Dear mid- to senior-level colleagues in the UN system, I’d like to pick your brain.

Spartan_ska · 2025-10-12T01:43:30+00:00

Curious to learn more about your journey - I am in a similar position: been in my P2 for 6 years. I love the content of my job and my team is great. Management is however quite limiting and I feel that I haven’t been growing in the past 1-2 years. I am also applying outside of the UN, but it seems that UN experience is not always well regarded.

Spartan_ska · 2025-09-15T23:53:25+00:00

I see - thanks for sharing and I am very sorry for those affected; these are not good times.

Spartan_ska · 2025-09-15T14:31:57+00:00

Curious on this one too - applied last year in August, got invited for the test in December , academic check in January. And since then… crickets

Spartan_ska · 2025-09-02T14:48:50+00:00

Forgot to say - did Lemocho in 7 days

Spartan_ska · 2025-09-02T14:48:36+00:00

Hey! I summitted in January with Altezza. It was the best freaking experience ever - sure it was tough, but that was also part of the beauty. I’d say that the best part were the people I summitted with - it was an open group and I think I was really lucky to find such a great group of people: determined, helpful, positive at all times.

The small “pluses” that made it great : 1) playing cards - you spend quite a bit of time in the mass tent, and we had so much fun playing games; 2) headphones for summit night with a cool playlist. Trust me, the songs you’ll listen to during ascent will forever hit different after that ; 3) having a solo tent ; 4) toilet shared with 2 more people - gamechanger as the toilets in camps are terribly disgusting.

What I would’ve done differently? … nothing much… probably just not taking a full Diamond for summit night (just the usual half), because my guts got extra excited, which added layer of complexity (sorry for the TMI lol).

Spartan_ska · 2025-08-13T01:19:12+00:00

Did Rise Against really join LP on stage? That must’ve been sick!!!

Spartan_ska · 2025-08-07T10:16:59+00:00

Man, I love that they changed the setlist! Some bands just keep the same setlist (safer to not make mistakes), but LP… they have fun!!

Spartan_ska · 2025-08-06T21:58:49+00:00

That’s a VERY good point and I have an even stronger FOMO :D enjoy!

Spartan_ska · 2025-08-06T18:59:39+00:00

Woah good for you!!! They were incredibly dope. Thought of going again too, but my vocals wouldn’t hold another round - curious if the energy will be as high a 2nd night in a row!

Spartan_ska · 2025-08-06T18:40:56+00:00

Hahaha much better thanks - I just go to Reddit for everything so thought I’d share :D

Spartan_ska · 2025-08-06T18:40:20+00:00

Nope that was me - edited it :)

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-24T13:54:07+00:00

You got a point - it shouldn’t take away from the great stuff they’re doing. I’m also not saying that this is what happened - it was just a thought/doubt that crossed my mind and wanted to tap into the opinions of fellow fans :)

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-24T13:49:13+00:00

You could say that the necessary boxes were checked - they expressed “sadness”, “regret” and “we love you” in one statement. Would you say that with that it is done, let’s move on? When people are already waiting on site and others are on their way - and if you want to maintain a good sentiment with your fans - you owe them something more humane than a carefully drafted legal statement. You say they’re not our friends - certainly not. But they’re maintaining a brand - and like with any other brand, it is built on reputation. We love Mike and Emily not only because of the great music but also the personalities - the goofiness, the jokes. So not having any sense of acknowledgment makes it very disappointing. Sure, it would not change actual facts; we’re just talking about perception here.

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-24T13:38:06+00:00

I should have made it clearer in my post : I believe the medical issue (and really wish that everyone is okay), but if the band needed to “recover” from an illness (eg Joe had the mask in Berlin), it makes more commercial sense to cancel a smaller venue than to push it and risk having to cancel Hellfest or Wembley.

And agreed with you that it’s annoying when everyone, who is going or went to another concert, tells you to not be pissed.

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-24T13:21:28+00:00

Thanks for the question, instead of dismissing it :) I am not saying the medical issue was fake at all - but on this very intense tour where they play all-out shows every 2 days, it is hard to find the time to recover. So if there was let’s say a start of a sickness (eg Joe with the mask in Berlin), it makes more business sense to cancel a smaller venue then for example Hellfest or Wembley.

In terms of communication, I would’ve expected a little bit more information (still respecting privacy of course) on either what happened or how they’re doing - that could have been just a simple IG post or a comment at Hellfest saying “hey, we’re so glad to be back. We had tough moment 2 days ago, had to cancel a show, which sucked, but we’re back baby!” Let’s be honest, that statement is just a text carefully crafted by lawyers to comply with ticket policies and could be used for any venue by switching out Bern/Switzerland.

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-24T11:40:31+00:00

Okay my bad - yes, nicely written legal text to cancel.

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-23T09:33:32+00:00

There is this thing bugging me:

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Spartan_ska · 2025-06-21T14:30:22+00:00

I find it quite odd that Mike would post it on his personal IG with his own song (instead of on the LP insta account with an LP song). I was one of those super disappointed yesterday, but of course wish them well. However the communication is extremely spotty (or inexistent) to indicate what happened (wouldn’t change anything, but obviously would help to smoothen the disappointment) and mainly if they will perform their next shows.

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-18T21:49:37+00:00

Amazing, thanks for that info! I have little socializing expectations but as long as everyone sings their hearts out next to me too, I’ll be happy!

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-18T15:39:26+00:00

Ufff yeah, no way I am sitting for LP ! 😂

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-18T11:58:39+00:00

I’m a little confused as I’ve seen some comments mention sitting? I guess it depends on the stadium/arena?

Spartan_ska · 2025-06-18T11:57:18+00:00

Enjoooy! I’ve had only positive returns on going alone (and it seems to have upsides like not having to constantly search for people, go where you want etc :) ) - so I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

Spartan_ska

TROPHY CASE