I currently work in one of these Kansas City area limestone caves. My company runs a datacenter/colo here and we don't run into this problem of dust playing merry hell with the drive arrays. The solution...paint the ceiling and install ceiling tiles to create a "normal" room. No rocks, no dust, just a clean and efficient datacenter.

The answer sort of lies in what your goals are and what the position requires you to do. Personal Anecdote: I started off as a lowly PC tech in the IT industry back in the 90's. After working several years in the field, I moved on to another company doing basically the same job, but with opportunity to advance. After a few years, I was given a Tech Lead position. This was great, but the company wasn't doing so hot so I left to work at a tax company (rhymes with clock). Not soon after joining that company I was basically forced into a management position and I hated it. I didn't hate it because it was management, I hated it because the company forced me to treat my employees like dirt and my director was actually insulted by my tech knowledge and I was barred from using it. I decided to look for a new job and because of my tech and management experience I got another Tech Management position...this one I loved. The company totally embraced my knowledge and experience and allowed me to not just be a boss, but also a mentor and resource for my team. Without that previous management experience though I would never have been able to get the job. Yeah, it sucked for a while, but in the end it was totally worth it.

I actually know that I have at least an above average sense of direction. In my late teens and early twenties I used to do a lot of orienteering competitions. In order to make the best time I would usually forgo stopping to use a compass and I'd simply study the map ahead of time and use landmarks, the sun, and other environmental cues to navigate. Using this strategy paid off quite well. I never placed below third, never got lost, and won a number of competitions.

Zyll was my first foray into text adventure games. I remember spending hours at my dad's IBM Sr. Partner staring at the black and green screen trying to figure out where the three items were. I still keep a copy of DOSBox around just in case I want to fire up Zyll again. Such a great game.

I'm really glad to see that they are finally coming out with a new MechWarrior game. Being a veteran of all the previous iterations, I've been longing for a new one for quite some time. The fact that they are re-releasing 4 for free is also very good news. 4 was certainly not my favorite, but it definitely gives me an excuse to ignore my family for awhile until the new game is released.

I work for a small IT/Colo/DR/BC company. Due to the nature of our business, and our rather small staff, I typically work anywhere from 10-12 hours a day. I'm also on call 24/7/365 so that number can jump at any minute. I'm not complaining, it's hard work but very worthwhile since I get to really reap the benefits of my hard work.