More On the Myers-Briggs....Mostly Because I'm Bored

So, while at work, I decided to try to get to know my ENTJ-self a little bit better...here's what I found:

Careers for the NT "Rationals" (INTP, ENTP, INTJ, ENTJ)

Rationals are natural born scientists and engineers, and are referred to as "the knowledge seeking" person. Many ADD Rationals do OK in school (but may underachieve) and they often go on to college. One ENTP has a webpage which says something like "I quit high school to play in a rock band, and later went to Yale to study physics." NTs judge themselves based on their ability to perform (whether it be getting things done or coming up with solutions) and are therefore unusually prone to performance anxiety. ADD probably increases the chance of this happening, since it can interfere with the ability to get things done.

Be aware: once a subject is mastered, the NT is likely to move on. This is true even for NTs who are not ADD. Figure this into your thinking. Are there future lateral career moves you can make to maintain interest? A related, but somewhat different career? A different type of company to work for? Don't berate yourself because you put so much energy into becoming good at what you do, only to find yourself oddly depressed with your job. Expect it to happen and plan for it. Use your love of logic to figure out a chain of possible career or job moves rather than expecting to find one and stick to it.

In "Please Understand Me," David Keirsey says that "his early start and his persistence enable the NT to excel above the other styles in technology. And, as the intellectual ability of the NT increases, the tendency to seek the sciences, mathematics, philosophy, architecture, engineering -- indeed, anything complicated and exacting -- also increases. These occupations, therefore, are heavily populated by NTs."

An NT child with ADD might learn to dislike school and not go on to college. But of all types, the NTs probably benefit most from college, because an advanced degree allows them to pursue the complex subjects which interest them most.

The worst career for an NT is one involving routine, excessive rules, boredom, simplicity. NTs are known for breaking any rule which is illogical and which interferes with getting the job done. NTs are full of ideas. A career which does not allow the NT to utilize their creativity will soon become frustrating and boring.

Some more specifics from "Please Understand Me":

"ENTJs will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives."
"ENTPs are good at innovative projects and can administer them well if dull routine is not involved. They usually are outstanding teachers, continuously devising new participative ways to make learning exciting for the students."
"The INTP is the architect of a system and leaves it to others to be the builder and the applicator...They are, however, often excellent teachers, particularly for advanced students, although INTPs do not always enjoy much popularity, for they can be hard taskmasters."
INTJs "can be outstanding in scientific research and also outstanding as executives who generate a plethora of implementations of ideas."
The NT ADDer: In general, careers which are good for an NT are also good for an NT which is ADD. The specific setting or job is likely to make a difference. For example, a large company with a lot of red tape may be unbearable to a particular NT/ADD engineer, while starting up business might be quite satisfying. There are science jobs involving research and science jobs involving tons of paperwork. The real trick is in avoiding the job with lots of paperwork (or at least delegating that part of the job).

The City So Nice, They Named it Twice!

So my mother and I are about to embark on our annual trip New York City (I am calling it an annual trip with high hopes). We have been there twice before. Now taking suggestions for what to do while in town.

Happy Easter!

Ok, on this Easter (Happy Easter everyone, by the way), I'd like to bring up a pressing subject very near and dear to my heart. Jello! Let me ask my readers - with or without the fruit bits?

Now, I personally have a strong preference....why would ANYONE want Jello with the chunks? Although, I never opt for the chunky option - not with peanut butter, mashed potatoes, etc. However, every family/group event ever, there's always some jello with fruit bits that shows up - and I'm not just talking about my family - I see it everywhere. Does anyone prefer the 'chunky' jello? Just curious.

Fly Away?

So I got an email today from Amazon.com saying that based on what I've viewed/bought (ugh, see two posts below), I might be interested to know that "Wings: The Complete Series" is available on DVD.

Anyone else out there remember when Wings was in syndication like Friends was a couple years ago? You couldn't NOT find it on tv at any given time. I never really watched this show - I think when it was on in 'original episodes' or whatever it is called, my parents thought it wasn't age appropriate. Anyhow. Did anyone watch this show? Is it worthwhile? Was there a good reason for it being played 24/7 amongst USA, TBS, TNT, Fox, and the station formerly known as "Channel 50" (home of Family Feud and the Eagle Man commercials)? Do share.

