Life & Work Balance

So I have a good job that pays well and I actually like the people I work with (except for one certain Wizard of Oz freak), and I really like living in the Sac area. So life is grand. Or at least it should be. I get a large amount of satisfaction from the work I do (Electrical utility control room type stuff - big video walls, lots of computers, athough no windows ((the glass kind)))  but lately I'm not as happy with the company itself. Since this is a pretty specialized field, there is quite a bit of opportunity to move to other utilities. Depending on how picky you are with where you live, you can usually get a job offer with just a few phone calls.

There have been job postings lately in the Pacific North-West that are tempting because I love the coast and the cooler weather, plus they're smaller organizations. More than once I have started updating my resume but never submit it.  A big reason is the area I live in. I'm only 5 - 7 minutes from work, there is a lot of water and trees around and plenty of outdoor activities. The community is very clean with a very low crime rate and a short drive to Tahoe, Napa, SF, and dozens of local wineries in the surrounding foothills. Often times I will get in the car and go for a drive just to take in all the scenery. Ahhh........

Another BIG reason are these 16 and 21 year olds, running around here using my last name. I guess that's actually two reasons. They are getting to the age where they are busy with their own lives, but we still see each other a lot. Sometimes we even talk to each other. Occasionally hugging occurs. It almost makes all the practices, games, swim meets, homework, field trips, and allowances seem worth it.

When we moved from SoCal to NorCal almost 9 years ago they where willing and somewhat eager to move (not that they had any choice mind you) but If I head North, I'll be going alone this time. I'm not opposed to striking out on my own, but my Daughter just turned 16 and I want to hang around for a few more years. She's just getting to the age where I can really enjoy making her roll her eyes from the things I say or do - especially when there are boys around ;)

Basically I was spoiled when I first took my current job. The company was young with lots of challenges in getting everything working halfway smoothly. Lots of opportunities (read things not working) to jump in and contribute. A nice change from my previous workplace was that the management listened to our opinions and was very receptive to new ways of doing things. And they were pretty open about how we were doing as a company. Not so much anymore. We all know how the company is doing (not so well actually) but now when management communicates it's obvious they're selling rose colored glasses. And don't you dare suggest the emperor is not wearing any clothes. He's quite proud of his new wardrobe.

There were, and still are, things that needed to improve but I don't feel as though they value or respect us for our contribution at the end of each day like they used to. It used to seem much more like a family. Most of the original management that stood next to us as we struggled to move the company forward has left, so of course the current management doesn't have the same relationship with us or the company.

And I'm rambling. And not making much sense. But it does feel good to vent. I'll probably delete this post in a few days when I've gotten more sleep, reread this and remember how lucky I am to have such a good job. So enjoy it while it lasts.

Tune in next time when I see how many pictures I can upload before the server chokes.