I was just reflecting on how I (and I presume most of you) have had the occasion to be identified by more than just one job title. At one time I was an HR Analyst/Computer Reseller-refurbisher/Antique Dealer/Novelist/Husband/Parent. Sounds like a full plate when you string it together with slashes. In fact it was probably a product of the natural evolution of interests and obligations.   

The HR Analyst title resulted from a career switching opportunity which satisfied the need for professional employment challenge, and for the more practical purposes of having a steady income with benefits.   

Learning about computer hardware came after I paid $40, many years ago, for a two minute memory installation job. Later my self taught knowledge was used to tap a new income stream for myself in the late 1990’s, before computers became so inexpensive to buy new.

Being an antique dealer (of sorts) at the Mission Galleria Antique Mall in Riverside, came after a lifetime of going to garage sales and saying, “Gee… I’d sure like to buy that… it’s such a great deal… if I only had a space in an antique mall (or words to that effect). Later, I found out that once you were an “antique dealer” you had no choice but to go to garage sales and arm wrestle with other dealers, because if you didn’t bring in new merchandise you couldn’t pay the space rental (or make a profit for that matter). 

They say everyone has one best-selling novel in them. Mine was developed during one hour commuter sessions each direction to and from work, chapter by chapter, and then later transcribed. I came to the point where I had a beginning, middle and end. 

The detail research that I had initially put off was then the one great labor-intensive obstacle to my delivering forth, as you might say a novel for the ages.  One that would delight, entertain and inspire the masses through out history.  Sadly, it got reprioritized under the heading of, “Things to do after retirement.” But, to my great thrill I did get to discuss my slash-Novelist status with Joseph Wambaugh. I have a copy of “Fire Lover” inscribed by Joe, “From one author to another …”

My wife and I met in our twenties and were married at 30. Until the arrival of our first son almost five years later, our identity was as husband and wife, a “couple.” We did all the normal couple things, and we sought out the company of other couples for socialization and friendship. 

We continued to be a couple all the way through Lamaze class. I think it was when we were about to take our newborn home from the hospital and I was buckling down the infant car seat that it hit me; I was now a slash-parent; and we were less of a couple now than we were Casey’s parents. 

Well, if you come to work for Riverside County here in the desert, you will get a box of sturdy, if not handsome, business card with your name and exciting new job title. Unfortunately, you will have to use a separate (not included) card for all the other slashes in you life. 

If you really want to take advantage of  a second card to announce your standing as a Simi- Pro Golf Instructor, Model Railroader, Personal Trainer, Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer, Soccer Coach, etc.  There are a number of free or low cost business cards sources which you can access via the internet. You might check out Vista Print, Photo Business Cards, Businesscardland, or Printsmadeesy, to name a few.  

Enjoy all of your slashes, because we only get to do this once… Murrel /blogger