Comment Re:Cut your own trail (Score 1) 306
Yeah, that's what I've done to a certain degree. Ramping up to a point where you're self sustaining is a challenge, though. Any advice, slashdot?
Yeah, that's what I've done to a certain degree. Ramping up to a point where you're self sustaining is a challenge, though. Any advice, slashdot?
The PS3 controller takes a lot of getting used to. I think I come from the same generation you do (Doom. Oh yeah. Played that sucker on a projection TV. The Imps were life size!), and I'm part of that Keyboard/Mouse/Joystick demographic that finds modern console "controllers" to be less than satisfactory.
So don't shout at 'em to get off your lawn. Just challenge them to an Unreal Tournament deathmatch on the PS3. You get to use your keyboard and mouse...
Heh. Don't worry about me. I'm actually in O.K. shape, thanks to contributing to an (>>>ROTH) IRA when I could. The point here is, follow your bliss when you're young, then screw your ass down and prostitute yourself when your old because teh Conservatiods want to give all your tax dollar to Haliburton and all your social security to Wall Street (did you forget that little maneuver during the Bush Years) and you can go live under an expressway ramp when you're 70. Unless that virus that only kills liberals and people over 60 finally gets approved (KIDDING! KIDDING!).
Bitter? Me? Nah. I'm just a cranky old man...
I'm 55, a programmer, and I've been out of work for two years. I've had plenty of interviews, but no job offers. Here's my take on all of this: I'm too old to be a programmer. I'll put my "management hat" on and tell you why:
1. I'm old. One 5 hour energy drink revvs up your basic 20 year old code monkey all day. I need a saline drip with caffeine in it all day to keep going.
2. I'm expensive. I have 30 years of experience in the 'biz and a masters degree in CS. I'm not cheap. You could hire two 25 year olds for what I'm asking.
3. (and what I consider to be my greatest failing in the corporate world) I've seen all the tricks. I've been exposed to every nasty little mindgame management has at it's disposal. And sometimes I have the bad manners to call people on it. This is called "having a bad attitude".
So when I compete against 20-somethings in the worst economy since 1929 (I hesitate to say the worst economy ever), I lose. I should have made the leap to management when I had the chance, not because I would have loved management (I would have had to manage assholes like me, after all
The suggestion to "Follow Your Bliss" only works in an economy that's not run by sociopaths. Hell, it only works in a country that's not run by sociopaths. Strike one strike two. Tighten your belt, put as much money away as you can, and make sure you keep your health up. Because the era of "company loyalty" is over, COBRA for a family costs as much as your mortgage, and finding a new job is going to be a real challenge.
Other than that, have a nice day!
I get interviews. I don't get job. Big Hint: I'm over 50
Oh...nevermind...
what a great idea for a movie! I'll cut you in for half the profits!
You give me hope in These Troubled Times, man. THANK YOU.
stirring the pot since 195
"If I do not want others to quote me, I do not speak." -- Phil Wayne