(Sure, it could have improved in the last 12 months, but given the track record for tech jobs in this city, I doubt it.)

It hasn't improved. At least, not from what I've heard from FTE friends.

I'm at a classroom in the computer lab at school. Our class has the room reserved for class, but there are a lot of people here not in my class. Technically, class doesn't start for 10 minutes. I hope my teacher kicks these Outsiders to the curb because they are annoying.

There's no room for a chair in my room. I'll figure it out, though.

There is, however, a chair in my room! No, really. No, it is that heap of clothes.

Anyway, studying was accomplished. Wish me pentagram-geometry luck.

We just saw two completely black squirrels in our yard. I've never seen anything like that before. I think they may harbingers of evil. Which, not surprising up here.

There were plenty of black squirrels in Philly, though I was still way boggled when I first saw one.

I hate them all and want to stab them in the head with a barbecue fork!

Remember Gandhi, Hec. I reckon he'd aim for the lughole. You should do that.

I hate them all and want to stab them in the head with a barbecue fork!

I'd like it to be a rusty, dirty barbecue fork, please. Maximize the pain.

Good pentagram-geometry luck, Emily!!

{{Polgara and sister}} All my sympathy to you.

It's very good to hear all the cardiac dads are more or less okay at the moment. Still, heart~ma to keep them strong and around longer for their daughters.

Hec, I'll chip in a second barbecue fork. Then you can get really kung fu on them.

Hec, I'll chip in a second barbecue fork. Then you can get really kung fu on them.

Rent Kiss of the Dragon! It features the Amazing Histrionically Shoving French Detective!

Speaking of career angst, for the first time in over a week, there's a UW job in the range I'm applying for.

Problem is, the job description looks so boring I'm convinced I'd poke my own eyes out with a barbecue fork within a week.

Dammit. Want a job. If I could just get that out of the way, dw would have much more flexibility.

When was the last time you checked the private sector?

About a month ago. Basically, if I were to do more manager-like stuff, I'd be looking at a pay increase of 10-30%. If I stay strictly web, my salary would plummet, since they're really after the young kids they can pay 50 cents a Flash animation.

Thing is, there aren't a lot of jobs, and I've been sitting in the university the last five years as a lackey, despite the fact I am the alpha geek in this school, run all the web stuff, and even spent three months as interim academic programs manager. I'm not sure how any of that could translate in the real world anymore.

FTE w/benefits, that is. Not the recockulous amounts I'm occasionally paid to be a trained monkey with no actual standing or future.

Gawd, I miss the Boom. "$40/hour for web stuff? Why are you so cheap?"

All reports indicate that private sector around here fails to be all that and/or a bag of chips.

(Sure, it could have improved in the last 12 months, but given the track record for tech jobs in this city, I doubt it.)

Since the Crash, it's been a nightmare to be a techie in this city. I would think that four years out we'd have some significant washout of techies that would reduce the ratio of applicants/jobs. I think I've seen some of it -- a department I help with interviewing for a job opening had only 15 applicants for a position that had 36 in 2004 -- but it's still troubling that $30K is considered a good annual salary for an overtime-exempt web designer in this city.

I just checked the new 2006 premiums for the University health insurance plans.

One plan more than doubled its "family" premium. Most are up 10-20%.

Except our plan.

They cut the premium in half.

W. T. F????????

And I checked the state site, and it's true -- they cut the premium, and in the process they IMPROVED our coverage at the same time. So, in effect, I'm getting a 1% pay increase. Hurrah!