[TriLUG] New member re-location question

[lfwelty]

/stronger-than-expected-rant

Almost OT, but I think it's related - see (3) at the bottom.

Turnpike Man wrote:
> --- Philip Buckley wrote:
> 
<cut>, I have started thinking
>>about going back and getting my teaching certificate so I can teach high
>>school history, my first dream but one I put aside because it paid crap.
> 
teaching is a 'calling' as much as being a doctor, nurse or preacher.
I think the people who are excellent teachers are so because (1) they
truly care about their job, responsibilities to their students, their
direct affect on their students and (2) they love being a teacher.

> 
<cut> I have been fortunate enough not to be laid off or fired, but I still feel
> the pressures of this economy.  I currently work with Windows and Linux and
> learn more about Linux everyday.  More importantly, I have made a realization,
> same as Philip here is coming to find, him teaching, me trains.  Recently I
> have found myself becoming more and more involved with trains.  Trains have
> been a part of my life since my Dad got me a train set when I was 3 years old,
> I'm 27 now.  I am currently an avid modeler, something I can take with me to my
> death bed.  Trains have become embedded in my heart.

It sounds like Trains may be your calling in life.

<cut>
 > I questioned about myself was this.  Am I in computers for the money and
> because I find them easy, or am I in computers b/c I love them?  My answer was
> simple.  I do not love computers.  Computers are simply a tool for me to use. 

I think I have found that high-tech in general: computers, networks,
high-end telecom, etc are my calling. Design, development, test,
installation, code or implementation. I 'am' alot of what I 'do'.
I've found I cannot be very happy personally without satisfaction
professionally. And I've found that I can be very miserable personally
without professional satisfaction despite a healthy paycheck.

My personal life has driven the direction of my professional life. I've
had good jobs, bad jobs, been laid off and survived.

> Will I take a salary hit, most certainly, is it worth it? 

I didn't see your answer here. Is it worth it?

To me it is. Once you've acheived a sufficient salary, it's more important
to me to be happy. However, I don't like feeling used/abused as employers
stringently focused on profit are wont to do... Employees are not
replaceable parts to be purchased for the cheapest price on the market.

Speaking for myself, it can be real frustrating seeing people who use their
knowledge and skills (or image of such) advance over those who share my passion.

 >
> Wouldn't you want to
> love your job instead of hate it?
> 
> However, when I leave IT, I will not leave computers behind.  I will continue
> to be an active TriLUG member, as much as the railroad's 24/7 on call status
> will allow.  I will continue to learn more about Linux and maintain my own
> network, security and websites.  In a strange kinda way, my hobby is about to
> become my career, and my career is about to become my hobby.  Funny isn't it? 
> Yet, my love for trains is so strong, that even working for the railroad will
> not take away my enjoyment of the modeling hobby.  Not only that, I'll wake up
> daily ready and glad to be going to work.
> 
<cut>
> I enjoy providing support and
> teaching users how to be more efficient in what they do. 

me too!

> Education is your
> best weapon in today's society.  Teaching empowers.

Why should education be used as a weapon?
Education can be nothing more than a tool for advancement or it can be an
end unto itself - education for the pure enjoyment of the knowledge and
learning itself.

Education does allow potential for advancement in society. It has both a
financial potential and an aesthetic potential. A general education exposes
you to much of the reality we share. If you're lucky you'll find something
you enjoy and can earn a living with it. But I don't think education should
be thought of as tool for advancement at the expense of others (a weapon).

I know life is hard, but there is enough to do out there that we don't have
to resort to killing each other. I also recognize this is the real world and
everyone is in their unique situation. And it's real fucking hard to be
altruistic when you don't have food or money to pay the bills. Maybe I'm too
soft, and you'll notice I've expressed frustration at other's advances - so
I'm not immune to this either.

However as a BSEE, previous and current employee, cancer survivor, RHCE,
coporation owner, and hopefully MCS CSC (in a couple of years) - I've got to
tell you how I feel about it:

(0) life's way too short to be miserable.

(1) If you're not lucky enough to have a job/career you enjoy or love - you
should be moving yourself toward that goal.

(2) Eduacation empowers individuals to learn and to learn to control their own
destiny to get by in the world. Teaching can give students this education.

(3) Your education can be repaid by sharing (teaching) what you've learned
(OSS/FSF/Linux).
Or your education can be used almost purely to your own benefit (M$).

Good luck everyone!

- Frank.

stronger-than-expected-rant/

> 
> Good luck Philip!
> David M.
> 
-- 
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  lfwelty at nc.rr.com: Earth is a beta site, I just wish that damn
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