It's Been a While

Man, I haven't written here in ages, it seems...no real excuse for it, I guess. Utah is over and done with, and I made it through none the worse for wear. It was a good experience, despite all the trials and tribulations - I'm glad I stuck it out and left on good terms. After my job, Nate came up and we drove to Yellowstone by way of the Grand Tetons. We saw lots of moose, some antelope, possibly a grizzly (I was driving and couldn't pull over to get a good look, but it was way off), and lots of bison. The scenery was great, and the geologic features were fascinating. We managed to see almost all of the major sectors of the park, save for the southeast leg. We managed to go on a few good hikes, and attempted to find the pack of wolves that reside in the northeast part of the park, to no avail. I think we saw a lot, considering we only had two days. Beyond that, we toured the Egyptian Theater in Ogden, and I went for a spin in the wind tunnel at I Fly Utah. It was a blast, though it was rather hard to breathe with the wind pummeling my nostrils like that.

Since I've been back, most of my time has revolved around training for a fitness assessment in order to obtain an interview with the NM Dept. of Fish and Game. You need to pass in order to qualify for the police academy, which I'd have to attend for five months should I get the job as a conservation officer. Well, I ran a mile and a half every day for two and half weeks, and when I took the exam, I passed with flying colors - I completed the mile and half run two minutes quicker than I needed, finished the 300m run in a decent time, did enough sit ups and push ups in a minute, and actually (to my shock) passed the sit and reach, which I've NEVER been able to do. Still, after talking to the people there, I determined I really didn't want the job. For one thing, I'm no cop...not even a forest cop...I can't see myself in police academy...not to mention the fact that I'd probably be in Hobbs, 5 hours from home, to attend it. Then, once out, I would probably be stationed just as far away, and I'd have to work on weekends, so I'd almost never get to come home. PLUS, everyone there was a red-necky hunter. They were actually joking about shooting the prairie dogs that were around (and these are the people who should be UPHOLDING the protected status of these animals). The guy in charge was also talking about how mad he was when he was 3 and saw "Bambi" for the first time...he was upset that no one shot Bambi's dad! Good grief! I would NOT fit in with these people.

So my interview was first thing the next day. There was no way they'd give me the job. For one thing, for as calm as I was when I went in, after I heard the first question and saw the stern, emotionless faces of the 9 panel members, I just couldn't think of anything to say! Words escaped me. The questions, had they been on paper, would have been simple enough, but I was at a loss for words. And the things I did say, no doubt, worked against me. Like when they asked about what things I would consider before introducing rainbow trout to a creek...I went into how we'd have to sample for sensitive species that may be affected, which is the RIGHT thing to do, but not what these people want to hear. What a joke. The other red flag, I'm sure, was when they asked if I would be able to kill an animal that was destroying someone's property. I said I COULD, but I wouldn't be happy about it (everyone else is a blood thirsty hunter), and I think I added that the animals were there first. Heh heh. Yeah, I didn't want the job, and I'm sure the feeling was mutual. Oh, they also asked me if I could kill a person! You don't get asked that every day!

So I got the call that night, telling me I didn't get the job, and I think I uttered, "Thank goodness!" Hah! Well, now I just have to find another job...which is proving awfully hard. There are a lot of jobs out there, just nothing in Albuquerque, and I've about had it with living all over the place. I mean, I'd like to see more of the country, but it's just too soon after my last adventure. So I'm looking into other things, such as a film internship here in town. We'll see what happens with that.

Beyond that, tomorrow I go to Orlando! No wonder I can't hold down a job - I'm never home! Maybe I really should get serious about travel writing. Well, I'm going to enjoy my trip and not think about all this. Hopefully it'll all go smoothly!