Full Release

So I finally got a job offer today.

My money was due to run out completely in a few weeks. Relief doesn't quite describe my feelings at the moment.

I haven't accepted it yet as I hear another offer might be in the works. I'll give it a day.

In other news, I met with a lady who hooks people up with corporate relocation renters. I can't wait to be a beigeburbian slumlord!

Ethics (Signs)

Ten years ago I worked for a local consulting company as a systems engineer/developer. There was an emergency at a client facility involving a Macintosh. The regular Mac guy was off with his wife in the hospital, and they asked me to stop by and help.

So I show up at the the client site in a full-on business professional suit, tie, and suspenders.

When I walk in the front door, I tell the receptionist who I am and who I'm there to see. While I'm waiting, I look around to take in the sight. It's a really open floor plan, with a loft/balcony style second level. I see a group of suit types looking at me from above and point.

I didn't think much of it. I met my contact and proceeded to save his ass.

It wasn't until years later that I was talking to a friend of mine who also used to be employed at the same consulting company. The subject of this client came up and he explained that the person that I saw on the balcony was the CEO/President and he had personally requested that I not return to his company in any capacity. While my direct supervisor at the time said nothing to me about the incident, my friend was in his office when he got the call.

While I was dressed in a suit and tie, I had a pony-tail that touched the middle of my back.

So ten years later, I get a call from another consulting agency that's looking to place me. Apparently I'm a really good fit for her client and they desperately need help there. She explained who the client is.

I told her that I was not interested.

Imagine that... me workin' for you.

The World is Teasing Me?

So I've had the house on the market since the beginning of August. For the first five months, I had three showings. For those that don't know, that's beyond bad. Four a week is the norm.

With the market the way it is, I now have it listed for $11,000 LESS than what I paid for it six years ago. For those that don't know, that's beyond bad. Average amount of equity in a house after six years is 25%. I'm clocking in around 8%.

Since I lowered the price, the amount of showings have increased to 4-5 a week. Which is fantastic. It's almost been two months at this price, with a good 40 people having trucked through it. Had only one offer for $30,000 less than what I was asking. I instructed my my realtor to counter offer $5,000 more than the listed price. For those that don't know, this counter offer was effectively "the bird" of counter-offers.

So I've been on the market for jobs since October. I've been steadily getting calls. About three or four a week, asking for my resume, seeing what I'm into, etc... I've only had one interview.

As near as I can tell, the vast majority of the jobs that I've applied for have never been filled. The postings show closed, but my people on the inside tell me that they never even had interviews, the position just vaporized. I've never seen anything like this happen on this scale before in the 20 years I've been employed. Things look beyond bad out there.

So all these showings, all these phone calls... it's like the world is teasing me. My money is only going to last another month... WTF?