The Times They Are A-Changin'

It has been quite a month.

In addition to trying to get the blog updated, and doing lots of other things (wonderful things like weddings and bridal showers), there has been another change in our life.

And no, unfortunately it's not the one (I hope) you are thinking of.

My position at my company was eliminated.

I, like so many others, am now unemployed. While my family and friends have wrapped their arms around me in love and support, I still feel a bit of disappointment, and nervousness as I wonder, "What now?"

I am so thankful at times like this that God has blessed me with the right amount, with just the correct level, of stubbornness.

You see, I think that God places us each in the position in life where we are given what we can handle. He has created us with a certain temperament to handle that which surrounds us. And, I believe God knew that when he created me that he'd have to set me up in a home and community that would value faith, and God's influence on our daily lives and ultimately our salvation.

If he had placed me somewhere else, well, I am certain I would not be at such peace. Peace knowing we have some money saved up to live on while we look for work. Peace knowing this is not the end of the world. Peace knowing that family and friends are behind us. Peace knowing God's will is driving this car.

While September was quite a month, I am looking forward to seeing what October will bring. I anticipate what God will teach me during this financial drought. I'm looking forward to new opportunities, to the possibilities that lie ahead. And, I look forward to what I will learn about myself in the process.

Borrowing Brains

Recently, a coworker of mine left our office to re-enter the big world of behind-the-scenes politics. She had applied for a job in L.A. and our Fresno office was really rooting for her. I know she has a passion for what she is doing now because when she was describing the requirements of her new job--namely, raising millions of dollars for a particular political candidate in a matter of weeks--she had a huge smile on her face.

My nausea level was somewhere between "long car ride" and "loopy-loop roller coaster" as I imagined having that same responsibility.

**Shivers**

I guess someone has to do that kind of thing.

Anyway, now that she is tackling that job, the office she's left behind has redistributed some of her work. In splitting up her former projects, I think I got a good deal.

I'm working on some of her projects with clients that are readily available, are well-informed, and are generous with their information. While most of our clients are smarterrific, they are also on time constraints. I am counting my blessings that my clients have time for my calls and e-mails.

It's just too bad that along with her extensive notes and examples of past reports that I couldn't get a flash drive with my former coworker's brain powers in it. There are just some things that the person who has worked on a project for so long just knows.

When you're with someone for so long, you have information that you assume is inherent but is actually subtly learned over time. You know the client's history. You learn their operations and bureaucracy (if applicable*). You might even learn their favorite breakfast pastry over a meeting or two.

When meeting yesterday with one of these very clients, I could feel myself asking questions that I knew my co-worker would have covered months ago. It was sort of like being a pinch-hitter on a date: "Sorry so-and-so couldn't make your movie date, but I can take us for pizza. Oh, you're lactose intolerant? Hmmm, funny, that wasn't in my notes...."

I just need time to get caught up.

You know, caught up before the client's deadline in two weeks.


*Who am I kidding: it's always applicable.

Versions

Lately, I've tried to behave a little better. I follow all traffic laws. I let Stephen watch what he wants on TV. I am really trying to be an improved Jennifer.

Part of it is driving me nuts.

Why is it driving me nuts? Well, not really for any of the above reasons, but for a different one: typos.

A big part of my current job is finding typos. I look through big, scary, and important grants, making sure our clients don't look like buffoons because they can't spell "funders." I have to find those hidden extra periods, commas and spaces when someone's hand was a bit too heavy. I basically have the last set of eyes before anything goes anywhere.

What's the big deal? Trying to turn this off when I get back into the real world.

Newspapers. Blogs. Restaurant menus. EVERYTHING has typos. I feel like my house is scattered with items where I've used AP Stylebook notations to fix already published works. Sometimes I find myself talking to my computer because I can make no such corrections on the screen (yet...). I can't stop.

So, I ask those of you, who have been in the real world longer than me, how do I switch out of work mode (where I edit everything in sight) and turn back into a normal reader? Because right now, it is keeping me stuck in Jennifer, Version 1.0.


P.S. Trying to edit your own post about editing other people's work has the same amount of pressure as trying to remove your own tonsils.