It appears that I am on the verge of embarking upon [at least what I consider to be] ground-breaking adaptation and there is a huge piece of my psyche that is petrified. One might find it surprising that fierce, confident, fearless Jessica has a hesitancy about change running deep enough that I won’t even upgrade my eons-old (as far as technology is concerned) 4GB iPod. I had no qualms about jumping out of a plane from 14,000 feet or swimming to the floor of the ocean; these exhilarating adventures simply salt and cayenne pepper the average day. But my spirit is bound on a rack of diametrical opposition. On one extreme I am dauntless; on the other extreme I am as bashful as a deer. In 8-plus years I have lived in the same city and worked for the same company. Of course, I have met extraordinary success in doing so; but now, when change is looming, I realize my stability is also the manifestation of my aversion to risk.
The change to which I’m referring is a relocation to Las Vegas. Oddly enough, my husband just left that city a year ago to immerse himself in the fast-track corporate Bunsen burner that is the East Coast [and, of course, me]. So, why go back? Why now? Both questions have been the source of some lengthy, personal, contemplative heart-to-hearts, of which I will spare you all the details. Just know that this is not a whimsical choice.
I’m deliriously excited but timorous; enthusiastic but cautious; intrepid but apprehensive; a vertical, ambulatory paradox. Our decision will be finalized within a week...
The change to which I’m referring is a relocation to Las Vegas. Oddly enough, my husband just left that city a year ago to immerse himself in the fast-track corporate Bunsen burner that is the East Coast [and, of course, me]. So, why go back? Why now? Both questions have been the source of some lengthy, personal, contemplative heart-to-hearts, of which I will spare you all the details. Just know that this is not a whimsical choice.
I’m deliriously excited but timorous; enthusiastic but cautious; intrepid but apprehensive; a vertical, ambulatory paradox. Our decision will be finalized within a week...
11 comments:
whoa. i am so there. naughty namaste is gonna need a suntan...
Do it.
What the hell are you going to do in Vegas? Truckloads of friends tell me, "come out here, it's great... there are tons of jobs." Yah, for parking attendant. I love me some East Coast livin cause, baby when you go to the big dance, you gotta bring your cerebrum. Vegas is for the brain dead and the hookers (in them hotel lobbies). Ah... it's one big adventure. If you gotta go, go yelping and hoopenin and hollerin...
First, I'm not switching jobs. I'll be traveling each week to the client site. Second, Vegas is not our final destination - it's just a pit stop.
In addition, there's a lot more going on in Vegas than the sin. You have to leave the Strip to understand that...
I know exactly what you mean about being change-friendly and change-averse at the same time. It's an odd dynamic--people crave stability as part of an evolutionary imperative to preserve "the herd," if you will. At the same time, we crave new experiences to improve our minds and increase evolution in other ways.
On a more mundane note, I say it's always better to regret having done something than having not done it, so go for it! It'll just give me an excuse to come out there and party with you. ;)
You will be missed, though. First Kassy, now you. It really is the end of an era among the DC blogerati.
Truly and end of an era Jessica. But if the job is still there and there are other opportunities, why not? No one survives DC for long. And yes, I'd put the faith, hopes & trust of the nation in any average assembly of hookers in Las Vegas than in the current crop of corporate Goliaths & malefactors of K street & beyond back in DC. I know that most Americans would agree too, which is just one reason why your town is booming.
Cheers & Good Luck, 'VJ'
I don't know how you put up with all that travelling. I've had to travel for work, and I've come to despise the airlines. I've stopped taking calls from headhunters who preface their calls with "the job entails travelling about 40%..." I also get that there's more going on in Vegas than sin, though part of the fun is having happy hour while playing "spot the hooker." I was just saying that aside from certain industries and conference events, I didn't see the value added proposition in a Vegas office (it's not like you can walk to twenty banks in the same area and shop for financing). The point I'm making is, if you're going to leave "The DC", why not stray to ... London? I'm actually seriously considering the idea of going to London for an MBA.
I would be scared of leaving friends and routines and familiar places, too. But your life partner is way more important than any of those. Together you will figure it all out and it will be OK. The beauty of the Internet is the only thing we have to miss is you at the happy hours. You must keep us updated on your life changes!
(And here I thought this was a prelude to "We're starting a family"!)
Being a recovering academic (yes, it was painful), I've got a few quibbles. (OK, I have plenty of quibbles, and I developed many of them before I was ever in school).
Las Vegas is the most popular destination in the US to move to, and they've held this distinction for about a decade or more. There's lots of things going on out there, not the least of which is a huge burgeoning retirement community. And yes, it might be fairly difficult for 'e' or others to play 'spot the hooker', as many of the ladies out there do indeed dress the part of 'show girls', and are/were involved tangentially to the 'show scene'. That 'scene'/sector employs a huge amount of folks, besides the hookers that is. Then there's the 2nd wives club+ for many of the retirees and often they are quite a bit younger. But my question is, 'Why'? If you have need of their services, it's easy to look up your fancy in the phone book. Anything else is just silly, or worse!
Not uncommonly they do have somewhat of an issue with the real estate overhang there due to the booming growth they've experienced in the last 20 years or so. Still, if you wanted to make a bundle of very easy dough, you would have started one of the newer banks out there at the start of this era's boom, and you would have been made fantastically rich inside of 15-20 years. Easily. Sitting down & not moving much or expending much effort. Hell, you could have done that up until about 5 years ago too.
So yeah, it's come a long way since the days of "Bugsy" Siegel & 'Good Fellas', right?
Another pet peeve. Your and your husband and/or spouse ARE a family. You started one already.
Me, I want to know where this flying editorial & grammarian service is that employs Jessica. Of course we need several divisions of same to the front. Pronto! Cheers & Good Luck! 'VJ'
I cannot believe I am so late on this post!
I think its a wonderful idea albeit huge...but you know that you can make a life and friends for yourself anyhwere.
Although my plans have changed, I was in the same boat and simultaneously excited and terrified...but I think this is great.
I'm visiting you asap.
XO
OK more than a few problems, and leading the pack on them (foreclosures):
[http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/17/real_estate/nevada_foreclosure.ap/?postversion=2008011703]. Sorry about that. What comes up in a speculative bubble... Cheers, 'VJ'
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