A Bodacious Introduction

[Jed Bodacious]

Howdy,

Yep, I know I've posted a few and have not made a proper introduction yet, so let me get that done right here right now.

My name is Ryan Dawes, but online I go by Jed Bodacious, he was a fictional mayor of a very large city I once built playing Sim City, and well, I liked him so much I decided to go by his name in cyber space.

I currently live 50 miles northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma. I lived in Roswell, NM for a year, Sherman, TX for two years, and here in Oklahoma before that. Further back I was in the Air Force living in Shreveport, LA and Biloxi, MS. I grew up here in Oklahoma, for the most part with only about 14 months total living in Lafayette, LA and Scotia, CA as a kid.

The only other country I have been to is the Ukraine, where I visited Kiev, and made a few friends while there. They seemed thirsty for freedom, one guy warned me about the direction the US is heading, he told me ?you don?t want to go there!?

My political ideological background started as a Christian rightwing Republican, then while in the Air Force dramatically moved towards the Democratic left, socialist anti-Christian mind set, and about 2-3 years ago after the Dems selected Kerry, I began to search for something that made more sense. I came across 3, third parties that sounded real good to me, the Socialist Party, the Natural Law Party, and the Libertarian party (sounds like I was confused), I honestly thought the Libertarian Party was nuts, but I was keeping an open mind and just read the platforms of each.

I went with the Libertarian party, and attended the 2004 Libertarian Texas state convention, and found it to be interesting. At the time I liked the social platform of the party, but was not crazy about the fiscal platform. Over the past 2 years I have listened to many Libertarian shows, read several books, joined in on several blogs and met with several people concerning Libertarian issues. In that time I have slowly digested all the information and have came to the conclusion that a Libertarian form of government would be the best form of government to live above. I still have hick-ups from time-to-time, but forums such as this are a real value at helping to burn off the superficial aspects of an issue until we are left with a pure product. Now if only I could find a religion???

I like the idea of the Free State Movement, and felt compelled to join the Wyoming forum because considering all the factors; I think the likelihood of it working stands a much better chance in Wyoming than any other state. I'm also a western boy at heart

I recently quit my job as a management consultant, and am currently on a career search. I am on the fence as to whether to pack up right now and head north, or stay here for now and pay off some debt when I land a job. Frankly speaking, I'd be there tomorrow if I knew I could get a job that paid 50k or better.

Well, it's good to be a part of this, and I look forward to getting to know each of you, and hope that we can make a real difference.


Jed Bodacious

[Paul Bonneau]

Welcome, Jed/Ryan. Interesting, it sounds like you took a lot of the same gyrations I did so many years ago. Just hope you find the right way (what I now think is the right way  ) more quickly than I managed to figure it out.

Some books helped me to visualize freedom, although there was no one book. Some of L Neil Smith's stuff, particularly Pallas. Lots of people like Atlas Shrugged but I found it very poor as an entry point - took years before I could get through it. Mostly its articles here and there, you just get an idea after a while (I like lewrockwell.com and mises.org). Also if you focus on particular issues (for me, guns and education), you eventually come to the conclusion freedom works better than anything else. If it does in those particular issues, maybe it does in all or almost all issues.

Also remember, the world is 90% bullshit. Helps keep perspective...

I'd seriously look at Wyoming jobs now rather than waiting (particularly since you apparently don't have a spouse to negotiate with). When the boom is on, you'd better take advantage of it. You may find you can get by on lesser amounts of money too, remember to factor the cost of living into the equation. Anyway, lots of time you just get an entry level job and if you're good enough your wages will quickly climb to more respectable levels.

[Prairie Fire]

My opinion, pack up now and move. ?There's plenty of jobs in Wyoming that will pay $50k/year. ?You may not like them though. ?But if it is just money that you need to pay down debts, you can get it in Wyoming ?as well as in any other place.
 ?
Don't get caught up in the dogma of "free movements", whether unorganized or libertarian or whatever. ?Put a bumper sticker on your truck that sez "my karma ran over my dogma."
 ?
Freedom lovers have been moving to Wyoming since its territorial days. ?It has always been a boom and bust cycle for the state. ?Being not so generous for gov't welfare, Wyoming has tended to export the unemployment problems it has experienced as it has gone through boom and bust. ?Survivors of the busts make a good cadre, but they are approachable only on their own terms. ?It goes without saying that a hard sell of libertarian thought will not cut it. ?Being a good neighbor, might open a window.
 ?
Many ?FS-types have moved to the state, or found themselves there, without an organization. ?They just liked it and found a way to stay through the bust times.
 ?
There's a framed plaque on the wall of B71 of the VA Hospital in Sheridan. ?It says "May God bless Wyoming and keep it wild." ?Signed and dated 1910. ?Not much new to be said.

[wyomiles]

Ryan, I have worked in industrial plants for my entire career and for about four years was involved with team based management consultants. Are you familiar with that or do you consult in another direction?

What kind of career are you looking for now? What would you like to try in Wyoming?    Miles

[MamaLiberty]

Welcome, Ryan. I'd love to talk to you any time. Just email or PM.

