Post #115,771
8/29/03 1:13:55 AM
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IWETHEY--
Again - my temporary contract gig ended suddenly today for reasons that are not at all apparent.
Apparently someone at the customer decided our work was a waste of time.
So once again there is no money coming in.
Don't know how many more of these I can take.
Smalltalk is dangerous. It is a drug. My advice to you would be don't try it; it could ruin your life. Once you take the time to learn it (to REALLY learn it) you will see that there is nothing out there (yet) to touch it. Of course, like all drugs, how dangerous it is depends on your character. It may be that once you've got to this stage you'll find it difficult (if not impossible) to "go back" to other languages and, if you are forced to, you might become an embittered character constantly muttering ascerbic comments under your breath. Who knows, you may even have to quit the software industry altogether because nothing else lives up to your new expectations.
--AndyBower
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Post #115,773
8/29/03 1:19:29 AM
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I share your pain
I feel almost a sense of numbness and startle reaction by this point - like that Polish pianist, living in a labor wasteland from hand to mouth and day to day. And you have a family to administer. And you are so top notch - the latter two are added burdens I do not share.
Best luck.
-drl
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Post #115,774
8/29/03 1:30:25 AM
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Top Notch
seems to translate into "overqualified" more and more these days.
Smalltalk is dangerous. It is a drug. My advice to you would be don't try it; it could ruin your life. Once you take the time to learn it (to REALLY learn it) you will see that there is nothing out there (yet) to touch it. Of course, like all drugs, how dangerous it is depends on your character. It may be that once you've got to this stage you'll find it difficult (if not impossible) to "go back" to other languages and, if you are forced to, you might become an embittered character constantly muttering ascerbic comments under your breath. Who knows, you may even have to quit the software industry altogether because nothing else lives up to your new expectations.
--AndyBower
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Post #115,799
8/29/03 8:40:20 AM
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Aye, Frickin' *>BINGO<*
That is exactly my predicament.
It's a shame really. Guess I'll have to move to Frickin' India. Then China, Then Korea, Then Mongolia, then NIGERIA!!!!
Wait, there is SOME MUCH MONEY in Nigeria... I should just got there NOW....
SUH-WEET!
Believe me "I Feel Your Pain"
10 Months and Going.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
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Post #115,800
8/29/03 8:41:36 AM
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I *HATE* that word.
Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
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Post #115,806
8/29/03 9:31:01 AM
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Gah
I've been told that I'm overqualified to work at fuckin' Caribou Coffee. Not because I'm too skilled, but because I used to earn Real Money when I worked in IT.
-YendorMike
[link|http://www.hope-ride.org/|http://www.hope-ride.org/]
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Post #115,835
8/29/03 12:40:54 PM
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Good point
This is the negative rebound effect - even if you NEED money so bad you'd be happy to don the green shirt and hairnet, you can't convince anyone to hire you, because having once made good money disqualifies you from making bad money. I'l verify that on at least 2 occasions. I was turned down for a night job at freakin' Circle K once.
-drl
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Post #115,836
8/29/03 12:45:43 PM
8/29/03 12:57:10 PM
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The problem is...
You're smarter than your boss in those jobs. If someone higher notices, then THEY will be out of a job, and you'll be the manager.
That's their fear, at least. The trick is to convince them that you can help them win and play at another level. (At least until you find your next IT job.)
My dad was a bank president from about 1980 to 1988. After that, he consulted for a few years, but now he works at Staples, mainly for healthcare benefits. He's very analytical and can get every price in the store correct in about an hour (unless it's a large price change), where the kids that were doing it were taking all day to do it. He's friendly with customers, and he's non-threatening to the boss, so he's been doing it about 3 years now. He just turned 73 last week.
Glen Austin
Edited by gdaustin
Aug. 29, 2003, 12:57:10 PM EDT
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Post #115,873
8/29/03 4:08:07 PM
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At least
Macy's gave me a slightly higher pay-rate because of my 'experience'.
Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
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Post #115,775
8/29/03 1:47:52 AM
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Re: IWETHEY--
I'm sorry to hear that, Todd. I'll pray that you find something soon.
Good luck!
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,787
8/29/03 5:54:46 AM
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Damn! Not again so soon!
Alex
"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something." -- last words of Pancho Villa (1877-1923)
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Post #115,803
8/29/03 9:14:44 AM
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Well, that sucks.
Hell, if you want to move to Seattle, and I get the EPA job, I'll give you a recommendation to replace me...
In that final hour, when each breath is a struggle to take, and you are looking back over your life's accomplishments, which memories would you treasure? The empires you built, or the joy you spread to others?
Therin lies the true measure of a man.
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Post #115,809
8/29/03 9:39:18 AM
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:-( I hope things improve quickly.
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Post #115,810
8/29/03 9:47:16 AM
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Sorry to hear
If you're interested in Minnesota see my previous [link|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=115682|post]
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Post #115,837
8/29/03 12:53:54 PM
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Bummer Dude...
But, I fear that is the nature of software development now.
Short term contracts. No bench time. Pay your own benefits. And compete with people making 1/8 of what you make.
One of my best friends, who happens to be a really good software guy, has been in/out of work with Sterling/SBC on about 3 short-term contracts for months now. He works a month, then gets about 2 weeks off, then another month.
I'm really thinking about working on another career, maybe teaching (and work up to being a basketball, soccer, V-ball, or some kind of coach).
If you teach and coach, even in Texas, you can at least make 45K a year, after 5 years. Good healthcare benefits, teacher's union to protect you.
And if I attempt to teach higher math and science, I'll probably manage to avoid most of the undisciplined kids who don't want to be in school anyway. Being a coach means you get mostly kids who want to play ball.
So, if I'm laid off for a long period of time, I think I'm going for a teacher's job, and coach a sport. It might just be more fun than software anyway.
Glen Austin
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Post #115,958
8/30/03 5:30:20 AM
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Words fail -
When competence at your level isn't worth a bucket of warm spit in '03.
Seems about time to add to fuckedcompany.com: fuckedcountry.com.
Condolences and hmmm - boats!
..and boat owner$ unable to use a screwdriver [?]
Ashton
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