I can always tell when I’ve been out of work a while… going back leaves me exhausted. I’m doing contracting work for Smith Johnson & Associates, for a company that makes software for embedded microchips in devices. Things that monitor vending machine levels and report back on stock, that kind of stuff.
Anyway, it’s pretty fun. I’m subbing in for a woman taking maternity leave for a while. Total brain drain today. About three hours of boredom filling out paperwork & stuff, then the rest of the day was all talk, meetings, more talk, more thoughts, writing, etc.
A nice thing is that I’m paid hourly. That’s wonderful. It’s a welcome change from 70-hour-salaried weeks. No such thing as “time and a half” pay in my chosen career field, unfortunately, but in a way that’s nice. I just do the work, and get paid for how long I work.
Now to line up my next position that I’ll need after July 5. Hmm, where to start looking this time?
New Job
I hope all this time you are spending updating this web site isn’t detracting from your job at hand!
It doesn’t take much time…
Really, maintaining and writing for this web site takes less than 20 minutes a day. I usually schedule updates, so I’ll go on a binge on Saturday or Sunday where I write most of the week’s articles.
It’s way different from what I’m used to, being a consultant. I have to account for every billable hour, basically. So doing personal email, updates to the web site, etc. is pretty much out of the question. It means I get up at 5 AM and go to bed around 11 some days, though, to keep up with my various side projects (Bugzilla docs, mailing lists, raising a family, spending time with my wife, etc.) Life is a fun thing — go live it!
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Matthew P. Barnson
new job
Hope this new job is one of interest and one that keeps you going for a while. It sounds like it is really interesting but some long hours you are maintaining. I know the little ones at home require your attention as much as your job. I know you deserve the best and go for it Matt.