What to do with my life

I found out recently that the Corvallis HP [Hewlett-Packard] site is no longer open to IT [Information Technology] employees (effective the end of FY09 - or Nov 2009). I'm still in a bit of shock over this, and am just starting to get to the point where i've accepted it and am ready to figure out what to do next. That's where i seem to be hitting a wall. For all of my 'real' working life, i've worked for HP in the IT department; so the idea of going outside of those bounds is foreign and somewhat frightening.

For a couple months now, i've been looking for other work options to see what the world outside HP is like. I've sent out 8 or so resumes to various companies where i thought i'd be a good fit, and so far have gotten bubkis for response. Not even a "we reviewed your resume and we don't like you". It's taken a small toll on my ego, but friends have lifted my spirits in reminding me that looking for a new job isn't easy and there are going to be a lot of rejections before you get a 'yes'. Of course it's one thing for me to be looking for another job when i have a steady one in hand, but it's another when all of a sudden i found out that steady is a poor descriptor.

I'm having a difficult time deciding if i want to find another IT job, or if this is a point in my life where i can branch out and do something different. The idea of doing something different is cool, but i can't figure out what i should do. There are a couple things that interest me - but none of them seem to translate into jobs. Another option would be to go back to school for something, but there again, i can't really think of anything that i'm interested in enough to go to school for.

Location is a problem - here in Corvallis, there's not that many options, at least not in IT. We like the area, and Susie has a really good job, but if i choose to stay in IT, we'll need to move.

If you think about it - say a prayer for us that we'll figure out what to do.

Thanks - Mike & Susie

The last season in Yankee Stadium

A couple weeks ago, someone mentioned to me that this is the last year for Yankee Stadium. I must admit i'm not a huge Yankee fan (i'm not a hater though), and i appreciate what they mean to the National Pastime (baseball). I know it's clique to say that i would like to make it to each MLB stadium, but i'd like to make it to each MLB stadium, and Yankee Stadium is one of the historical stadiums that's high on my list. So after discussing it a bit with Susie, we decided to make that a quick trip this year - go to a game at Yankee Stadium and hang out in New York for a couple days. The tickets arrived today (i got them on StubHub.com) - now i just have to stay calm until July 31st ...

In the interest of perspective, these are the stadiums i've been to so far -
1.) The Kingdome - Seattle, WA - home of the Mariners
2.) Safeco Field - Seattle, WA - new home of the Mariners
3.) PETCO Park - San Diego, CA - home of the Padres
4.) Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL - home of the Cubs
5.) Minute Maid Park - Houston, TX - home of the Astros
6.) Ranger Ballpark - Arlington, TX - home of the Texas Rangers

Hopefully over the next few years i can extend this list ... :)

Another break

Ai karamba, i don't know how people manage to have something to blog about every day - i seem lucky if i can get a couple posts in a month.

I don't have a whole bunch to say this time around, i'm just hoping that if i post something today, tomorrow i'll be inspired to write more.

Also, just in case there's anyone who reads this and isn't on the Tax Relief list, send me your home address as you'll want to be included in the distribution this year. The picture is put together and a first-run has gone to Costco - it's an instant classic.

Hope all is well out there ...

Mike