My birthday celebrations continue without fail, every year. This year, it is noted moreso as I have the time to reflect. Being (generally) unemployed allows (causes) more thought. The fact is that if I live for 26 more years, which is a lot less than I have already lived, I will have lived for the same lifespan as my dad. It might not seem very important but it is a sobering thought for myself. He, in my eyes, seemed to have achieved a lot in his 68 years. Even though 68 was a young age for him to pass, 68 will arrive on my doorstep too soon.
So my birthday is noted. I am back in Ireland more than a year. No concrete employment opportunities have shown themselves. Interviews have not resulted in job offers. Attending seminars etc. has not fed into real-life opportunities. A lot of talk and brain-storming but nothing real and lasting has happened...
But it just might. Maybe the foundation work or the "spade-work" is already done and I just don't realise it yet? Maybe the cutbacks are really taking their toll and therefore when investment restarts job opportunities will appear...
But I am sure I have no regrets. I am not sorry that I took the opportunity to do some substitute teaching in the area. I am not sorry that I studied for a degree in Media Studies. I am certainly not sorry that I studied for a Masters Degree in Media Broadcast and Electronic Communication. I am not sorry that I lectured in Media Aesthetics in SFSU and that I got to know the people there.
I am not sorry that I and my family moved back to Ireland. I just hope that I live long enough and do something of value so that I can feel like I have done something. What is that something?
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I remember your project on the use of children in political videos, and how tuned in you were to the ways that that is not only exploitative but also disrespectful of the children as individuals. Your ability to discern and articulate far beyond what is obvious/on the surface is something of great value that the world is desperately in need of, and something you'll bring to all of your work, whatever the job title turns out to be. Great blog post -- and happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie,
ReplyDeleteIt seems that social awareness etc. is not in demand for economic gain. Can it be that one must feed on the fears and weaknesses of others to make a living in the media outside of education?