That's it. I'm checking out now

[montanaman]

ConcernCatholic:

If you are serious about looking for a job in the Catholic sector, there is a great website that lists Catholic jobs around the nations.

Here is the link: catholicjobs.com/

Check out some of the universities and community colleges too. They are a great source of jobs that aren’t as stressful as the business world. Almost every diocese has a list of jobs available within the diocese.

Peace and good luck!

If I was planning to stay single for the rest of my life (and I’m not ruling that out) that Web site might be good. But, I’ve looked there before and have found it pretty thin on quantity, and there weren’t many openings listed in the Washington/Oregon area. There were one or two the last time I looked, but I know how much DRE’s make, for example, and I don’t think I’m quite ready to scale back that much.

Plus, as Amy Welborn recently pointed out, making the Church your job is one of the best ways to lose your faith. Kind of like going to Catholic school, actually…

If more Catholic organizations knew about Catholicjobs.com, and notified it of openings, that’d be GREAT, though.

 

[Island_Oak]

MM:

I’d suggest manic & mercurial instead of MontanaMan, but to each his own.

You read as if you were the east coast twin of one of my best friends–also an incredibly talented writer–and stage actor as well. You have some wonderful artistic gifts, but loads of frustration and the combination seems to be paralyzing your ability to gain any momentum and/or clouding the analytical right side of your brain to effectively deal with the rut in which you seem to be living.

If you said how old you are in one of the posts I missed it, but am guessing you are none too old for a well-strategized mid-course correction in your life plan. It sounds as if continuing down the current path will lead to even more stress and emotional constipation (sorry–but an apt anoalogy). Your significant other should recognize this (unless you really are my good friend, the very talented actor, writing incognito) and if she doesn’t yet, she does no one–you or herself–any favors by burying her head in the weekend real estate section of the Post.

Have you seriously considered some other career options? Your current job seems to be a target-rich environment for your key stressors: income potential, respect, advancement, feeling like a valued contributor, office politics, egotistical co-workers, etc. You mentioned the dearth of opportunity on the left coast, but surely you jest. The land of fruits & nuts is flowing with think tanks and do-gooder outfits. The new powerhouse is based in Seattle–The Gates Foundation has a mandate to spend something like $20 billion/year–and always looking for professional staff with a wide range of professional backgrounds. It’s but one example…the opportunities are out there, it’s a matter of shaking your inertia and investigating them.

Something needs to give in your current formula. If you don’t change the recipe, the venom may kill more than your ability to carry on small talk in the elevator. Your current gf, if as “perfect” as described, should be placing a priority on having a healthy, sane mate–not the maximizing square footage. Not everyone is cut out to serve a life sentence within the Beltway. I tend to like those folks who run screaming from the place before they allow anyone to jump on their last nerve, steal their soul or sell them into the bondage of servicing a million dollar mortgage on 800 sq. ft. (no parking included!)

 

[ConcernCatholic]

montanaman:

If I was planning to stay single for the rest of my life (and I’m not ruling that out) that Web site might be good. But, I’ve looked there before and have found it pretty thin on quantity, and there weren’t many openings listed in the Washington/Oregon area. There were one or two the last time I looked, but I know how much DRE’s make, for example, and I don’t think I’m quite ready to scale back that much.

Plus, as Amy Welborn recently pointed out, making the Church your job is one of the best ways to lose your faith. Kind of like going to Catholic school, actually…

If more Catholic organizations knew about Catholicjobs.com, and notified it of openings, that’d be GREAT, though.

Hmmm…the only reason I gave you that site was because I recently saw a posting on that site from Catholic Relief Services. Maybe somebody else will see the link and find some value in it. I would make some other suggestions of places to possibly look for more fulfilling work such as higheredjobs.com/ but I am sure that you have already seen it and have deemed it insufficient.