Shameless Friend Promotion

So my very good friend Steve happens to have his own business of being a wedding photographer (in addition to working full-time, owning a condo, planning his own wedding with his fiance, and training a dog!). So, with no further ado, his website:

Steve Koo Photography

Now, I realize this isn't theknot.com (Editor's sidenote: LOOOOOVE that website. Could get lost in that website for hours. That website steals my soul.), so there probably aren't many blog readers who come here looking for a wedding photographer. However, I figure the least I could do for a person like Steve is increase his google hits. Steve has played quite the role in my life - one example - it's through him that I originally met my current roommate. So, there you go! Leave your feedback for Steve in my comments section!

Filene's Basement Wedding Dress Sale

So, today, the Chicago Sun-Times had one of its book sales. It looked a little like this....



Despite the pushing and shoving, I was able to get some good finds. For instance:



It will help give me material for my next Tina Fey impersonation. I couldn't help but think some of my coworkers were looking at me and possibly judging me, for it gave the appearance that I'm a 'Sarah' fan. This is why I sometimes hate buying books at public places, like bookstores. Unless it's a typical best-seller, someone is judging your choice and making assumptions about your personality. I always say the book I'm looking at is a gift for someone, even if it isn't. I, at first, loved amazon for the reason of buying books in private, UNTIL they started recommending books to me that 'I might like based on other books I've viewed'. Ugh. Anyhow. The goodness of a booksale can't be passed up for this reason alone. I got some other good shameful products while I was there, including....



In short - how to find your soulmate using THE SECRET....I look forward to panning it in a review shortly....

Also,



California Dreams Seasons 1 & 2. For nostalgia purposes alone...don't judge.

America's Favorite Condiment?

So, there's an episode of Seinfeld where Jerry and George go back and forth about salsa surpassing ketchup as "America's Favorite Condiment". I googled "America's Favorite Condiment" and got mixed results - all salsa and ketchup. Now, let me tell you firsthand, nothing against salsa or ketchup, but after five years of waiting tables at Chili's (with plenty of both former condiments on hand, mind you), I know that neither of these are America's fav. That title, my friend, belongs to the one and only....



RANCH DRESSING.

People put it on everything. Pizza. Tortilla chips. Black Beans. It was FAR AND AWAY the most requested and used condiment. Hands down. Maybe it's a midwestern thing. I dunno. But I do know this - it's my favorite too. :-)

Follow Up to a Previous Post, Part 213

Earlier, I spoke about some mandatory time-off from work I'll be taking in the next month, and how I plan to enjoy some in-town activities over this time period.

I have just been informed this is called a 'staycation'.

I am not sure your feelings on the term 'staycation', but for me personally, it's right there with 'recessionista', and 'thank you ma'am'. To further clarify, I feel similarly about this term as I do toward Keith Olbermann, Kara DioGuardi and the Old Navy mannequins.

Anyhow. I may be venturing out of town simply to avoid hearing this term.

Key FOBs

So my mother got me this very lovely "Key FOB' from Coach for my birthday. One question - why are they called "FOBs"? I've asked the people at Coach and they said 'it's just the name'. I feel like FOB must stand for something. I've tried googling. Does anyone know the origin of this term?

(Editor's sidenote: No, this was not an attempt to alienate all two of my male readers, if they even still exist....)

26!

Thanks to everyone for coming out and celebrating my birthday with me! Sorry for a cheesy cliche blog post, but I have the best friends a girl could ask for.

The Year of the Jaime?

So, as most of my readers know, I'm embarking on my 26th year of life pretty soon. I'm pumped about it. The year '24' sucked. Twenty-fie was ok. Nothing to write home about. Kind of a 'no news is good news' kind of year. Hmm. Well, let me tell you - mediocrity doesn't do anyone any good. The year '26' is going to rock. It is going to be my year. The summer of George? More like the year of Jaime! Bring it!

Vacation Time!

So my company has decided I need to take a week off (well, it decided this for everyone). I think they thought I needed the break (they can sense burnout). Oh, did I mention the week off is unpaid?

Well, anyhow, desperate times call for desperate measures (right Emily?). So I'm not gonna bitch and moan about this - there's nothing I can do so I'm going to be excited about the break. The weather is getting nicer so it might soon be a good time to have some time off. Anyhow - it's coming up in about a month. What should I do with this time? None of my friends are going to have a week off at this time. Should I travel by myself? Is that weird? A good friend of mine suggested doing a tour of Chicago - all the touristy things like the Shedd Aquarium, etc., that are here but we never do. I think this could be a good idea. Anyone else have any suggestions?