Twomanaga Story
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
It awoke just as the snows were beginning to melt and the green slivers of grass were starting to rise through the scattered, decayed leaves of the last growing season. The trees, though bare, were starting to show the promise of full foliage, sprinkled here and there with buds, and green shoots from the forest floor were emerging, reaching toward the blue sky sprinkled with feather clouds overhead.
It sensed the sunlight before it opened its eyes, felt the warmth of the soft breezes, heard the low moan of a new-born calf, searching for mother, its mother responding in soft communication.
From the distance, the soft chuckle of water searching for the low places, forming the sloughs in which a thousand life forms would draw sustenance mixed with the harsh cries of distant magpies scrapping over the carcass of some newly dead beast; needing sustenance for their soon-to-be-laid eggs, embryos forming as they fought.
Drawing its sustenance from the moisture, the sunlight, and the earth, it took form and substance, testing the wind for music, sensing the ground beneath its feet, stretching and expanding its muscles, sensing its immediate and extended world.
It was Twomanaga: it was ancient and had lived countless lives. Some say it was favoured by the ancient gods; others said it was cursed by them. Both, perhaps were right. Neither male nor female, it was a mixture of both: it encompassed both the light and the dark, creation and extinction, the whole rhythm of existence. Those who saw it favoured by the gods noted its compassion for mankind, its driving wish to help the dispossessed, the poor, the hungry; it wished to eliminate war, to minister against the deliberate infliction of suffering and pain. Those who saw it as a cursed being remarked upon the frustration and despair it met as it tried to guide humanity towards a good and productive life, with high ideals and peaceful existence. Its compassion for humanity was never in doubt by gods or men, neither was its disappointment.
Twomanga was much beloved by the ancients: Twomanaga rose from the ashes of an earlier life to observe again the follies of humankind; it was given the gift of prophecy and foresight by the gods; it was also given a curse in that the gods decreed that no one would believe its urgent warnings to the species it had taken to its heart. Twomanga, it seems, was condemned by the gods to pointless and unfulfilling toil in the warnings and admonitions given to humanity. It was a ceaseless task, but Twomanga also had the very human trait of trying and trying again, never losing hope, always searching for a better way. This was its satisfaction, even its delight. Although the human race made terrible blunders and mistakes, it always seemed to resurrect itself and to try again, and it was from this that Twomanaga drew his spiritual strength.
Twomanaga’s gifts from the gods were many, as were humankind’s. In addition to the powers of prophecy and foresight, when the cold winds of winter blew it lost consciousness, and when the warm winds of spring awakened it, it arose to spread its warm embrace for what it considered its children, the race of beings which were born to disregard it. Twomanaga’s concern for humanity was great, and it wept at the foibles of the species. In each incarnation it witnessed the depredations of the race. The absurd term “inhuman” which proved to be exclusively human revealed the race’s distain for its fellows. No other species on the planet exploited its own kind such as these: they condemned each other to economic slavery, and dictated the of those less powerful than themselves. They fought for power, not because they lacked food or shelter, or the basic necessities of life, but for power itself, the right or ability to command the lives of others.
Twomanaga tried to resolve the differences between the natural flow of events and the human species insistence on defying natural ways. Twomanaga noticed the trail of animals towards a flowing spring: the spring itself was the center of a wheel, the hub that the animals approached when they came to water. The deer, elk, bear, and the myriad of forest animals came along the contours of the land. They wound around hills and valleys, making long, winding trails, which no species owned, and none disputed. The humans, on the other hand, drew straight lines over the hills and brooks; they lived within these artificial lines and disputed with their neighbors about who owned which tree, and which bush was on whose property.
Twomanaga, saw the majority of human problems inherent in humanity’s divorce from nature. When humans made distinctions and insisted on classifying things, they created walls and barriers. Twomanaga saw the main evil in humanity as the insistence on creation of definitions, of territory, and of ethnic origin. When others tried to cross those lines, or they came into contact, the human response was to cause bitter argument and violent responses. Humans classified themselves by race, by creed, by geography, and by many, many other kinds and sorts of distinctions and categories, and when one group met another, it was cause for jealousy, envy, and mistrust, all rationalizations for resentment and aggression.
Another major problem Twomanaga saw with the human race was the problem of balance. Many ancient beliefs accepted that there was both good and evil in the world. The best one could do was to try and draw a balance between the two. Dramatists insisted on seeing human existence as a struggle between the two, while philosophers attempted to come to a resolution of those extremes of human nature.
The ancient Chinese followed this path: they saw life as a resolution of opposites, they called it the “Ying” and the “Yang.” On one side there was light, growth, creation, the female aspect of humanity, art, music, the most desirable aspects of human existence. On the other side was decay, death, darkness, the male in his warrior role, and destruction. But the Chinese philosophers realized that the two were not only connected, they were very tightly interconnected, for without one, the other could not exist. The search for the good life involved the acceptance of negative things, and resolving them with positive aspects of existence, the bringing together of opposites in an harmonious unity. No classifications were needed because, the Chinese thought, one knew, instinctively, what aspects of human existence were good, and which were bad. Bad things happened, but they were balanced by good things; good things were to be enjoyed, with a mind that bad things might follow. An example might be that one might receive a large amount of money, a windfall. One might think this would be a good thing; however, perhaps the money might bring bad things: fighting, drunkenness, or envy and jealousy. The problem, the Chinese philosophers noted, was in being able to distinguish between good and bad. Twomanaga tried to instruct mankind in the wisdom of accepting events with a critical eye, but mankind would not listen.
