O-hisashiburi, desu ne? (=It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?)

Once again, it’s time for me to vow to blog more often. I’ve recently included my blog address on my personal calling cards, so people will probably want something new to read when they visit.

Anyway, about the title of this post. Late last night (Friday, October 12) there was a huge chain-reaction crash in the truck tunnels of the southbound 5 freeway in the Newhall Pass. So far it looks like at least 15 trucks, 10+ injuries and 2 killed—but it’s still so hot inside the tunnel, they can’t even get in there yet to check and see if there might also be cars too. The freeway has been closed since then and is going to remain that way until further notice. Apparently the fire was so hot it burst the rebar and melted the concrete in the tunnel under the main 5 freeway—one story said as many as 10 of the 12 traffic lanes may be compromised and unsafe.

I was at wargames last night in North Hills until about 12:15 AM and got stuck in the reroute of traffic on Balboa and the Old Road. It took me until 3:00 AM before I got home—a mere 23 miles away. It was absolutely horrendous. It makes me glad that I don’t have to commute through there to work everyday, though it’s now a huge pain if I want to get over the hill to the Valley, my sister’s place, my voice acting class and anything else.

Hopefully it’ll get reopened and somewhat back to normal soon. Pretty scary thinking this one accident can essentially sever my access to L.A….

I’ve started coming to the realization that my “Summer Sabbatical” is going to have to come to an end. Even though I had enough savings and resources to last me for a while, that “while” isn’t forever. In fact, because of one thing and another, it may have to come before the end of this year, which I was hoping to avoid.

I do, however, still have a few tricks up my sleeve. I have yet to fully get into eBaying my flotsam and jetsam and that could help (especially when I get around to selling some old computer stuff and perhaps another couple high-value items). I’m also likely to go the contract route for a bit rather than take a full-time spot again. I’m even looking into working on my own in some sort of training/consulting capacity—no really! I just can’t quite give up on the flexibility I’m enjoying right now.

I also sat down yesterday and began working on the two most important things that I’ve been putting off for too long: studying for the JLPT Level 3 test and getting my voice acting work going.

There are now 101 days left until the test, and I really, Really, REALLY must pass it this year. If my dream of going to Japan to teach is more than simply that, I’ve got to pass this year if I want to get there before 2009 (the test is only offered annually in December and grades come out the following March). If I follow the organized plan I’m putting together and use my time more productively, it should be do-able. I certainly don’t want to suffer last year’s indignity and miss it by a measly 8 points.

The other item is the voice work. I’ve been lolly-gagging around for too much precious time and am beginning to feel the pinch. Consequently, I pulled out all the materials from the various workshops I’ve attended and have truly begun studying them and making a plan. First on the agenda: get a couple more coaching sessions and some help in creating my demo CD. I’m researching the various coaches in my area and will be selecting and working with one within the next week or so. From then on, it’ll be practicing, locating gigs and going on auditions—a strange and different world for me. Wish me luck—I’ll report my progress…

Today my former employer, Amgen Inc., announced for the first time in their history a layoff of employees. They’re cutting 2,200-2,600 or up to 14% of the workforce.

I feel a couple of things about this. As much as I enjoyed working there—I did spend the bulk of my career and over 12 years with them—it had truly become an entirely different place from when I started. It also had became an unfulfilling job in some ways. I also knew that there would be a rough road ahead for a while and it felt like the time was right to leave and move on.

Of course, the other thing I’m feeling right now is that if I had actually seen these layoffs coming and had stuck around for another two months, I probably could have left with a nice severance package. Sigh…

I’ll be interested in hearing from all the many, many friends I left behind how things have changed, and I expect a few of them will take the path I’m on (but with lovely severance packages…sigh)