So I'm guessing folks would want details. The job (which doesn't have a cool nickname yet) is a 6 month contract doing Linux administration, with a little Windows and network thrown in on the side. I'll be working with one of my close friends, who I've worked with before, so I know we can keep work and personal separate. It's via a staffing service, so no 1099 stuff, staffing company is pimping me out for the contract, and paying me via W2. The job made it clear it's a contract position, but the idea is to get in, show off my mad skills and make myself indispensable so that at the end of the 6 months they'll hire me on. But...even if that doesn't happen, I have 6 months to hone my skills, pick up some new ones, and blow the rust off. The fact they hired me on the basis of my friend's recommendation, my resume, and a phone interview gives me a good feeling.

It's a Redhat shop, so I'll have to get some practice in. Shouldn't be a big deal, I'll just have to stop thinking Debian-esque all the time. I'll also be running on a Wintendo, that will probably be what I spend more time dealing with, but since it's mostly Linux my work will be in a ssh session. And I've always bragged that I could make any setup work 'my way' with little effort, time to prove it.

The money is good, real good. But I'm planning on sticking to my old Shoggoth Pit budget for the most part, using the excess to seed my savings and pay down debts. If it goes perm, I'll probably juggle it somewhat, but for now I'm planning that I'll be job hunting again in 6 months. I get benefits in 60 days from the staffing firm, but they're not anything amazing (the recruiter's words). But it will probably be cheaper than paying for it myself, so that will free up some bucks in March. Not much else in benefits, but that's the price of contracting. Get paid every week, which is kind of weird...I don't remember the last time I got paid weekly...oh wait, when I was temping as a Dell salesweasel back in Austin. So that's going to take some adjustment and budgeting rethink.

My start date is next week, kind of vague on when. I've got to pass a drug screen *laugh* and a background check *more laughs*, and do paperwork at the staffer before I start. I'll get more details Monday.

So yeah, I'm majorly excited, been happy dancing since I got the FYI. The anxiety about change will probably kick in Sunday. I need to pick up some business casual stuff in the next few days, get used to waking up bright and early, etc. It will be ok, it really will be ok. So wish me luck and mad skills, and I'll catch you all later.