 

[montanaman]

ConcernCatholic:

Hmmm…the only reason I gave you that site was because I recently saw a posting on that site from Catholic Relief Services. Maybe somebody else will see the link and find some value in it. I would make some other suggestions of places to possibly look for more fulfilling work such as higheredjobs.com/ but I am sure that you have already seen it and have deemed it insufficient.

Easy now. I appreciate the link, but all I was trying to say is that it’s not for everyone. I KNOW there must be thousands of more Catholic-related jobs out there. When you do a search for “All Job Categories” for “Oregon” you get this:

“Your search for careers in OR returned 0 job listings: Search Again”

Like I said, I appreciate the advice–which is why I post here–but that particular site doesn’t seem very comprehensive.

 

[ReginaNova]

montanaman:

With the abundance of threads on this site about people with REAL problems, I feel like an idiot for posting here. I mean, I’ve been through a few things lately, but it doesn’t hold a candle to a spouse who hates the spouse who rediscovered his/her faith. Or, inattentive or abusive spouses. Or lost jobs. Or anti-Catholic family members. The list of woe on this site really does put things into perspective. Perhaps that’s why right now I’m not incapacitated on my living room floor amongst a swarm of empty bottles of Jack. Grace and I broke up yesterday.

Well, sort of. The “break” was amicable following a talk we had at the National Shrine. We’re “using this Lenten season for prayer and discernment,” but I think we both know the score. We’re too old to the break up/get back together cycle ad nauseum.

Actually, I feel pretty good about things. Suddenly I’m thinking about new opportunities now that I don’t have to worry about being pinned to D.C. Maybe I’ll even go to work for someplace like Catholic Relief Services. Who knows? Right now, I have very few worries.

The point of posting this, though, for anyone who’s thinking about marrying someone, is to tell them to KNOW. Don’t think forcing yourself into it will make it “click.” Don’t think “just doing it” will silence that little voice that questions the decision. Make absolutely sure there are no deal-breakers in the way. When you first consider asking someone out, make sure you are completely open to marrying this person. Seriously–it happens that early. You don’t have to be in love with someone from the first meeting, but if you have any major doubts, address those first. I’m probably the last person on the planet to realize these things, but there it is. Some advice for the next generation.

I am both sorry to hear about your breakup and glad. A break-up is always painful. Yet, from your various posts and threads, I was concerned that you were going to continue on with Grace, only to encounter marital and in-law problems once married. Hang in there and hold out for the right one. May I respectfully suggest that you get involved with some Catholic groups and look for a nice Catholic girl.

 

[dulcissima]

Easy now. I appreciate the link, but all I was trying to say is that it’s not for everyone. I KNOW there must be thousands of more Catholic-related jobs out there. When you do a search for “All Job Categories” for “Oregon” you get this:

“Your search for careers in OR returned 0 job listings: Search Again”

Like I said, I appreciate the advice–which is why I post here–but that particular site doesn’t seem very comprehensive.
[/quote]

Maybe that is because you shouldn’t move to Oregon.

Actually, maybe you really just need to spend some time hanging out at the Water Cooler. All of the questions are there, answers just waiting to be revealed. I mean, have you seen some of the threads started by Paris Blues?? Threads that really make you stop and think…Do you eat top ramen? What kind of jeans do you wear? Would you ever own a Lincoln? What are you wearing today?

 

[montanaman]

dulcissima:

Maybe that is because you shouldn’t move to Oregon.

Actually, maybe you really just need to spend some time hanging out at the Water Cooler. All of the questions are there, answers just waiting to be revealed. I mean, have you seen some of the threads started by Paris Blues?? Threads that really make you stop and think…Do you eat top ramen? What kind of jeans do you wear? Would you ever own a Lincoln? What are you wearing today?

These are indeed ponderous questions. I will certainly be sure to check out the Water Cooler.

 

[Viki59]

Cool thread.

