Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

[gmann]

So I am giving up on the job in Denver. I've realized that they've simply strung me along for almost a month now. I was supposed to have a phone discussion with the Denver team and then they were going to make me an offer. I've sent my HR contact numerous times in which I could've been available for that discussion over the past 3-4 weeks. HR contact hasn't made it happen, and I even took the initiative to reach out to him last week with ALL of the times I'd be available this week. No response in the week and a half since.

I suspect they've been negotiating with other candidates (either cheaper and/or local) this entire time.

The dream is dead, and I'm quite unhappy about it. I'll move on from this opportunity, but it's going to take a few days. On the plus side, my expense check from the Boston interview arrived yesterday.

Ouch. Better now than later IMO. Things happen for a reason. Keep your chin up.

 

[Siouxfaninseattle]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

My w t f moment today.

A few months ago I purchased these high tech energy efficient light bulbs for the house because I like the environment or whatever (spent a small fortune in the process as we probably have 60+ bulbs in the house). I'm sure you are all familiar with them. Anyways, these bulbs are supposed to last much much longer than the ordinary bulbs. Ya ok. These light bulbs have been burning out left and right. I went to the store where I purchased these bulbs to purchase replacements (not the energy efficient ones) and to offer my .02 worth. The response I got from the salesperson was classic. "Oh, those bulbs aren't to be used in places in which you are going to be using the lights often." Really? W t f ?!?!

The environment can kiss my azz.

And they have mercury in them!

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Ouch. Better now than later IMO. Things happen for a reason. Keep your chin up.

Yeah. It was a consulting job - I would've had your previous lifestyle (travel 80%, drink like a fish, etc.), plus be based in Denver, so winter weekends at Loveland and A-Basin. Also, it was one of the "Big Four" consulting companies, so it would've looked great on the resume.

But, I guess you're right. Fate either didn't want me there, or will force me to make the leap without a job (which I won't do - at least, not yet). A co-worker and I have been playing with the idea of starting a ServiceNow consulting firm. I fantasize about the idea, but I am adverse to it because I know the difficulties of starting/running a business. My Dad started his own company in 1980, and despite fear-driven lawsuits (he's in mental healthcare and was a pioneer in the de-institutionalization of non-violent patients) he has since run one of the most successful non-profit group home agencies in the county. Recently, but particularly under Gov. Rick Snyder, Michigan has been cutting mental healthcare funding and Dad is just about ready to call it quits as Executive Director and retire; additionally, the quality of prospective workers has steadily declined in the past decade (people will show up to the interview in jeans, or ask for a week off within a week or two of being hired, etc.). So I have seen "the dream", but I have also seen "the reality", and it's not pretty.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Sending us to Agile training has also been discussed. Frankly, I would love it if we chose one development cycle model and stuck with it. I am tired of using this half-a55ed "waterfall/Agile" combo, where we do a big, heavy v1 roll-out, and then almost immediately there are iterative updates (1.1, 1.2, etc.).

My company requires an iterative approach, and due to documentation requirements for the auditors, we can't go scrum. Our iterations are usually longer than most companies, I would think. We still have big roll outs, but due to our documentation standards, the testers tend to find dev issues in SIT, very few in UAT, and so we end up with even fewer bugs once in the prod environment. Well, that's the theory and it's depending upon who's testing, really. We've had a few flawless releases, but most end up with one or two things. The part that gets me is when our production teams (our internal customers, as it were) find a feature in the software and complain about it even though it matches exactly what they requested of us and we've ran it by their UAT people for approval.

As to that security issue, it'd never happen in my company. The person answering the phone wouldn't likely know who anyone in senior management was and then there are so many protocols in place that would result in termination if they weren't followed. Sometimes they're for the best, but most times they just hork us off.

 

[gmann]

And they have mercury in them!

Mmm mercury.

 

[gmann]

Yeah. It was a consulting job - I would've had your previous lifestyle (travel 80%, drink like a fish, etc.), plus be based in Denver, so winter weekends at Loveland and A-Basin. Also, it was one of the "Big Four" consulting companies, so it would've looked great on the resume.

F n a. Had I known that I would have never posted my response.

Regarding starting your own gig. It's worth a serious consideration. You are young ( I think), single (I think) and intelligent (I think). Once a couple of those variables change then it's difficult to to gamble.

 

[state of hockey]

Mmm mercury.

