WANTED: A lighthouse in need of a Keeper.

[galdrin]

Pesky net-skookins aside, today has been - thoughtful.

I usually go upstairs (ITS Main Offices) and check my office mailbox once a day. Today I got up there and my boss and the Unix Sys Admin are discussing a meeting in Denton tomorrow afternoon (to which I, too, have been invited). Basically, this is going to cover the game plan for the initial installation of the PeopleSoft SYS and DEMO databases. This discussion evolved, again, into a 'bitch' session about what place the Sys Admin and I will play in the new organization plan. It is understood that we will be assisting with the installation, etc. of the new EIS system, but following that - what?

The game plan is to have all Oracle databases residing on the Denton hardware, responsibility for their upkeep and maintenance on Denton's shoulders. The whole system is supposed to be implemented, in its entirety, by Fall 2005. This means that the existing software system that we use has to be maintained until that time - then it goes away.

If all the databases are on Denton's hardware, what good are the 2 big Unix boxes or 4 smaller Unix servers we just bought? Very little work for a Unix System Administrator.

If all the databases are up there, where's the need for an installation of Oracle here? Very little work for an Oracle DBA.

And knowing that I.T. is constantly in the market for young up-and-comers, all of whom lean toward all the great gee-whiz technology ... who's gonna be interested in my age?
All of these issues and more have been considered ever since last year, and no answers have been forthcoming.

My boss told us today that one of his goals is to insure that none of his staff lose their jobs in the process of implmenting the new system. But as I pointed out to him, losing an unnecesary DBA and Unix Admin (because of the Denton site) would free up salary funds that could be applied to acquiring 2 or even 3 more application programmers - for which there will be big demand.

Though his heart is in the right place, and he's been adamant about 'his position', I pointed out to him that based on what he's told us so far, and what we've been presented with to date (over the past 9 months), I don't see myself or the Unix SysAdmin here 3 years from now when the final module goes live and the old system is shutdown and removed; that it appeared that it was time I started looking around for a new position to support myself and family ... esp. with me putting my sweetheart through school so she can have a more rewarding and fulfilling career instead of all these god-awful temp jobs.

I wonder if I could learn to make Texas-mesquite flutes? Or maybe ocarina's?

I've always joked around that I was searching for a lighthouse in need of a keeper - a place where I could do general upkeep, light maintenance, give tours, and spend the rest of the time in contemplation, or writing, or drawing ... far removed from the hustle and bustle of cities.

[ thoughts of NaNoWriMo are far away now. ]

See y'all tomorrow

Comments

[eudaimonia.livejournal.com]

Sell books on Ebay or something ;-) Really, best of luck. I hope you don't lose your job. (hugs)

[galdrin.livejournal.com]

Sell my library ? NEVER !!!!!

One thing that did come up, though it was a while back, was along similar lines. A friend of mine has a father in Calif. who, basically, goes into the local Goodwill store and purchases whatever decent costume jewelry they have for cheap obviously. Then he turns around and, offering it for exactly what it is, re-sells via EBay. Goodwill gets their money, he makes a tidy profit, and everyone wins. An interesting idea, no?

Re:

[eudaimonia.livejournal.com]

No no no, not sell your library! Find books (that you don't want, of course) at thrift shops, yard sales, used book stores, etc. to sell on Ebay (or half.com and Amazon). It's a good excuse to go book shopping all the time, too (grins).

I do exactly what your friend's father does and have been for a couple of years now. I shop at charity thrift shops here and resell treasures (and books) I find on Ebay (along with the jewelry I make). If you ever want advice on Ebay selling, I'd be happy to help. :-)

[maida-mac.livejournal.com]

I know this has got to be a frightening thought for you. I wish I could say something constructive, but all I can think of is that you have my good thoughts and wishes.

[galdrin.livejournal.com]

Well - I'm pretty much resigned to this, so it is not as daunting to me spiritually as The Great Chevron Debacle of '93.

