Friday, November 19, 2004

The Job Search is Over I got it. I got the call at 4:00 today. I got the job. They promised a decision by Monday, but they didn't wait that long. I knew I was in good shape. Two of my references called to give me breathless descriptions ot their conversations, and both of them said it sounded very very good. I got it. We're going to be okay. I can get off the sinking ship. My lifeboat has arrived. (My beloved Mrs. Bluesky asked me if this was just a lifeboat for me, or if this was really a job I wanted. It's a job I want. It's as much work, slightly less responsibility, and another small office. The co-workers seem intelligent and sincere, and sorta quirky in a good way. I think it's going to be good. I really do.) 8:26:17 PM     Speak up!  []

Bombs Away I thought it would take something extraordinary to pry Hem's Eveningland out of my CD player. Well, it arrives on Tuesday.  Actually, I ordered from Amazon, so it probably won't come until Wednesday.  But I've already heard much of the new album, and ladies and gentlemen, it rocks. Do yourself a favor.  Open two pages in yer browser.  Open this page first, so you can see the description of each song.  (Look on the right side, near the bottom of the page.) Then click here so you can hear every song on the new album.  They've set it up for three different formats (Real, WM, Quick Time) and for both modem and broadband connections.  My favorite tracks so far are "Miracle Drug" and "Love and Peace or Else."  I kinda dig "Crumbs from your Table" too.  There's a note that Bono hits in "Miracle Drug" that makes me cry every time.  Every fucking time. Hey, if that's not enough, go here and hear them perform five songs from a live show on the Beeb. If that's not enough, I don't know how to help you.  I give, and I give, and I give... 8:21:07 PM     Speak up!  []

Update - Looking for a Lifeboat The second interview went very well, thank you. Thanks for the good wishes and kind thoughts. They called three of my four references yesterday - the fourth didn't tell me, but the first three did. My references will all say wonderful things about me, because they love me. One actually called to ask me about the job description and to plan what she would say. I'm feeling very optimistic. There was another interview with another prospect that I wasn't too impressed with. Sometimes it just comes down to communication: they don't know what you're trying to say, you don't know what they want to hear. It was like that. So we'll see what happens with that, but hopefully it won't be an issue. I will be taking a pay cut of $5,000 a year if I take this job. I think we can survive it. I'd rather lose money and still have a job than ... well, you know the rest. My current organization finally approved the 2005 fundraising plan yesterday. They made me inflate numbers by another $10,000, and then tried to make me do it again during the board meeting. I refused. I told them pretty bluntly that I'd done as much number-shuffling as I was going to do. Surprisingly, they didn't fight me on it. So whoever has my job next year will have their workplan ready for them. I don't expect that this place will survive past February without some major cash influx, but at least my conscience is clear. 9:05:25 AM     Speak up!  []