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The past three weeks have been smooth sailing. The work hours aren’t bad at all — most of my colleagues are gone from the office by the official knock-off time. The bosses have been fairly liberal with what I should read up on. I feel they’re a bit too laissez-faire for my good, in fact.
My only minor gripe is the um… gender dynamics. I was never aware of this in my previous workplace, where much more complex factors come into play. Man’s protective instinct kicks in when they see an opportunity for chivalry — it’s that old tale of the damsel in distress. Well, sometimes you don’t even need the distress part.
Those were just unscientific, unverified, and probably untestable gut-feelings, but did I mention somewhere that I need to trust my intuition more?
Missing you…
Observing logs are long overdue! No, I haven’t been keeping logs to myself. I just haven’t been observing for the past year or so.
Several nights ago, in that semi-conscious state between sobriety and slumber, I was reminiscing the times I spent with fellow astronomy enthusiasts in college. We were part of the university’s astronomy society, which was responsible for the weekly public observation sessions. The society’s mailing list had over 700 subscribers (probably more now) who received announcements of observing sessions and events. Being the low-profile activity that amateur astronomy has always been, the core of the society perennially consisted of less than 10 members — at least when I was there — never mind that the freshman class numbered in the thousands each year. Every year there will be the enthusiastic few who would stick around at the regular observing sessions frequently enough. They were the people whom I can call up to catch a pre-dawn comet appearance at 4am. They were the first ones I’d contact whenever something unusual was sighted in the sky. They share an appreciation for the faint fuzzes we see through the scope — objects that often leave most visitors unimpressed and unsated. They were people who didn’t mind staying out in the frosty northeastern winter nights for views of the heavens. It’s a blessing to have them around for an otherwise solitary pursuit.
Now that college is over and done with, I’m back in a land where astronomy related gatherings were never common until recent years. Light pollution and scarcity of land area forced local astronomy enthusiasts to search abroad for dark sky retreats. To date, I’ve been on several such trips, and my experiences had been nothing short of positive, if not better than that back in the States. I caught my first glimpse of the Milky Way on one of those trips, and saw the southern skies in all its glory.
But it felt different, interacting with city amateur astronomers and my friends in college. Firstly, transport issues hinder me from meeting the local amateurs on any regular basis. Even when we do meet up, it’s with a different bunch each time. Most of them are working adults or students who already own scopes and mounts, and are very informed on gadgetry and equipment trading. Conversations I hear at observing sessions and on the online forum tend to revolve around topics of “who owns what”, “who’s trading what”, or “what’s hot on the market”. Naturally, by not owning a scope, I am excluded from these conversations.
Perhaps I’ve misrepresented the fledgling local astronomy community. Perhaps it just happened that discussions on this hobby tend to be equipment related because those involved tend to be the most vocal. I’ve even heard the word “upgrade” used to refer to purchasing better equipments, as if to connote a rise in social status (N.B. in local parlance, the word “upgrade” is often in reference to acquisition of more expensive properties or cars). It may be the manifestation of retail therapy — the act of buying material goods to fill an emotional void. A local film — Gone Shopping, directed by Wee Li Lin — has been made on this subject, and we here are known for that. But maybe, we’re just bad at expressing ourselves beyond the mundane. For someone new to the hobby, we risk giving the impression that it’s all about scopes and equipment.
I still miss the very educating experiences from my days in my college’s astronomy society. I enjoyed talking to visitors about the cosmos, and hearing about their astronomy experiences and their lives. I enjoyed standing witness to the visitor’s moments of wonder when they gasp at the rings of Saturn, or a grandiose star cluster through the scope for the first time.
I miss these priceless back-to-the-basics moments. All you need is a clear night, and some company.
It was a good 718 days of my life there, no more, no less. As I’ve foreseen, I am really nonchalant about it when the day arrives. I guess this has to do with the unusually numerous rest days I got from my accumulated leave. What I’m feeling is far from a sense of elation. If not for the envious and cheery congratulatory banter from my peers, I might even end up feeling rather down, for no apparent reason. It’s good to be around people.
I’ve been asking my friends and superiors the same question the past days: What advice would you offer to someone who is entering the working world for the first time? I’ve got some responses thus far.
Two friends I spoke to cautioned against limiting my office social circle to people I feel comfortable with. An extended workplace social network, beyond the needs of the job at hand, has its benefits in unexpected situations. You never know whose help you’ll need on those days. You do not need to be on chummy terms with everyone, but at least make yourself known. Who knows, you might find yourself a potential date in one of these circles.
Be the quiet observer, but be vocal at appropriate times.
It’s ok to be lax on tasks that are low in priority and value. To someone new on a job, however, all tasks should be treated with equal importance. Experience will tell which ones require less meticulous treatment.
Keep an open mind and be keen to learn. Do not act smart-alecky.
Be humble. Aloofness is the seed of workplace misery.
This was from a former boss, whose advice was specific to someone in my position. Sorry if I sound cryptic here (somethings are specific to the local context): We can’t stop our peers from labelling, much less stop them from suggesting that we got to our positions not through our abilities, but by virtue of the label. Learn to take these in your stride, and do not try to hard to prove yourself. It takes time to get over these insecurities, and do your best in the meantime. Do what you must.
This was from the same boss: Don’t be put off by the moralizing voices that stigmatize those who leave without “serving out their dues”. It’s your life, your career. If things aren’t moving, and there’s no easy way out, there’s nothing wrong with calling it quits.
Again, from him: Recognize that your fellow workers and subordinates may have very different motivations from yourself. From another friend: Complement them, work on their strengths and around their weaknesses.
Be tactful when voicing opinions. It takes a blunt comment for one to get ostracized. This is especially applicable for someone with a low-profile personality.
This post will be updated as opinions are gathered.
P.S. Updated, Aug 8
Is she alright? I can’t stop this infatuation…
