shelter

screen and pancake

We settled into our new home six months ago and reality intruded on the even the earliest moments everyday magic.

Here is the boy is looking down as I tidied the garage. A minute later, a yellow pencil poked a hole in the screen.

And while making our first batch of pancakes, he threw a tantrum after I mixed the batter, after telling me to go ahead and mix without him. Then I got into a tiff with Mama because I burnt the first few pancakes while learning the new stove. (Couples cooking has never been our strong suit.)

The gods have been gracious, but they always spice things up to keep us in our place.

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I was given a tour of landside operations at the airport. Since they manage parking and traffic, they have a large team. I asked one of their managers how someones stands out when a promotion is open.

First, he noted that not everyone is ambitious. He started with an entry level job 25 years ago and some of his colleagues are still in that exact same position.

Beyond that, he advises every new employee these three simple guides.

• Be here when you're supposed to show up.

• Do what you're supposed to do.

• Don't do what you aren't supposed to do.

After that, he said it's a matter of politics and luck. These factors are out of our hands. For example, he almost got a job with another county agency in 2007. It didn't work out, but that team experienced massive layoffs during the great recession while the airport avoided layoffs altogether.

You never know if you're winning by losing.

The gods are funny like that.

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