Thursday, November 23, 2006

giving thanks

I've many things to give thanks for today. How about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Working...

"Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart" ~Rumi

I've been tired but satisfied at the end of every day for the past few weeks. Working nine hour days is a bit of a stretch for me, but I'm managing. Of course, it does mean I come home through the Valley traffic which takes me an hour (because I refuse to drive home ever again navigating the craziness that is the 405 / 118 / 210 freeway transitions; the part in the middle that necessitates a 4 lane change from right to left in bumper to bumper traffic that might or might not be traveling at 65 mph, in the dark with headlights glaring in my eyes and the mirrors, is the real deal breaker), change clothes, eat a quick dinner, and fall asleep trying to watch my fav television dramas or while reading (reading for pleasure these days- wow, I've missed that for six years!!).... And then I always need to get up later, to change clothes again and actually go to bed. I don't think I've made it past nine o'clock yet. But those flex days off and long holidays like this one, make the long work days worth it... I think.

But it feels good to be doing the work, too. There is a staggering amount of paperwork and rules which I am still learning, but I've begun to meet the various folks in my case load. And I think I might actually accomplish most of the case load visit and paperwork goals of November - though I am not necessarily expected to handle them all. I haven't quite got the 400 billable hours/ case management notes/time factored in yet.... those are a separate item. And I am behind on notes from the first week, current on this weeks notes and billable time, I think... maybe.. I hope... Work flow and time management are mine to figure out-- what works best for me and the actual way I organize the work and parts of my little Dilbert style cubicle.

So is social work my forte? Despite my counseling degree and strong feelings and affinity for the field of counseling, I think the combination with social work is more suited to me, but stay tuned.

Oh yeah, for note in the small world category--- the fellow in the cubicle caty-corner across from me has just begun the exact same masters degree program I just finished.

(edited to change the title of the post)

Friday, November 10, 2006

actions and words

"Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together."
~Anais Nin

"If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." ~Anatole France

What a strange, wonderful, roller coaster of a week. The new job is great. With supervision, I'll be seeing some of my case load next week. I am working a flex schedule which gives me a three day weekend every couple of weeks and more if a holiday falls on my Friday off.

Tuesday was the long awaited awakening for the rest of the country to join the reality based folks. I must say I was surprised (and relieved) that the Dems won majorities in both the House and the Senate. I'm hoping they really do realize they must govern from the middle and work on finding compromises and solutions. Winning isn't enough.. governing and solving problems isn't going to be simple. There are far too many issues and divisions that will take a long time to fix.

I'm feeling much less angst, though I suspect that my new job responsibilities will continue to feel a little overwhelming for a while. Still... I can see a day ahead where I will be looking for new major goals. Where shall I go from here?

Monday, November 06, 2006

Unconscious Mutterings Week 196

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Theft :: anti

  2. Storage :: new glass door bookcases

  3. Pick :: quick (the lottery ticket that won)

  4. Los Angeles :: home, baby

  5. The one :: the only

  6. Accent :: piece

  7. Rivalry :: competition for resources

  8. Process :: method

  9. Streets :: Thomas Guide

  10. Museum :: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Weekly word list at Unconscious Mutterings

Thursday, November 02, 2006

events and images

"The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves they find their own order: the continuous thread of revelation." ~Eudora Welty

In a very impulsive moment, I picked up the camera and shot a few photos of myself tonight when I came home (01Nov). I suppose the impulse came from a desire to mark this period of rapid changes. Every day this week has delivered a new 'last time'. Or perhaps it was to see if I could see any outward differences for all the inward changes I am feeling.

pic32_1a3x3

Though I don't exactly understand why, I never look the way I think I do... ever...

Oh yeah.. almost forgot.. I have a new haircut as of a couple of weeks ago... removed about a foot of hair (it was down to my waist). Everyone keeps coming up to me to tell me how much younger they think I look now. I must have really looked old before. I can't decide if I am flattered by their comments, or disgusted that it matters to me.