Comments on: Taking the exit http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/ "Hitch your wagon to a star." —Ralph Waldo Emerson Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:55:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Top of the Mountains » Finding the real me http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-68638 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:51:24 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-68638 [...] When I dropped out of grad school a month ago, the plan was to go into publishing (specifically typesetting/book design) and write on the side, eventually doing more writing than publishing. [...] […] When I dropped out of grad school a month ago, the plan was to go into publishing (specifically typesetting/book design) and write on the side, eventually doing more writing than publishing. […]

]]> by: Ben http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-66333 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:47:10 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-66333 Janet: Thanks. :) Agreed, I'd rather have someone else use the money who actually <i>is</i> going to be a librarian. And that bookman image is awesome. :) James: Haha, thanks. :) Sally: I know, I feel like I've betrayed all of my librarian friends. But I had to do what I had to do. I have no intention of leaving Provo anytime soon. I could be here for years and years. :) And I'll stay at the HBLL until I find a typesetting job, which could be in a few months or in a few years. Good luck with your own decision -- I don't know which way it'll go (obviously :)), but do what's right for you, regardless of the consequences. Janet: Thanks. :) Agreed, I’d rather have someone else use the money who actually is going to be a librarian. And that bookman image is awesome. :)

James: Haha, thanks. :)

Sally: I know, I feel like I’ve betrayed all of my librarian friends. But I had to do what I had to do. I have no intention of leaving Provo anytime soon. I could be here for years and years. :) And I’ll stay at the HBLL until I find a typesetting job, which could be in a few months or in a few years. Good luck with your own decision — I don’t know which way it’ll go (obviously :)), but do what’s right for you, regardless of the consequences.

]]> by: Janet http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65855 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:47:56 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65855 Hey Ben, I just found a cool graphic of a man made of books. You'll like it. Check it out at http://unitedcats.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/book-ideas/ Hey Ben, I just found a cool graphic of a man made of books. You’ll like it. Check it out at http://unitedcats.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/book-ideas/

]]> by: Sally http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65792 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:46:27 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65792 Wow, Ben. I'm sad to lose you in the program, as I felt we were fellow classmates despite being miles and miles and miles apart. But it sounds like you've made the right decision for you and your dreams, so I applaud you! Will you be staying in Provo still? What about working in the HBLL? I'm actually struggling with the idea of staying in that world, too. I'm married now and I feel a lot of the money I'm putting towards the MLS is a waste of time and money. I would rather be spending the time working on my marriage and I know for a fact that I'm going to be a "domestic engineer" or homemaker as soon as little ones start to arrive. It's a decision I haven't made yet, as it's become a matter of prayer and I know I must at least finish this semester to feel good about myself. I'm very excited for you! I hope you keep us posted on all your upcoming adventures. :-) Way to go! Wow, Ben. I’m sad to lose you in the program, as I felt we were fellow classmates despite being miles and miles and miles apart. But it sounds like you’ve made the right decision for you and your dreams, so I applaud you! Will you be staying in Provo still? What about working in the HBLL?

I’m actually struggling with the idea of staying in that world, too. I’m married now and I feel a lot of the money I’m putting towards the MLS is a waste of time and money. I would rather be spending the time working on my marriage and I know for a fact that I’m going to be a “domestic engineer” or homemaker as soon as little ones start to arrive. It’s a decision I haven’t made yet, as it’s become a matter of prayer and I know I must at least finish this semester to feel good about myself.

I’m very excited for you! I hope you keep us posted on all your upcoming adventures. :-) Way to go!

]]> by: James http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65789 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:11:14 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65789 I add my "wow" to the multitude of "wow's" out there. Wow. That rocks that you never graduated high school! What a cool after-dinner anecdote! You're my hero. I add my “wow” to the multitude of “wow’s” out there.

Wow.

That rocks that you never graduated high school! What a cool after-dinner anecdote! You’re my hero.