Transition metals really are the most delicious.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

I agree, the time is right, but there are a lot of risks. You're correct about me being young, single, and dumb , but the partnership would be focusing on one thing (ITSM/Processes/ServiceNow) which could be out the door next week, so we'd definitely have to consider that (along with other systems which we might have to consult on to support processes in ServiceNow - AD, Altiris, Nagios/Zenoss, etc.). My current employer doesn't have a payroll deduction for their awesome healthcare benefits, which is extremely rare these days, so there's that. We all have NCAs so that's an issue (though knowing something about business law and having read my NCA, I doubt it's fully enforceable).

I'd love to do it, but I have a Master's degree, so you understand that I'm not stupid enough to pull the trigger without considering all of the factors and first writing a business plan and other documents (which I haven't done, since this whole thing is still a pipe dream).

 

[gmann]

I agree, the time is right, but there are a lot of risks. You're correct about me being young, single, and dumb , but the partnership would be focusing on one thing (ITSM/Processes/ServiceNow) which could be out the door next week, so we'd definitely have to consider that (along with other systems which we might have to consult on to support processes in ServiceNow - AD, Altiris, Nagios/Zenoss, etc.). My current employer doesn't have a payroll deduction for their awesome healthcare benefits, which is extremely rare these days, so there's that. We all have NCAs so that's an issue (though knowing something about business law and having read my NCA, I doubt it's fully enforceable).

I'd love to do it, but I have a Master's degree, so you understand that I'm not stupid enough to pull the trigger without considering all of the factors and first writing a business plan and other documents (which I haven't done, since this whole thing is still a pipe dream).

Pfft. As plan B there is always the van down by the river.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Took Middle Child to a school fair this evening. I played the part of the guardian standing around holding his coat and prizes as he played the carnival games. I got a few looks from other parents as he said hello to friends he ran into. I'm sure the woman will have to field some questions next time those parents run into her.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Yawn!

 

[leswp1]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Did MEUSA sleep in?

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

S'upp y'all

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Morning, all. Supposed to be gorgeous today.

 

[gmann]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Good morning Lodge.

Should be a nice day weather wise here in 320ville. My plans are to clean all the windows inside and outside the house and then try to clean out the garage.

What does a fox say?

Edit. French toast, Canadian bacon, juice and coffee have been served.

Edit x 2. Regarding Facebook. I'm not an avid user. One thing I despise is that I am constantly getting notifications/ invitations to play this or that. g not like. I get numerous requests every day. Maybe because my last name starts with A and I'm one of the first names people pick? Anyways, I'm not a facebookologist. Can this option be disabled?

 

[Lady wore Black]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Good Morning, Lodge!

I ran into a person from my hometown last night, and I find out that I have known him my whole entire life as both of us were raised in the same bars. The funny part is that he see me at "the office" all the time and knows that I am a regular there so he avoids the usual seating arrangement.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Good morning Lodge. Happy Sunday. Unpacking, doing laundry, then packing for the Frozen Four. Looks like the weather should be OK. I hope.

My upstairs neighbor decided to vacuum at 8:45am. Woke me up. Who vacuums that early on a SUNDAY??

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

My upstairs neighbor decided to vacuum at 8:45am. Woke me up. Who vacuums that early on a SUNDAY??

Just a wild guess here... your upstairs neighbor perhaps?

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Good morning Lodge.

Should be a nice day weather wise here in 320ville. My plans are to clean all the windows inside and outside the house and then try to clean out the garage.

What does a fox say?

Edit. French toast, Canadian bacon, juice and coffee have been served.

Edit x 2. Regarding Facebook. I'm not an avid user. One thing I despise is that I am constantly getting notifications/ invitations to play this or that. g not like. I get numerous requests every day. Maybe because my last name starts with A and I'm one of the first names people pick? Anyways, I'm not a facebookologist. Can this option be disabled?

I hate the FB game crap and don't care if someone got a new cow on their fricken farm....You can block the apps so you never see them again. If you see one look for the little down arrow next to the post and you should be able to choose how you want to block. When you get notifications there should be a little x next to it, this will allow to to stop getting more from that app (or person).

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge #173: (Insert Title)

Good Morning Lodge.

I hate the FB game crap and don't care if someone got a new cow on their fricken farm....You can block the apps so you never see them again. If you see one look for the little down arrow next to the post and you should be able to choose how you want to block. When you get notifications there should be a little x next to it, this will allow to to stop getting more from that app (or person).

Yep, my sister was always inviting me to play some dumb game on FB till I blocked all that crap.