I've been fighting for freedom for about 40 years and have been all through the Libertarian thing. I look forward to hearing from you, and if you ever get to Wyoming there's a cup of coffee and a meal waiting for you if you ever want to visit.

MamaLiberty

[Jed Bodacious]

Thanks for the warm welcome,

I've packed up and headed out west twice before, once in 1999 and again in 2001. I passed through Wyoming several times in 2001, and even stopped at Gillette looking for a job, but did not find anything I thought was a good match (but I had my mind set on Spokane, WA). I have always had a fondness for strip mining, because I grew up on top of a coal pit and played in it as a kid. My Dad worked for Peabody, and I got to go to work with him as a kid, I was all over the shovels, and drills. I got to set off the charges too! I learned to drive on those wide haul roads when I was 7 years old. But in 1985 Peabody shut down its mining operation here in NE Oklahoma, and my Dad was laid off. So those were the good ol' days of my childhood.

Well maybe the 3rd time will be the charm

As for my professional background, I have electronics, and telephone education and experience. A BS Degree in Industrial Technology. The past 4 years I have been in Management 3.5 years with FedEx Ground, and just 6 months as a management consultant. I actually liked the consulting, but I did not find much harmony with the project manager or the company I worked for.  So I got out last month and hired a career counselor to help me in my search (it was rather pricey). Any way I am just starting to build a career network, following their guidance and their contacts (sadly they have none in WY). The basic idea is to contact your friends, work associates, and other aquatints, to seek their advice and hopefully gain other contacts from them, and repeat the process, until you can bypass HR and get interviews in front of decision makers. The process works both ways, if you know others that may be beneficial for the contact you are meeting with, then you help hook them up. I guess it could be compared in a loose way to a dating agency or a matchmaker.

Any way hell I might just do it......I need to sleep on it first and make several preparations, as it would be a needs only move first till I got established, then I would return to get the rest of my things.

The $50k is pretty much my needs to keep the water out of the boat. I have a good work history, and a good work ethic. My counselor said my worth was between $60k-$80k. I guess I just need to come on up and spend a week hunting for a good job, and meeting some of you while there.

Any leads or information would be appreciated. About the only industries I don't want to get involved with are 1.) Healthcare
2.) Government and 3.) Education

Location, is not a big deal to me at this point, I just want to be where I can get a good job, and be in a place where, I can make some friends and talk about the kind of stuff we talk about here.

Mama, I may just stop by for that hot cup of coffee, I like mine black with just a touch of sugar

Again, thanks for the warm welcome,

Jed Bodacious

[rockchucker]

Now if only I could find a religion???

Well, howdy, from one Jed to another.

Surely, with your choice of avatar, I'd think you were already a member of the Church of the SubGenius. If that doesn't  interest you, may I suggest Flying Spaghetti Monsterism (see also Pastafarian).

 

[Jed Bodacious]

Haaaa

No, I've never seen those sites before, pretty funny

Actually Deism, fits me best, but in all honesty I just don't know.

[rhodges]

Well, if you are open to new ideas, perhaps I could invite you someday to come along and "Kiss Hank's Ass"? http://www.jhuger.com/kisshank

All in good fun

[wyomiles]

Ryan, I and several others here have said many times that there is a boom on in Wyoming. After reading your background there is no doubt in my mind that you could find a great job in Wyoming. All you need to do is get there and spend some time looking around.

Miles

[Firefighter]

My name is Ryan Dawes, but online I go by Jed Bodacious, he was a fictional mayor of a very large city I once built playing Sim City, and well, I liked him so much I decided to go by his name in cyber space.

I love that game

[Jed Bodacious]

I think I'll come up for a week and do some job hunting. I was thinking of heading on up there this weekend, but the holiday next week would make the workweek short. I think I'll put it off till the weekend after Independence Day.

I applied with BNSF Rail Road, and I think I stand a pretty good chance of hearing back from them. Should know more by next week.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what part of the state I would fair better in?

Thanks,

Jed Bodacious

[Hunter]

I think I'll come up for a week and do some job hunting..............Anyone have any suggestions as to what part of the state I would fair better in?Thanks, Jed Bodacious

Jed all parts of the state are hiring.
The NW, W & Central from Jackson area to Cody/Yellowstone, Dubois hiring is primarily tourism related though slowing down after labor day They're also costly living due to the high end $ residents moving in. The East Central & SE is probably the least booming but still lucrative. but stay away from Lusk as it's a dying town. But if ya wanted to retire cheaply in Wyoming, Lusk is in all probability,THE PLACE !? The Torrington, Riverton, Thermop, Worland & Powell areas are agriculturally oriented and usually stable with decent jobs.
Politically speaking, Jackson is similar to Laramie.

If yer coming through Douglas (BNSF-UP RR's) give me a shout ......HEY!, .......HUNTER!


Gillette/Morecroft, Pinedale, Rawlins/Wamsutter, Casper/Douglas & Rock Springs are the hot spots. Oil, mining Rail and Construction are the kings

[Jed Bodacious]

I had Casper, north and east in mind. So that's good news!

Thanks,

Jed