To live the dream

This morning, a professor called me to ask if I'd consider a job with a nifty puzzle/game company... in D.C. (Cue sad trombone.)

I did notice this company at the New York Toy Fair. I've even enjoyed one of their popular puzzle games.

Anyway, I was going to tell my professor that if there is no job in NYC or California, I'd rather be unemployed. But I thought she might accuse me of being nutso, stupid, or a spoiled brat. Well, I think I just have my priorities.

So I just told her I'd prefer to work in NY or Cali. Or maybe Australia. (She laughed about that one.) She told me that I should keep an open mind about locations, and she still wants me to meet the company on Wednesday... but not really for an interview... just to meet them! I suppose that's harmless...

To be honest, I'd be happy if I couldn't find a job for now. I really could use a good 6 month break to enjoy New York and travel. But I guess if the right job in the right place opens up, I won't say no.

I've also realized that I'm very adaptable to new situations, and that going with the flow while gravitating toward opportunities that interest me most has worked out so far in my life. I may not be the most amazing designer, but I realize that I am valued because I can solve problems, listen to others, have a strong awareness of youth culture and media, and have strong aesthetic skills. So I think I can afford to not compromise as much anymore about what I want in my future career.

Maybe if I were in my twenties, I'd be more open-minded about the job location. But I don't want to move two more times before I get settled. I'm getting weary of always feeling like I'm in a transitional living situation. I'd like to finally be in a place I can call my own. And someday I may want kids. So if I'm going to move, I want it to be some place I'd want to stay, (ideally, some place that is mostly warm) so I can get the rest of that moving along.

I gave up a very good job in web design, to find a job that really challenges and better utilizes my specific strengths and interests, and if I can't find that, I would rather just start my own business or live the artist life and work on my other skills like animation & photography. If I'm only focused on job stability and benefits, I would have just kept my old job. Luckily, almost eight years of a stable corporate life luckily has afforded me a chance to take a career risk, at least for a little while.

Both of my parents died young. And one of my brothers survived a fatal plane crash. These are some of the worst ways to realize how short life is. On the upside, it's made me often take the time to reflect on my life and think about how I want to make a fulfilling and balanced life for myself. (For you atheist and non-religious types, take a cue from churches and reflect on your life on those Sundays.)

My parents sacrificed and delayed much of their happiness for the welfare of their kids. My mother wanted to travel the world, but only made it to a few parts of Asia and died in her 50s. My dad, who grew up in rural Taiwan, made plans to retire in rural Indiana and talked about roaming the country in a trailer. It sounded both adventurous and relaxing, but he didn't live to experience that. If they were ever in love, it was a part of their life that I never witnessed.

(If you don't want to die young like they did, don't wait to seek mental help when you need it, quit smoking as soon as possible, and don't start the habit.)

So you can imagine, that in 20 or 30 years, I don't want to learn that I'm dying and think that I didn't enjoy my life or do anything personally worthwhile. And someday if I have kids, I want to show them that it's possible for them to live a fulfilling, happy life too. There are people who are hindered by economic barriers, health problems, or familial obligations. For now, I am not one of those people, so I may as well make the most of what I am lucky enough to have.

Also, I liked working for Spin Master, so I'm hoping a position will open up in their L.A. office...