2015 - The Year I Lived Dangerously

Some women collect diamonds,

others collect husbands or lovers.

I collected socks with the F-Bomb in it.

I know some very talented people are leaving in the next two weeks.  To those of you who asked and received the pink slip - yes, it is fun.  To those of you to whom it was unexpected - there's no reason why next time it can't be better.  You have the talent.  You've worked with networks and systems beyond the experience of what I've been able to find "out here" in the outside world.

Will it take more time than you planned?  Most probably, yes.  But that's because everyone I know operates at such a high level that you will be intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with how truly complex wireless telecommunications / mobility is.

Other carriers are hiring.  SQL / query skills are valuable.  Cloud networks are congesting b/c no one knows how to engineer for high-demand, high-availability.  Monster.com garnered me my best recruiter responses.  Monster's changed something between the September / November time frame and it was noticeably easier to be "found."  Recruiter "spam" is a positive indicator that your resume is getting pulled in for interest - it's proof your SEO is operational.  Read about the company on glassdoor.com before you get too excited.

Enjoy yourself.  Eat brunch on a Tuesday.  Walk the beach.  Sweat the interviews.  Take a spring break, or plan for a summer one.  Pick up a cappuccino and a croissant and people watch at your favorite bakery.  You will have days where you feel bad, so you need to have places and things in place which make you feel good.

Who knows... I might be joining you faster than projected, but my first week was amazing and terrifying and wonderful.  I love the Director's vision.  I love the group dynamic.  The team leads are sharp and smart.  Of course, I'm too brash and bold, not like a contractor at all but a veteran FTE with 25 years in one of the most treacherous industries on the planet.  Of course I've had people beginning to laugh a bit around me.  They even pulled a practical joke.  I've also been prohibited from singing ( *smiles*).  If anything might get me kicked out, that would be it.

This will probably be the end of Badbatical unless / until I go willfully unemployed again.  I'll pick up my travel blogging at soyouthinkyoulikesushi.blogspot.com if I ever decide to pack my bags again.  That won't be for awhile.  We're gonna sock money away first and think about travel second.

Thanks for encouraging me to continue to keep you up to date, to write this blather.  I loved being missed.  And you are missed by me.  May we meet again in another life.

Much, much love and admiration, and ping me on LinkedIn if you need me.

-a

I was able to get my own pencil. In less than 5 minutes.

Yes.  The office supply closet is unlocked.  The door is open.  They have pencils, paper, and sticky notes.  There is even scotch tape.

I'm drinking a company subsidized Diet Coke

My PC and laptop are up, running, and I'm logged in.

I have my Orca card for commuting.

My health insurance is great.

I know nothing about this industry, but listened in on one of the meetings.  It was so cool.  Very interesting talking about Halo 5.  Yes.  I'm embedded in the XBox Business Intelligence Data Science group.  WHOO-HOO!

Me: Preparing for my new work enviornoment

Lightning Struck

13 months ago, I walked away from a wonderful, frustrating, engaging, amazing 25 year career in wireless telecommunications where I had the opportunity to work with such fabulous people.

We changed the world, we did.  We ripped networks, implemented new technologies which were obsolete before we finished installing their first generation; we deployed over the air data at rates which beat the landlines; tested satellite communications; did big data before big data was cool... Sheez.  When we started it took 10 people to budget / build / and maintain an entire network we used to figure.  Now, there are nearly as many connections as a human brain.

But yep, I walked away.  The chaos I thrived in was tidied.  There was a process for everything and everything had a process.  I'd helped build those and the standards. I'd seen the network grow and contract, domains split  But we know I suck when it comes to following the rules - even rules I, myself, might have made. 

I spent the next 13 months learning how the world had changed since last I looked for a job. 

I just accepted an offer today.  I'm moving into a data science role as a Senior Consultant with Design Laboratory to work with Microsoft's Shared Services BI group in games.  GAMES!!!!  I still can't freakin' believe it.  Nope.  I can't.  I'm excited/scared.  I start the 21st.  Now I gotta go scrub my mouth out with soap for practice. 

Yep.  I got the industry leap I was hoping for.  Nope.  This consulting gig doesn't fall under an 18 month thing. 

My biggest weakness:  "I left my network of engineers and lab rat friends behind when I walked.  That network was a source of strength."  I can't ever thank you all enough for your help and support over the years.  I love you.  Thank you.  You made me a better person and we did amazing work together.  And thank you for your laughter and support even after I walked.

That said, I had to turn down two other companies which were still interested, but hadn't offered.  When push came to shove, I had 24 hours to make a decision, but honestly, I was really impressed with the one I accepted.  The consulting firm is small, but the job is with a big company again.  It's in Redmond.  Again.  But it's games.  It's building new systems for analytics, it's metric design.  and it's in Games.  It's the industry I wanted and with one of the only divisions I'd cross the water for.  There were only two other companies I was willing to do that for.  All the others, I turned away.

So, remember y'all.  Sing often.  Laugh much.  Compliment each other when you're not cussing each other out.