Snowman Studios
I've started looking at apartments, and found a gem. The complex has quality apartments with all appliances (including washer/dryer), and the place I've spotted is for $400 less than what another agency is trying to sell (effectively) the same apartment for.
If I get this job and move into this apartment, I will be less than 10 miles from the office. I've used google map's satelite feature and found some trails that I could use on my bike to avoid having to ride primarily along the side of the road. Bike lanes are good and sidewalks are ok, but there are certain roads that I would like to avoid riding along if possible. I'll actually be riding off road, which I'd still pick over a congested road with lots of drive-ways and stop lights.
Here in Southern California, we're dealing with a the hottest days of summer. San Diego on the coast is only getting up to 82 or so, and other places a little inland are breaking 90. 82 doesn't sound all that hot except most people on the coast don't have or use A/C.
Anyway, reptiles that live in the desert spend the day in the shade and move around at night. Because of this modest heat, a reptile from the canyon in our back yard has spotted our deck and is hiding under it. Unfortunately, this isn't the usual salamander but is a rattle snake. I got a pretty good look at it close up as it slithered around under the deck (I was in side, I'm not that crocodile guy who risks his life on camera). If it was causing more of a problem, we would call animal control, but short of that or other agressive actions it is best to leave it be as it will probably leave after night-fall.
Today was a major success. All indicators are looking good, and the final person I talked to told me they are not only serious about filling the position, they are serious about filling the position soon. He then proceeded to tell me about each step of the process between then and when an offer would be mailed.
I was able to answer the questions fairly well with the engineers, and the discussions were good. Now I just need to see what happens next.
I have an interview tomorrow at 8:30 am. It's supposed to last for 4 hours. Bring on the coffee. The company does Voice over IP systems and is located near UCSD.
Speaking of UCSD, I'm looking at trying to earn a M.S. degree from them. The indicators aren't looking so great though, but maybe I can find a way through serious determination.
Today was mostly spent going on
craigslist and sending resumes to job postings that fit my skill set. Some posts didn't look so great, like one company that kept re-posting for a programmer to do basic website work. Other posts wanted a senior programmer right away, but wanted to pay mid-level hourly, no benefits. But sterling found the
cream of the crop. I'm not entirely certain if it's a joke or not.
I'm back from my travels and I'm tired.
Kansas City felt like a crammed weekend with lots of stuff where Oklahoma was more relaxed and slow paced. Despite being there for such a short time, staying with Carl felt a lot like senior year. Well, except that Kaylee is crazy. She's being playful, but doesn't understand that I don't want to be played with. Eventually I got into it and would pin her or something, and on one occasion she got me cornered in the kitchen as she was running around at full speed.
The last day I was there, Carl had to work at walgreens (his last day). Donna chose this day to "kidnap me" and interrogate me about Carl and such. Carl told me he had no particular concerns about what I said around her, but did ask me not to teach her anything (I'll leave it at that). We went bowling where she helped me figure the game out. Next we played pool where I taught her some about the game. Here and there we stopped by to see if Carl was actually working or not. The first time, Donna wanted Maggie to page Carl saying "Donna is here with some tall guy and they are making out." I was very much against this.
Ok, so
video games + unemployment can be deadly as proven by a Korean.
Go, the ancient game that can captivate one's time and thoughts. Maybe some day I will stop making the same mistake over and over.