Twomanaga insisted on the duality of existence and the absolute need to resolve opposites. It saw the world as the bringing together of all aspects of life in a mutual harmony. We often remark, “What goes around comes around” is recognition that good begets good, evil begets evil, and what one does will be revisited upon one. There is the unification of need and fulfillment, the quest, the seeking of satisfaction without depriving one’s neighbor of his or hers. There is a direct relationship between form and function. A part of the quest is that for companionship, for we realize that we are incomplete by ourselves; we pursue the search for the complementary opposite wherein the whole becomes greater than the parts.
Twomanaga saw this in the striving of human nature, whereby the goal is happiness, satisfaction, and belonging. It saw the basis of human striving in the need to augment the whole, and also noted the irony of the human situation whereby all human activity seemed to be directed towards the opposite of the desired end, the struggle in the need to overcome, to outshine the opponent and competitor, to be the star of the team.
The Buddhist concept of heaven is Nirvana, a state of being where there was no struggle or contention, where the human spirit was sufficient unto itself. Many contemporary communities seek to find the ideal existence; Twomanaga saw the human dilemma in the irony of the human situation; the ideals of communism versus the reality of competitiveness, whose god is the personal collection of wealth. And he saw those destroyed in that quest, and wept for them.
Posted in Helping Others | 3 Comments »
Want to receive our bi-weekly eNewsletter?
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
If you would like to receive our bi-weekly eNewsletter, The Twomanaga News, 
register with us for free and we will keep you posted on Networking events, new postings and upcoming events that are happening in our beautiful City!
To register go to our website at www.prominent-personnel.ca
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Prominent’s Expanding to Twitter
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
Prominent Personnel is supplementing their website and blog with a Twitter account. We’d love for you to be a part of our network! Please connect with us by searching the username droberts2010!
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“A Taste for Life” is happening tomorrow night!
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
You are invited to come out and wine & dine to help support a great cause! Visit one of the participating restaurants in Calgary and 25% of your proceeds will be donated to The SHARP Foundation – it’s that simple and you could be helping some of Calgary’s most marginalized citizens living with HIV/AIDS. www.atasteforlife.org and www.theSHARPfoundation.com
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Today’s Preparation Determines Tomorrow’s Achievement
Monday, April 26th, 2010
Is your team preparing for tomorrow’s achievement? Are your projects on course to meet your desired outcomes? Getting your team aligned to meet your outcomes becomes easy with this powerful team building process. To bring this FREE teambuilding session to your people, please contact Carmen directly at cgoss@prominent-personnel.ca or 403.710.1017.
Posted in Training & Seminars | No Comments »
Who Do You Know?
Friday, April 23rd, 2010
It is important to remember how almost everybody in every industry ended up in his or her current role. Basically, the stories sound like this, “I knew someone who knew someone who introduced me at their volunteer function at the local community hall.”
Here is one of Catherine’s stories:
“Early in my career, I was doing everything I could think of to land an O&G sales job. Basically, this just meant I was applying madly to blind ads. On the weekends, I also volunteered at the downtown YMCA for a preschool swim and gym program. I quickly bonded with a little guy named Curtis, and we would run towards each other every Saturday morning, oblivious to his parents. Finally, I managed to get an interview and low and behold, who should come around the corner – Curtis’ dad. I was hired quickly without any previous oil and gas experience.”
Variations of Catherine’s story are repeated again and again in this city. It seems that when you get involved, you often end up emerging in the lifestyle that you want to start living. Our advice is to join the gym, the local community association, special interest groups and associations. Volunteer. Get involved and go to all of their functions. Remember, there are six degrees of separation (at least) and everyone you meet will get an impression of you that will transfer to who they know as well. Why not be gracious and interested in everyone? Then when your name comes up with decision makers for your industry, it will be favorable for you personally and professionally.
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Senior Production Engineer
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
101- 253 Senior Production Engineer
Our Client is searching for a Senior Production Engineer to work in the rapidly growing Princess oil field near Brooks, Alberta.
The Princess field was purchased by our Client in August of 2008, and since that time production has increased from 2000 boe/d to 5000 boe/d through drilling and production optimization.
Production is characterized as slightly sour, high water cuts and in some cases high GOR wells.
Roles and Responsibilities include:
• Report to Production and Operations Manager
• Daily interaction with production foreman and field optimization techs to address problems and provide technical support.
• Monitor daily/monthly well and system performance (producers and water injectors) using a range of surveillance techniques.
• Enhance well productivity, maximize production system deliverability and manage well integrity
• Optimize cashflow on a daily basis; maximizing production, minimize OPEX for fields of responsibility.
