Where to start?

Alright, so, some time has passed since my last post. So, I will try to fill in some of the blanks. As my last post indicated, we lost the contract for the weather squadrons to L3 and I asked my company (SAIC) to get us back to where we came from. I lined up a new position back in Florida, and my Business Unit in Hawaii was gracious enough to agree to spend the money and relocate us back. Between that, and some additional relocation from my current Division it was agreed to help and we were able to get back to Florida. What a whirlwind adventure, to say the least. Moral of the story - Hawaii is a nice place to visit but not to live - SO much had changed since the last time I lived there. Hawaii was way too crowded for what it was worth. Feels good to be back in Florida! We've managed to hook back up with friends and it all seems like a distant memory now. My new position is working with the Joint Special Operations University and so far, it is real cool. The people are real nice and the mission is very cool. Bottom line is, they need someone with my skills... It's great to be back and see Wayne & Rita, Jack, Camille, John, Kenny, and Tyler Cook, Rich Powers, Cliff, Ashley, Dave, and all the others. Thanks for making us feel welcome back here... Here's to 2009!

This is It!

Well, the week of contract negotiation is upon us. We should hear this week (on or about the 14th) whether or not we re-win our current contract or not. Sheesh... In any event things will be happening... Either, we'll re-win the contract, which means a PHAT raise for me, or we'll lose the contract which means either - new company with winning contract, with new offer (not likely due to the fact that if THEY win, they were low bid - no good), or SAIC finds me a new job 'somewhere'... Pretty open ended at this point. None the less, we should know this week... Stay tuned.

Also, I am starting a technical blog, since it doesn't seem appropriate to mix personal and professional together, so expect that real soon (especially in lihgt of the stuff I have been figuring out recently).

Anyways, mahalo, and hope things are well with everyone... Buckle up... Chat with you soon...

Wow... Been a while...

Alright, where to start? Well, been working a TON! So, needless to say, haven't had the time off I would like. We moved into our place and albeit "so far so good", it sertainly isn't what either of us would want long term. Work, is well... WORK (that is a 4 letter word BTW). I've had a few visitors at work from other Weather Squadrons and their attepts to show me things. I think they've finally figured out that I probably (from a true programming aspect) have a ton more experience than they expected. Ha... In fact, at lunch the other day, one asked if moving back to ColdFusion was a "step down". Well, yes, to be honest... I just wanted to live in Hawaii and there was no work for me in my last Division. Speaking of which, apparently that Division is all fucked up. Seems that all the good developerd have pretty much left (some crappy ones too), none the less, their development staff is hurting to say the least. Here is what happens when your "Big" Manager doesn't see what he/she has for staff and utilize them accordingly. That division had (key word) an awesome staff, but failed to see the potential and utilize them accordingly. 'Nuff said... Good luck Ash, if you see this. Uhm, let's see, our contract is up for recompete and we should see the outcome in the next 4-5 weeks. This will determine a LOT of my near future. In many ways, I hope we get it, in some, I hope we don't. In any event, we'll ride it out and see what happens... One good positive is, if we win, I get a big FAT raise... Sweet!

Digging my 350Z, except for not being able to open it up due to the traffic. The few moments I have been able to, she really scoots! It's amazing that the 'base' version has 287 HP, wow, that is a lot for a 2 seat vehicle. Can't wait to do some 'things' to her... Here is picture of her from a couple of weeks ago...

Anyways, figured it was about time to say HI again... So, hopefully it won't be so long before the next. Stay tuned!

Aloha!

Well, we made it to Hawaii! Arrived last Wednesday, grabbed a rental car, and picked up the girls - which BTW had NO issues, we were totally able to get them as direct release from the airport. That was a total blessing. I was real worried about how they may have done during the flight and such and they, funny, probably made it through better than either of us. They act like nothing ever happened. Heh... Anyways, we are here and settling in. Start new jobs tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes...

The Other Side

This is it for now, we'll catch you on the other side... Aloha and Mahalo...

More Hawaii info...

OK, it's official now, the "cats out of the bag" - We are headed to Hawaii. We should be there by next month (transfer has been started) and I am SO looking forward to it! It looks like Diana will have no troubles transfering as well, so it should be fairly smooth. The next few weeks will be very hectic as we prepare for the move - lots to get rid of... Aloha!

Hawaii Bound...

Well, things are happening quick here. I was offered the position in Hawaii on Monday and yesterday I agreed to it. So, basically in approximately 4 weeks I should be in Hawaii. There is still some negotiations in relocation and stuff, but other than that it is a done deal. Aloha! Mahalo...

Hawaii Interview

Well, I did my interview for a position in Hawaii last week. I felt it went well, so playing the waiting game at this point. Wish me luck!

ColdFusion Man returns?

Well, as it would be, I am in the works of trying to get a position that might actually put me back in working with ColdFusion! How exciting is that! Besides, these days I have done well in figuring out how to incorporate all my .NET objects inside of a CF app. This is very cool too! Makes it easy to leverage the powers of .NET within your CF app. I will try to keep ya posted on things, if and when they might happen...

Hawaii in the future?

Just to not catch anyone off guard, there is an excellent chance that I may be relocating to Hawaii in the future. I have started the process of preparing my 2 cats (Shelby and Jewels) for the Direct Release Program (meaning I can take them from the airport directly and they won't have to do quarantine). They only need their KSU rabies blood test still and 120 days from that date I can bring them in. I am so glad that Hawaii has eased their quarantine laws. Anyone who knows me, knows I would have tried to go back there a long time ago had their quarantine laws allowed for the direct release. Anyways, it is looking to be about March or so when we could possibly make the jump to the islands. I am SO looking forward to living there again. In fact, I have told Diana to push me to to one of the things I always wanted to do, be a surf photographer. So if and when we get there I plan to start taking a bigger interest in photography, in particular surf photography. Stand by on this one!