Been Awhile
Where to begin?
My last post here was when I was working on getting out of the Air Force. That was few months short of 3 years ago. oof…
I’ve learned a lot of things since then.
- Don’t let your employer shit on you
- Your health and family mean more than anything
- ADHD is a bitch
- and maybe a lot more things
Finding what means the most to me
When I left the Air Force, I was looking for work, and needed something fast. Don’t get me wrong, I loved working at that job. It was fun, fast paced and I learned many things. What I didn’t take into account for was the fact the toll it had on me and my family.
I was driving 45-60 minutes one way to work each day. I would leave as soon as the kids got on the bus, and would get home to tuck them into bed. They always asked me “why do you always come home late dad?” It bugged me.
It was about this time that I started my own side-business. I was doing the same thing I was doing at work each day, and got a couple customers. This took its toll on me. I couldn’t sustain burning the candle at both ends.
I decided it was time to leave, and find something closer to home. I had seen a Facebook ad for a local company hiring an entry level position at $15 per hour. I overlooked it at first, but then a few months later the ad came back up. I decided to go for an interview and see what it was like.
I ended up negotiating a higher rate than advertised, and took the position. Leaving the other company was hard. I made promises to the owner that I stil feel bad about breaking, but I needed to look after myself.
ADHD
It was a few months before leaving my previous job that I finally got diagnosed with ADHD. I was watching a lot of TikTok at the time, and ADHD related videos were popping up a lot. I started looking into the disorder, and figured that I might have this. Talked with my doc about it, and sure as shit, I have it…
I started on meds, and ended up having my best year ever. I got a new job, started making the most money I had ever made, my kids were happy that I was home more and I got to see my wife more.
Since being diagnosed, a lot more makes sense from when I was a kid. I was always good in math, computer classes, band, and geography. I hated english classes and usually got low grades in those. I realized that I did good in those classes because the dopamine was there. Also may be why I remember getting suspended for messing around with command prompt in middle school. (net send really does send a message across the network)
Now
I’ve learned to set boundries. When I leave work, work is done. I don’t answer the business line, unless it’s my boss. He knows not to call unless things are really fucked up. I learned that I need to spend time with my kids, and not just tuck them in. I learned that my wife and I still need to date, it’s kind of fun sometimes.
I’ve learned that after leaving the military, it doesn’t leave you. You are forever changed by that time, no matter how long. Certain things that people do piss me off more than anything else, but I’ve started to let some things go. Wearing a hat indoors will always get me though.
The company I work for is a lot of fun. I try most anything I want, and not be afraid of failure. If I want to tryout a new technology, I can. If I want to go operate heavy equipment in the field, I am always welcomed by the foremen.
What’s next
I want to keep learning, and honing my craft. With cybersecurity being seen as a thing worthwhile investing in, I need to learn more to stay on top. I want to keep having fun with my work and my life outside of work.
Not my circus, not my monkeys.