Time for an update

This blog has become something of a time capsule for me. I get to look at my own thoughts every year or two, and see where I was. It's interesting.

So, where am I? Unemployed, for starters. This industry and I really do have an on-again/off-again relationship. It's wearing on me. And, yet again, the job fell out from under ME. I did everything I was supposed to do, my supervisor loved me, and I just got one of the best reviews of my career, and then, bang, laid off.

Well, no, not technically. They got rid of all of us. Every last one, from the most senior to the greenest, but told us we could carry on as 1099 independent contractors. This would not have bothered me but for two facts. First, it would be at the same percentage. The software licenses, phone, etc would all come out of my pocket, but they were going to pay us the same. Second, and more important, I would have to arrange my own contract with Mitchell. I hate Mitchell. No, I fucking despise Mitchell. That is more accurate. I've been sued by them, and basically salted the earth as a result, because they lied to me. Neither here nor there, but I can't stand them.

Mitchell and I talked. I gave it a chance. Didn't happen though. They wanted to work with me about as much as I did with them. While I could've done some sort of straw man contract by bringing on a partner, I just said no. Not worth it. This job has been less than profitable for a long time now, and it would not surprise me to see their volume slide as their clients find out what they're doing. So the idea of getting into a year long contract with a company I despise just wasn't going to happen.

So I'm unemployed. Again. Tired of this. Really tired.

So it's time to shoot for change. I'm trying to move into Project Management. There is a lot of lateral skill transfer, and if I can find a PM1 spot, I have a solid chance. For now, I'm short-listed on a contract heading for Saudi Arabia. I'm not holding my breath, but it's not looking too bad.

Family is family, and doing okay. The cats are fine, though I'm seeing things that make me wonder if one of them might be having kidney issues. Duddley is probably the culprit if so. Booo. He's a sweet boy.

On a sidenote, I've been very interested lately in preparedness, my personal SHTF kit, etc. I think it is a reaction to the loss of control over finances. I want to engage control over something and feel like I'm making a material contribution to my family unit's survival. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Healthwise, hmm, I'm a fat bastard. A little less than 300lbs, and wearing 46/30. Interesting, it's not because of my gut. Nope, I should be in 44 or a little less. The pants are that big because my hips and thighs have exploded in this recent lift cycle. My squat has blown up to 465#, DL is 455#, and BP is 275#. I'm fat, sure, but can't complain about those lifts.

I've restructured my diet for weight loss and will be adding in some cardio. LB wants to lose weight too, so we will likely go into a cycle of barbell complexes and crossfit ugliness. We'll see.

Overall, I'm not depressed. Much. I'm antsy. I'm used to working and am not. It's aggravating. I'm distracting myself with inconsequential BS and looking for work, but it still catches up with me here and there. Then I get antsy and nervous and cranky. Oh well, not much can be said. The economy blows. We will survive it, period.