Not really. I mean, I have a lot to be thankful for, but I'm really stressed. I live from one trip to the next because, when I'm somewhere else, I forget about everything. I used to take work/school mentally with me on trips and now I don't. I suppose that's progress.
Work - good God. My firm has had a "brain drain." All of the brightest and best people (the middle management layer on the promo track) has left. We lost over 1/4 of our employees in the first 5 months of this year and I suspect more are leaving. Some were my friends. To counter that, we've hired and made some changes that I don't see as being wise...morale is kind of 'effed up right now. In fact, I just got a new boss...from the outside whereas 2 months ago I was working independently. It's not a reflection of my work...it's just that somebody merged their practice into our firm and they gave him some concessions. The saving feature is that I like just about everybody there...in fact, I love some of the people there. (There is just one angry dyke with an edge I can't stand and neither can anyone else). I can totally be myself (a buffoon with an irreverent personality and a million inside jokes with people) and people deal with it or flip me $h!. I have a group of friends I go to lunch with that are as nuts as I am. I will miss them when the time comes to leave. We are multi-office so there is also a Las Vegas presence and the people there are a blast as well. This is great compared to a firm I worked at in the Seattle area where the smug rain-soaked a-holes that worked there couldn't deal with my opinionated and outspoken nature and I'm sure were glad when I left. That brings up the Jimmy Buffett song (Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude).
School - I'm doing a grad program at night. It's really stretching me. After May 15th, I felt like I was going to collapse. I have a larger plan so this must be finished. There aren't many people I'm nuts about in the program. Nobody I dislike but nobody I really want to know either. Two more night semesters to go! It's the thought of sleeping on beaches on the Mediterranean next summer for 1.5 months that keeps me going.
Personal - I have no one in my life (romantically) and that's fine. I don't know why that's fine but for now it is. I have friends and I know nice people so that buffers it.
Guys, I've seen some concerning posts up above. If you get to be in a bad way or a funk that lasts TOO long, you should seek professional help. Seriously, if you don't ask, you don't get. There is nothing to be ashamed about. Life is full of $h! and sometimes the dosing is not equitable. Some things are too big to absorb. I had a rotten 2003 when my mother was hesitant to do an equitable estate plan to provide equally for her 2 kids. I saw I side of my mother I've never seen before. The reason: she wants to appease the sibling that lives in her immediate area as I tend to live in other states and she is getting older and does not want to alienate him....is it any wonder I live elsewhere? I didn't back down until it was fixed. My rapport with my mother is permanently damaged and I spend very little time with her when I go up North over a long weekend or a holiday.
SciGuy - I like your modified sig - hehe
Usonia - what brought this idea on?
Everybody take care, ok.