I'm going to be in Minneapolis next week for a conference from the 19th to the 24th and just thought I'd check and see if any Buffistas were in that area and interested in getting together. I'm there for a conference, but it's pretty much done Saturday morning, and I'm there until Sunday when my flight leaves, so perhaps Saturday evening if anyone is interested. You can reach me at the e-mail in my profile.

I am applying for every IT job in N. Ireland that looks even vaguely interesting.

Please, I would love some jobma vibes.

The F2F board seems devoted to LA, so I'll post this here. Anyone in the Chicago area up for a mini-F2F this month? The weather's nice, and us college students aren't as overworked as usual. Plus, for the local newbies, it's a nice small trip to meet us, before a major one to LA. Anyone interested - email me at reallygoodname@lycos.com and we'll set up the where and when and whatnot.

I'm making the executive/pal decision to post the following over here on behalf of Steph L who had to run off:

Okay, please please PLEASE say a prayer or whatever you do if you don't believe in God.

I just got a call -- my dad is having a heart attack and is being airlifted to the hospital. Ironically, it's the hospital that is right by work. Yeah, *work.* Where I JUST LEFT.

I cannot fucking handle this. I can't.

I went on a journey of discovery today to find my Dad's new house.

He moved after I left home for uni. he is actually closer now than if he'd stayed but this is the first time I've gone to look at his house.

Had GREAT interview this morning. Totally unexpected. Call came last night at 7:30, interview this morning at 10:30. Was wonderful, great and I enjoyed the outlook of the company and the position. They wanted to do 2nd interview then, but other person was busy so they said they'd like to have me back tomorrow.

Hauled ass to second interview at 1:00 this afternoon. I met the owner, who looks like Sam kinison with white hair. Not kidding. Anyway, he liked me and they offered me the position. They offered it at the salary posted. I told them that I had 2nd interview tomorrow, they upped the offer by $1,500.00. I said I really felt that I had this obligation to the other company and I would let him know. This guy wants me to start tomorrow. So , he reluctantly said he'd wait to hear from me.

Just heard from my rep from the first interview. They loved me, they want me back tomorrow and when James (my rep) told them about the offer, they said "Oh. We can MUCH better than that."

So, I'm conflicted. But happy. More than one person hasn't been this interested in me since my boobs grew big in 10th grade!

Just because we could use a teensy bit of good news today and it's all I have to offer -- I got a 9.05% raise, of which my boss informs me that 4.3% was departmental performance, and 4.75% (out of a possible 5%) was individual merit. So I guess they still like what I'm doing and how I'm doing it, and I guess I can afford those Angel Season 1 DVDS this month after all....

Dad update:

Dad is fine, in the sense of not dead or incredibly damaged. He did have a heart attack, *I* beat the aircare to the hospital, I was in pain (and drugged for it, so groggy and cranky), and started contemplating how I had no one in town to calm me down.

Dad has, in the past 11 years, had (as of today) 3 heart attacks -- all minor -- and quadruple bypass surgery, as well as at least 9 or 10 angioplasties. Which is what he had today -- his quadruple bypass used 3 arteries and 1 vein, and veins have a nasty tendency to re-occlude because they're smaller and have a different patency than arteries (basically, stuff sticks easier).

So the vein graft had re-occluded (for the 3rd time in 5 [6?] years), and the docs went in and opened it and put a stent in.

Sadly, this is "routine" for him. He's good -- tired, sore, and hungry, but good. I saw him before the angioplasty, and he was fine -- chatty and good color, and I knew he'd be okay.

But he's 61, and this ain't easy on him.

Anyway, he'll probably be home tomorrow.

So. Sigh of relief. I'm exhausted, and sore, and I still hurt and still have a numb foot. But my Dad's okay.

I love you guys.

I'll be in LA 3/22-3/25 and SF 3/26-3/29. Would be very happy to meet local Buffistas.

I know I have used more than my fair share in the past 2 weeks, but I am asking for more (huge personality problem according to my mother. Like she can talk).

At 3:00 pm PST, I have the 2nd interview with the GREAT company. I really, really, really want this job. Please send all jobma and good thoughts towards Arco Plaza in downtown LA today.

Thanks sososososososososo much, guys.