I’m by no means a workaholic, in fact those who have worked with me or supervised me might describe me as having a casual work ethic. Or the more direct of them might describe me as lazy. The original relocation plan called for me to take a few months off after we got Down Under to get my footing, relax, spend time with my son and other idyllic pursuits while Dr. O’C got back to work. In theory.
What I’ve come to realize in the couple of weeks we’ve been here is that I am a creature of habit. I spent the last few weeks (OK, months) of my job in Oxford looking forward to the time of leisure and meditative wandering. What I didn’t realize is that without the routines granted by a full-time job I would find myself more lost than languid, more confused than centered and more stressed than serene. Without an alarm clock bleating in my ear every morning I find it difficult to remember what day of the week, even what month of the year, it is on a daily basis. And without a regular paycheck, I’m finding it difficult to avoid regular panic attacks.
So, my time of leisure and relaxation has become more of a sentence than a reward and I have officially begun the job search in earnest. It’s been a long time since I hit the streets as one of the ranks of the unemployed. But here’s hoping, for the sake of my sanity, that it’s quick and relatively painless.
Anyone reading from South Australia who needs an out of work geneticist?
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by Jessica K
11 May 2008 at 14:56
Not cut out for the stay at home life, huh? I’m sure you’ll find something soon. If not, then maybe working toward your goal will help you feel more settled on the journey.
Great pic of you and Zach.
Jessica K’s last blog post..A Girl For a Change
by Nichole
11 May 2008 at 17:09
Until you’re gainfully employed once again, here are a few tips for the stay-at-home dad blues.
1) Set your alarm clock, and get up when it goes off.
2) Take a shower.
3) Get dressed.
4) Put on your shoes.
Basically, pretend that you really do have somewhere to go and something to do. Oddly enough, putting on shoes is one of the most important of those steps for me.
by Not Afraid To Use It
12 May 2008 at 01:46
You have hit on the main reason I blog. To know what day of the week it is. And the date.
Not Afraid To Use It’s last blog post..Drive Thru Employment Requirements
by KathyF
12 May 2008 at 08:18
To Nichole’s list, I would also add putting on makeup. A bit of lipstick will make you feel a lot more focussed.
KathyF’s last blog post..Some Flowers for Mothers Day
by jams o donnell
12 May 2008 at 09:27
I’m sure you’ll find something soon Chris. It there much scope to pursue your profession?
jams o donnell’s last blog post..A new emissions tax in Estonia
by Angel
12 May 2008 at 12:19
That is a spectacular picture. The baby is gorgeous!
Don’t worry. You’ll get back to the grind soon, and then you’ll be looking for ways to slack!
by SSG
12 May 2008 at 14:03
well nice photo. why dont you pimp yourself out to all and sundry? i just sent my cv off to random companies today in the hope they’ll like my ‘interests’ and ’skills’ and employ me.
you could always be a male escort to the stars…
by Maggie, dammit
12 May 2008 at 15:28
I long for the idleness and when I’ve got it I panic. Maybe we’re both crazy? Don’t answer that.
Maggie, dammit’s last blog post..are you still reading?
by Gypsy
12 May 2008 at 16:05
I can’t be out of work for more than a month or so. I get useless.
Good luck!
Gypsy’s last blog post..Goofing off and feeling good
by Nathan B.
12 May 2008 at 18:36
Why not work at a coffee shop and pick up rock stars? You’ve got the resume for it!
by courtney
13 May 2008 at 01:30
I know what you mean. Instead of enjoying my unemployed time, I usually find myself worrying about something, namely money.
What a great picture of you and Zach — like father, like son.
courtney’s last blog post..This Just In: Graduations Are Boring
by headbang8
13 May 2008 at 04:17
Let me leave some counter-intuitive advice. Life first, job second.
After all, you came to Australia for the life you could lead, not necessarily the job you could get. You’re Chris, the husband and father, the man who makes his wife and son happy with his love and his thoughtfulness. Who is adored by his wife’s family (I saw it!) and whose insight and wisdom enriches all who know him. That’s valuable, too. Chris the geneticist is far down the list of who Chis actually is, and what he was put on the planet to do.
In truth, in a small city like Adelaide, you will probably get a job by networking, more than by answering ads in the paper or such–but I’m sure you worked that out already. So getting to know new people is not just a pleasure, but a necessity.
This is not “Networking” with a capital N–I’m sure you’d find that pushy, distasteful and a little bit American. But rather, it’s the simple act of rebuilding your network of friends, professional contacts, and moral support. Getting to know people with interesting ideas and being stimulated by them. If they’re helpful, it’s a by-product.
Agricultural industries are smarting a bit from the drought, but casting your net further afield from plant genetics to agriculture-related science could yield fruit, if you’ll pardon the expression. Cold call some of the large wine concerns, and you will, at the very least, meet some great people.
Have you considered going back to study? The one, undisputed field where you can pick up world-leading skills in Adelaide is oenology.
Do you have a passion in genetics…say, like breeding drought resitant, non irrigation dependent citrus? Invent a no-water lawn, and you’ll be a Happy Valley hero! Breed low-water pasture, and you’ll be a national hero.
If you’ve a dream, then your idle moments might be spent thinking of what you might do to turn it into reality. Venture capital? Public trust? Government grant? Intrapeneurship?
Snd so what if you DO need to spend some weeks and months without a proper job? Will you spend the time worrying, or will you look on it as a blessing–a luxury, even? You’ll be skint, but hey, the skint are a very large club!
Forgive me for being so presumptuous as to offer advice. I’m really writing this note to myself, since the next time I change countries/jobs, it’s what Ill need to do!
Take care of yourself, and those who love you.
HB8
headbang8’s last blog post..Geek Antiques
by Jason
13 May 2008 at 21:23
Are you looking for work as a geneticist, or are you getting out of that gig entirely? I’ve often wondered what it would be like to get out of science entirely. Coincidentally, these thoughts occur most often when my projects hit a dead-end.
Good luck with your search!
Jason’s last blog post..Goombas and Troopas and Bowzer, oh my!
by CDV
14 May 2008 at 06:35
Nichole & Jess – now I guess we know why more Dads don’t do it – far too difficult. Get me back to the office!
Kathy – which shade do you reckon would suit me best?
SSG – I’m a bit past my prime for a career as a gigolo.
Headbang – thanks for the advice, good stuff there. Sorry we missed you when you dropped by. Dr. O’C’s mum raved about you!
J – I would rather sling coffee again than go back in the lab. Trying to figure a way out – will let you know what I find!
by Bobbie
14 May 2008 at 06:44
Antsy already? Perhaps you’re not really as lazy as you perceive yourself to be.
That’s a sweet picture of you and Zach. Am I imagining it, or is Zach starting to look more ‘little boy’ and less ‘baby?
Bobbie’s last blog post..WW #33 – Find the little fishy on the coral
by Sherrie
14 May 2008 at 14:21
My parents have left me and Im back to my internet time! wheeeeee
The job thing will always suck. Did I share this post from Flowers on a Friday with you before? Its the 10 Commandments of working in the modern workplace
http://www.flowersonafriday.com/2008/04/10-commandments.html
Dont rush into anything, but as a freelancer I also know the panic of no paycheck.
by arizaphale
16 May 2008 at 06:18
God Headbang, you do go on….. ;-D
arizaphale’s last blog post..Camping