Quick Message

Sorry friends. It's been quite a whirlwind. Here's a bullet list. I'll write for real soon...

• Pulled into director's office on 4/11 and told my job was eliminated.
• Effective date of layoff: 4/30. Previously booked vacation: 4/26 - 5/6.
• Told to "transfer knowledge" during remaining time in office.
• Called headhunter upon immediate return to desk.
• Updated resume.
• Began packing desk.
• Held wringing hands of still-employeed colleagues who felt the need to pour out their despair at being left behind to pick up all the work (awwwwww).
• Attended layoff orientation at which I learned Medical Flexible Spending Account is a COBRA-eligible bene which means if you keep it, you're pointlessly paying for it with after tax dollars, but if you use all funds before termination date then, oh well, company's loss.
• Immediately booked myself into every medical professional's office I could.
• Filled cracked tooth.
• Bought contacts.
• Bought glasses.
• Met with 2 headhunters.
• Had 2 interviews.
• Told by a development manager to "make some time in my schedule" to "transfer knowledge" to a colleague prior to my vacation on 26th (you know me by now, imagine thoughts running through mind...)
• Flew to Seattle to visit sister & family.
• Found gorgeous house on Ames Lake but no job at Microsoft.
• Returned sadly to Massachusetts on 5/6.
• Signed up for the dole.
• Attended Dept. of Unemployment Assistance workshops.
• Had 3 more interviews and scheduled 2 more.
• Managed to unpack & grocery shop. Somehow.

I'm pooped. Job hunting is exhausting because these days, you're on the phone or e-mail all day long, leaving you night-time hours to actually SEARCH for opportunities. I was hoping to kick back this time. Take it all a little slower. Filter out the dross since I need flexible scheduling. Haven't figured out how yet.

Anyhoo. That's the nutshell version. I've been thinking of you and this blog. Had some funny experiences -- one in Pike Street Public Market in particular -- that I wanted to share with you. Another time. I'm late for my Bedtime Story shift. Dying to know what's up with you but all my e-time these days is on Dice.com. Pew.