I feel guilty telling my pathetic story after all the deaths, and bad diagnosis of late, but if I don't write it down, my head will explode.
A bit of background, in case you don't know me. I'm a software engineer (fancy word for programmer) working as a contractor for a multi-national, multi-billion dollar company. I am an under-utilized drone (giving me plenty of time to participate here), but finish every task given to me well before the time alloted has expired.
About 15 minutes before quitting time for the day on Wed., June 18, I got an email from my contact at the agency I work through telling me to call him ASAP. When I did, I heard the words that no one likes to hear over the phone, "I've got some bad news."
Here we go...
I turns out that my contract is up on next Friday, June 27th (it was open ended), and I'll be out of a job. This company, which is currently looking to fill a position on our team, the team that time and time again I offered to come onto, and leave my contractor ways behind for, said I'm done. I take that back; they didn't tell me, I got the bad news through the agency. They're fackin' interviewing people for a full-time position on the team right now, but not me! I get along with everyone on the team, I do good work (or so I've been led to believe), and now I'm at a loss. And so is my job.
Yeah, maybe I'm whining, but living paycheck-to-paycheck, in the bush economy, scares the hell out of me. Now, if I don't find something pretty quick, our house, our car, and everything I've worked for my entire life will be gone just like that. Poof!
I don't want money, or pity, I just wanted to vent. I've got to go now. I need to update my resume. I've got a few possibilities that I need to pursue; I've got pooties to feed.
BTW, I have a 4-2-2 on 10K sq. foot lot, at the back end of a cul-de-sac in Houston for sale. 100k, will negotiate.
Peace.
UPDATE: I love you people. I really do. This is the best community I've ever had the pleasure to be a member of. Thank you so much for all your suggestions, many of which I will pursue. Head and spirits are being held high.
UPDATE II: Rec list? Seriously? Thanks all you well wishers. Must... not... tear up.
UPDATE III: You people are the best. I'm going to ask my supervisor about full-time, as soon as he gets in. Ironically, I have some work to do today, so I'll be in and out of here as time allows. If I don't respond to you directly, it doesn't mean I didn't read your post. I will read and rec every one of you. Thank you all.
UPDATE IV: You are some smart, creative, and helpful people. Thanks for all the tips, but one thing I forgot to mention is that because of the house, I figure that we'll have to stay in Houston for at least another year. I've got a fixed 6% FHA loan, and we've finally started paying down the principle. Unfortunately, because of the tanked market, if I sold it now, I'd take a substantial loss. So all you wonderful kossacks that have been throwing out offers, thanks, but if it's not here, it's really no practical.
UPDATE V: Well, I just had an off the record conversation with my supervisor. They're interviewing people with Masters and PhD degrees for a very senior level position. My position won't be filled until such a time that they need the additional help, if ever. He said he liked me, and my work, and that if there were a position for me to fill, I would get it.
UPDATE V: What? Are you still here? I'm humbled, oh, and I live in Houston, TX if you know of anything that would help. Thanks, and thanks Thinking Liberally. I'll check back in tomorrow morning, from what's left of my job.