A number of weeks ago I wrote a post asking for advice on whether I should move to Seattle. I was at a point where I didn't feel tied down to Minnesota, etc. and felt it would be a good time to pack up and try somewhere new, namely Seattle.
A week or two after I made that post, I was contacted for a second-round interview at a web development place in the Twin Cities that I had applied for and interviewed at a few weeks prior. I thought that this had to have been a fluke because I was so under-qualified for the position. But, lo-and-behold, I was offered the position the next day, and I couldn't find it in me to turn it down. (I want to be working in web/software development long-term, and they're paying me waaaay more than I ever thought I'd be making 4 months out of college.)
So, I scrambled to find an apartment. Luckily, two of my close friends were also looking for a place. We found a top-floor apartment in an old house in the Summit/Grand/Selby area of St. Paul, which has been an absolutely wonderful place to live so far (and a stark contrast to the neighborhood I spent four years in during college). I've also started teaching a computer class at the library on Monday nights and helping out at a bird sanctuary on Tuesday nights.
This is all to say that, although I'm a bit disappointed I didn't move out of the Minnesota for the first time in my life, I'm in a pretty great place. Thanks to everyone for the great advice in the previous thread (onehunna, thenewgreen, sounds_sound, insomniasexx, and particularly b_b for encouraging me to instead focus on finding a job that I'd really love). :-)
Glad to hear you landed on your feet doesntgolf and it sounds like a great situation. What do you do at the bird sanctuary? Sounds like a cool side gig.
Do you have any birds as pets? I've always thought it was the oddest pet anyone could really have. I once was trying out a bass player and the entire time we were playing music in his living room his bird wouldn't stop squawking. It never even phased him. I would go crazy!
I did! And you're absolutely right, (depending on the species) they are obnoxiously loud. Bigger birds need hours and hours of attention and time out of their cages everyday, or they'll go crazy and get stressed. Unfortunately, many people don't realize this and they get a big amazon or cockatoo because they're 'exotic' and they're great talkers, but they don't realize how much time and attention they need to give the birds, and in some unfortunate situations they end up abusing the birds when they start screaming and squawking. That's why I'm loving working at this place once a week. I get to talk and play and take care of the birds for a few hours, then not have to deal with the noise and the other responsibilities that come with owning birds.
Do you think it's somewhat cruel to have a bird in a cage or in a home? I've always thought that out of all the caged animals, birds were the greatest travesty. I could be completely mistaken and there could be a very special relationship there that is in the birds best interest, but somehow I doubt that. What are your thoughts on that?
In a lot of cases, yeah, I'd definitely agree that it can be cruel. But there are also a lot of birds that prefer people over other birds, and love living with humans. And there are also birds like cockatiels and budgies that are generally quiet and mild-mannered, and will bond quite easily with other birds of their own species, and make really great pets when they're kept in pairs. Even the bigger birds that need lots of attention everyday can be happy and make great pets, but only with the right owners, of which there are generally not many. I'd say it can go either way, and generally needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Actually, I think that's a good idea. I have moved long distances before and even though I put several months into preparing for the move, I felt unprepared when it actually happened. I'm not advocating the planning of every minute detail, but long term planning is something I'm trying to get better at myself, as I think there are real benefits.
Good to hear you're in a better place. Amazing what a few months will do. Congrats on the job!