Top 10 Musings on a 26 Hour Road Trip

So here are some things that I observed on my week long adventure to the Pacific Northwest.....

1.) The I-80 corridor across Wyoming is less nerve racking than expected. In fact it was very similar as far as road travel to crossing the flint hills of Kansas.

2.) The I-84 corridor across Oregon was more nerve racking than expected with several steep inclines, dramatic declines and hairpin curves on said declines. As well as several miles with a large river on one side and steep cliffs on the other.  Fun, beautiful, but nerve racking.

3.) I can drive across the I-84 corridor of Idaho without stopping. Sorry Idaho- I left nothing in your state but exhaust and purchased nothing to support your economy.

4.) The same stretch of Idaho is the Pacific Northwest equivalent of crossing western Kansas.

5.) I passed 26 Airstream campers.  I am a bit obsessed with these silver beauties.

6.) There are rude, inconsiderate, or just plain idiotic drivers everywhere- in every state.  However, on this particular trip the licences plate said Utah more frequently.

7.) In heavy traffic it really does not matter how close someone rides your bumper to encourage you to get over. With a camper in front and two semi's beside.... never going to win that battle.  People need to be more patient in said situations. 

8.) After this trip I have an even greater respect for the truck drivers who do this all the time.  I also found that when you were considerate of them (slowing so that they can get over and pass; flashing lights to indicate they are clear to come over, accelerating to get past them quickly) they will often return the courtesy.  Additionally in case you didn't know (and evidently there are a lot of people who don't) when passing a semi on a descent (incline of any significance) DO NOT- I repeat DO NOT get back over into the lane in front of them unless you are about 3 car lengths past at least.  Avoid getting into the lane in front of them until after the descent if possible.  Only in an emergency situation should you get in front with a small or minimal distance to spare. 

9.) 500 miles on a single take of gas is a long way; 1700+ miles is a long way; 26 hours is a really long time in a car by yourself!  You tend to a get a little slap happy and find strange ways to entertain yourself!

10.) Once you are within about 40 miles of any major city; if you scan through the radio stations YOU WILL find an 80's tune that you can rock out to and illicit a barrage of looks from passing motorists that will amuse you. :)

This has been the top ten musings from my cross country trek!  Hope it made you giggle at least! Plus one... In Oregon it is against the law to pump your own gas. Stay in your car people! Trust me.

Alas, it is not to be....

After four days in Portland, Oregon pursuing the possibilities that the city has to offer, I am heading home to Kansas no further than I was at the onset.  Evidently relocating to this area at this time was just not meant to be.  However, that does not mean that it is never going to happen, just not right now.

So tomorrow morning I will begin the two day trek back to Kansas and 26 hours in the car will be draining.  I will start again and figure out something else.  For the time being I may need to stay closer to the homestead which is not a bad thing, just not what I had hoped the next year would bring.  

So cheers to going after possibilities, chasing dreams, and having faith that there is a reason for everything. 

Hello from Portland!

Well, I have arrived in Portland, Oregon and I am getting the lay of the land.  It is overwhelming in so many ways; as I have never been in this area of the country before.  There is hesitation as I write this, because it is still so tentative.  Nothing is set in stone.  There are job leads. There are apartments to look at.  Yet, the logistics are still in process.  There still remains the possibility that this will fall through and I will return to the Midwest to figure out something else.  

Whichever direction it goes.... at least I will know that I tried. 

I will always shoot for the moon..... and hopefully land among the stars. 

Off to Portland, OR

Greetings from Laramie, Wyoming!  So it seems that the winds and whispers are pointing me to Portland, OR.  After a 10 hour car ride today, I am steeling myself for the 16+ hour trek tomorrow.  It will be a fun and beautiful drive through the mountains and hills of Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Oregon!  

Will keep you posted.

Just a smidgen more....

So, finally the wait seems to be coming to an end.  Possibilities have started to present themselves, leading to a destination that is starting to feel right.  It seems that the Pacific Northwest (Oregon/Washington) is calling.  This is exciting and thrilling.  There appear to be some strong potential leads for gainful employment. The waiting, the patience, the hope and the faith is starting to come together.... as I always felt they would.

Keep checking back for more solid news as it comes!

The Great Job Search

So, the deadline approaches when I financially must find gainful employment.  I have enjoyed the process of simply enjoying the time I had while waiting.   Now, I must endeavor to cast a wider net.

The process of finding a job can be both frustrating and remarkably easy.  Given the technology today it is so much easier to search jobs all over the world from the luxury of your own home and computer.  As I begin to ramp up my efforts I am reminded of previous times for job searches and how in some ways they were vastly different and in others exactly the same.

In the past it was about pounding the pavement and sending out resumes to any company that I was interested in applying.  Often the classifieds were folded to the want ads (classifieds) with a variety of ads circled.   Applications were filled out on site and in person. There were clear easy to follow rules:

 1.) Dress to impress anytime you enter the door of a potential employer- even when just filling out paperwork

 2,) Resumes and cover letters had to be clear, simple, and limited to one piece of paper.   
 3.) Always have a few copies of Resumes with you to attach to applications

 4.) Tailor Cover letter to the specific business as often as possible 

 5.) Smile, be friendly, look people in the eye, and use specific names as often as possible

These rules still apply, but the in person aspects of rule 1 and 5 occur less often.   There are still times when one needs these rules as eventually you will have to meet with potential  employers (even if it is over Skype). There are times when a job seeker can be picky and selective, but one should never turn down an interview.  The reason is that interviewing is just like anything else, practice makes perfect.  Even if an applicant is unsure that the job fits what they are looking for, some of the best jobs I have held were jobs that I wasn't originally interested in.  You never know what might become of an interview.  Though you are called in for on position, a potential employer might find you better suited for an unadvertised position.  

The last and biggest rule was always "FOLLOW UP"!  Even of the job wasn't what you wanted, even if the company you applied, interviewed, submitted a resume to did not contact you; take time to send a thank you note or email thanking them for their time and consideration.  It shows a sense of etiquette and may lead to a future contact when other positions become available.  

So now I am implementing all of these rules.   I am putting those skills to use.  I am spreading a wide net with the confidence that I will indeed land where my skills will be best utilized.   Stay tuned, for there is so much more on the horizon.... patience grasshopper.... all in due time.

Deadlines Approach.....

August 8th? Already?  I just can't hardly believe it!

Well summer is almost gone and the rains finally came so everything is lush and green in August.... this is really messing with my sense of time.  Plus throw in those 60-70's during the last full week of July- makes for a very odd summer.    As I look at the calendar there is a sense of both excitement and dread.   There have been submissions of the resume, filling out of applications, research on requirements in various locations; but destination still unknown.

I get the sense that my family and friends around me are starting to get nervous;  Some are just starting to think that I will stick around and not go anywhere.   Me? Well, I just have this feeling that it will all come together when it is time.   There is little worry inside of me as I put my love out into the world and wait patiently for it to come back to me.   I have confidence that this will happen, in time, and I have time.


Worry not my friends and family.... all in due time my life will get as crazy as I normally am!