tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post2479952617435697288..comments2023-12-28T21:22:10.935-07:00Comments on Jill Outside: ConflictedJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-54136753392879684782009-02-08T18:08:00.000-07:002009-02-08T18:08:00.000-07:00Hey,I respect your work very much. Well worded tal...Hey,<BR/><BR/>I respect your work very much. Well worded talent goes far in the journalism career. Keep up the good work, so far I've clearly understood and followed up with your writings and I just want to throw some kudos at you, very good to hear people putting their mind to words the clear way :)<BR/><BR/>Anyways, until the next time I run across your page, c ya' ciao!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-85047677879959663232009-01-29T16:03:00.000-07:002009-01-29T16:03:00.000-07:00I discovered Ken Kifer back in 2004, though I didn...I discovered Ken Kifer back in 2004, though I didn't find out he was deceased already, until a year later. Like you he inspired me, even at 54, and awakened dreams in me that I hope to fulfill. Good luck with your contemplations, about your futures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-68355849536485705472009-01-28T10:24:00.000-07:002009-01-28T10:24:00.000-07:00Jill...in your situation...either choice is a winn...Jill...in your situation...either choice is a winner. What is in your heart? <BR/><BR/>That is what truly matters. You have your whole life ahead of you to worry about $$ and stuff. I have $ (not a lot), I have stuff, but I also have regrets. Things I wanted to do but didn't because of responsibilities and the want for $$ and stuff.<BR/><BR/>Whatever you decide to do will work out.<BR/><BR/>Best to you!Vitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01277306434031774094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-44437172307698740062009-01-28T05:20:00.000-07:002009-01-28T05:20:00.000-07:00Jill,I don't think this is a decision that can be ...Jill,<BR/><BR/>I don't think this is a decision that can be reasoned out. Don't try and solve this conundrum you face by applying logic. <BR/><BR/>I think you've told your boss (and us) where your emotions are and what your heart is saying. I say follow your heart. <BR/><BR/>In the blink of an eye you may be old, and unable to get so physical as you do now.<BR/><BR/>My credentials. I'm 54 and didn't follow my heart when I was younger. I took the path which said be sensible, accept your responsibilities and build for the future. As someone else said, as you age it's the things you didn't do that you most regret. At 54 my body shows signs of failure and now make the active, outdoor choice so much harder to follow. Sometimes now I just have to stop.<BR/><BR/>go 4 it!mccoy54wruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730219206417219544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-33329986249141231422009-01-27T23:35:00.000-07:002009-01-27T23:35:00.000-07:00good lord, I can't even believe the amount of peop...good lord, I can't even believe the amount of people who read your blog that are saying "take the job," whatever...<BR/><BR/>you can write, it's your gift, you'll always have it. you might not always be able to bike and you don't get younger with age. you only live once.wormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289820661597280749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-53339116383109260022009-01-27T23:03:00.000-07:002009-01-27T23:03:00.000-07:00Well, you've had plenty of advice on the job. I w...Well, you've had plenty of advice on the job. I was just going to say that I've never thought of riding on the muskeg, but your post made me think of a recent walk on the frozen muskeg in Sitka. Bikes would kill our muddy trails most of the year, but you've finally made me want studded tires again - to ride in the woods and through the muskegs!Eric Mattheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627523555152578073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-14052169483859606852009-01-27T22:40:00.000-07:002009-01-27T22:40:00.000-07:00I just sat and read all these posts and as I was r...I just sat and read all these posts and as I was reading I new what I wanted to say and Anon above stole it from me.<BR/><BR/>JUST RIDE.<BR/><BR/>This is exactly what I was going to say, alot of people have given you alot of really good advise...my .02 worth is to just forget. Forget about all the advise, Forget about the iditarod, Forget about training, Forget about how many miles you want or need to put on, Just go take a really long ride and think about nothing, Nothing but where you are at that moment and take in all that is around you, all the beauty. When you come back your head will be cleared and you will follow the path that you choose. Just keep in mind that all paths eventually intertwine...You can always choose another at whatever crossroad comes along. Just remember to have fun!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-13601978335312883272009-01-27T22:31:00.000-07:002009-01-27T22:31:00.000-07:00Just dont be one of those people who look back wit...Just dont be one of those people who look back with regrets.<BR/><BR/>No regrets..Honehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10305522904478032648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-77354669730961979882009-01-27T22:03:00.000-07:002009-01-27T22:03:00.000-07:00Just ride.Just ride.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-7144175463572925182009-01-27T19:42:00.000-07:002009-01-27T19:42:00.000-07:00"But I knew it was all worth it" Quote from http:/..."But I knew it was all worth it" Quote from http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>:-)MrDaveyGiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08761064063470978028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-88086877941132332552009-01-27T16:36:00.000-07:002009-01-27T16:36:00.000-07:00Jill, your life will be full of adventures. Stay p...Jill, your life will be full of adventures. Stay put and see this one through.