My new path...

[Phalanx]

So occasionally I decide to come in here and drop a line or two about my life, not sure why really - I guess I've just been here for around 5 years (maybe more) and consider some of you, even though I seldom take it out of the forums, are my peeps yknow?

So throughout my time here, I've been lazy guy, I've been stay at home and so nothing but get stoned guy, I've been (still am) chef/cook enthusiast guy, and I've been Playstation guy...ex angry keyboard warrior to rather chilled sarcastic semi-stoner, green lifestyle advocate, healthy eating guy you all know today.

One thing that might've been apparent is that I quite like animals...in fact, I tend to like them more than people generally.
I guess you could say that there have been some incidents that I've met some people, and observed some people that have actually quite inspired me.

I've never really enjoyed anything I've done, and I've sure as hell never thought anything I've done has remotely made the world a better place, it's all I've ever wanted, to do something I could be truly proud of, something selfless, and part of the solution to a problem that effects me on a personal level.

So, I'm starting over.
In 2009, at the -not-so-young-anymore age of (then) 28, I will be enrolling at college to do a variety of animal studies, animal rights and protection info, vet nursing elements too.
I hope to eventually work for the RSPCA (similar to your ASPCA, folks in the states), an organisation I've got nothing but respect and admiration for.
My ideal job will actually be to enforce the laws, and become what they call an "inspector"...it's a hard job, and some parts of it will be very hard for me to see, but for the first time in my life I will be doing something I'm truly proud of...the pays average, the conditions likely not great, and although it's taken years of flipflopping from one thing to another, I think I'm finally where I need to be.

So yeah, that's it for me...just thought I'd let you guys know.

[missmacabre]

Good job and good luck. I hear vet school is really hard.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Hey I think that is a really great direction.

I wish you every success.

[Phalanx]

I hear vet school is really hard.
It's all good - just what I'll need to know for field work really.
Kind've to the level of first aid and transport, and some surgery assstance.


Hey I think that is a really great direction.

I wish you every success.

Thanks ya both.

[Elvis_Christ]

Good on ya dude best of luck. The RSPCA does a lot of great work I've got a lot of time for those guys and it's one of the few organisations I give money too. Animal cruelty is something that really fucks me off so kudos brother for taking an active part in doing something about it.

[Angra]

So you will quit your game-testing job, to safe animals. Are you insane???!!!






Just kidding.

Being an animal lover myself (can you say that in a non perv kinda way?), i think it's great, mate.

Looking forward to see you on Animal Planet. ;)

[Phalanx]

Animal cruelty is something that really fucks me off so kudos brother for taking an active part in doing something about it.
Yeah, I'm with you there...I just figured I might not impact on too many human lives in what I choose to do, but this is something I can make a posetive difference in, so I'm going to really try to get there.
Sick of the jobs I do being worth sweet fuckall yknow? This one's gonna count.

So you will quit your game-testing job, to safe animals. Are you insane???!!!

Heh, I quit that one about 2 months ago...too much dodgy shit going on there.

Being an animal lover myself (can you say that in a non perv kinda way?), i think it's great, mate.
TY.

All of you guys, it's always nice to see the open support for doing what's right.
Gonna be pretty daunting, sometimes I get upset just looking at the kind've shows that entail parts of the job...but that stays with me, things need to be changed.

[urgeok2]

its a cool thing to do - but it wont be easy.
i couldnt do it - i know i'm not tough enough to deal with some of the things that are inevitable in that job..

best of luck.

[Phalanx]

its a cool thing to do - but it wont be easy.
i couldnt do it - i know i'm not tough enough to deal with some of the things that are inevitable in that job..

Yeah, I'm kind've not looking forward to a lot of things I'll bear witness to, things I can fix and things I cannot...but I've recently realised that this is just the thing that I'm supposed to do, the hard stuff, is just something I'll have to deal with, I honestly believe that I'm the one thats supposed to do this, nothing has ever felt more right - I feel that this will be enough to see me through.


best of luck.
Thanks man.

