I work my tail off at work. My personal motto is "Every day is an interview for a job I don't know about yet." I'm not focused on promotions. I'm focused on learning how to master my job, and then taking on stretch assignments so that I can both build new/different muscles as well as to be of max benefit to my employer.

16 years ago, I was in an entry level position after a career change. Now I manage a modest program of software developers within the same organization.

3 years ago, I interviewed for a promotional position. Never made it to the second interview. Sucked it up and continued to focus on learning, improving and becoming more effective.

In the time between then and now, it's been a$$h0le$ & elbows. Working my tail off, learning much and finding more stretch assignments that have had a marked benefit to my employer and my skill set.

Yesterday, I was offered an appointment to manage a large technology program for our largest division. Small world, it is the boss of the position I didn't get. The person who was chosen over me 3 years ago will now be reporting to me. Wow...

Reasons why I was offered the appointment were mostly related to what I've been able to demonstrate and accomplish through my stretch assignments. And the only reason why I was able to take them on was because I developed significant competency for my operational job duties. I'm good at what they hired me to do, so I was able to volunteer to do more.

I kind of feel like this is the American dream in action. I choose to work harder/longer/better/smarter. I do this with faith that I will benefit, but with the intent of my employer benefitting. And I am ultimately rewarded for it.

So how does this apply to cigars? I have blind spots. Like the Rumsfeld quote, I don't know what I don't know. So I cultivate relationships with folks who know more than me. I make myself teachable. And with some care, I get some much needed coaching and mentoring that can help me grow, broaden my perspective and become more effective.

Sounds like the noob experience here, right? I knew diddly about how little I know about cigars when I started. I just knew that I liked some enough to stumble through the ones I didn't. And then I came here. I received the hazing intro and struck around. And I am learning lots through your generosity, your wit and your willingness to share your experiences. And I'm having fun doing it.

My wife's first comment when I told her about the new job's salary was that I was probably going to be buying some more cigars. She's probably right. (Probably going to be sending more, too.)

I'm grateful today. And also busy as hell as I make my transition plans.

Hope all of your holidays are shaping up nicely. Mine sure is.

I only read the beginning and the end, but unless you were molested somewhere in the middle, it sounds like congrats are in order... congratulations...

You may want to keep this a secret, one should not be a positive example to others.


Seriously, many congrats and goes to show the good guys still win a few.

you do not sound entitled enough
you will never make it in the new america

This obviously only happened for you bcuz you is white.
If u wuz any color minority, da honkies would have held u back.

Let's org a protest about this now!!!


[ram27bat]

^^^^ Lmao...

Seriously congratulations hope everything works out for you in this new position

who'd you have to blow..?? 😕

And just kiddin of course... Congrats..!! 🤣

Congratulations!

But, save your money, this won't last. 🍺

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Congrats, hard work DOES pay off!

3 year wait for the recognition... the Lord denied the one, because He was setting up the other, better job.

Dream big. Congratulations, brother.

Good for you. I hope the new position far exceeds your dreams. Sounds like you earned it. Nice to hear that hard work pays dividends. Merry Christmas

Got an extra closet? Or maybe invest in a nice tower? Congratulations!

Nobody has an extra closet... 🤐

Especially if you are married. No such thing as a spare closet

Ok, uh, tRy a big cooler?

well, you're half right...

Mazel Tov!!!

Exactly where I am headed. I keep my humi (wineador conversion) in my man cave (which has a closet that has man stuff in it). There is definitely room for a couple of coolerdors.

Eventually, I'd like to take on a project like harleyd31 did, converting a large display cabinet into a humi. I like to see my stuff. But in the meantime coolers will do just fine.

Thx for the sentiments, everyone. It's going to be an interesting start to the new year, that's for sure.

Thx, Frank.

Are you saying there are some half-wits running around here? Lol...

Grats brother. Hard work pays off in the long run. A large dose of intelligence helps out. Not many have those qualities.