Did I sell out?

[lasseviren]

alright, so most of y'all probably have realized at some point that i can get pretty environmental (i mean, look at my sig). well, i was in dire need of a job, especially one that pays well, so i went looking at the plethora of jobs in the baton rouge area. the one i found pays extremely well. here's the catch: i'm going to be working construction building a chemical plant. here's another catch: i had to shave my trademark beard for the respirator fit test. here's yet another catch: $19/hour and then $27.50/hour for overtime. i'll be working 50 hours, so grossing $1035/wk - more than my dad makes, with a degree and military experience.

did i sell out? i feel like i did, but perhaps it will be worth it.

[MoMo]

lasse, just build it well.

louisiana doesn't need a bhopal.

seriously, it would be hard to turn down the money, baton rouge presumably needs the jobs, and it's not as if you were selling drugs.

[KenA55]

You're the only one that knows the answer, LV. Anyone else's opinion just doesn't matter.

[patti]

Ah! I love these sort of scenario's. Hmm, nothing like testing your beliefs. It's all in your answer LV. You never know what you truly believe ...UNTIL..you actually have to do something. LOL!!!

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. AMEN!!

[Wayne B]

Lasse,
Why does building something represent selling out? Because it's a chemical plant? Aren't some chemicals used in environmental cleaning applications? Do you know that the plant will violate environmental regulations? Most things in life are a balance of good and bad. As was pointed out, only you can determine your own personal math. If you decide to take the job, should you make donations to environmental causes to balance the equation? There are a million ways to try to determine what is appropriate.
Wayne

[Dyenimator]

For the misinformed, does lasse's shaving of his beard mean he's selling out?

[MoMo]

Gimme a head of hair...
Long beautiful hair
Shining, gleaming,
Streaming, flaxen, waxen

Give me down to there, hair
Shoulder length or longer
Here baby, there mama
Everywhere daddy daddy

Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair
Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow it
My hair

[KenA55]

We don't go bald on the face with time, so it will grow back nicely in the future anytime you want it to. I've run jobs where everybody had to be fitted for half-face lung-powered respirators due to high but not immediately dangerous chemical levels in the air, and those who've been unwilling to shave simply don't work those projects. What is the nature of the work that causes the need for the respirator?

One option for the worker who wants to keep his facial hair and/or the worker who's cardio-pulminary system isn't in top notch condition (breathing through your lung-powered device is work due to the resistance of the cartridges and a medical test is required; the doctor must certify you to wear the thing) is the fan-powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), a positive pressure is maintained within the mask and therefore perfect facial seal isn't critical, and breathing is easy. One mfgr's version-

http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/purifying%20respirators/bl10-3.jpg

http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/purifying%20respirators/bl10-4.jpg

http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/papr.htm

[Zat0pek]

Lasse, chemical plants are not, in and of themselves, inherently evil. They are needed in the economy and to produce things that can even save lives, produce food, etc.

Your angst over the decision is a sign of the depth of your conviction, and that's a good thing. But those of us that have grown beyond your years have learned that it's rarely as clear as "chemical plant bad, environment good." Welcome to the world outside of college, where implementation and application of convictions requires a daily struggle. FWIW, I think the decision to take the job is the correct one, and a pretty easy one at that.

Oh, and as for shaving the beard, well, once again, welcome to life outside of college.

All of that said, allow me to tell you a little story.

In the late 1950's there was a guy just home from a stint in the Army during the Korean war. This guy had grown up in unbelievable poverty. Following a tour in the Army, he got an associates degree in electronics thanks to the GI bill while his wife worked as a telephone operator and they lived in a tiny one-room apartment.

Upon completion of his associates degree, he got his first job working for Bendix. His job was to make the firing mechanism for nuclear weapons. Despite desparately needing money and his wife expecting their first child, he quit that job after a short time. He eventually took another job, paying a little less, working for the FAA in telecommunications.

Twenty-five years or so later, his son would learn this ask his father why he quit a job under those circumstances (needing money and with a pregnant wife), and then take one that paid less.

"Because" replied the father "I had a hard time sleeping at night knowing I was making something that could bring about the end of the world."

That man was my father.

Sometimes a fella just has to follow his conscience and let the chips fall where they may. Only you know the answer to that.

[lasseviren]

Well, apparently the folks in the front office were wrong about a few things. I work 6-10 hour days and since we're not working with chemicals I really didn't have to shave, so now I'm regrowing the beard. Running after a 10 hour day in the sun is pretty tough, but no matter, it's temporary. A road trip to Auburn, AL to watch the team compete helped clear my head. I need the money and today I found things to appreciate in the job. I get to watch the sun rise every morning, I saw a pink dragonfly that I've never seen before, I'm outside and the weather's getting nice down here, it's similar to working around the house with my dad, just on a really big scale.

Did I sell out? Yeah, but there are a few perks to the job.