i might be considered a risk

I started a new job this week. I am writing and editing for an internet company out of Vancouver. I won't be working out of the downtown Vancouver office, but in various places around Victoria.

I am currently working in the new part of the UVic library, which is so impressive! I am facing a wall of windows (that open!),which looks out onto a pool of water (a sort of moat, with ducks!) and a grassy hill (bunnies!) that mounts to a wall of evergreens. I am excited to spend most of my summer taking full advantage of the library resources, including the wing of top of the line macs, listening stations, editing rooms, and special collections (where there are some sylvia plath/ted hughes manuscripts i have yet to check out). There is finally a cafe in the library, where I will most likely work some of the time. In the bathrooms, the lights turn on and off when you come and go, the toilet flushes and the taps turn on and off automatically.

I can't believe I only have one more summer as a grad student. This huge technological upgrades always happen a year or two too late as far as my educational institutions go. My high school became a super school the year after I graduated, and was thrust from the middle ages into the new millennium.

So, on my trip to Vancouver last Monday I spent a day in the office. As part of my initiation, I had to complete a sort of personality profile. There were 25 sets of 4 adjectives and I had to choose which, of each set, I felt described me the most and the least. The resulting ten page profile was surprisingly detailed and insightful. At best, it indicates that I am extremely independent, self-motivated, and a strong leader. At the worst, it makes me sound slightly Machiavellian. The graph indicates that my Compliance characteristic is quite low, while my Dominance characteristic is highest. Here are some of the highlights:

M:

Is a capable leader with an influential and assertive approach. Additionally, she has both the ability to persuade and the ability to direct others when necessary.

Is an independent, individualistic and stubborn person who wants power and freedom from supervision.

Is a sociable person who works well with people. She enjoys being the center of attention and may, at times, dislike attempts to shift attention away from her.

Can be obstinate and defiant at times. She hates losing arguments.

May be seen as verbally aggressive and may not always adhere to the rules.

She is motivated by status and the authority to take action.

She wants to be well liked and to have a good reputation.


I love that, despite my verbal aggression, obstinacy, and narcissism, I still want to be well-liked. My co-worker is the complete opposite of me: quite compliant and non-dominant. Fortunately, I do not have the tendency to completely override these types, though I become slightly frustrated with their thorough tendencies and adherence to rules. I think we will complement each other well. I do have more likable character traits (friendly, good communicator, flexible, and optimistic), but those above should amuse anyone who knows me well.