I've considered a number of different options - all artistically focused as usual. It's one of the sadder realizations of my life, and drives me to attempt to purchase everything people like Charles and Terri and that ilk put out. People who make a living in the fine arts (and I count authors in that group) have a difficult time of it, so far as I can tell, unless they're Big Names.

I remember Charles and MaryAnn when they came down to Austin a few years back for a book signing. The signing was to take place in a, excuse me for saying it, hole-in-the-wall specialty book store - not in a big chain like Borders or Buns & Noodle. I got the impression, from talking to MaryAnn, that such trips were far and few between and they were beholdin' to close friends and such for places to stay, transportation, etc. A difficult life ... rewarding on many non-monetary levels ... but it's not like they have an employer footing the bill for expenses and such on trips. I dearly wish TOR would see their way clear to another book-signing tour for Charles - esp. considering he's a multiple award nominee and a winner. I am woefully ignorant about that business.

My heart goes out to Charles and MaryAnn and all their acquaintances. I hate to say it, but I'm am so happy that John Adcox has a *real* job while he's working on completing _The_Widening_Gyre_

[teapot-farm.livejournal.com]

Sympathies... we're at about the same stage at my company, though being that bit younger makes it a little less scary. Could be a good time to get mortgage insurance etc in place, if you haven't already...
The age thing isn't constant though - as long as your skills are up to date, there should still be work options out there - plus the 'data centre manager' type of positions (assuming you're OK with managing people).
I've probably got 18 months left in this job, so I'm going to spend it getting certifications, and checking out other jobs. There's little point hanging on til the bitter end.

[galdrin.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, a few months ago my father had driven over to Dallas to pick up his big 40' motorcoach which had been undergoing some fine-tuning and nit-picky types of things the dealership was supposed to take care of following the purchase. After picking up the 'bus', we drove across the street to the truck-wash to have the whole thing soaped up and made spic-and-span before my parents got back on the road for the job in Baton Rouge.

While the staff were hosing down and scrubbing away, my Dad and I went out and sat under the gazebo and watched their efforts. My father turned to me and asked, in feigned innocence, what I wanted to do with my life. I mentioned a couple of things that I'd like to do at some point, like take some college courses I'd always wanted to learn but never had the time - or do a little traveling to see some of the places here and in Canada I'd always wanted to go see. I want Joyce and I to have a small home somewhere on a few acres (for a few horses) with enough room to offer guest privileges to friends who want to get away for a while and need a roof over their head.

Very shortly, I will find myself standing before the 1/2 century portal and he is concerned. The divorce, Chevron Debacle, remarriage, and raising a second family had occurred so late in my life that I may not be in the best of positions for my age. You mention mortgage insurance - you have to have a mortgage in order to insure it. Anyway - he is concerned enough that he has even offered, should I choose to do so, to 'back' me financially in starting my own business or anything else along those lines I might consider doing - so as not to be dependent on some employer for my ultimate future - which is, believe it or not, close enough that we need to think of such things now.

I've often talked about my own specialty sci-fi/fantasy bookstore (The M&MK), but I have no idea how to even go about establishing the publisher or distributor (hell, I don't even know the proper terminology) contacts it would require as a supplier, much less how much it would actually cost to set-up and run such a thing. Then I remember that wonderfully nice bookstore in Austin struggling and closing and what's the point? From all I've read from TH and the deLint Lists, independent's are fading away - how does one go up against a Borders or Buns&Noodle?

I've also thought about opening an independent coffee shop, along the same lines as Starbucks (I had the idea first), somewhere near one of the major Universities here, offering space for late-night studying, a quiet place to meet friends, a little gaming space, and the occasional local folk music artist, duo, or quartet to come by to practice their craft or just jam - something like Charles and MaryAnn did when they were in Austin. How in the heck can I compete with something like a Starbucks, etc. - unless it's to offer something truly unique to go with the coffees / lattes / cappucinos. On top of that, I've never been in business and have no concept of how to make it all work, much less whether it would even fly.

Still ... it is wonderful of him to offer to do something like that - he who has been in business for himself for his entire life and taught and encouraged both my younger brothers to do the same. After all these years, it's kind of nice to discover I have a friend who also happens to be my father