Umbral Echoes Blog

After having gone through a metric fuck-ton of resumés, many first-round interviews, and a sum total of only three people who got to the technical interview (two of which bombed it), it’s become apparent to me that my current workplace simply can’t replace me.  At least, not without a lot of luck — it’s nearly impossible to find someone with the necessary management skills and tech skills, who will be willing to work for the salary that they can afford.  They got lucky with me originally because I was a White Wolf fan boy, and not quite yet out of engineering school when they hired me.  So I was willing to take (far) less-than-average pay for the job.

So, seeing the writing on the wall, I gave the company owners two options.  One: July 30th, hell or high water, would be my last day.  Two: I remain with the company, contingent upon certain non-negotiable demands being met.

They chose option 2, and I’m satisfied that I will be able to find the personal and professional growth that I’ve felt has been lacking in my current position.  In fact, they went above and beyond my demands — for example, I demanded a raise, they gave me a bigger raise, saying they thought I deserved more.  As well as the promise of “decent-sized raises, especially in the next two review periods.”

This was a really tough decision to make — the White Wolf guys really are like family to me, and I’ve always wanted to be a game programmer (specifically, for RPGs). And the perks of working for White Wolf are nothing to sneeze at: on-staff chef providing free breakfast and lunch daily (and dinner two nights a week), cool-ass custom-made gothic “cubicles” (more like 4-man work areas), the most awesome work environment in the history of man, full benefits package with healthcare included in salary, a gym, a never-empty keg fridge in one of the conference room named “The Enabler,” monthly alcohol-soaked cookouts, etc. And more than anything, I miss my old boss, Chris McDonough. Having an awesome boss makes any job palatable, and having an awesome boss at an awesome company is exponentially better.

It is still possible that I might go in that direction eventually; I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground for possible college grads whom we might be able to train up to replace me. But if that does happen, it won’t be any time soon.

This does take a lot of stress off of me, though. In addition to everything else that’s been weighing on me lately, I was trying to learn a new programming language, and I’ve felt split in too many directions at once. That’s really been getting to me these past few months — I really can’t accept performing at anything less than my best, and I’ve been too unfocused to do my job as effectively as I can. Also, I won’t have to worry about money quite so much any more, which is another big weight off my shoulders. This means that I should be able to visit some of you that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to, even if it’s just for a weekend trip.

Overall, I feel as if there’s a weight off of my shoulders, but at the same time I feel a sense of loss.  But though I won’t be around the White Wolf crew on a daily basis, I am still invited to the company parties at least.

So tonight, for the first time in… I don’t know how long, I had a meal that wasn’t microwavable, drinkable, or even fast-foody.  I also learned that every Tuesday and Thursday night, White Wolf provides a very tasty home-cooked dinner for any employee who wants it.  This is in addition to providing breakfast and lunch daily.  Good food and balanced meals, not just standard cafeteria faire of soup, sandwich, and meatloaf.

It is amazing what a difference a good meal can make.  Physically, I feel better than I have in months.  Psychiatrists prescribe people pills to make them feel better because no one is willing to eat a healthy, balanced diet, and exercise regularly.  I’ve got the exercise down, but honestly I am pretty damn lazy when it comes to cooking.  Spaghetti is about as non-pre-prepared as I get.  I cook a mean chili, but it’s been years (and that’s not exactly “healthy,” either).  Which is all a  shame, because I love food.  Absolutely love to eat, to taste.  Must eat about every 2-3 hours in fact, or my body rebels.
Maybe it’s time to fire up the grill.

Okay, so it took me longer than planned.

Video - Chris McDonough deepthroating a corndog:

Video - The crew singing some Pat Benatar:

Pictures below the cut, so I don’t spam people’s friend page. Full gallery here.

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I forget sometimes how much I truly miss the White Wolf guys.  And more than that, I never realized before tonight how much they miss me — even some who never actually worked with me, like the Icelanders.  Anyway, I won’t be overly mushy here.

I drank from about noon until 9pm today.  It was grand.  I won a game of Liar’s Dice, I had more to drink than I planned (but less than sick-level), and I nearly made out with my former boss Chris.  The last was for a good purpose, I swear — he nearly convinced two hot chicks to make out with each other.  Also, yet again I made a name for myself by taking things a step too far.  Apparently it’s okay to joke about rough sex, but making hair-grabbing and thrusting motions is over the line.  And by over the line, I mean just just right.

Anyway, some media below the cut.  … Hmm, actually I’m tired now.  So, pictures and a bit of video of Chris deepthroating a corndog to follow tomorrow.  Check back. 

Tonight I partied with the White Wolf crew. Highlights below the cut, in video format. WMV, so sorry for those of you on Macs. I also breathed fire, but I do not yet have that video. And Justin Achilli made me drink horrible Icelandic vodka. Well, okay. He only asked me if I wanted in. Which, was the same way that I ended up guzzling and spitting lighter fluid. Man, lighter fluid burps are non-tasty.

Oh, also… the guy in the last clip LIT HIS FACE ON FIRE. But I didn’t catch that part on video. He got extinguisher to the face. Which I got later that night, too. It does not taste good.

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The past few weeks have been a time of endings, and new beginnings for me.  In both my personal, and my professional life.  But as they say, that which does not move, dies.

After having talked to some of you, and doing some soul-searching over the weekend, I’ve decided to accept the workshop candidate position at White Wolf.  The programming test shook my self-confidence — I didn’t know that my lower-level programming skills had gotten that rusty.  Had I taken that test 6 years ago, I’d have mopped the floor with it.  And I’ll get to that point again.  I’ve sent an email accepting the position at White Wolf, as well as one to the owners of my current company, OneBookShelf.  It will probably be another 6 months at least before I can make the transition, but that will give me time to hone my skills.

Well, apparently my initial impression was correct.  I am damn rusty.  Too rusty, in fact, for the White Wolf programming team in my current state.  I have been given the option to move into what is essentially a paid internship program, or possibly web work.  The internship thing doesn’t pay great, and with other goings-on, the pay rate will make the budget exceedingly tight.  Going into webwork isn’t exactly what I want to do, though there will be mentoring opportunity there as well, and learning of new technologies.

So, I have some things to consider over the weekend.

Today I did the in-person interview with White Wolf, which consisted of several more technical/coding questions, which I had to answer on the spot.  I honestly didn’t do as good as I think I’m capable of, but I didn’t bomb it, either.  One of the questions I later figured out how to answer, with a leading question from Cary.  One which was apparently supposed to have been given to me, but wasn’t (maybe because they’re trying to shorten the interview process).  I’m mad at myself for not seeing the solution earlier, but ah well.

Tomorrow I should have the final yay or nay result, but I’ve got high hopes after having talked things over with Cary and getting some feedback on my answers.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I passed the the programming test!  There is still an interview, which will involve technical questions, so my success is not guaranteed (there’s also the question of salary even if I do get the offer), but it’s looking good. 

Turned in the test a few minutes ago. Wasn’t able to figure out the last problem, but the rest were cake. I only hope that I can get partial credit, and pass based on that. I’m pretty disappointed in myself — it was the sort of problem where I knew how to do it logically, but just couldn’t put that into code for some reason. I’m pretty nervous now, and I expect that will carry over until tomorrow since I doubt the test will get graded before the end of the workday today.

So now I play the waiting game and try to prepare myself for the possibility that I won’t get an interview.

EDIT: Oh, and also thanks to everyone who wished me luck!  It’s much appreciated.  And if only I could spend blood points or Quintessence for a bigger programming dice pool.