The Job Search

As most of you know, I'm in the hunt for a job, and evaluating three different routes:

(1) A return to consulting. I've looked at some places around town, but I'm not sure how I feel about this. I was excited, however, about the prospect of working in the "Public Safety & Homeland Security" sector (where I interviewed with one group), since that ties into my long-standing interest in things defense-related.

(2) Continuing with Fundraising. I have some interviews and meetings scheduled related to corporate/non-profit fundraising (or "development," if you will). This seems interesting--especially if the non-profit works with some good issues--and builds upon my experience and contacts of the last (nearly) 2 years of doing political fundraising.

(3) A move to research. I've met with some "think tanks" and analyses groups here in town. This would move me back towards my research and writing strengths/skills, but would entail a fairly significant shift in subject matter. I happen to be interested in the broad picture subject matter (some are defense-related, another covers many--especially social--issues), and may have the opportunity to get a clearance.

In summary, the development would most likely be the more lucrative position, even at my experience level, but the research positions may bring me back to some of my initial interests that got my studying International Studies and Political Science in the first place. The tough thing for me as I think about these opportunities is that I just don't know where each of these paths lead for me... not that you ever really know, but I'd like to think I realize the ultimate implications of the choice I make.

Anyway -- what do you think?

Thanksgiving in Washington

Thanksgiving always comes around a special time of year -- Jill's birthday! We celebrated early this year because it fell on a Sunday, and we wanted to try to restaurant out on the GW Pkwy called Indigo Landing. (Good thing we didn't read all the reviews accumulated by Google before we left, otherwise, we may not have gone. But we had an amazing dinner and really enjoyed our experience there. We did have to wait a little bit to get our coats back from the coat check...but the rest of the service was good.)

Then, for Thanksgiving, our friends - the Hunts - decided that they would come out to visit. Since we've both been out on the east coast, we have gotten together on various breaks and holidays -- despite living about 6 hours apart.

We had a great meal with some friends, and lots of their friends. Usually, my journal is replete with descriptions of food eaten and gifts received on holidays (or pretty much any day when I was in elementary school), but I'll let Crystal do the T-Day feast description here.

We spent the rest of their time talking, watching videos, and playing Jeopardy (which we always do when we're together), and running around seeing the sights in DC.



We had a great time. Enjoy the other posts and our pictures! Thanks for coming to visit =)

Mom and Linds Visit

E-Day +1, I was flying home at the same time my mother and sister were coming out to visit us for about a week.

Jill had spent the previous 2 1/2 weeks doing everything to get the house ready -- including furniture shopping and interior decorating. She did an amazing job.

I flew back with Alex L., Morgan M., and John C. -- but our destination was BWI instead of DCA. Thankfully, John had a rental car there, and offered to drive us all back, so we wouldn't have to take the train. It was dark and raining, but we made good time. Jill picked me up from HQ and we headed home, dropped my bags off, and then drove out to IAD to pick up mi familia.

We did all sorts of fun stuff while Mom and Sis were here, including a trip to Chincoteague Island, a White House tour, high-end thrift store shopping, and other tourist-y things -- not to mention, eating at Johnny Rockets.


Some Pics

We had a great time. Thanks for visiting!

E-Day 2008

I'll try to be brief...

Worked in Colorado in the morning. Got a group of our volunteers off to the airport. Found out last-minute our flight had been bumped up several hours, so madly packed, threw everything into the rental car, and drove to the airport.

Flew to Arizona. Grabbed a cab and drove to the Biltmore. Checked in, went to my room, cleaned up (had to go from "political" back to "finance") and went to the staff briefing.

Quick tour of the goings-ons. Played bouncer. Ate chips and guac, quesadilla bites, and other hors devours. Watched The One sweep across the nation.

Watched the concession speech. Had a few more diet Cokes while everyone else continued to enjoy the open bar with much more fervor.

Stayed up late.

Flew home the next morning.

On a more detailed note, the day was an interesting mix of excitement, tension, apprehension, and eerie calm -- at least, for me. The set-up was amazing, and people came out by the thousands. Several other E-Day parties were being held close by, and "bouncer" quickly turned "troubleshooter" as you tried to explain to someone that the reason they couldn't get into this room was because they were in the wrong spot...

Although remaining optimistic with the guests, in the back of my mind I was expecting the worst, but felt unusually calm about it. (Others didn't take it as well).

The last 16 months were quite the roller coaster -- and quite the experience. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get involved, gave my all, and stuck with it to the end.

Top 10 Worst Business Sayings

I think I've heard most of these -- but would substitute "I'll ping you later" for #10 and "Things are looking good" for #8, in my experience...

(Image from Harvard Business Publishing, Daily Stat (12/12/2008).)

(Their Source: Telegraph.co.uk http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3532338/Thinking-outside-the-box-is-most-despised-business-jargon.html)