Stupid challenges we face sometimes...

Laura Bird · Post by **Laura Bird** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:04 pm

Ugh... sometimes, I really am NOT a fan of being a CD'er. Before you get all upset - I'll clarify: I'm sometimes not a fan of being a CD'er within the confines of my own personal rules about CD'ing.

So I've come to the realization that I very much dislike my current job. The entire org I'm a part of is a disaster, lots of people running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I've been re-org'd again for the 2nd time in 8 months. They like me, and I can DO the job (and I do it very well), I've just realized I no longer like what I do.

The industry is small for the town I live in. (If I lived in, say, NY, or San Francisco, it would be different.) I'm currently a "remote" employee - my entire team is 2,000 miles away. As such, I work from home full time. It's fantastic - gives me the chance to be Laura about as much as I can handle.

The rub: I found a possible new job opportunity, with a local company. It's a rare position, hard to come by. Career wise, it's a no brainer.

Yet I think about how my "Laura time" will be significantly reduced. Like... to just about zero. They don't allow any sort of telecommuting - they want me there, in the office, full time. My time as Laura only works during the week when my son is at school. So now this has got me second-guessing this new opportunity. My personal rules about CD'ing prevent me from really introducing Laura to my son (while I'm *sure* he will be accepting, I can't keep him from innocently telling friends or other family members, which could make for trouble later.) My wife knows and is totally accepting - but that's about as far as I want it to go.

Figures - just as the fall season is upon us, and Laura gets dusted off from being in summer hibernation (fresh cleanup and shave just this morning after ~6 months), and I kind of rediscover the fun that is being Laura.

I realize I've been lucky to have this much time to be Laura. Call me a spoiled brat if you must... but I don't want to give it up now!

*sigh* Decisions, decisions.

Post by **DonnaT** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:27 pm

I suggest listing all the pros and cons of both jobs, leaving Laura out of the equation.

Personally, I'd love to be able to work from home, even if I didn't particularly like the work. I'd make it bearable at least. And no worries about the commute, Washington DC being the 2nd worst in the country. Thus less worries about accidents, driving in the snow, etc. Buying gas, worrying if the economy will hold up to ensure that the job will be there a long long time. ETC.

Plus I missed out on a lot with respect to the kids, what with being gone most of the time. That times gone and unrecoverable.

Good luck with your decision.

Michelle Miller · Post by **Michelle Miller** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 7:24 pm

At the risk of sounding like a materialistic whore, all I can think about here if it were me is it boiling down to "how much of a pay increase/benefits does said new position offer"? vs. "could I live with spoiling the feminine side with more extravagant gifts, more often in exchange for less time en'femme"?

Laura Bird · Post by **Laura Bird** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 12:05 pm

Hahahah

Yes, when I look at it strictly from a job perspective, leaving my current employer is kind of a no-brainer. I'm outta here.

When I realized I'd get less Laura time... it threw a little something into the equation.

Working from home definitely has a lot of benefits. But it's not all roses and rainbows either. I'm home ALL THE TIME... it feels like I never leave the house - and it feels like I never leave work. I wind up working a lot more hours because it's easier to just "finish up this one last thing" since I'm not rushing out the door to get into traffic - and I often wind up getting sucked in and working a lot longer. Whereas, if I was in an actual office, I'd just put it down and pick it back up tomorrow.

And Michelle - I admit, I'm kind of a materialistic whore too! I can be bought, no doubt. Show me the money.

Erica S · Post by **Erica S** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:17 am

Laura,

Good luck to you in deciding what you are going to do. I am sure you will choose wisely for what is best for you.

Erica

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 6:58 am

I work from home also. The downside can be not getting out much, and trouble leaving the job at the end of the day.

On the plus side, it allowed me to be home when the kids got home from school. My wife had a very inflexble job (she's a teacher) so I was the one who took kids to the doctor when they were sick and that sort of thing.

The being here at 3 was a crucial part of our family, and also meant that I was the one who all the other kids came to when they got home and no one was there.

Good luck in your choice.

Bernice · Post by **Bernice** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:01 pm

So... Laura... what did you do? Are you going to leave us hanging?

As for me, being 71 weeks unemployed, ANY JOB AT ALL.

Hugs,

Bernice

TerriH · Post by **TerriH** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:02 pm

Laura,
Trade ya any time, also unemployed. Family first, dear, your work stress will affect others in ways you don't realize right away. Besides, if you're like myself, you're dressing all day and not getting as much work done as you think. Just saying.

Hugs, Terri

Tara M · Post by **Tara M** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 1:50 am

See what their rules are on Gendwer Expression.

In the UK many companies would allow you to come into work en femme. Even in the police force, I know of six coppers who have two complete uniforms!

Davita · Post by **Davita** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:49 pm

We waited to tell my daughter until she was able to keep a secret. So no sooner than I told her then she wanted to tell the world. I told her she can any of her friends that wouldn't have it get back to their parents. From that, we just lived with the consequences. For w**k (bad 4 letter word it is), as I considered each person, I would let them into my fold. And yep, the "secret" escaped. However, it never has been proven to be a detriment.

If I had a chance to be happy job-wise and that bit more financially sound, I'm afraid I would have to take the job. Then I'd be finding ways to not be trapped and not be able to dress. Yeah, it can be heck to be us girls, but in the same breath, we seem to be a resourceful lot when we put our minds to it.

Good luck with your decision.

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:35 am

Many of us don't have the option of how we dress for work, i.e. the job dictates the clothing, I am self employed and have one GG member of staff we dress the same ( apart from the bra, one of us wears), this doesn't mean I get to wear a dress, no she gets to wear thick trousers and safety boots!

For me the great advantage is organising my own time off to let Paula out, for those who are employees this isn't so easy having had jobs with holiday entitlements from 15 days a year up to 32 days plus flexable hours, this benifit is so important to make sure you get some me time.

The amount of time we all spend working means that if you are not happy in your work, then you are spoiling the rest of your life as well. God made us to be happy so we should be looking to enjoy every aspect of our lives, that includes work just as much as our presentation to the world.

Good luck with your choices and to all of you looking for work.