So even though I have an offer and expect to prepare the paperwork today, opportunities for permanent positions still show up. Yesterday afternoon I received an email from a former colleague whose company may been looking to hire a documentation manager. I have an interview scheduled for next week. This morning another friend alerted me to another management position at a software company in Westborough. I applied for the job. Knowing how long these things can take, I can start the processes now and expect that it might take three or four months for me to get another offer.

Someone described work as the thing you do between layoffs. I hope that's not the case for me, but, having survived this one in good shape, I think I could deal with another layoff with a better attitude. Most importantly I'll appreciate the time at home.

This morning Marley and I went for a 3.5 mile walk. It is a fine morning for a walk, the temperature in the low 60s. This is a route that I'll often run. It was nice to have the company this time. I listened to old (Peter Green era) Fleetwood Mac on my iPod.

Later this morning I have to go for my drug screening as a part of my new job. They don't test for alcohol or other dangerous habits, just illegal drugs. Don't get me wrong. I've seen the devastation that can come from drugs. Nevertheless, more damage can come to a company from megalomania in its executives than from marijuana among the hourly workers.

So even though I have an offer and expect to prepare the paperwork today, opportunities for permanent positions still show up. Yesterday afternoon I received an email from a former colleague whose company may been looking to hire a documentation manager. I have an interview scheduled for next week. This morning another friend alerted me to another management position at a software company in Westborough. I applied for the job. Knowing how long these things can take, I can start the processes now and expect that it might take three or four months for me to get another offer.

Someone described work as the thing you do between layoffs. I hope that's not the case for me, but, having survived this one in good shape, I think I could deal with another layoff with a better attitude. Most importantly I'll appreciate the time at home.

This morning Marley and I went for a (3.5 mile) walk. It is a fine morning for a walk, the temperature in the low 60s. This is a route that I'll often run. It was nice to have the company this time. I listened to old (Peter Green era) Fleetwood Mac on my iPod.

Later this morning I have to go for my drug screening as a part of my new job. They don't test for alcohol or other dangerous habits, just illegal drugs. Don't get me wrong. I've seen the devastation that can come from drugs. Nevertheless, more damage can come to a company from megalomania in its executives than from marijuana among the hourly workers.

Yesterday afternoon I accepted the verbal offer of a writing contract at high-tech company. I will start on 12 July. The contract will run until October. I expect to hear from the HR folks about the paperwork that will make the offer official.

A good friend just accepted a job as a software engineering manager at Amazon.com. How cool is that?

I still have several prospects in the queue that might lead to permanent jobs in a few months. This contract might also lead to a more permanent position. Hiring decisions take a long time these days, so an interview in July might lead to an offer in October. I was extremely fortunate that the requisition for this writing contract had already been approved. That allowed the hiring manager to act quickly. For permanent positions, it's often the case that a hiring manager must get approval to interview candidates and then go through an additional approval cycle to make an offer.

So how do I feel? Relieved, mostly. Relieved and grateful. Having been without real work for many months, I'm also a bit anxious. Will I remember the basics? Will I be able to make a contribution?

And what about this journal? Because I started this project as a way to record how I spent my time while I was out of work, it's most appropriate that I think about retiring this log. It's been fun to write regularly. I will most likely start a new journal with a different theme. Stay tuned.

Today is decision day. I have the one contract offer and am waiting to learn if another offer is in the queue. I could start work as early as 6 July. I'll make the decision this afternoon.

We had a very nice weekend. The Phillipston Historical Society organizes a house and garden tour each year. This year the tour focused on homes near the lake. We saw some wonderful properties, toured the remains of a 19th century textile mill, and had a fine lunch at the former site of the Queen Lake girls' camp.

Sandra's folks have gone back to the island for a few weeks. They'll come down later in July for a doctor's appointment and then return to the island a week or so later. What an ambitious schedule. I get tired just writing about it.

We're planning a Fourth of July party at the camp. We've sketched out the menu. I'll do the shopping this week. Last year's party was a great deal of fun. The long-range forecast calls for good weather on that day. I have a bit of work on the dock to make it ready for the fun. We also assembled a float that we'll anchor in the cove. We'll have Mike, Matt, & Joe stay with us overnight after the party.