These recruiters kill me. They left me a message yesterday saying they had
an “exciting opportunity” with a “dynamic, young company”. My stress level
was through the roof yesterday (esp. just after I got out of work), so I
decided to put off calling them until today.
So I call Dan, the recruiter, and talk to him… Now remember, I’m looking
for:
Small company, possibly startup
Exciting Technology
No (car) commute
No gov’t/military contracting
So he starts telling me about this place, they do boring telecom stuff for
the military and require security clearances. They are rather large, and
growing. He asks if I am interested, and I say not really, but I will check
out their website and get back to him… I say that at least until the end
of the year I am going to need to be really excited about an opportunity to
squander more goodwill here at goodrich. He says how about a phone
interview at first when the manager is in their office. I said OK, but then
I remembered to ask where the company was located. BILLERICA! THE TOWN
NEXT TO CHELMSFORD! Do these guys even pay attention to what I say? No,
not at all.
I finally was able to catch Jesus is Magic last night with the Sunday Night Film Club. As expected, I really enjoyed it.. People have been slagging the musical bits, but I thought they were rather funny. Was a slow night for the club last night, but with the holiday that was expected.
I also got to hang out with my other sister, , who is getting all fancy going out to night clubs and stuff. Now I feel even more like the “lame big brother”. =) Mom and Dad are well, and we all gorged on turkey and pie all weekend. and my father had a deathmatch showdown in Battle Pumpkin Pie. Chuck has made some stellar pies for years now, but this was my dad’s first entry into the pie-o-sphere. I could not pick a winner, both pies were fantastic, my dad’s trending a bit more pumpkin-y and Chuck’s a bit more spice-y. Mom waThe turkey was as awesome as always, and this year my parents prepped an extra turkey breast so we had even more leftovers than ever, which ruled.
Friday night I dragged with me and Chuck to a townie bar in Hopatcong where a bunch of people from High School were meeting in lieu of a 10-Year Reunion. They had tried to organize one but interest was low.. But it was good to see a bunch of people who I hadn’t see in a decade, and it was good to see that, at least out of the people that showed, pretty much everyone seemed to be doing well. NJ hasn’t banned smoking in bars yet, so as soon as Corinna and I got back to the house we took showers and changed our clothes. I did a load of laundry that night as I only had the one pair of jeans and they reeked.
I’ve really been neglecting this here journal, haven’t I? Friday and I went to the Star Wars exhibit at the Museum of Science with Garrett and Steve from work. It was OK, but it was way lamer than I expected. I guess if I was a kid I probably would have enjoyed it more.
Saturday I mostly just hung out around the apartment although Corinna and I took a nice walk to get some lunch and run some errands. Later on I met up with , , , and Sue for some delicious Kelly’s Roast Beef! So, so good.
Tonight is “Walk the Line” with the Sunday Night Film Club. Tons of people have told me they are coming, so it should be a pretty big group tonight.. This has it’s pluses and minuses… It’s great the club is popular, but it’s also tough to manage that many people for the after-show discussion/food routine.
I got a copy of 3D Bridge Deluxe at the BMac meeting last week… I don’t play Bridge, and I’m not really interested in learning, so if anyone here wants it let me know.. It’s compatible with OSX and MacOS 8.6 (according to the back of the jewel case).
Things have been hectic lately… I interviewed at a company a few times last week, and was golden….. Until an employee there recommended one of their friends who had 5 years of experience over me… Apparently the company is considering opening another position just for me, but I am not holding my breath. Some of you may be surprised that I am considering leaving Goodrich, but trust me, this is not a decision I have made lightly. There are a number of factors:
Commute: 30 miles in each direction every day adds up… I am sick of polluting the environment, dumping hundreds of dollars a month into the gas tank, and putting all that wear and tear on my car. In less than two years I have put more than 40k miles on my car… Obviously I take quite a number of road trips, but most of that is the 60 miles a day I put on my car going to and from work. I want a local job that I can take public transit to in a reasonable amount of time (less than an hour).
Creatively Stifled: Sure, any time you are working for someone else, your creativity is going to be restricted in some way. But working for a government contractor is the worst. We are on contract to deliver a sprocket, not a sprocket plus “Sean’s whiz-bang feature #3”. I could push to have someone sell “whiz-bang” to the government, but I have to get 800 people to sign off on it and then the customer has to buy into it before I can do anything with my idea. And I don’t even have a charge number to actually write any of these proposals, so it’s a stalemate.