Montanaman,
you gotta write. Sit in front of the computer (hey, you’re there now, right?) pull up a blank screen and type: Outline.
Or whatever you do to start your great novel.
I wrote the marvellous work below while going through nursing school, raising two kids, serving as den mother, and working part time. I have no idea how, but as I recall it saved my sanity.
So I printed it myself, I’m happy. It’s not bad either.
I would buy anything you write, you’ve got a great style and probably more brains than are good for you.

It sounds like you should take a weekend off, as several people suggested, and get things in perspective. It’s important to respect your employer, if you think your work is worthless, how can you bother to waste your time on it.
My stepdaughter just got a job at Microsoft in Seattle. I feel like the woman in the Dave Robicheaux novel who held her child up into the air pocket while she drowned in the belly of the airplane. Sometimes. My job pays little, has lousy health insurance, and no respect, but it’s caring for a child who needs help right now, so I won’t change for awhile.
Good luck.

 

[montanaman]

Viki59:

Cool thread.

Montanaman,
you gotta write. Sit in front of the computer (hey, you’re there now, right?) pull up a blank screen and type: Outline.
Or whatever you do to start your great novel.
I wrote the marvellous work below while going through nursing school, raising two kids, serving as den mother, and working part time. I have no idea how, but as I recall it saved my sanity.
So I printed it myself, I’m happy. It’s not bad either.
I would buy anything you write, you’ve got a great style and probably more brains than are good for you.

It sounds like you should take a weekend off, as several people suggested, and get things in perspective. It’s important to respect your employer, if you think your work is worthless, how can you bother to waste your time on it.
My stepdaughter just got a job at Microsoft in Seattle. I feel like the woman in the Dave Robicheaux novel who held her child up into the air pocket while she drowned in the belly of the airplane. Sometimes. My job pays little, has lousy health insurance, and no respect, but it’s caring for a child who needs help right now, so I won’t change for awhile.
Good luck.

Thanks so much for the kind words. As a writer, you know how irrational we can sometimes be–one bit of criticism sends us into the Pit. A little praise makes our week. So, thanks again. I’ll be checking out your link after work hours, too, by the way.

Have you read any other of James Lee Burke’s novels? Great stuff–particularly his Billy Bob Holland works. After 20 novels, you clearly see his formula, but it’s still good stuff. I think only Flannery O’Connor writes richer characters.

 

[montanaman]

This isn’t a whine, this is a detached observation…

The number of mistakes I’m making on basic stuff is really starting to freak me out. This with the new boss hyper-analyzing everything I do.

We have these “Task Lists,” see… They’re in MS Outlook, and the bosses can see or update them anytime. We get our daily marching orders there. Unfortunately I never seem to get enough information in my list so I have to make a number of guesses as to what I need to write for the day. I guess wrong the vast majority of the time.

What I’m currently wondering is how I could read “Write a standard proposal for XYZ company,” and instead see “Write a NONstandard proposal for XYZ company.”

Even more disorienting is the prohibition against asking questions of superiors. Seriously. I’ve been lectured twice for asking too many questions. And these questions weren’t things like “What’s the difference between a semi-colon and a hyphen?” They were questions like “The file is unclear as to who our main contact is–can you tell me who I should be writing to?”

Just a few minutes ago, the senior writer actually snapped at me for observing that some of the document labels were misleading. Thoughtful observation? Nope. Screamable offense.

I’ve always wondered how people lose touch. You know–people who, somewhere along the way, thought picking their nose in public was alright. Or people who think “everyone” can appreciate a good racist joke. Or, people who come over to your house and bother you all day long, like one poster in Family recently described.

Now I know. I’ve become that person. I wear a suit and tie, have a cubicle, and somehow, inexplicably, have become the guy in the office everyone watches to see how he will flame out. Fascinating.

 

[Viki59]

montanaman:

Have you read any other of James Lee Burke’s novels? Great stuff–particularly his Billy Bob Holland works. After 20 novels, you clearly see his formula, but it’s still good stuff. I think only Flannery O’Connor writes richer characters.

