Tracks, Packs, and Take Backs

Take one: First and foremost, let me set something straight. The neighborhood Josh and I live in (technically speaking, called University Heights, but commonly lumped together with the North Park neighborhood) is an interestingly dichotomized part of town. The mere distance of several blocks will yield a VERY different atmosphere. Generally speaking, when West of the 805, the better part neighborhood is North of El Cajon Blvd. You'll want to bump that up to Adams Ave when East of the 805. Back on the West side of the 805, West of Park Blvd is (generally speaking) the Hillcrest neighborhood, and that is a nice area. I don't really know the area East of the 15 and South of Adams Ave, but around (and north of) Adams is the Kensington area, and that is REALLY nice. One of the posh-ist neighborhoods East of the coast...

Take two: A long time ago I found the artist David Darg during my random browsing, and I love his music. It is all acoustic, and VERY mellow, but when I'm in the mood it's definitely something I enjoy. Josh, you will probably really like this. Mr Vid, if you ever read this, you should too. Dan, TJ, and any others that may check this, I'm not sure if acoustic is really your bag, so who knows.

Take three: Life is really interesting. Our actions can have such enormous impacts on other people even when we don't wish it. And it's difficult when you know simply taking care of/attending to yourself will cause collateral damage. But what are you supposed to do? Example:****The company you work for is restructuring and your department is being eliminating. However, there is a new position available that would allow you to stay with the company. Even better, the new job would also be a promotion over your current position. Now one of your colleagues (that your friends with) has been trying really hard for this new spot. You submitted your resume to HR as well, but upon hearing nothing back began looking for other options. You have several job offers, but none of the positions are as good as this promotion would be. They're similar to your current position, and the pay is about equal, but that's it. Now one week before you have to quit your colleague comes to you all excited saying they just talked to "The Man" and they're sure that they're getting the position. In their jubilation they tell you what a relief it is because they haven't been able to find a new job and their family has some pretty serious expenses right now. To be honest, you think it's kind of a crock because your colleague really doesn't deserve the position. They were never very good at their job, and often dumped their work on you because they couldn't handle it. Their education is old/out of date and is barely sufficient for the current position. You, however, always have busted your ass and your training fits the job perfectly. Still, you're happy for your friend; you have other options, and this position is going to save them a lot of trouble/heartache, especially since they have financial problems at home.
That night, after wrapping up everything you needed to do (long after everyone else has left for the day) you box up some of your stuff to take home. While taking the box out to your car "The Man" sees you and calls you into their office. You walk in and He tells you to sit down. "I thought you might still be here. It seems you're always one of the last to leave." He then glances at the box and says, "Looks like you're emptying your office. That might not be necessary." You look at them quizzically and inquire why. They respond, "Well, we've been watching you ever since you got here, and we can tell you have a lot of potential. I know your department is being eliminated, but I would like you keep you on as the new xyz (the aforementioned promotion). If you don't want it, we'll give the position to person abc (your friend), but we would rather have you.(yeah, I know they would never tell you that, but humor me for the stories sake.) Now you know all about the position and the pay/benefits raise it comes with, so we won't talk specifics now, but why don't you take the box back to your office and think about it overnight. Tomorrow morning I'll have HR up here, and we'll talk then."****

So, there you go. You want to take care of yourself, but at what cost? Your friend really needs this job, and you have other options. Granted, the options do little more than maintain the status quo, but the fact remains that you don't NEED the job. They would feel very betrayed if after telling you how much they needed this job you just swooped in and took it without a second thought. It is, however, entirely your friends fault that they don't have other options. They could have, just as you did, taken some night classes to stay sharp, and while you were skipping lunch every day to send out resumes and go to interviews they were going out to eat. They also could have done more social networking so that they had quality references, but they never made the effort. So yeah, they don't deserve it, but it still doesn't change the fact that you don't need it. Now, what if we change the situation. What if you don't have a job set up in case the promotion doesn't work out? What if they don't have current financial problems? What if the person is just a casual work friend, or even not a friend at all, just a coworker who happens to discuss their personal financial hardships? Do these things change what you would do? I guess to simplify it, you don't really have much to lose, while they have a lot to lose. Do you try to put others before yourself? Is it selfish to act in your own best interest if others are going to be hurt. What if they're going to be hurt because of their own doing? Obviously, you can't try to prevent other people from hurting themselves, but if they're going to be hurt directly because of your actions, is it at least partially your responsibility? I think you all get the point of what I'm saying, so I'll end this and await your responses.

This is purely a hypothetical question. Sometimes late at night, or rather, early in the morning, I find it interesting to contemplate these situations. Once again, this is hypothetical. Nothing more, and nothing less. If you want to draw parallels to your life, feel free, but don't assume I'm asking this because of any current events in mine.

Happy Mother's Day to any of those most important women who may stumble upon this. And to those fathers out there who are mothers too. If your not spending the day with your mother, go call her now.