• Complete and distribute production report identifying underperforming wells.
• Diagnose, measure, improve and control the operation of artificial lift systems including rod pump, hydraulic jet, PCPs and ESPs.
• Mentor Junior Production Engineer.
• Responsible for preparing failure analysis history for every well in fields of responsibility.
• Report near-term field activities at weekly meetings and coordinate with organizational goals.
• Coordinate analytic work required for waterflood pilot activities as well as full waterflood and/or tertiary recovery implementation
• Prepare all material transfers for equipment in field of responsibility.
• Drilling, recompletion, and wellwork recommendations.
• AFE cost estimation, justification and cost reconciliation.
• Travel to field locations.
• High level of confidence and reliability in thought processes and results.
• An understanding of the importance of production accounting, regulatory and HSE.
• Strong computer skills.
• To assemble nodal analysis model for each well and update models when new welltest &/or pressure (THP/BHP) data obtained.
• To use above well performance model in addition to other well surveillance techniques to identify opportunities for improving well performance.
• Recommend data acquisition to clarify identified optimization opportunities.
• Coordinate with HSE manager concerning releases, reporting and permitting.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
Qualifications/Experience:
• Bachelor degree in Petroleum or related engineering required.
• 10 years relevant experience.
• Positive attitude and effective communicator with all levels internally and externally.
• Team player, willingness to support 24/7 field activities, able to multi-task.
• Familiarity with chemical methods and processes for treating scale, iron sulfide and corrosion.
• Understand how cost controls and production levels impact overall business success; use project economics for best decision-making.
• Performance Management- Sets goals, priorities and deadlines and holds self and others accountable.
• Focus on Innovation/Improvement, find more effective ways of doing work.
Need more information? Prominent Personnel (people@prominent-personnel.ca)
Posted in Job Postings | 2 Comments »
Next Gathering – Friday, June 18th
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
We host an Energy Industry Network Gathering every Quarter! Our next event will be held Friday June 18th, 2010 at the Spur Gastropub – 351 – 4th Avenue SW, Calgary from 3:30 pm onward.
We average 200 people per event and encourage you to bring lots of business cards. There is no cost at all for you to attend. In fact, if you have friends who you think may be interested, please invite them to come. Please note that it is held at a restaurant/bar and if you want something to drink you do need to pay for that.
See you at the next Gathering!!
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Get Started
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
Don’t know where to start? Look for your stories in:
• Times when you resolved conflict between colleagues, peers, or clients
• Situations when you turned a negative into a positive
• Things that you built, fixed or improved
• Projects that you implemented, participated in, or completed
• Procedures that you developed or used to save time or headaches
• Risks that you took in order to undertake new challenges
• Your travel, volunteer work, community work, course work, hobbies
• New skills or key learnings you initiated through work or key leisure pursuits
• Times when you resolved conflict between colleagues
• Times when you helped someone else with a problem or challenge
• Ideas you had for improving the way things were done
You may surprise yourself at how many you have.
SUCCESS STORY EXAMPLE
Story Title: Training Track e-Newsletter
Problem:
When my last company went through a major reorganization, the mandate of our corporate sales division changed drastically. Within the new structure, sales personnel were required to concentrate their sales efforts on end-to-end training solutions for major energy clients. This caused dissention among the ranks, and a number of sales consultants chose to resign. Our clients felt abandoned and confused during the flux. They were unclear what we could offer going forward and didn’t know who to turn to with their training requests.
Action:
My business development support team implemented a campaign to connect with valued clients and raise awareness of our energy training products and services. Working with a third-party software company, we created a subscription-based monthly e-newsletter complete with articles, tips and tools related to training needs. In the early days, I was responsible for writing and sourcing all content. Over time, the content team grew to four internal writers and two external columnists.
Result:
The e-newsletter met and exceeded our goals, reaching over 1000 subscribers in 16 months. This resulted in numerous new leads and direct sales totaling over $350,000. Our e-newsletter client satisfaction surveys were overwhelmingly positive – over 95% of respondents found the content of high quality, timely and relevant. In 2004, our team received the Alberta e-Business Leadership Award, e-Learning Category, for our innovative approach to customer service.
Skills demonstrated:
| Leadership & Team Skills
|
Results-oriented, team player, deadline driven, client-focused, relationship building, trouble shooting, multi-tasking
|
| Functional Skills
|
Researching, writing, editing/proofing, technology usage, data management
|
Summarized version of story: (which can be used in cover letters and resumes)
• Designed concept and produced monthly content for award winning client e-newsletter, resulting in a strong subscriber base, lead generation and direct sales totaling over $350,000.
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Get Specific
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Remember, your stories need to be specific enough so they can be told in just a few minutes with a PAR format.
“Working in Engineering”, for example, is not a story in and of itself. Instead, it involves hundreds of specific stories where you project manage, trouble shoot, coach, mentor, assist, solve problems, etc. We recommend you scale down your story to a more specific incident or series of incidents.
Posted in Book Excerpts | No Comments »