Today, I found out that the job I interviewed for downtown decided not to hire me. I was surprised but also sort of relieved.

I feel like such a small-town person when I admit that I didn’t want to work downtown. I didn’t want to walk on the city streets alone, possibly at night. I didn’t want to cross busy intersections of traffic on foot, in all kinds of weather, and park my car out of doors in a city lot. I also didn’t want to be hassled by panhandlers asking for money or people making catcalls, like what happened when I was walking to my interview at this position.

I have lived and worked in a big city, and facing that every day wore me down emotionally and physically. I sometimes am embarrassed that I am sensitive to these factors, but in my deepest parts of me, it is my truth.

Nevertheless, I’m still unemployed and marching fast through my UI state benefits. I’m in the running for that other job, which is right down the street from my former position – so I know that I enjoy that neighborhood and surrounding areas. It is a safe feeling environment, with ample easy parking and an indoor cafeteria for employees.

_{That part feels really nice, as it reminds me of my old digs at KSC/NASA….}