Kander & Ebb once said, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere – it’s up to you, New York, New York.”
Well, I couldn’t make it there, so screw it, I’m going home. 🙂
On June 30th, Dani, Joey, and I will be moving back to Maryland. Dani’s been out of work for 3 months now (laid off), and her severance package is running out, and we decided to be proactive rather than wait until we start digging into savings.
We’ll be staying with my mother for a little while, in order to live rent-free and put a little money in the bank, and then we’ll start looking for a house, probably in the Howard County/Columbia area. I’m try to transfer to the DC office of my firm (luckily there’s a position available), and Dani’s got an interview today in Bethesda. With any luck, I’ll be able to get into Georgetown Law.
I feel like this is a really good decision for us. Since I stopped pursuing opera as a career, we’re in a position where we’re no longer tied to the New York area like we used to be. We’ve got more and better quality options for day care for Joey, and our money will go much farther towards a home down there. Plus, having a whole set of free babysitters nearby won’t hurt.
We’re looking forward to getting to know Maryland all over again, as adults. It’s been six years, and we’re ready. NYC, for all its excitement, can be a tiring, dirty city, and we’re looking forward to getting a break.
So, you’ll all know where to find me when it comes time for the Wayward Sun Reunion Tour. More details when they become available.
Welcome Home
I’m glad you’re returning to the fold, although I am sorry to hear the circumstances surrounding it.
Hope to run into you!
JT
In other news today…
And I have a potential interview in the Boston metropolitan area (Framingham) coming up. At least, I think I do 🙂 With luck, I will. Also applied to a bunch of jobs in the D.C. area, but 2/3 of them require a “Secret” clearance, which I don’t have…
Keep yer eyes peeled!
—
Matthew P. Barnson
Secret clearance
You should chat again with Kel.
Do these jobs need you to have Secret clearance.. or do they need you to be able to GET secret clearance?
The guys who run the STarbucks in the Pentagon can get secret clearance.
New York Is Dirty
Ben, good call. NYC is dirty and smells bad. It’s definitely a great place to visit but living there with a kid is tough when employment is elusive.
Glad to read that you’re coming back to MD. If your kid ends up going to UMBC, I’ll freak out.
Keep us posted!
UMBC
–Glad to read that you’re coming back to MD. If your kid ends up going to UMBC, I’ll freak out.–
Nah, I’d rather send them someplace where they can get an education.
(Oops – was that out loud?)
— Ben Schuman Mad, Mad Tenor
In other freakish news today…
… I haven’t heard back from the Framingham job.
And, after a lengthy chat with Kelly and Justin, I submitted (counting) seventeen resumes with detailed cover sheets telling them why they want me. All in the Washington, D.C. area.
For me, it was actually simple math doing brief investigative work at dice.com for my profession, as a UNIX/Linux systems administrator:
Now, as Sam said, New York is dirty and smells funny, so I went with the second best. It’s not a definite thing here, but given the abysmal employment situation after the 2002 Olympics “bubble” expired around April of 2002 here in Utah, I’m totally gunning for relocation.
Does your Mom have space for a family of six?
—
Matthew P. Barnson
… I’ll be your friend, when everyone else turns away
So, if I move back to Maryland, Ben moves back to Maryland, and Sam visits Maryland several times every year, then I have two words to ask:
’nuff said.
—
Matthew P. Barnson
DC is slightly less smelly
The thing about NYC, besides it being dirty and smelly (in places), is that, for each one of those 1,066 Unix-related positions, they will receive an average of 100-200 resumes. NYC white-collar unemployment is at an all-time high, and things are starting to turn ugly. Some recruiters have told Dani that they’ve received as many as 500 resumes for a single middle-manager job. So you’ve probably got a much better shot in DC.
And you know my mom — the more the merrier!
Where’s Kevin? Probably sneaking up on Osama bin Laden this very instant. 🙂
— Ben Schuman Mad, Mad Tenor
cinema
I loved that Justin and Kelly movie. 🙂
Darn you..
Darn you all to heck..
If you don’t get it…
If you, like me, had absolutely no clue what that little bit of dialogue was about, it might help to visit The Justin To Kelly Fluff Site. Looks like a real… slice.
Favorite quote about this movie from The IMDB:
—
Matthew P. Barnson
Their Fault
Ben, if someone asks you why you’re leaving NYC, just look at them solemnly and state: “because of you”.
If they press, tell them you don’t want Joey growing up near a person like them. Then run away.
Kevin is living in DC working as the USMC liaison to the Capitol. I’ll be in his wedding at the end of July. He hasn’t played drums in over 5 years, I believe.
Sammy G
good plan!
–Ben, if someone asks you why you’re leaving NYC, just look at them solemnly and state: “because of you”.–
Then I’ll start weeping uncontrollably.
–Kevin is living in DC working as the USMC liaison to the Capitol. I’ll be in his wedding at the end of July. He hasn’t played drums in over 5 years, I believe.–
No way! Good for him! We’ll have to try to get together when you’re in the area.
— Ben Schuman Mad, Mad Tenor
Just saying “Hi”
Well, Ben, I’m glad to hear that you and Dani are well. I had wondered what had happened to you? Congrats on Joey!!
Email me sometime – it’s still the same one…..
Judy