Here I am

Back in January I moved out to Los Angeles. I never anticipated moving to LA. But back in September things went suddenly bad at my workplace in New York City. I worked for what is called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB is responsible for reviewing any research study that proposes to use humans as subjects. The IRB is mandated to ensure that potential subjects are fully informed of what they are about to enter and to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the risks. I could carry on more about IRBs, but that would be boring.

Anyway, the office where I worked, while far from perfect, was operating decently. The people were kind, pleasant, efficient, competent and quite a batch of strong personalities. But we needed a new Associate Dean. So management in all their wisdom brought in an insane woman from Chicago to take over the reins. Lots of turmoil, drama and bad blood resulted. The workplace became a stress filled cauldron literally overnight. I had to clear out. So I started job hunting.

Now I've been to LA several times in the past couple of years on vacation. To my surprise, I liked it. Also, I've become quite a connessieur of Film Noir and hard boiled novels, many of which are set in LA. So I thought, hey, if a position opens in LA, let's apply and see what happens. Sure enough a position was created at UCLA--a one year contract job as an IRB Coordinator for the General Campus IRB. After a telephone interview and a writing test, I got an offer which I accepted.

Right after New Year's I moved to LA and started my job at UCLA.

Less than 3 months later, I was fired.

Reason? For refusing to take direction and for throwing disruptive outbursts.

Though facing economic insecurity and uncertainty about what to do next, I'm relieved. I hated the place. Though the people running the outfit aren't insane like the crazy woman from Chicago, they're stuck in a rut. They had no idea what to do with me ( I sat in 3 different desks and reported to 6 different people) and the way they carried out their business is stuck in 1992. Worse, the environment was very controlling and employees are given little room to think and act for themselves to get the job done. They even have a 3 page dress code!

So here I am in Los Angeles, unemployed and wondering what to do next. I once wrote a novel which never got published. I've a lifelong interest in film history and all facets of the entertainment and cultures have long fascinated me. I want to start writing again; I want to for once in my life do paid work that pertains to my interests; and I want to actually experience LA. For the past 3 months, my life has been wake up, get on the bus, go to the office, eat lunch, do more work, get on bus, go home, watch TV and surf the web. Now I can break out of my rut.

This blog will document my attempt to re-invent myself and start life anew in Los Angeles. I don't know how it will end up. But I hope that it will be much more stimulating and interesting than what I've gone through these past few months.