Diary of a Network Geek

Big, bad news, but probably not a surprise to anyone. I decided to turn down the offer at GeoTech Global. It’s not so much that it would have been a bad job, you understand, but that it would have been a step backwards. Yesterday morning, I talked with a former boss of mine up in Dallas, who’s contracting now, named Pam. She really reinforced the idea that it would be a step backwards for me. She told me that she thought I was ready to “take the next step” and really break out. (In other words, I’m ready to manage a small network department.)
I’m not sure what’s going to happen next. Of course, I do have the interview on Monday with Binder. Also, there’s been some talk from at least one headhunter at the Waco Syndicate about a network management position of *some* kind at a local oil/gas company. (For those of you not familiar with Houston, about every other company in Houston is involved in oil or gas or both.) And, of course, there’s always the contract option. Lately, I’ve been giving that a lot more thought. Again, it’s a little more risky than full-time, but not much. And I might learn more new things that way. Who knows? On the other hand, I can make more money doing contract work. Enough, in fact, to offset the benefits that I’d be missing out on. BlueCrossBlueShield of Texas has health insurance rates that rival what I was paying on COBRA to FristCity Financial. Of course, I’d have to remember to pay into my IRA and to pay estimated quarterly taxes. Well, everything has a downside, I guess.

Okay, enough of the business talk. Later today Anne and I are taking Allie to the Montgomery Old West Festival. It should be loads of fun, and not just because we know people working there. We know several guys who do whip tricks that will be representing the Houston Western Arts Association. Later this weekend, I’ll have to go out and buy some more “interview clothes”, including some ties. *sigh* I hate wearing ties.