Security Clearance: Most of my work is classified, and working in that environment sucks on many levels.. First of all, our development occurs in an isolated lab (no external connectivity), so if I have to look something up, want to check my email, or even just want to goof off for a minute or 4, I have to leave the lab and return to my desk (on the other side of the building). I can’t even bring my iPod in there… Second, I want to be able to talk about all the cool shit I work on, but I can’t. I realize that every company has it’s secrets, but it’s frustrating when you can only talk about what you are doing in the broadest strokes.
Inflexibility: This comes on many levels… When I worked at the startup, Rovia, it was a meritocracy.. The best ideas won, the best tools won, and fun won. At Goodrich, the 30k person organization has a set of tools they want you to use, a set of technologies they want you to use, etc… Want to use Python? You might be able to do it on the sly, but don’t let your manager find out.. But in addition, Goodrich has silly policies like core hours of 9a-3:30p… and beyond that, they do things like mandate that people work 8 hours a day.. You worked 11 hours Monday-Thursday? Tough shit, you still have to come in on Friday.
Boredom: I feel like I’ve been doing the same project over and over again for almost two years. It’s time for something new.
I forgot to mention that on Monday the Dresden Dolls opened the show with an amazing cover of “Science Fiction/Double Feature” from Rocky Horror… It was such a great choice to open a halloween show.
The past few days have been rather hectic for me… I will rehash it all soon, but I just don’t feel up to it yet and some of it needs to remain private for now…
I was listening to AC/DC on the way into work the other day and when “You Shook Me” came on I was instantly brought back to a Boy Scout meeting in an elementary school gym (probably Hudson Maxim or Durban Avenue) and Ramsay Reid belting that song out at the top of his lungs… I haven’t thought about that in ages…
This weekend in Dryden at Sean & Kelly’s Halloween Bash was awesome… It was great to see everyone again and actually be able to spend some time with them… We (Me, , , , and ) rolled into town around midnight and there were already a bunch of people there… We hung out until like 4am and then drove down the street to the hotel.. The next few days were filled with tree felling (two this year, although I didn’t participate much as my anxiety took over), WiFi liberating, drunken singing and dancing, and cooking.. It was an awesome time.
Last night I caught The Dresden Dolls at Avalon.. I have been trying to see this band for years now, and every time I have had the opportunity it has been screwed up (one time I forgot about the show, a few times I’ve been travelling, etc). They did open for Nine Inch Nails earlier this year, but the sound was off and the crowd wasn’t that into them.. Plus it was a sit-down show, which was convienient at the time because I was on crutches, but a rock show shouldn’t have chairs.
Anyway, last night’s show was a blast, although I could have done without some of the opening acts…. The Dolls rocked the house, playing old and new material and a bunch of covers. Amanda even played drums while Brian played guitar for a cover of “I Love Rock & Roll” by Joan Jett. The new songs were great, and I’m looking forward to their new album, whenever that comes out. The highlight of the night, however, was their encore, when they came out dressed as The White Stripes.. Amanda was dressed as Jack White and Brian as Meg White and they played “My Doorbell”… It was hysterical… I left before the encores were done as it was getting close to last call on the subway, but it was a great night out..
Here’s what we listened to on the trip to and from Dryden, NY this weekend. We assembled this on the iPod in the car.. I selected most of the songs, and when I was driving on the last leg of the return trip took over (His choices start with “Paul Revere”)..
