So....

[marsden_online]

July 1st. I am no longer working for the same company as I was yesterday. Never mind that the new name-badges haven't arrived, and the accounting system can't be switched to the new database until all the timesheets up to yesterday are processed, so no orders can be made. I'm supposed to have a temporary "Under Construction" page up (they decided that might be a good idea about last wednesday), but we haven't got hosting yet. The Marketing manager has made noises about a proper website "a few months down the track, the old ones will do in the meantime". Well no, I don't think they will. Not for what is supposed to be a leading technology R&D company.

It's going to be interesting watching the contortions as we move from a "not for profit" organisation to a profit driven company. The cheap literature access privledges are already vanishing. I suspect there are a good number of other similar costs we are going to start incurring. Still, I know my job is safe for at least a year. Probably two, before they start taking a good hard look at staffing. Hopefully I'll have wormed my way properly into a new niche by then, as my current one looks to be vanishing.

The reason I have time to write this is I can't get at some equipment I need to progress my current task. This is not unusual.

I feels funny to be talking about my job security when so many people I know are having trouble either with their current jobs or even finding work at all. Kinda guilty. I keep thinking that we're all intelligent, skilled people, there should be something we could start doing from scratch that would earn each of us a living. Some business/s we could go into. I just can't think what those might be.

I say we because I personally would also like to be earning more money, but doing something I want to do, for me. Running a place where people come to find space to play RPGs/network with other gamers for example. A drop in house for gamers, token cover charge on the door, tables, chairs, couches, a quiet room or two (extra charge), vending machines.

Pipe dream. Wouldn't make money here. Has been successful in at least one instance in the USA though.

Property investment holds some interest for me. But only if someone else (who I trust) is willing to do the paperwork. I'll supply the beginning stake, seeing as I have an asset base to work from. This is partly thanks to my incredibly generous parents, partly thanks to an innate ability to save money even when things are really tight. (Which oddly seems to decrease the less tight things get. I'm at least two months behind my current savings targets, dammit). That wouldn't really be an option for another two-three years though, which is when I technically stop owing money on the house. I'd be willing to back friends in other ventures as well if I judge they stand a good chance of a) succeeding and b) providing a suitable return on the investment.

I want to have an income of 50 thou a year (in the top 20% of NZers) by the time I'm 50, and not feel that I'm "working" for it.

Oh well. "Dreams are Free", as one person is very fond of telling me ;) I should go and see if the dryer is free yet.


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The next time the Universe knocks on my door, I shall pretend I'm not home.