Now Archive: September 2021

This is my Now page and here’s what’s up for me in September (as posted on 09/05/21). For my current Now page, go here.

It was good to be back out in the world a bit recently with my first professional appearance in 18-months. But [the experience](https://sam- rogers.com/atd-is-an-embarrassment-and-i-m-out) certainly has me reflecting upon my chosen profession and questioning things a lot. I’ve been dancing around within L&D for a few years now, trying to find where I can fit. The question I’m asking myself for the first time now is…what if it isn’t me? More to come on this, I’m sure.

I’ll be returning to Panama to renew my Residente Permanente visa in a few weeks. Because of this visa, I’ve actually been able to travel there throughout most of the Pandemic. Even when they close borders, they don’t generally close them to citizens & permanent residents. But given the ongoing issues with travel safety, it hasn’t made sense to go again until about now. I’m looking forward to being back, even if it is just for a few days.

Yesterday, I was part of a fundraiser for a local community preparedness group that I joined over the Summer. While I do enjoy helping my neighbors be ready for disasters that may strike, it’s really brought to my attention just how in the minority I really am. We all share a great many of core values, but under no circumstances can I discuss or react to any discussion of religion or politics. It just won’t go well. And unfortunately both religion and politics are really important to people here. I don’t know where I belong, but I certainly don’t belong here in one of the reddest of Red States where only 1 in 5 people have been vaccinated and almost everyone reads about God from the same book. Maybe that’s why the chance to get out of the country for a minute is so appealing.

It’s still been really smoky here, just as it has been for many months now. We’ve had a few storms that helped clear the air some, though in general it’s still pretty bad here in Central Utah. Not as bad as the areas West of us that are up in flames, but bad enough. I’m still walking around the lake at dawn most days, as it dwindles to a muddy puddle. Some days it just doesn’t look like a good day to go out breathing though.

Taxes are finally getting done for 2020, which is good. I’m getting a refund for once! That never happened while I was running my own business, but last year when that stopped and I took up employment from an employer who pays the employer end of those taxes, wow it’s a big difference. I was accustomed to it so I almost forgot, but there really is a serious penalty for being self- employed or having a company of your own in the US. It’s just another one of the perks that I didn’t realize I was getting when I started working for ConvaTec last year.

That’s it for me. Hope all is well with you :)