next week arrives and no job offers have come about then I will resort to taking a part-time job at a bookstore or similar occupation to help pay the bills. Not the worst thing in the world, after all. I could always fall back on some extra calligraphy on the side.
Portland and Minneapolis - two extremely different worlds, but there are some things that have not changed since I left. I'm still irritated by details. Still stressed about small trivialities. And I still question elements of conformity more than the average hippie ever will hope to. You may not see it if you talk to me casually, but it is there.
I have only been here for 8 days, but I can tell you a few things I have observed that MAY be different about living here:
1 - Portlanders are probably more environmentally oriented. I've never seen so many "recycle" brochures on doorsteps/sidewalks etc. And literally the microsecond the starlight parade was finished the city kicked everyone off the streets so they could be power-cleaned spotless.
2 - There are hills/bluffs/mountains here. Minneapolis was as flat as my professional life compared to this. The city is full of ups and downs on the roads and driving is a bit different, maybe more difficult.
3 - People in Oregon are a bit more outgoing. I wouldn't say they are "nicer" but they will interact with you more if they don't know you. They have more of a laid-back feel to them too, and they may be slower paced. Kind of a west-coast thing.
4 - The job/professional scene is probably stronger in Minneapolis. There are more opportunities for growth in the Twin Cities and it seems like the economy is better.
5 - Minneapolis also has more to do late at night than Portland. About 7/8ths of Portland shuts down every night at 10 except Friday and Saturday, from what I can tell.
6 - Finally, I personally like the nature/parks/walking scene here in Oregon a lot more. Minneapolis was beautiful in it's own way and had places to go (Lake Calhoun, the Mississippi Riverfront etc.) but here it is everywhere, even downtown. Can't wait to get a bike.
So, there are pros and cons about both places.
I'll write more later. I'll leave with this thought though:
Wherever you go in life, you are forced to take yourself with you.
;)