The Aerie
How's it going? So it's been a while, but I figure if I ever want my son to blog again, I'd best start setting an example by returning to the scene of my crimes.
Still unemployed on this the eight-weekly-versary of losing my prior abysmal contract (and that one at half time for the final three weeks). I'd better enjoy myself, because I'm going to soon be spending what little retirement money I have.
September, which is normally the time when contracts are coming in best, was absolutely dead. One of my job websites posts a "previous month" summary, and September showed three opportunities, none of them for security architecture.
October has been better, I've actually had three interviews, one in person. And I have an in-person interview scheduled for next week. Unfortunately the role is for a software architect, and I'm a network architect, so there's a good chance they won't pick me. Also I strike a lot of people as "too senior," meaning that they think their little job isn't interesting to me and that I'll leave for a better place at the first opportunity. "No!" I say, "No, your little job is VERY interesting to me, particularly as this one is scheduled to go two years." Two years is a wonderful length for a contract, my max has been 15 months so far. So I wouldn't mind taking the job.
Also, unlike a lot of work I've done, this would actually be for something mildly positive. It's a medical device manufacturer, which at least helps people. So far my work has largely been to help big companies avoid paying big fines that they thoroughly deserve to pay for treating their IT operation like a bastard stepchild for the last twenty or thirty years.
Of course the last time I helped a medical device manufacturer, it didn't go so well. From making medical cables, they got a contract to supply cables for a military vest that would automatically tourniquet an injured soldier's limb, then automatically radio for help. That was fine, until one day an engineer showed me a widget and said "We got a new contract making these parts for land mines." From medical cabling to child maiming devices in two easy steps, and I was out an important client.
Anyway that's the current possibility. I had a shot at a perm position downtown but that fell through. Then I had a shot at a contact in Eden Prairie, and the email telling me they'd gone with someone else arrived during my phone interview with the medical place.
So eight weeks out, I've had three whole interviews. At least the pace is picking up!
Meanwhile my Business Leadership class is coming approaching its climax, and will demand a lot of my time, while I also need to get my Mitlanyal draft finished ASAP. So what do I do? I spent last night cleaning my daughter's hilariously cluttered bedroom, and today studying HIPAA regulations for the phone interview.
And now? Procrastinating with blogging.
I'm a piece o' work, I tellya....
Posted by Albatross at October 27, 2009 4:56 PM | TrackBack