Dear Bison: September 2005

[nolanfan34]

[ QUOTE ]
My main problems with going back to work is the loss of free time, and dealing with the LA commuter traffic everyday.

[/ QUOTE ]

These are seriously your issues against getting a job in the software/tech industry? If the offer is remotely decent at all, I can't fathom not going that path. Think more than a few years down the road - work for a good company and you can have plenty of free time when you're 55.

[shant]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My main problems with going back to work is the loss of free time, and dealing with the LA commuter traffic everyday.

[/ QUOTE ]

These are seriously your issues against getting a job in the software/tech industry? If the offer is remotely decent at all, I can't fathom not going that path. Think more than a few years down the road - work for a good company and you can have plenty of free time when you're 55.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm going to the meeting on Tuesday so I don't know what the salary and offer is, but seriously the LA 1-hour daily commute each way sucks ass. It takes away time I could be playing poker or going to the gym.

[bugstud]

dear bison,

what is the optimal number of shots to be placed on a tray for impending spillage?

thanks,
bug

[MarkL444]

matt-

all i can say is that if it were me i would appreciate you telling me, regardless of your approach. although finding a way to do it privately is obviously much better.

mark

[IndieMatty]

Take the job duder. You know this. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[zoomOut]

Dear Bison,


1. Are all writers plagerizers to some extent?

2. Is it wrong to make my family eat hot dogs and ramen so that I can buy Egyptian cotton sheets because supposedly they are damn sweet?

3. What is the difference between a man losing $300 in a home poker game and his wife blowing that much on a new jacket that she doesn't really need? Is one less foolish?

[bisonbison]

Listen to Matt.

[bisonbison]

Dear offTopic,

I assume you know the type of company you want to work at, so I would simply call a engineering manager at one of those companies and ask what type of skill sets they're looking for, even if they're not hiring at the moment. For the most part, if you're straightforward and not pushy, people will be helpful.

On the other hand, asking an engineer for his professional opinion can feel like descending into some special, droning rung of pedantic hell, so be aware.

[bisonbison]

I think your strategy sounds fine, though if you don't find it wearying you might just choose to take everyone (even the relatively benign ones) and tell them in private.

People get angry because it's humiliating to be casually surveyed and diagnosed without permission (even though we'd all do it if we had the skill), and because the concept of cancer is terrifying, whatever it's prognosis.

But you're not giving people prohibitive advice: "hey cecil, maybe you should stay out of the noonday sun." You're giving them caution where they may have none. You're doing a scary service to them, and I think it's a good idea. If you agree that it's a good idea, you just have to make peace with the often crappy reactions.

[bisonbison]

I would take the job. Socializing + security + career growth. You can still play as much poker as you want.