I love Burke’s work. I’m curious as to how Katrina will affect it, hope he’s doing all right. (He lived in Louisiana and Montana, I guess).
I’m trying not to annoy people with my book, but thank you for the kind thought. I should change my line below to a more spiritually uplifting one, but everyone has those.
Re your last post, it seems to me that the people who scream at you for your observations are the ones who’ve lost touch.
You are too intelligent to put up with bad manners at work.

 

[montanaman]

Hey, I was just reading the prologue to “The Prince of Wisdom,” and the first line goes like this:

She sat beneath a root of the great tree, the World-Ash tree that is called Yggdrasil, whose highest branches rustle in the bright sun of Asgard where the Aesir dwell, but whose deepest root strikes down into Hel.

Where does “Yggdrasil” come from? I ask, because that’s the name of a spacecraft from Dan Simmons’ novels, “Hyperion” and “The Fall of Hyperion.” Yggrasil is the “treeship” that is to carry the judgment of the Lord of Pain, etc., etc… Is that part of some mythology or legend? Or is one of you accidentally stumbling into some kind of copyright infringement?

 

[Viki59]

Hey, I was just reading the prologue to “The Prince of Wisdom,” and the first
line goes like this:

Where does “Yggdrasil” come from? I ask, because that’s the name of a spacecraft
from Dan Simmons’ novels, “Hyperion” and “The Fall of Hyperion.” Yggrasil is the
“treeship” that is to carry the judgment of the Lord of Pain, etc., etc… Is
that part of some mythology or legend? Or is one of you accidentally stumbling
into some kind of copyright infringement?

This is weird: I just got an email saying you had posted the above, but I don’t see that post anywhere.
Anyway, Yggdrasil is the World Ash tree in Norse mythology, that holds up the nine worlds. It’s in the public domain, like heaven and hell.

 

[Black_Jaque]

Get the … out of DC. If Grace is serious about “willing your good” (theological definition of love) she’ll understand that DC isn’t good for you.

There are places in the US that have a much lower cost of living. This should be great news for a writer. You can get magazine articles and books published all over the country without having to live there.

That means that the pauper’s pay even an average writer makes will afford you a more comfortable living in areas other than DC.

I make less than $50,000 yet my home and yard are huge compared to my brother who is a doctor making many times what I make but living in Maryland. I have another brother who is a professional recruiter. Because it is part of his job, he keeps his finger on the pulse of cost-of-living in various areas. The people he talks to just can’t believe that $50,000/year in central Wisconsin can afford you a comparable living as $250,000 would in New York City.

So that $800,000 penthouse your girlfriend was dreaming of? Buy it for $80,000 in small-town America.

The main drawback? Entertainment. Rural America and Big City America just don’t have the same style of entertainment available. If you and your girlfriend just can’t live without chamber music, ballets, and plays then you’re best off in DC. However, I suspect you’re not finding your happiness in those types of entertainment.

Instead, in small-town America you are more likely to get a part in the local community theatre, and the cast may very likely outnumber the audience.

But then, I am perfectly content heading to the shootin’ range and slinging lead at pop cans and milk jugs. Range fee $45/year, Drive time 10 minutes from home, Cost of ammo $3/box of 50 rounds. Watching a milk jug full of water explode when hit with a bullet Priceless. A healthy way to vent off life’s frustrations, might even tape a photo of the ex-boss on front of the milk jug heh-heh. But that wouldn’t be nice.

 

[montanaman]

Black Jaque:

But then, I am perfectly content heading to the shootin’ range and slinging lead at pop cans and milk jugs. Range fee $45/year, Drive time 10 minutes from home, Cost of ammo $3/box of 50 rounds. Watching a milk jug full of water explode when hit with a bullet Priceless. A healthy way to vent off life’s frustrations, might even tape a photo of the ex-boss on front of the milk jug heh-heh. But that wouldn’t be nice.

