This note, like all of them, began as a seedling. “You’ve been interviewing a ton lately…why don’t you share some of the cool things you learned? That’ll take what, an hour?”
Yeah! What a no-brainer.
And thus, for the past week, I’ve been writing an extensive guide about my interview experience. It’s been proper labor, and I planned to share that here.
I always want to be helpful, and I’ve learned a number of good tricks from the past year+. I’ve had to manage my psyche, juggle multiple ideal paths, and above all, stay me. That’s huge. There is a recipe there, provided the necessary caveats you know of me, my background, my good fortune, and so on.
But I just couldn’t kick the feeling — who am I to give this advice? This space is chock full of great insights from folks who can point to multiple successful experiences. People have written extensive, top notch guides on landing a dream job. This is a packed pool.
Further, is this even the type of writing I want to do?
The answer is unequivocally no. I’m still down to share the piece, as there are insights from search through negotiation that may be of help to you, but this is not the venue.
Lastly, as I’ll explain more in next month’s note, my vacation/sabbatical/retirement is about to end. Sure, I just filled that time with work — research, consulting, tons of writing — but by the next time you hear from me, I’ll be once again fully employed. Lots to come1.
So that means now it’s time for summer vacation, like when you were a boy2. There’s no calls to answer, no meetings to be had, and thus, I’m gonna kick it. I encourage you to do the same.
A different sense fills the air. Happy summer.
go outside
have a beer
walk around a new neighborhood
read a book midday
leave your phone charging in the bedroom
buy something you never would
smile at someone you think is nice
see your family
tell them you love them, lots
guzzle water
maybe pour it over your head
stay up late, outside
make massive fucking plans
dive into a lake
lose your breath
listen to an old classic rock album
think of your dad
make it a cocktail this time
grill up a feast for your friends
don’t skimp on the buns
make your own lazy river
start a fire
sit in a kayak for awhile
golf, probably poorly, but forget that...today you’re going low
go to a friday afternoon game at wrigley
do it again
play steely dan at all your friends’ homes
go away for awhile, just you
supply your own noise, then you’ll follow the right signal
you deserve it
happy summer vacation
tunes wise, we’re throwing it back, as alluded to. Steely Dan’s fifth album is 41 minutes of jazz rock, peaking powers, and good times. 1976 was 46 years ago.
I am very, very excited.
Even when your mom made you memorize South American capitals before you could play!
Summer Vacation — No.10