Seems like all I write here anymore is Navel Gazing, but I suppose that's where I am.
This week saw three fairily significant events. First, I started with a new psychologist. She seems a devotee of Ken Burns and his Feeling Good series of books. The book has been around since the early 80s, but has come into more prominence as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy has become more common. (My theory is that CBT is more prominent because insurance companies love it's ability to End. Analysis can take years. My psychologist doesn't believe my theory. So, for now, I don't either.)
So, I am to read the first three chapters, which I've done. I will read the chapters twice. The premise here is that all emotions flow from thoughts. Care for the thoughts, care for the emotions. The book's cover promises changes without the use of drugs. I take that as publisher-hype, but I also feel some patient-hope. Wouldn't it be nice if this were all true. I have been on Paxil for over 10 years. It would be ... different ... to be drug-free. I don't even know who I'd become.
The psychologist reminds me of my first therapist, a social-worker named "Nancy." I wonder if that will bring anything up. Admittedly, there's a little concern about this. I am not comfortable even speaking about it here. I don't think that's because it's particularly difficult, but I feel quite fraglie. I am anxious about most things psyche.
The second and third events were interviews with two local concerns. I hesitate to mention who they are. I am hopeful about one job. It's a firm that specializes in high-performance computing. The equipment, technology, and atmosphere are all top-rate. At least, that was my impression. I felt quite humbled by the technical interview, but I think they liked the way I thought through things. Perhaps there's something there.
The other company? Well, I'm not sure anything will develop there. It's a firm that is in the same squeezed position I was back when I sold The Computer Valet. Too much work. Too much business. Unsure how to bring someone in to help and how to manage that. In essence, I would be this second person. The trouble I see is a reluctance to commit on a pay-rate. We danced around this so much today that I sincerely thought we were auditioning for Dancing With The Stars. As such, I am a little pessimistic. But it's early, truthfully, and my friend Judy is a master at negotiations like this. I have yet to talk to her.
Two days after I arrived back in Houston, Dexter, one of the dogs at my sister-in-law's house died. My sister-in-law and family were out of town at the time. My wife and I were "taking care" of Dexter and two other dogs, Xiao Gu and Kody. Xiao Gu stayed with Dexter at home while Kody stayed at a kennel.