Today I signed an offer letter, so after 9 months I will finally be going back to work. The role is a step below where I was, but after pursuing lateral and better positions, only to find myself making final rounds and going no further (for obvious reasons that shall not be discussed), I felt just getting back on the playing field was important as long as I wasn't going bankrupt. I have always been realistic about just wanting to get back in the office, so the fact it's a step back isn't bothering me. It's a challenging role that suits my talents well and I'm appreciative of the people who recognized I could provide a value to their organization.
Employment opens up other opportunities for me which I'd been reticent about pursuing while I wasn't working. One was to attend a memorial service in Florida to scatter the ashes of a close friend who died during Covid (not from Covid, or even 'with' Covid). With my financial situation sorted out somewhat, I let friends know that I would be attending. One promptly replied they would not be attending due to "Gov DeathSantis" and the "disaster" he "created" down there. I chose not to argue. The statistics are readily available, and this association can't be further from the truth. It is just an example of the truly annoying politicization of the virus. I don't understand anyone who really believes there is a political solution to this. There isn't. New Zealand is unique in attempting to achieve a zero case situation. As an island nation, they have some unique qualities that should allow them to achieve this, at lease in theory. Even they are learning it's not possible in real life.
Afghanistan. I never thought I'd see a repeat of Vietnam in my lifetime. You'd think we learned a valuable lesson there. Apparently, we didn't. Or I should say certain members of our government didn't. It's shocking and must be infuriating for allies of ours to see what is happening and wonder "can this happen to me?" The likelihood is no, our relationship with Afghanistan was not typical or standard. However, to see Biden abandoning tens of thousands who the US did have a legitimate and standard relationship with in such callous fashion is concerning. As a result, it does raise one's eyebrows as to the state of affairs in the White House. I know the 'credible' media spent 4 years telling me that Trump (who I certainly was no fan of) had no policies, was erratic, and unreliable. I think that assessment is more applicable today.
Finally, Cuomo. I recently read a piece by a person who got their first job from Cuomo. He had glowing things to say about Cuomo. Not to rationalize what occurred, but to point out that even those we admire have flaws. I agreed and acknowledged his comments as justifiable. After all, I remarked, I worked for Roger Ailes twice and I won't spend any time trying to rationalize his personal flaws. But I, too, have many stories of his great treatment of employees, his loyalty and promotion of them, and how he really did run a great shop. As leaders go, Ailes was top-notch. However, since he was a Republican, his behavior is demonized while Cuomo got the kid gloves. I doubt one, let alone two, movies will be made about Cuomo's sexualizing of women.
