Off to seek my fortune...

POSTED BY: SergeantX
UPDATED: Saturday, August 27, 2005 00:09
VIEWED: 2698
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SERGEANTX

Friday, August 26, 2005 4:33 AM

Most of you won't care, some of you will be delighted, but I probably won't be posting much for the next few weeks.

Bright and early Saturday morning I'll be leaving my hometown of Lawrence, KS, for my new base of operations in Philadelphia, PA. A couple of weeks ago I got a job offer that represents a major life change for me. I'll be moving to Philly to start work as a computer programmer.

I'm scared silly! I didn't think I would be, but as the day approaches I find myself really torn with all sorts of conflicting emotions. I've always wanted to get the hell out of the midwest, and programming is a real calling for me.

But I'm leaving behind my family, my friends, my support network - basically everything I've ever known. I'm forty-one years old and I feel like a high school kid leaving home for the first time.

The job, however, is truly a dream come true. The company is very, very different and I'm convinced I've really found kindred spirits. It's a small company with slightly over twenty employees, only three of which are non-programmers. Also, the CEO, the head programmer, and most of the employees are enthusiastic Firefly fans. How could I possibly go wrong?

Anyway, once I get there, I'll be living with the head programmer until I can get my own place set up and send for my sons. Until then, I don't know how much internet access I'll have, and I'll probably be pretty busy getting up to speed with the new job. I'll try to stop in here every now and then and whine about Bush, but some of you may have to fill in for me while I'm getting things rearranged.

Oh... I almost forgot. I'll only be working for three days before we take off for Dragon Con for five days. Did I mention it's a cool ass job?

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

KAYLEERULESALL

Friday, August 26, 2005 4:42 AM

wow...that job sounds downright shiny!! good luck, im sure youll do fine. were pullin for ya!

"There are two infinate things in our world. The universe, and Human stupidity. I'm not too sure about the first one." Albert Einstien

WHEDONESQUE

Friday, August 26, 2005 4:59 AM

Good luck, SergeantX!

It sounds like you are heading into a great situation. Moving and starting a totally new job are extremely stressful situations, so the first few weeks may be rough. But I have enjoyed every group of Browncoats I have ever met, so I am pretty confident that you will quickly feel right at home in your new 'Browncoat-friendly' workplace.

I am also a recent transplant from the Midwest (St. Louis) to the East Coast (NYC). I miss my family, but I have just learned to budget for a plane ticket back home every few months. And I have made so many great friends here (mostly through FF) that I really feel at home.

Also, some of the coolest Browncoats I've had the pleasure of getting to know are from the Philly area. And there is gonna be a regional shindig there in October ( http://www.myorangehat.citymax.com). About 50 Browncoats attended last year and it was a great time. Maybe you could join us and meet some new friends.

Anyway, good luck! Keep us updated.

Kathleen
Whedonesque

RUE

Friday, August 26, 2005 5:10 AM

SergeantX
Good luck ! and Have fun !
Sincerely,
Rue

Nearly everything I know I learned by the grace of others.

HARDWARE

Friday, August 26, 2005 5:21 AM

Once you get settled post a line. There's another community of Browncoats only 1/2 hour away in Delaware.

Good Luck, good fortune!

The more I get to know people the more I like my dogs.

SERGEANTX

Friday, August 26, 2005 5:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by whedonesque:
Also, some of the coolest Browncoats I've had the pleasure of getting to know are from the Philly area. And there is gonna be a regional shindig there in October ( http://www.myorangehat.citymax.com). About 50 Browncoats attended last year and it was a great time. Maybe you could join us and meet some new friends.

Thanks! I've joined the message board and look forward to meeting everyone.

Thanks to everyone else for the kind thoughts!

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

HKCAVALIER

Friday, August 26, 2005 6:44 AM

In the immortal words of Luke Skywalker, "I care."

Good luck with the new job! There is nothing more satisfying than getting paid for what you love to do! Congratulations! You will be missed!

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

SERGEANTX

Friday, August 26, 2005 7:04 AM

Thanks, HK.

I might not be gone long at all, but I anticipate that I'll be preoccupied in convincing them that they've not made a mistake hiring someone with no formal training and no experience. At least for a while. We'll see.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

SOUPCATCHER

Friday, August 26, 2005 8:46 AM

Best of luck in the tremendous life change, SergeantX. Sounds like a great opportunity! You're a smart guy, I'm sure you'll do well.

Can't really offer you any advice about Philly. Never lived east of the Rockies myself. Didn't even realize there was a sufficient tech base where they needed computer programmers out that way .

CITIZEN

Friday, August 26, 2005 10:27 AM

Good luck Seargent, trying to make a break in too a career in programming myself...
Got formal training, just no experience, which means no one over here wants to hire me...
Not jealous in the least, uhuh, no, not me...

Sounds like a brilliant job, and hope everything works out (sure it will).

Q: What do you have when you are holding two little green balls in your hand.
A: Kermit's undivided attention.

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