Yesterday was a bit of an adventure. I had to drive to Simi Valley to pick up something from a friend's house. He calls me and tells me there is only one way into Simi because all the freeways are closed due to the fires. Simi Valley was surrounded by fires. Crazy. Anyways, I had to go there this weekend so I prepared for the trek by taking some of my favorite CDs. Time to put that new stereo to use! Anyways, I was surprised there wasn't that much traffic. I was also wondering if it was wise to enter a city surrounded by fire. I figured it was a pretty big city though so I'd be ok. Anyways, I had to drive on side streets through Thousand Oaks. I actually drove by my old neighborhood. When I lived there, there weren't any streets to Simi Valley. It was pretty cool seeing how the neighborhood changed. Anyways, going to Simi was crazy. There were dark clouds everywhere, flames on the horizon, and the sun was blood red. It was like going into Mordor. I hung out there for a bit hoping the freeways would open so I wouldn't have to take the long way home, but no luck. They are still closed even as I type this. When I went to my car, it was totally covered in ash. The air was pretty thick too. I was glad to get out of there. But the air is thick everywhere in So Cal. I'm just glad I work indoors.

Anyways, over 800 homes are lost and 13 people are dead. It's really sad that people are losing their homes and it is even more sad that the people who died were killed because they were trying to save their possessions. It's really scary to see those flames approach your house and there is nothing you can do but pray. Pray that the wind will change, pray that the fire department will finish where they are and come to your house next. I was thinking which of my things would I rescue if I knew I was going to lose my home. I figure I would just take my photos and my souveniers from my travels and probably those things from your childhood you just can't replace. Everything else can be bought again. But who knows? You can be frantically running in your home and each time you see something else you can't bear the thought of being destroyed. It's a difficult thing. As a Christian, it can be somewhat of a relief to lose everything you own. You know you can't take it with you after you die anyways and sometimes you get caught up in your material possessions. I don't have that much stuff in life right now so it's easy for me to say that. Especially since I move every year or so and have to cart all that stuff around. If I do move out of state, I'm not taking any of my furniture, it would be cheaper to buy it all again than to move it. My desk that I've had for the past 5 years cost only $100. It's kinda funny cuz it works so well. Thank you, IKEA. Anyways, let's pray for these fires to end soon.

My interview went well today. I was told that I always have a job in the other organization if I want it. After talking for a few minutes, I decided that switching organizations is something I should do before I leave the company. I was told about the things that this other organization was doing and it raised my interest. The new organization primarily focuses on anti-terrorism and involves a lot of video stuff where my background is strong. I told him that I really need a job where I can grow in my career. He asked if that meant more money, a promotion, or more skills. I said yes. He knows I'm undervalued here so this could be a good step for me to catch up. He didn't argue with me and said he would try and work out something for me. He knows I won't switch to his organization if he can't offer me anything in those three areas. I can tell he really wants me to work for him. That UCLA degree does matter. The sad thing is my job sucks so bad, I would probably switch anyways just so I don't have to do this. Anyways, I think I might upset some upper management for leaving the organization, but I've given it plenty of time for it to work. I don't believe I'm a good fit here. Hopefully they will understand that.