regrets, i've had a few

i got an email this evening from my journalism school seeking an update on my status since graduation.

i suppose because it offered the convenience of online registration, i took the bait and gave my information — name, address, email, degree, whatnot — but left blank the field asking about any exciting news.

arek socha/pixabay

i typed, then walked back the exciting news that i had a new, official government public affairs job, mostly because, well, i believe the nature of my work probably requires i stay in the background and not draw a lot of attention to myself or the agency. (it's not secret spy stuff, but it pays to be discreet.)

so as much as i'd like let the school and the world know what i'm doing, well, yeah, it's probably best i don't say too much.

meantime, all those years when i modestly chose not to document my promotions and awards are behind me, with no record of my accomplishments at the school that taught me the skills and judgment that led to a successful newspaper career.

in my mind, making the effort to put pen to paper to list my milestones was itself boastful and self-congratulatory. i'm learning a little late in life that a degree of self-promotion is necessary to create top-of-mind awareness.

while those close to you might recognize your quiet effort and ability, you are a blank slate to someone who doesn't know you at all; it's best to have your best stuff written on it.

so where does that leave me?

while i'm in a good place now, it's time for the old dog to learn a few new tricks. i received a professional development document this afternoon that seems to provide a road map to bolstering my qualifications in my new line of work.

i believe if i do this right, i could be well-suited to advance my career — or at least be able to transfer those qualifications to a new job should my time at this agency end.

there aren't many chances to make up for lost opportunities or make amends for past mistakes. good Lord willing, i may yet be able to turn those naive, regrettable choices into learning experiences that lead to new successes.

pre-advent

tabletop tree trimming

large cat tries to stake her claim

a little christmas began this week in the house. as i told a friend, we're segueing nicely from the sugar rush of halloween to the mounting mania of advent and christmas.

the boy still seems to remain in the thrall of the jolly old elf and his minions. there's no question that his sister is a true believer.

i can't get over how tall they're both getting, though.

thanks

signed, sealed, delivered.

i wanted to write something eloquent but figured i'd probably think it to death and never write anything at all, so i'm just going to say it.

first of all, after more than a year of uncertainty as to my employment, i'm thankful that i got signed from my "temporary" job to a real contract with benefits. government benefits. for that, i, and the lady who pays the bills, are most grateful.

in that vein, i'm first thankful for the job tip that got me here from longtime newsroom colleague and friend, lauren.

thanks to my first friends at the new job: leslie, cici, andrea, jim, sarah, lloyd, sue and zuni. their professional excellence, paired with their sense of irreverent fun, made me feel like i'd never left the newsroom.

thanks to the folks i met after they moved on: dave, tom, chad, lucy, charlie and kelly. they helped pull back more of the curtain on the mysteries of government public affairs and planning.

a whole lot of folks in other departments gave me a better appreciation of what our agency does and offered great friendship and mentoring at the same time. it might be shorter to list their specialties than to list all the people i got to know there: infrastructure, housing, hazard mitigation, historical preservation, logistics and recovery.

(i'll mention jeff by name, because he's going to be my supervisor.)

finally, there was a string of officers who busted their butts to keep me on staff and made me realize that my work was not just appreciated but valued: regis, jack, kelli, jacqui, steve, michael, kevin and dan.

most of all, thanks for the support of my beautiful wife, kris, a constant source of encouragement and motivation, the bright sunniness of our children, and my family and friends for their prayers, hopes and good wishes.

all these i count as blessings from the Lord, not merely because they eased my transition to a new profession, but their efforts felt like a joyful outpouring of love.

i've always considered myself a man of faith to some extent but i'm not sure i ever leaned on it — or learned from it —as much as i have over the past year. that is a blessing unto itself.

amen, amen and amen. thanks be to God. alleluia, alleluia.

blogger app

does this even work? 

well, i guess the app works for posting but not editing. hmm. 

all saints

Happy All Saints Day! It’s a Holy Day of Obligation, don’t forget to go to Mass! Who are your three favorite saints? Tell us in the comments! #Catholic #saints #prayforus #feastday #party #faith #prayer

A post shared by Catholic News Agency (@catholicnewsagency) on Nov 1, 2017 at 1:28pm PDT

our new music minister suggested singing with a saint, living or dead, as a prayer partner as he accompanied on an all-saints song he sang at mass today.

i rely on many prayers from many saints. and i try my best to pray for those in need of prayer every day.

amen.