Moving (again?)

Ok, so this will be the last time I move (for sure). I am moving my blog to:

http://www.joshua-arnold.com

I will probably post in both places at first, but by the end of the year I will drop this account. Please come and visit!

:: bye bye, big blue

Well, I did it. I put it in my two weeks notice this morning and I'm about to embark on yet another life changing journey as I pursue a new career. For those of you who are interested, I will explain my reasoning behind my departure.

1. Bureaucracy + Change Management = Non compatible

The processes and policies that need to occur to change even the smallest aspect of your job quickly becomes a painful burden. Moreover, the people in your department have more than likely been doing the same thing the same way for years. Do you really think that they're going to want to change that? What are they going to think of you if you're the reason that they have to learn something new when they really don't want to?

My thoughts on this? Change is painful. Deal with it.

There are times when change is called for. The changes that I pushed for were proposed after careful analysis of the current processes and were designed to not only capitalize on the department's strengths but also to improve its weaknesses. Did they get put into place?

Not a single one.

2. Corporate America + Upward Mobility = "Please kiss my @$$"
Would you like that on the left cheek or the right cheek?

Seriously, if you're expecting to be doing any "moving" in a large company then be sure to have at least 5 years of experience under your belt before the direction is UP. Does this make sense? Sure, it does. Is it the best way to handle it? HELL NO.

This has relatively the same effectiveness as standardized tests. Let's measure people's knowledge and expertise by the number of years that they've been working in a particular field. Never mind the fact that they could be mediocre, a complete slacker, and only lift a finger when they really need to. Never mind the fact that they could struggle so hard with the material and never truly "master" it. Never mind the fact that there are always exceptions to the rule.

So, how do I feel about year-based promotions? I think they work in large environments where people are numbers and nothing else matters. Was that impersonal? Yes, you're damn right it was. Can we do anything about it? Well, that depends...do you know anybody in upper management? Oh! That's right, the only workaround is political (you should ask me what I originally wrote here...it was good).


3. Corporate Thinking: Keep it INSIDE the box

I can not imagine myself staying in a place where I am unable to push the envelope on a day-to-day basis. I'm an innovator, I'm creative, and damn it I am motivated. If you put a cap on my creativity, ability to innovate, and stick me in a square cubicle...who am I?

Give me freedom and lay down the guidelines. I will stretch your expectations and will do my best to always go above and beyond. Give me a place that encourages the initiative and appreciates the extra mile and I will never leave.



There are plenty of things to love and plenty of things to hate. Obviously, I've chosen to focus on the latter this time around. Keep a look out for an upcoming 4 parter and my lessons learned through this lovely debacle and updates on my newest adventure.

:: supporting the genre

I sat out to write a brilliant entry tonight. It may not feel like it to you, but I feel like I've redefined the term. I mean, let's be honest...deep down I wanted to write on par with Max Bemis. That was my first mistake. I can't compete with his lyrical genius. However, in my discovery of my inability to do, I began to wonder what it was that I sought out to accomplish.

Is it the audience? Well, I love the idea of people reading my thoughts. How big is my audience? I'd say I have roughly 4 unique visitors a month. It's certainly not the numbers but I think it's partly the dedication of those who truly care about what I have to say.

I write for the joy of writing. I write because I often have great things to say...and I don't know it until I write it down. In the process, I learn how to invoke those thoughts into everyday conversations. Sometimes it's poetry, sometimes its witty remarks, other times its just mindless babbling that has to be put somewhere.

Today was a great day. This weekend is going to be phenomenal. Utah, here I come!

DC here I come!

So it's been quite an adventure so far...a bridge is out so they had us on a bus for the first hour. That wasn't too bad - just slightly annoying since I couldn't really get much work done.

Now I'm sitting in the business class section with an angry old woman behind me. She seems nice and then starts cursing randomly...it's kinda funny actually. We're waiting for another bus to show up before we can take off and I figured I'd write an update while we wait.

The business section is pretty nice, I'm not gonna lie. Pillows, plenty of room, ac outlets for my laptop (thank god) and plenty of complimentary beverages.

The older woman is arguing again...

Well, I guess I'll see how much work I can get done. Work hard for a few hours and then it's a weekend of fun ^_^

:: spontaneity and me

I wish I had a clever book to read. It feels like I haven't read one in such a long time. I think I might go on an intense search for one very soon. I'll be in a place to look for one tomorrow, I'm sure.

Tomorrow, I'll be in DC.

Yes, I have decided to take a spontaneous trip to DC. If you know me very well, you'll know that spontaneity and I flirt relentlessly but I just never seem to have the courage to make a move. Before I could second guess myself, I bought a train ticket and I'll be on my way tomorrow afternoon for a weekend of culture and LIFE.

My insomnia appears to be settling down for now. I took Leon's advice and began listening to Eluvium. I couldn't get enough from just the one song so I downloaded the album and fell asleep while listening to it last night. I can remember only a few times when I've been as relaxed as I was last night.

Nothing has changed at work. I'm hoping that won't stay the same for long but I've found ways to make due while I wait.

It rained today. I hope all of you have been able to enjoy rain lately, it really is quite beautiful.

[ music: Eluvium - Perfect Neglect In a Field of Status ]
Thanks, Leon ;)

:: good morning, sunshine

When you have insomnia, you're never really asleep... and you're never really awake.

This was the ultimate display of the severity of my insomnia. Admittedly it was cool at first - stay up late to get work done, watch ridiculous amounts of Scrubs and The Office...then it got to a point where I'm becoming bored and actually want sleep.

Last night I couldn't sleep.

The weirdest part is that I honestly can't distinguish between day dreams and time between around 6pm yesterday and this morning. On a more positive note, I was in the gym nice and early and running in the wonderful and relatively cool weather we've received lately. I'm enjoying a nice cup of coffee and settling in for the day at the office - and it's only 7:30.

