Saturday, April 14, 2007

As my time here in Edwards comes to an end, I think it only appropriate to devote a few words to reflection. Certainly, my time here did not work out as I anticipated---for four primary reasons.

Reason 1: The job thing--already much belabored in this blog.

Reason 2: My penchant for tilting at windmills---it was probably a touch unrealistic to expect I would become an expert bartender, ski like Bode Miller, play guitar like Jimmy Page, speak Spanish like Borges, and get in shape like LeBron.

Reason 3: My personality. There are very few people who could manage to make skiing and bar tending in Beaver Creek stressful, yet I managed. I think I just need a base level of stress in my life, and this stress is so internal that it doesn't change much if I'm lying on a beach or running the CIA. (my night job) In short, I don't relax well.

Reason 4: Going cold turkey from an academic environment to its very antithesis. I try very hard not to be an intellectual snob, but most of the people I worked with probably thought Barack Obama was a tasty Indian curry. I don't need pretentious assholes, but people with whom it is possible to have a conversation beyond how many inches of powder there are would have been nice. This, in turn, contributed to a much greater isolation than I had anticipated.

These factors notwithstanding, my time out here was quite valuable, and a unique experience that I don't regret. When I graduated, I felt strongly that a break from academia was needed, and this seemed an ideal way to do it. I cemented a love of skiing, and improved drastically in that area. (Of course, not as much as I wanted to, but that is to be expected) I also ended up feeling very positively about my aptitude as a bar tender, and there certainly were aspects of it that I enjoyed. Moreover, I think the mere experience of working consistent 12 hours shifts in the service industry was invaluable. I was able to get very close to Jon, Meg and their three children---people who force me to challenge my sometimes dour view of humanity by virtue of their overall terrific-ness. (A technical term) Last, but certainly not least, I fell in love with this part of the country--and realized how beneficial an active lifestyle, couple with unending natural beauty, can be to not only your physical but mental health.

A mixed bag, certainly, and quite the growing experience. What lies in store for me next?? Well, that will be for the next post.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I think you should move to NYC. It could use some better bartenders, and I could use some free drinks. And have I mentioned the unending natural beauty and ways that native New Yorkers will improve your view of humanity? Good.

99% Bachelor said...

very nice post..
well managed blog..
A good work done..
great effort...

99% Bachelor

Unknown said...

Did I mention that there are meds for items i and 2? Who the hell is Ramam?

Unknown said...

I meant items 2 and 3....I think I may need some meds!

TapirBoy1 said...

Barack Obama is a tasty Indian curry...

Rudy Giuliani is an Italian dish made of wild boar, thrice divorced with pesto...

And don't even ask me about Don Imus!!

Matt said...

you are right lindsay, there is nothing that lifts the human spirit more than new yorkers....

I think "Imus" sounds like a gland of some sort, that would be delicious simply sauteed, perhaps with a hint of truffle oil.