[La Chat Noire]

That's awesome man, good for you.

[ChronoGrl]

I had a friend in college who was pre-med-vet and apparently Vet school is ridiculously competitive. So, seriously, hats off to you for going for it. That's awesome and I wish you the best of luck.

Also - That's actually pretty damn admiral to do that. I've been stuck in a place lately where I think how little a difference my job makes to the world as a whole - It is AWESOME that you're quitting that job and going for one that actually will make a difference. Good luck.

[hammerfan]

This is an awesome thing you're doing and I give you a standing ovation. I know I tried taking a veterinary technician course and couldn't complete it. Granted, part of the problem was being on jury duty for two months, but it was also very difficult.

I wish you the best of luck!!

[Papillon Noir]

@Phalanx

I can totally relate. I myself am turning 28 next month and this year I realized how much I hate my job and where my life is going.

I have a degree in Film, which I have done nothing with because of the lack of funds to move to California and there is no steady film work in Maryland. So, I got a crappy office job and fortunately I am good with numbers and it segwayed me into accounting because it pays more that regular administrative work. I hate my job and the whole corporate structure. It's not that I find it hard, it's the exact opposite really and completely boring. I find staring at a computer screen all day is a waste of time.

I've basically reached a point in my career, that to move forward I have to go back to school. the next logical step would be a Master's in business or finance. Ugh. So, I decided to change careers and go back to school as an Art History Major, a field that combines my two great passions in life.

I am still working full-time and in September of this year I enrolled in my first class towards my new future. It is just a simple Art Survey class from Medieval to Modern Art and I've loved every minute of it and scoring well in the class so far. It's been hard to try to juggle just getting married, school, and work, but it will so be worth it in the end and I've already signed up for next semester.

I truly wish you the best of luck Phalanx and I know it is more difficult to go back to school when you get older, but if it is your passion it will all be worth it. So everyday, when I go to work, I just think that in a few years, I'll be in a museum and that gets me through my day. :)

[pinkfloyd45769]

That is really great! When i see on TV how bad people treat animals it makes me sick.I'm sure you will do great at this and i wish you the best of luck:)

[_____V_____]

This is great news. I m sure you ll make an awesome vet inspector, Cheebs.

You will be doing a lot of good for the ones who also have a heart and feelings, but cant express it, or are neglected/overlooked.

All the best of luck.

[Painfulldeath]

Good luck man. Hope you succeed and find some sense of fulfillment.

[ferretchucker]

That is great dude! Really respectful organisation in my opinion. I'm sure you'll love it, though seeing the cruelty to animals may be less than favourable. I hope you enjoy it!

[Phalanx]

Thank you guys/gals for the kind words.

So, a bit of an update...things seem to be weirdly encouraging right now.
I was talking to someone from the RSPCA about job applications, and training alongside them...etc...got into a bit of a conversation about I guess the things I find important and why I want to do this - and I actually got invited to apply for a job there already.
So I wrote the cover letter and sent in my resume.
Hell, I have no experience at this time and in all honesty I don't think I'll get it this soon, but I had to try...pretty cool the opportunity was given to me at such an early stage.

In regards to the college, I was going to go for "cert 2 in animal studies". I had a late application, but went to speak to the head teachers there about this, and my intended plans...and straight up, the guy invited me to enrol in cert 3 off the bat instead, which incorporates some elements of cert 2, and then some more.
Odd, but I'll take it.

So yep, wheels are actually turnin'

[stubbornforgey]

good for you..
all the best

[alkytrio666]

Hey, Phalanx, good for you buddy. You obviously have a good idea of what you'd like to do, and it's great to see you're gonna grab life by the balls like this.

I wish you the best of luck- and keep us up to date.

[Zero]

i had a similar experience 3 years ago - i decided to become a monkey - its worked out fairy well so far


good luck with the change and remember that the path ahead always leads forward