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389042165533411026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-64711187667245812602009-01-27T15:13:00.000-07:002009-01-27T15:13:00.000-07:00Jill,I went through a similar transition in 2005. ...Jill,<BR/>I went through a similar transition in 2005. I am glad I quit my job and followed my hearts desire. Speaking from someone that was in a similar position at that time as you are now, I would like to suggest that you follow your heats desire. Remember you have your HEALTH now! You can count on your health NOW. When I was in Europe I saw retirees traveling and they were miserable. They didn't have the health and vitality that your age has. I embraced my hearts desire and my life is magnificent in ways I never even had concepts for. If you are blessed you will be around this planet for another 60 years or so. Plenty of time for a desk job, eventually. You may not be in top health all of those 60 years, but you are now. When your body slows down and wants a desk job, get it then. Know that, even though I am encouraging to “do it now”, I fully support you in which ever decision you make.<BR/>Joy to you and yours,<BR/>DCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-77878222053854904242009-01-27T11:43:00.000-07:002009-01-27T11:43:00.000-07:00this is too funny and relevant to not share. Pleas...this is too funny and relevant to not share. Please just appreciate the humor :)<BR/>http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/01/11/120-taking-a-year-off/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-90546416839786766212009-01-27T09:50:00.000-07:002009-01-27T09:50:00.000-07:00Jill,Whatever you decide, isn't life supposed to b...Jill,<BR/>Whatever you decide, isn't life supposed to be about living it and enjoying it while it's happening? Planning for the future is really great, but don't miss out on what today has to offer by getting too invested in tomorrow (whatever that might mean for you personally).<BR/>I find the majority of people aren't living the life they dreamed they would be years before. That's because life is always changing and throwing us curve balls. It's impossible to know what the future holds. Live it and enjoy it every moment and try to make decisions that enhance what is happening today.<BR/>The basic point I'm trying to make is, it really isn't selfish to make decisions based on what will make us happiest. And that should be the biggest question you need to answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-6119051753920596782009-01-27T08:25:00.000-07:002009-01-27T08:25:00.000-07:00Congratulations on making yourself so valuable at ...Congratulations on making yourself so valuable at work that your boss is offering you scary pay raises to keep you in these tough times! It seems to me that the two options you are considering are both good ones. And as has been pointed out, the work option does not necessarily exclude the full time adventure option, just delays it until the time is ripe and the savings account is plumper.<BR/><BR/>Several years after getting married I dreamed one night that I was back working in Grand Teton National Park. When I shared the dream with my wife she said let’s do it. So we jumped off our budding career paths, sold our house and her car and moved to Wyoming for a couple of years and worked for peanuts. For us it was a major setback in our careers and we are still lagging behind our peers on that front but it was worth it. For you, it would parlay into your next career phase nicely I bet. Hell with your books and blogs and potential sponsors you may be able to stay in the black while you travel to Patagonia and back.<BR/><BR/>If you decide to make some beans for a bit first then my suggestion would be to push the envelope on your salary and benefit negotiations. What have you got to loose? <BR/><BR/>Btw, I really appreciate how you stick with your primary themes on this blog. All these things have been going on in your personal life but you don’t drag us through it day by day. Rather, you slip it in an excellent post months after the fact. I think that’s why your readership comes out of the wood work to weigh in when you do give us a glimpse of your personal quandaries. You inspire us and we care about you. Us long-time readers know that "Up in Alaska" is only a little slice of Jill Homer's life so in that sense, who are we to give advice? On the other hand, it is a blog and you did kind of ask for it and we are the peanut gallery after all.AucillaSinkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02085072007329506260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-79676126575362352502009-01-27T07:20:00.000-07:002009-01-27T07:20:00.000-07:00Nice post, Jill.Nice post, Jill.mgrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12620303547611684820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-5089111162838297332009-01-27T05:51:00.000-07:002009-01-27T05:51:00.000-07:00it'll all work out. :)it'll all work out. :)bluecolnagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09134285478201494323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-90041729991453255922009-01-27T05:41:00.000-07:002009-01-27T05:41:00.000-07:00What Fonk said about Geoff brings up an interestin...What Fonk said about Geoff brings up an interesting point. Why worry about what Geoff thinks at all ?. Last summer or fall he took off on his own little adventure from Alaska with no real plans on returning. Sounds to me like Geoff is more concerned about his own needs and wants, and constantly running off on his little adventures, than anything else. Who's to say he won't do it again ?.