Monday, November 21, 2005

Some updates….

On Mom....

She’s supposed to be coming home today, but then again that was also supposed to happen yesterday. I’m encouraged that she’s well enough to go back home, but concerned she’ll let things go again if she begins having renewed symptoms.

I guess we’ll just have to play it one day at a time.

Once again, I want to thank each and everyone of you who sent your well wishes and prayers her way, it means a lot to all of us I assure you!!

On the caboose…

Well Wolleybugger never called over the weekend so I’m not sure what to think about that. However, in Sunday’s paper they did indicate that someone else had already adopted the second car. So, I’ve dropped a voice mail, and an email to each of the folks spearheading the efforts and offered my assistance in whatever way they feel I could be of help.

I guess we’ll just see how it all plays out. For the record, I’m fine with being a ‘grunt’ on the project, in fact I’ll probably have more fun in that capacity!!

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On work projects…

I’ve been working on a project for the mortgage insurance company. Mainly a tweak to the call accounting reporting system I did for them last year. I’m expecting to deliver it, after several delays, tomorrow. With any luck it will perform as expected and that one can get moved to the ‘done’ column.

The D&B merge project is heating up on the job. We’ve just placed the latest info from D&B in the testing regions and have run two preliminary passes through the data; with any luck at all we’ll be in full phase testing by the Monday after Thanksgiving.

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With everything else that’s been going on, I really haven’t had much to ‘blog’ about.

The impending decision on my contract renewal is still up in the air. I know I’m still ‘in the mix’ at the moment, but the review process is on going. It’ll be good to know, one way or the other, and sooner, rather than later!

Contracts, and especially renewals, are the toughest part of the contract programming business for me. If I know that the gig is going to end, I can simply begin looking for another, but, it’s this period of uncertainty that really tends to drive me crazy.

I’m in the 85-90% confidence category with respect to my contract being picked up, but that 10-15% ‘not knowing’ is just crazy making for me.

I think it’s this sort of thing that keeps a lot of folks who could be very successful as contractors, from entering the field. I know that I got very comfortable in my last ‘real job’, even though, in the end, that comfortable feeling was not at all warranted.

Most of us let ourselves believe, day to day, week to week, that we’ll simply continue to be ‘employed’ by our present employer. Despite hearing about business closings, layoffs, corporate downsizing, etc… we still get up everyday believing our jobs are safe and things will just continue.

I think one of the things I like about contract work is that you know when the job starts, and ends. You know when you have to start looking for a new gig, usually in plenty of time to find one. In this case, knowing they wanted to renew the contract for another year has sort of placed the entire new contract search on hold. It’s a situation I’ve not really been in before.

Time will tell if my decision to lock myself in without a signed deal was a good decision, or not. I know I made it because I’ve enjoyed this project. The company, the people as well as the work have all been great. I’d rather renew here than start another project, but, in the end, I’ll do whatever I have to do.

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and there’s so much to wrap up before Wednesday. Then again, it seems this way every year as the holidays approach.

Are you ready for the holiday? Big plans? No plans? How are you planning to enjoy Thanksgiving?

11 comments:

Jada's Gigi said...

That caboose project sounds fun. Hope you get to work on it. :)
I'm celebrating Thanksgiving this year in a new house, my dream house actually, with 2 of my 3 kids and my beautiful granddaughter, my hubby and my Mom. We love just hanging out with a fire, lots of food and some good or if not good, silly, holiday movies. Thanksgiving is perhaps a "true holiday" for us, in the sense that nothing much is going on and there is nowhere to go so we all just "be" together. We like being together so its nice. Hope yours is good too.

Spirit Of Owl said...

It's pretty clear they'll be more than happy to have you on board their caboose! LOL

Best of luck with the contract searching. Man, do I know how hard it is...! I'm sure that something will come up, and if not, I don't know anyone else who could turn a situation to their advantage better! :)

Bill said...

Gigi - Thanks Gigi, yours sounds a lot like ours, no 'big plans' just some good quality time.

Doesn't get much better than that in my mind!

Spirit - Heh-heh.. well, I haven't heard anything from anybody, so we'll see. I'm just glad we're not losing them.

I'll figure something out, one way or another, even though I don't have a clue at the moment what that would be.

I appreciate the vot of confidence though, really, I do!

jenbeauty said...

Glad to hear your mom may get to come home soon.

The caboose thing is really cool. I am enjoying that very much.

My mom and granny are coming over as well as my dad. We are having the new floors installed and they will not be complete. The floor guy is really great though and will be leaving my kitchen mostly intact so I can get dinner and stuff done tomorrow.

I will be doing the black Friday shopping at 5:00 a.m. I went last year and had a ball, all by myself.

Happy Thanksgiving Bill!

Bill said...

Jen - Thanks, I hope the caboose project actually comes to fruition!!

Sounds like you've got a great day ahead! I miss being able to have all the family around, especially on Thanksgiving.

Maryan and I will venture out on Friday and get our Christmas tree, that's one of our 'traditions' for the day after Thanksgiving. Other than that I doubt we'll be braving the crowds at the mall!

You have a great Thanksgiving too Jen!!

Unknown said...

I wish you luck on the contract. I remember sweating this time of year when I was a contractor (even though I worked for a contract company and was "on salary").

I'm sending good thoughts your way for your Mom.

This year, Mrs. CA, I and some family are celebrating Thanksgiving by going out to dinner. We usually host everyone at our house but, since we're in the process of moving from one place to another and neither location is ready, we chose plan B.

Bill said...

CA - Thanks bro... it is the 'downside' for sure. On the other hand, as much as I'd like to stay on where I am, I was at another client site the other day, and if they wanted to place me there for 6 months or so, that would be cool too! They were doing some pretty cool stuff.

We've done the "dine out" thing too, and while it makes for a much more relaxed day, I really miss the leftovers!!

Thanks again, for thinking of my Mom.

Patrick M. Tracy said...

Bill,

Not so much to blog about, huh? Sounds like you've been busy enough. More good wishes for your mom's recovery, and I hope you get that contract extension you're up for.

Thanksgiving will probably be a quiet affair at our house. Nice meal, maybe some football. Nothing to get excited about.

Take care, bro.

Bill said...

Firehawk - I have been busy, to busy for the 'refecting' I'm so find of! :)

We'll have a quiet day too, I've got a couple small things planned for while everything is cooking... but I may never get to them.. and that'll be just fine too!

I may just sit and write a little by the fire.. ya just never know!

Lois Lane said...

Um.. mom invited everyone to my house. And then told me. I am cooking, maybe starting a fire or three. :)
I hope your mom is home now and you all have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Lois Lane

Bill said...

Lois - Mom is home, and I am thankful for that!! She could invite the entire family over here and not tell me... it would be just fine with me!

I can burn food for 20 just as easily as for 2!!

I hope y'all have a wonderful holiday too!