I do feel a bit tired now so I think there's a chance of me getting to sleep early tonight and fixing this sleep schedule of mine. I plan on doing some of the exercises my dad has suggested (Taoist Eight Treasures). Hopefully I'll have good news about that.

:: oh ho! it's a new day

Did you feel the excitement in that title? No? Well...read it again.

As you might have noticed, I'm in a good mood today. Let me back track a little bit and cover what's happened over the past 24 hours or so. Yesterday I was so angry that I could have . I was basically given the ultimate block: I cannot switch departments without the approval of my direct manager. In this particular case, that wasn't looking very hopeful since he responded with "more than likely not for at least one to two years". How awesome is THAT?

Well, in retrospect and in his defense, I haven't been in this department for very long. Wait a minute, that's right...I haven't been here for very long. So even though I've been noticed for my efficiency, I'm not necessarily relied upon. However, in one to two years I'll be a power-member of the team (as stated by my team lead) so it would hurt the department even more the longer I wait. That's logical, isn't it?

I'm feeling good because the wheels are turning in the other department by now and I will be in touch with them soon. I'm also feeling good because my team lead and mentor is supporting be 100% and has assured me that I am doing the right thing.

I'm very good at what I do, I know where I can utilize my full potential and guess what? I'm only using a fraction of it here (although I'm still getting noticed for it...). Neumont taught me how to shine very brightly and I have every intention of doing so. I will not let anyone get in the way of my doing so either. So if it's a fight they're looking for, then I'm more than happy to bring it.

You'll have to kill me to take away my desire to better myself...and I don't see that happening.

:: step two

Moving towards another department seems to be the answer to all of my problems. Thankfully I've made quite a few contacts over the past few months that will help me make this transition. The wheels have already begun turning so I'm hoping that perhaps this will be something that happens fairly quickly.

This is truly a big step for me. I went from feeling completely lost just yesterday afternoon to having hope and a plan tonight. I'll keep you updated on the progress of this but it's still a little too up in the air for me to be posting details.

:: step one

I'm committing to an entry a day starting...now. I know I've tried this in the past but, in my defense, I was going for a creative piece of writing per day...and let's face it, that's pretty hard to do without a decent amount of inspiration.

This will more than likely be a combination of a few things. I'll be posting normal entries about my life and random things on a daily basis. My main goal is to force myself to start doing creative writing every day since it's something that I've been slacking off on lately. I really should be taking advantage of this free time that I have and start writing all the things I've wanted to write.

So, to the 4 people that actually read this...add me to your daily reading list!

Hello, Zee

Revolutionary Networks has officially begun work on a redesign of the Zee application for the Bridge Academy Charter High School. There are six members of the RevNet team working on this and I will post updates whenever possible. This is looking to be a fantastic project.

Short update but it's a pretty exciting one for the team ^_^.

:: when you cross me with corporate america

It results in an oddly formed, restricted, ambitious employee who flirts with mediocrity and over-achievements on a daily basis.

It becomes a struggle to maintain consistency. I am awarded for my efforts and restricted by an attempt to maintain a general system of conformity. Every step is then only a small piece of a well-calculated plan. You can't blame it. You can't fight it. You can only learn and abide by the rules - even if it is only to change them.

Work cannot be given quickly enough to keep me busy. I actively search for new assignments and began finding ways to evolve processes. However, each request for approval or information is met with yet another delay. For all you fellow Neumont-mates, I'm beginning to think that we're too prepared. I'm used to a constant stream of work. Who would have thought that it gets easier?


This is where my life is today. I suppose I'm not one that can remain idle for very long. I need evolution and I need change. Perhaps I'll be rewarded for this soon.

:: starting over

I've decided that I'm going to take up tennis. I played for my first time last night - and by played I don't actually mean played a normal game. My roommate and I pretty much just hit the ball back and forth for a couple of hours but I really enjoy it. So it's officially adopted. Next up: cycling.

My current routine is to run in the evenings. However, if I'm going to be taking up any other sports this might prove to be a bit more difficult. I think I'll shift my running and lifting to be in the mornings before work - a nice way to start off the day I think. I've also discovered a dojo nearby that I really want to check out. I think I might do that tomorrow after work.

Anyway, that's it for this weekend. Excitement to come, I promise. I just need to get out of my shell a little bit.

Love to all,
Josh

:: my rerun

I've reached a point where I have too many things to say. I feel overwhelmed when a blank page enters my sight. I cannot look passed it and I cannot see through it. I'm blocked and I'm empty - perhaps it's simply a shift of vision. Whatever the case may be, I must fix it soon.

Keep your voice down, now.
Here comes the piece you never expected.
Never mind the present, the pressure, or the fear.
It's new, it's different, it's everything I've wanted it to be.

This is something new, this is something different, and I've never felt more alone than I do today. Sitting alone at lunch surrounded by hundreds of people will do that to you. For the first time since I moved here, I couldn't stay in the apartment by myself. But, you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

I've been humbled, I've been inspired, and I've been challenged. Everything is new today and will continue to be for weeks to come. It's finally time to do this.

Hold your breath and bite your tongue, dear.
I don't miss you for a second.

:: one week later

It's been a week now.
This is where I kindly ask you to try and keep up.
Over the course of the next week, I will explain to you why this is different.
For now, kindly leave your shoes at the door.

I've spent the past week lounging around my new apartment. Few attempts at exploring the area lead to my being somewhat..."lost".

It's not real just yet.

Work begins tomorrow and I will be on a plane to New York for a few days. I'll have plenty of time to gather my thoughts and begin to tell the story of my major transition.

Something new is waiting for all of us.
I hope you spend the next week looking for it as well.

Love to All,
Josh