Oh.
So it looks like the Kinko's thing is going through: I've been through two interviews and obviously cleared the background check and drug test I was administered. Everything went about as well as I could have expected it to, which is to say that I'll still need to put forth effort and show the management what I'm capable of on the job, but at least I'm personable/eloquent enough to show people at a place of this caliber that I'm hirable despite relatively weak credentials.
I'll be making more in terms of wage than I ever have before and the place seems very professional--almost certainly, they're not going to be the kind of place that breaks all kinds of labor laws in order to save money--but I had the disturbing feeling at one point that what I'm doing could be construed as "selling out." Does such a thing apply to jobs that are primarily held for wages in the first place? Is it a bad thing to (presumably) sacrifice a bit of fun in order to handle one's finances more easily?
After thinking about it, I decided that I sacrifice so much of my time and energy primarily because I need money. I'm materialistic to the extent that I adore many of the things that allow me the luxuries of music (both in the listening and in the compositional sense), movies, and contact with friends. Without being able to reasonably afford to partake in these things, I'd not be a very happy camper. Obviously this isn't an absolute principle, being that I'd sacrifice some higher pay if the job in question were particularly degrading or uncomfortable, but it's a pretty decent indication in general. And curiously, I don't consider music to be a selfish pursuit at all. With movies I can see things going either way, but I perceive the interest in and indulgence of musical curiosity to be a noble hobby. Perhaps it's because my love for music is more intrinsic than my love for most other things.
On a rather unrelated but still somewhat intrinsic note, it's been brought to my attention (if I may make an assumption that this entry is indeed about me) by an old friend--or perhaps a friend of his; it's hard to tell--that maybe I'm too philosophical about everything. I initially wanted to ignore that the entry existed, but I thought it might be more constructive to explain where I'm coming from and where my aims lie.
Obviously without some kind of divine insight I can't know for sure why I pursue philosophy, but my guess is that it's a search for order and sense in my life. And really, without understanding the meaning of life in general, how can I fully devote myself to others? How can I know anything about what I should do? We're all brought up with a general framework of what's right and wrong--albeit a framework with some inconsistencies once you really get into complicated questions--and, largely due to my own skepticism in general, the questions that arise as a result of philosophy are very interesting to consider. "What is truly right and wrong," I often ask myself, "and why do I hold certain beliefs to be fundamental and not merely for the purpose of utility?" I guess I'm curious about how other people approach morality; most assuredly, whatever the case, my questioning is sincere.
So while I live a life in which I strive to offer courtesy and respect to others--this is an especially important pursuit at work, where the sheer number of people I encounter eclipses that any other environment--I still have some very basic questions to work out, and it's become a pastime of mine. I don't like to brag about beneficent acts, but I do put forth effort to help people. However, it's not explicitly to make an impact--I just think people deserve to be treated well, and when I'm capable of doing so, I'll try to do it. And perhaps my aspirations of teaching Japanese, English, or philosophy may never earn me great fame or recognition; I'm okay with that. I understand that a Utilitarian follower would assert that the more people I help, the better I am objectively, but if my heart and sense lead me to a quiet life of teaching rather than something more flashy, that's the life I will pursue.
Do I have pride in regard to my questioning and my aspirations? Yes, of course I have pride. And as best I can glean from my feelings, it's a result of the fact that I've never truly considered myself capable or intelligent. I'm just beginning to realize that my thoughts are valid and that I can come to some realizations myself, but I'm still very touchy about how people approach me. I'm sure most of my friends have noticed that I'll get my back up at times, and when that's the case, it's probably because my logic and sincere thoughts have been disregarded or thrown aside as invalid. The most sincere compliment anyone can give me is to take me seriously and treat me with respect. Take this as a promise that I'll put forth genuine effort to reciprocate said respect should it be offered.
I'll be making more in terms of wage than I ever have before and the place seems very professional--almost certainly, they're not going to be the kind of place that breaks all kinds of labor laws in order to save money--but I had the disturbing feeling at one point that what I'm doing could be construed as "selling out." Does such a thing apply to jobs that are primarily held for wages in the first place? Is it a bad thing to (presumably) sacrifice a bit of fun in order to handle one's finances more easily?
After thinking about it, I decided that I sacrifice so much of my time and energy primarily because I need money. I'm materialistic to the extent that I adore many of the things that allow me the luxuries of music (both in the listening and in the compositional sense), movies, and contact with friends. Without being able to reasonably afford to partake in these things, I'd not be a very happy camper. Obviously this isn't an absolute principle, being that I'd sacrifice some higher pay if the job in question were particularly degrading or uncomfortable, but it's a pretty decent indication in general. And curiously, I don't consider music to be a selfish pursuit at all. With movies I can see things going either way, but I perceive the interest in and indulgence of musical curiosity to be a noble hobby. Perhaps it's because my love for music is more intrinsic than my love for most other things.
On a rather unrelated but still somewhat intrinsic note, it's been brought to my attention (if I may make an assumption that this entry is indeed about me) by an old friend--or perhaps a friend of his; it's hard to tell--that maybe I'm too philosophical about everything. I initially wanted to ignore that the entry existed, but I thought it might be more constructive to explain where I'm coming from and where my aims lie.
Obviously without some kind of divine insight I can't know for sure why I pursue philosophy, but my guess is that it's a search for order and sense in my life. And really, without understanding the meaning of life in general, how can I fully devote myself to others? How can I know anything about what I should do? We're all brought up with a general framework of what's right and wrong--albeit a framework with some inconsistencies once you really get into complicated questions--and, largely due to my own skepticism in general, the questions that arise as a result of philosophy are very interesting to consider. "What is truly right and wrong," I often ask myself, "and why do I hold certain beliefs to be fundamental and not merely for the purpose of utility?" I guess I'm curious about how other people approach morality; most assuredly, whatever the case, my questioning is sincere.
So while I live a life in which I strive to offer courtesy and respect to others--this is an especially important pursuit at work, where the sheer number of people I encounter eclipses that any other environment--I still have some very basic questions to work out, and it's become a pastime of mine. I don't like to brag about beneficent acts, but I do put forth effort to help people. However, it's not explicitly to make an impact--I just think people deserve to be treated well, and when I'm capable of doing so, I'll try to do it. And perhaps my aspirations of teaching Japanese, English, or philosophy may never earn me great fame or recognition; I'm okay with that. I understand that a Utilitarian follower would assert that the more people I help, the better I am objectively, but if my heart and sense lead me to a quiet life of teaching rather than something more flashy, that's the life I will pursue.
Do I have pride in regard to my questioning and my aspirations? Yes, of course I have pride. And as best I can glean from my feelings, it's a result of the fact that I've never truly considered myself capable or intelligent. I'm just beginning to realize that my thoughts are valid and that I can come to some realizations myself, but I'm still very touchy about how people approach me. I'm sure most of my friends have noticed that I'll get my back up at times, and when that's the case, it's probably because my logic and sincere thoughts have been disregarded or thrown aside as invalid. The most sincere compliment anyone can give me is to take me seriously and treat me with respect. Take this as a promise that I'll put forth genuine effort to reciprocate said respect should it be offered.