<BR/><BR/>There's tons of outdoor and sports oriented guys in the world. With the way Jill is she could have another boyfriend in 30 seconds if she wanted to. However, there aren't many girls in the world that would put up with Geoff's choice of lifestyle. So, the way I look at it, Jill is in the better position job wise and relationship wise. Maybe that's why Geoff decided to do this little return to Alaska thing, because he needs Jill more than she needs him ?. Maybe Jill thinks she needs him in her life, and that's why she has this adventure trip idea ?. The way I look at it is that Geoff doesn't want to be tied down, doesn't want any long term goals or commitments, and doesn't want any outside expectations or pressure put on him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-89358498404227616312009-01-26T23:48:00.000-07:002009-01-26T23:48:00.000-07:00That was supposed to read "...whereas one excludes...That was supposed to read "...whereas one excludes the other.", not "...<I>but</I> whereas..." :)Fonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04504462046067745769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-74913947405059412772009-01-26T23:46:00.000-07:002009-01-26T23:46:00.000-07:00I'm some random guy on the Internet, so take my op...I'm some random guy on the Internet, so take my opinion for what it's worth...<BR/><BR/>I think one decision still allows for the other, but whereas one excludes the other. Like others have said, if you take the job and find that it sucks, you can always quit later and still go on your cycling adventure. If, however, you take off on the bike and find later that you need the $$/insurance/security that the job provided, you probably won't find it just waiting for you to come back. So I say give the job a fair chance, and if it doesn't work out, so what? Then you just take off...<BR/><BR/>Of course, all this assumes just your role in the decision. The other question is, which you didn't really raise here, is what are Geoff's feelings on the potential postponement of this adventure, and how much do his feelings affect your decision? If you take the job, will he still say, "Well, I gotta go."?Fonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04504462046067745769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-79369257898839972642009-01-26T21:57:00.000-07:002009-01-26T21:57:00.000-07:00For the last 14 years I've pushed farther up the m...For the last 14 years I've pushed farther up the mountain. There wasn't anything better up there. The longest I was between jobs was when I was still single and went to the Grand Canyon for a week but I knew a better paying job was waiting for me when I returned.<BR/><BR/>The first month after I got laid off, I was stressed I didn't have a job. Now it's been over 2 months and I'm not sure I want to go back to the grind. Maybe like you, we can learn to live on a lot less. I'm sure there would be a lot more fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-64795135945970497292009-01-26T21:52:00.000-07:002009-01-26T21:52:00.000-07:00Some big decisions! I know you have never relied o...Some big decisions!<BR/><BR/> I know you have never relied on a large income, but it does help to have money to pay for essentials like food, shelter, and all your gear. Think about the present and the future and go with whatever makes you the happiest.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971829321577186599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-53169675846229324382009-01-26T21:04:00.000-07:002009-01-26T21:04:00.000-07:00I've been there. Pretty much in exactly the same p...I've been there. Pretty much in exactly the same position. The thing about choices though, is that they provoke anxiety, until you realize that you should never have regrets, and the worst thing that could happen is that you decide its not right for you, and change your mind. Some of the comments have been talking about children and responsibilites, yeah, it is freeing to be out on your own, living your experiences- I wouldn't take mine back. There is always that fear that comes from being around people that are grounded in a different way than you when you're grounded, that you've missed out, missed out on some sort of natural growth to want the "normal" things that you've been missing. Going out "on the open road" can leave you both fulfilled, and sometimes...feeling empty. I say you live once- do what makes you happy now, and when you want something else, a day, a week, 10 years from now, do that. you're lucky that you have geoff, not that you need a man, but the support you guys have for each other is great, and your journey doesn't seem like the rug will be pulled out from you, mid travel. Go for it- whatever it is- or you'll just wish you had.<BR/>I heart you guys - nAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-20413512378506652162009-01-26T20:43:00.000-07:002009-01-26T20:43:00.000-07:00Wow, big decisions. I'm sure you'll make the righ...Wow, big decisions. I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you. Good luck!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06544076384942487436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-65562692928941864052009-01-26T19:57:00.000-07:002009-01-26T19:57:00.000-07:00I think NIKE offers the best advice ever.....Just ...I think NIKE offers the best advice ever.....Just Do It!<BR/>There are so many of us who read blogs like your's and live out our missed adventures from those like you who are really doing it!<BR/>And if you don't..... you will find yourself sitting in front of your computer reading somebody's blog asking that question ......What if?<BR/><BR/>Good LuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com