Track NameArtistAlbum****LengthVanilla Ice CreamStephen LynchThe Craig Machine3:10BabyStephen LynchThe Craig Machine3:30HalloweenStephen LynchThe Craig Machine2:46Love SongStephen LynchThe Craig Machine1:23CraigStephen LynchThe Craig Machine3:33BeelzStephen LynchThe Craig Machine2:54AlbinoStephen LynchThe Craig Machine1:52Mixer At Delta ChiStephen LynchThe Craig Machine2:06Little Tiny MoustacheStephen LynchThe Craig Machine3:40PierreStephen LynchThe Craig Machine2:01Whittlin’ ManStephen LynchThe Craig Machine2:51Classic Rock TuneStephen LynchThe Craig Machine2:12Not HomeStephen LynchThe Craig Machine1:15Voice In My HeadStephen LynchThe Craig Machine4:09D&DStephen LynchThe Craig Machine4:26Dr. StephenStephen LynchSuperhero2:11Talk To MeStephen LynchLive at the El Ray3:44GrandfatherStephen LynchLive at the El Ray2:50She Gotta SmileStephen LynchLive at the El Ray4:15Best Friends SongStephen LynchLive at the El Ray2:26Lullaby (Live)Stephen LynchSuperhero8:21Walken IIIStephen LynchA Little Bit Special0:45Breakfast Club (Feat. Murs & Supernatural)DJ Z-TripShifting Gears (Advance)4:53The Humpty DanceDigital UndergroundSex Packets6:30Oh Word?The Beastie BoysTo The 5 Boroughs2:59Latch Key KidsBad Religion80-851:4354 Cymru BeatsAphex Twindrukqs (Disc 2)6:06Casting Out the NinesDub TrioExploring the Dangers Of5:44Acid AgainMeat Beat ManifestoActual Sounds + Voices5:47Closer (Precursor)Nine Inch NailsCloser - Further Away7:15GhettoMusickOutkastSpeakerboxxx/The Love Below3:56Mr. GrievesPixies, TheDoolittle2:05Rebel Without a PausePublic EnemyPower to the People and the Beats - Public Enemy’s Greatest Hits4:18The Power of EqualityRed Hot Chili PeppersBlood Sugar Sex Magik4:02Beers, Steers + QueersRevolting CocksBeers Steers + Queers6:03My AdidasRun D.M.C.Raising Hell2:47Rockaway BeachThe RamonesAnthology (Disc 1)2:08There is a Light That Never Goes OutThe SmithsAmy’s Mix4:03Come On My SelectorSquarepusherBig Loada3:27Rock and Roll CreationSpinal TapThis Is Spinal Tap4:08TributeTenacious DTenacious D4:08American GirlTom Petty & The HeartbreakersGreatest Hits3:32Pork Roll Egg and CheeseWeenLive in Chicago2:30VertigoU2How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb3:16ChristiansandsTrickyPre-Millennium Tension3:51LaredoTomahawkTomahawk4:16Jerk-OffToolOpiate4:24The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)Tom WaitsSmall Change3:40Rocky RaccoonThe BeatlesThe White Album (Disc 1)3:32GHETTOCHIP MALFUNCTION (Hell Yes)BeckHell Yes - EP2:42Foxtrot Uniform Charlie KiloBloodhound GangFoxtrot - Single2:52Unemployed Black AstronautBusdriverFear of a Black Tangent4:00Take The Skinheads BowlingCamper Van BeethovenTelephone Free Landslide Victory2:32Let’s Push Things ForwardThe StreetsOriginal Pirate Material3:49Squeeze Me MacaroniMr. BungleMr. Bungle5:38Stagger LeeNick Cave And The Bad SeedsMurder Ballads5:15Ramble OnLed ZeppelinBox Set Disc I4:23Peggy SueBuddy HollyBuddy Holly2:32This Is Radio ClashThe ClashThe Story Of The Clash, Volume 1, Disc 14:10Life On Mars?David BowieHunky Dory3:54Me Myself And IDe La Soul3 Feet High And Rising3:50It’s Oh So QuietBjörkPost3:38StuartDead MilkmenBeelzebubba2:20Good BeatDeee-LiteWORLD CLIQUE4:39Armageddon ItDef LeppardHysteria5:24Radio RadioElvis Costello & The AttractionsThe Very Best of…3:08My Red Hot CarSquarepusherGo Plastic4:42808 State - Flow Coma (120 bpm)AFX2 Remixes by AFX4:59DebraBeckMidnite Vultures13:46You’re On FireGrand BuffetSparkle Classic3:25This FireFranz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand4:14Everything’s RuinedFaith No MoreAngel Dust4:33UnsungHelmetMeantime3:57Mr. BrownstoneGuns N’ RosesAppetite for Destruction3:48Wish You Were HerePink FloydWish You Were Here5:40Highway ‘61 RevisitedPJ HarveyRid of Me2:57(New