]]> by: Janet http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65773 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:37:10 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65773 Congratulations Ben!!! I applaud your decision. Most people who find themselves in your position lack the courage and integrity to take the exit gracefully not to mention with a press release. It is an unselfish act to realize that you are wasting other peoples money and someone else' opportunity. Most people cling to the present instead of boldly stepping out and taking the risk of the unknown. Whether it is due to pride, insecurity, lack of courage, lack of self-discipline or what ever those who cling to the other path usually come to an unhappy end in the long run and have wasted (even stolen) the happiness of another human being. Heather had a professor who announced that she didn't want to hear any excuses for poor (or lack of) performance in her class. Her own son, a well deserving student, didn't get in to the Y because there was no room. She said deserving children of general authorities don't get in for lack of room. Then she laid out the concept presented above. My own ex-husband wasted five years of someone else opportunity before he was invited to leave. I glad to hear that you have discovered your niche and wish you the best of success in your new adventure. Congratulations Ben!!! I applaud your decision. Most people who find themselves in your position lack the courage and integrity to take the exit gracefully not to mention with a press release. It is an unselfish act to realize that you are wasting other peoples money and someone else’ opportunity. Most people cling to the present instead of boldly stepping out and taking the risk of the unknown. Whether it is due to pride, insecurity, lack of courage, lack of self-discipline or what ever those who cling to the other path usually come to an unhappy end in the long run and have wasted (even stolen) the happiness of another human being.

Heather had a professor who announced that she didn’t want to hear any excuses for poor (or lack of) performance in her class. Her own son, a well deserving student, didn’t get in to the Y because there was no room. She said deserving children of general authorities don’t get in for lack of room. Then she laid out the concept presented above. My own ex-husband wasted five years of someone else opportunity before he was invited to leave.

I glad to hear that you have discovered your niche and wish you the best of success in your new adventure.

]]> by: Ben http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65723 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:49:36 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65723 Alyssa: Thanks. :) Sean: Yes, at the time it <i>was</i> the right thing for me, but I've changed and it's no longer for me. :) Mary: Thanks. :) Amy: Too true -- thanks. :) Keith: Follow your dreams. It's better to try and fail than to never have tried. (And who says you'll fail? :)) M: Check out <a href="http://www.riverglenpress.net/" rel="nofollow">Riverglen Press</a>. :P (I've been freelancing, too. The full list of the books I've made so far is on <a href="http://www.blankslate.net/books.php" rel="nofollow">Blank Slate</a>. But don't worry, I'll keep publishing. I can't stop. :)) E: Thanks. :) Steve: Following your heart really is the way to go, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks. (Though I do have to say I'm pleasantly surprised at how supportive people have been so far. The number of people who've openly said they thought I was crazy is incredibly small. :P) Carly: Thanks. :) It's scary, yes, but heck, I've wanted a little adventure in my life, and this is a pretty darn good way to do that. :P Alyssa: Thanks. :)

Sean: Yes, at the time it was the right thing for me, but I’ve changed and it’s no longer for me. :)

Mary: Thanks. :)

Amy: Too true — thanks. :)

Keith: Follow your dreams. It’s better to try and fail than to never have tried. (And who says you’ll fail? :))

M: Check out Riverglen Press. :P (I’ve been freelancing, too. The full list of the books I’ve made so far is on Blank Slate. But don’t worry, I’ll keep publishing. I can’t stop. :))

E: Thanks. :)

Steve: Following your heart really is the way to go, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks. (Though I do have to say I’m pleasantly surprised at how supportive people have been so far. The number of people who’ve openly said they thought I was crazy is incredibly small. :P)

Carly: Thanks. :) It’s scary, yes, but heck, I’ve wanted a little adventure in my life, and this is a pretty darn good way to do that. :P

]]> by: Carly http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65685 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:02:51 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65685 Congratulations! I tell you what, life decisions are killer. Jumping in with both feet and not looking back (and working your tail off if needed) is the only way to go. Best of luck to you! Congratulations! I tell you what, life decisions are killer. Jumping in with both feet and not looking back (and working your tail off if needed) is the only way to go. Best of luck to you!

]]> by: steve http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65662 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:39:17 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65662 I sort of did the same thing when I took 2 years off from BYU to piece my life back together. Now I have one year left till I graduate, and looking back, taking the road less traveled by, has made all the difference I sort of did the same thing when I took 2 years off from BYU to piece my life back together. Now I have one year left till I graduate, and looking back, taking the road less traveled by, has made all the difference

]]> by: E. http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65654 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:33:59 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/23/taking-the-exit/#comment-65654 !!! Ben, you are completely made of win. Way to be. !!!

Ben, you are completely made of win. Way to be.

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