Ah, yes, that is truly one of life’s finer pleasures. I remember big uncle Lyle disintegrating those when I was very young. It was a formative experience.

This Lent will definitely be a time of reflection and prayer. Grace and I have gone our separate ways, and I don’t think that’s going to change. That means I’m free to…what? I dunno. I’m thankful for the freedom, but you know the burden of freedom is–burdensome. (I’ve lost my thesaurus, apparently). Just trying to get into the right mind-frame to know whether to consciously decide anything is hard enough. I’m convinced that with me, at least, whatever Plan there is won’t be revealed until I’m pushing up daisies.

But whatever. I’ve definitely checked out of caring about a lot of things. I’ll be keeping my mouth shut more, focusing on prayer and Mass, reading, writing, and for a good long while, avoiding anything that looks remotely like a date. What will be will be.

Good points about the cost of living around the country. The only trouble is (in my experience) finding a $50,000/yr job in one of the more rural areas. I know they’re out there. It’s just time to find one…

 

[montanaman]

Viki59:

This is weird: I just got an email saying you had posted the above, but I don’t see that post anywhere.
Anyway, Yggdrasil is the World Ash tree in Norse mythology, that holds up the nine worlds. It’s in the public domain, like heaven and hell.

Hmm. Fascinating. That makes perfect sense in Simmons’ novels. I’m starting to think that guy is the most well-read person on the planet.

And yeah, I deleted my earlier post because I reread it later and thought, “You know, this could be construed as me accusing her of plagiarism,” which is completely not the case. However, I’m skittish these days. One reason I started this thread was frustration with my apparent inablity to communicate with people anymore. People are always taking me the wrong way, and I wanted to avoid every possibility of that here.

 

[sparkle]

Dear Montanaman:

My suggestion is please stop looking for the “babe”, and start BEING the man of God He created you to be. This way you will surely find your soul mate.

May God Bless You~

 

[montanaman]

sparkle:

Dear Montanaman:

My suggestion is please stop looking for the “babe”, and start BEING the man of God He created you to be. This way you will surely find your soul mate.

May God Bless You~

I appreciate that, and you’re right. But I think you’re referring to something I said largely in jest over a year ago. Am I correct, or did I just create another memory like I always do.

 

[Consecrated]

montanaman:

But whatever. I’ve definitely checked out of caring about a lot of things. I’ll be keeping my mouth shut more, focusing on prayer and Mass, reading, writing, and for a good long while, avoiding anything that looks remotely like a date. What will be will be.

:clapping: HA! Eureka! You’ve got it! Little do you know that this is the very best way to bump into the woman God has waiting for you! Or maybe I should say that this is the best way to suddenly discover His plan for your life. Especially the part about “avoiding anything that looks remotely like a date.”

And I have to say, it’s a testiment to the person (and writer) you really are that so many strangers (myself included) on an internet forum are so interested in your inner life!

 

[LSK]

montanaman:

More in tune with my inner life? Heh. I hope not. I loathe my inner life. I’d really rather just get in tune with my inner shallow guy, and quit thinking about thngs so much.

I’m pretty sure I have no vocation to the priesthood, though I’m attracted to the idea of it. I’m probably too wrecked for the priesthood, anyway. Right now, a vocation to singlehood sounds best.

I CAN imagine a life without “Grace.” For now. But past experience has shown me that I’m a flighty guy. That’s what I want release from. I’m sick of being unrooted and directionless. I’ve made peace with it, more or less, though. It seems to me the best thing I can do is stay out of everyone’s way, try not to embarass my Dad too much, and hopefully live a virtuous life until I die.

I too am a flightly, irresponsible person when I rely only upon myself. As my prayer life has deepened my ability to be a grown up has gotten stronger. I don’t really understand it, but it is true. A stronger spiritual life has made my life - even when I don’t like what is going on with the outside stuff - better. Second to none.