Wave) PollyNirvanaIncesticide1:48You Are My SunshineMose AllisonThe Mose Chronicles - Live in London, Vol. 13:17Strange PowersThe Magnetic FieldsHoliday2:41CitysongLuscious JacksonNatural Ingredients4:21Sound of Da PoliceKRS-OneA Restrospective4:18catstep/my kitten/catnip vatstep dsp remix by hrvatskikid606down with the scene6:00What a Wonderful WorldJoey RamoneDon’t Worry About Me2:23Mountain SongJane’s AddictionNothing’s Shocking4:03Things Can Only Get BetterHoward JonesHoward Jones: Best Of3:57High FidelityElvis Costello & The AttractionsThe Very Best of…2:29Bitchin’ CamaroDead MilkmenBig Lizard In My Backyard3:01Ashes To AshesDavid BowieChangesbowie4:25Nazi Punks Fuck OffDead KennedysPlastic Surgery Disasters · In God We Trust Inc.1:03Policy of TruthDepeche ModeViolator4:55Boyz in the HoodDynamite Hack3:02Coin- Operated BoyThe Dresden DollsThe Dresden Dolls4:46Car SongElasticaElastica2:24No Secrets No SurprisesJack DangersVariaciones Espectrales4:58A Drug Against WarKMFDMAngst3:43Book of the MonthLovageMusic To Make Love To You Old Lady By4:28Rock with YouMichael JacksonNumber Ones3:40Everyone I Have Ever Slept WithMomusThe Little Red Songbook2:42Shoplifters of the World UniteThe SmithsAmy’s Mix2:58For the LadiesStephen LynchSuperhero1:24The House Is Rockin’Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double TroubleGreatest Hits2:24Love -> Building On FireTalking HeadsThe Name of This Band is Talking Heads (Disc 1)3:47America, Fuck YeahTeam AmericaTeam America - World Police2:07I Play It Off LegitWeenPure Guava3:20Blue OrchidWhite StripesGet Behind Me Satan2:37De Do Do Do, De Da Da DaThe PoliceEvery Breath You Take - The Classics4:07No BusinessNegativlandNo Business4:13Sweet CarolineNeil DiamondBrother Love’s Traveling Salva3:19Pleasant Valley Sunday (single version)Monkees, TheGreatest Hits3:11Ich Bin Ein AuslanderPop Will Eat ItselfDos Dedos Mis Amigos3:59DebaserPixies, TheDoolittle2:53Supernaut (Trent Reznor Vocal Version)1000 Homo DJsWaxTrax! Black Box: The First 13 Years (Disc 1)6:39Them BonesAlice in ChainsMusic Bank2:29The Ballad of Chasey LainBloodhound GangHooray for Boobies2:21Time After TimeCyndi LauperTwelve Deadly Cyns …And Then Some4:01MoosebumpsDr. OctagonInstrumentalyst1:47Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadElton JohnElton John: Greatest Hits3:14Pocket CalculatorKraftwerkComputer World4:58Paul RevereBeastie BoysLicensed To Ill3:41Naked EyeLuscious JacksonFever In Fever Out4:40Another One Bites The DustQueenGreatest Hits3:37SanteriaSublimeMy Best of Sublime3:03No One ElseWeezerWeezer3:04Breaking the GirlRed Hot Chili PeppersBlood Sugar Sex Magik4:55About A GirlNirvanaUnplugged in New York3:37If You LiveMose AllisonGreatest Hits2:34Been Caught StealingJane’s AddictionRitual De Lo Habitual3:34Sweet Child o’ MineGuns N’ RosesAppetite for Destruction5:56Possibly MaybeBjörkPost5:06La La Love YouPixies, TheDoolittle2:43Toll Booth WillieAdam SandlerThey’re All Gonna Laugh At You3:48At The Heart Of It All (Aphex Twin remix)Nine Inch NailsFurther Down The Spiral7:14Enjoy the SilenceDepeche ModeViolator6:12Human BehaviorBjörkDebut4:12Let’s DanceDavid BowieChangesbowie4:10
I was listening to This Week In Tech on the way into work this morning and they had Lawrence Lessig on the show this week. He was talking up Creative Commons and at one point he used the word “necessarily”. It made me realize that I almost never hear that word in the positive.. People often say things like “Well it’s not necessarily that way”, but until hearing Lawrence talk today I am now not sure if I have ever heard someone use it in the positive (“But you [read a book] on a digital network, it necessarily produces a copy, it necessarily triggers copyright laws…”).