Insider Quote: A toothpick for a sword fight

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"This time around, with everything based on who you know and whether they can exert the right pressure on the right person in a decision-making position, I feel like I’m at a distinct disadvantage. I wasn’t able to get the types of assignments I needed the first two times around, and thus I haven’t had a chance to make the necessary connections within the parts of the organization I’d actually like to work in. You’ve all probably heard the adage about bringing a knife to a gun-fight. Well, this is the Foreign Service, so maybe it’s more like a sword fight (let’s face it, there might be blood, but nobody’s going to get shot and die). And to this sword fight, yours truly has brought a toothpick.

I kind of just want this whole process to be over, though. I’m tired of my stomach being tied in knots, being unable to sleep well, coming up with ridiculous strategies/ideas, lying in bed wide awake wondering whether I should send Person X another email to remind him/her of my existence, etc, etc. Maybe I should just find a rock to crawl under. Wake me when it’s over. I’ll surrender my toothpick if you promise not to maim me."

from Girl in the Rain Blog of “A Displaced Seattleite Wandering the Globe”