So I quit my job

For the second time this year, I quit my job. This time I am going to an exciting place. Last time I just quit because I had had enough. (had had? do do?)

The problem is I can't seem to separate. I submitted my notice last week, but I'm deeper this week than I have been for a month. What's up with that?

I'm so broken

I spent time these last 2 weeks entertaining the concept of home ownership, again. It’s always the same thing. I think, “I should own my house. I need to start building equity.”

So, I talk to a real estate agent or a bank. Immediately the agent or the banker both start to try to convince me how homeownership is such a great idea. How I’m throwing away my rent. How quickly can I make a decision? How soon will you move into this or that home? They need to see all of my intimate personal financial information. They need tax records. They need pay stubs. They need bank accounts. They need 401K bullshit. You GOTTA do this. You GOTTA do that! AAAAARRRGGGGHHH!!! #*%*#$! THAT NOISE!!

I can’t take it. I don’t want to spend more than 10 minutes on ANY purchase. And homeownership is like days or weeks.

What’s my reward if I just buckle down and “get it done?” I’ll tell you, more money out of my pocket on a monthly basis for less house. I have to spend more money out of my pocket for repairs and improvements. I have less time to play because I’ll want to fix things myself and not have to pay for, because I can no longer afford to pay to have it done, because I’ve spent my money on the house already. And my tax situation becomes even more complex! Now I HAVE-TO itemize.

Now I gotta save every receipt. (Sarcasm) What a treat that is. (Sarcasm off)

Oh yeah, and when I wanna move, I gotta sell the white elephant I NEEDED to buy.

I like renting.

Golfing with old friends

I went golfing with some old friends this week. My game is awful. The weather was good inconsistent. The companionship was terrific. I had a great time, but my game is in disrepair.

I am a terrible golfer. I can’t hit straight. My slice was inconsistent and occasionally dangerous to golfers on the fairway off to the right. Sometimes, my slice was so inconsistent it went left. I still can’t hit over water either. The only upside to my day, was that I only lost about 12 balls on 18 holes. I suppose that is an improvement.

The weather turned our game into a test of endurance and discipline. The weather started out iffy. It was cloudy but warm. We teed of at noon and by 12:15 we experienced sunshine and enough warmth to require beers on the 2nd and 4th holes. Then things turned south. By the 14th hole the wind had picked up substantially. The rain started falling halfway through the 16th hole. As we teed off on 18, I would swear we were in Scotland at St Andrews, with the ocean blowing back in our faces. When we finished 18 we ran to the clubhouse.

It was terrific to see my old friends again. The chatter was friendly, taunting, and amusing all at once. We teased each other about our golf game. We caught up on family matters. Everyone is happy and healthy, kids are growing up. It’s very comfortable to relax around people you know and enjoy. Mistakes are okay, great shots are complemented and nobody keeps score. I really like that.

A warm well-lighted place is important physically and emotionally. It’s always fun to take a day and just spend it in a comfortable place with comfortable folks. Details like the weather and the activity are truly unimportant.

this and that

It’s been a while since I have posted.

I saw where CMO, my former employer, parted ways with Peter Kretzman today, my former boss. That’s their 3rd CTO or VP of Engineering in 3 years. That must be a tough place to work.

Politically, it appears to me that Bush will be re-elected. The democrats are very disappointing.