I am, unfortunately, getting going on the job search again. The two places I interviewed at have been very slow in getting back to me, indicating either a lack of interest or a lack of organization. Either way, it's pissing me off. So I'm moving on.

The contract job has been going well. I'm getting along well with my co-workers, and it sounds like they might want to extend my contract beyond the initial end date. However, the commute is driving me insane and the work is mind-numbing at best, so if at all possible I'd like to find something more permanent (and less painful).

At the one-week mark at my contract job, a few thoughts…

I managed to get the flu over the weekend. I don't think I've been that sick since I got an ear, eye and sinus infection two years ago. Feverish and freezing at the same time, I reached a point on Saturday night where I couldn't actually remember what it was like to feel good. Now, I have a runny nose, sore throat and might've torn a stomach muscle sneezing, and I feel great! Also, shout-out to the Editor for taking a Nyquil-addled elbow while we were sleeping on Saturday. Sorry, again.

More fun with my new co-workers. I had lunch with the soft-spoken fellow and, after some conversation, he told me that he'd been rejected by eHarmony.com. Me, being gullible, responded, "Oh, just like those commercials!"

"Commercials? What commercials?"

"Match.com has commercials advertising to people who've been rejected by eHarmony."

Once I returned to my desk, I reflected on our conversation. The reason he said he was rejected was that he'd rather stay in and watch TV than go out. Is it possible that any person who watches a lot of TV hasn't seen one of those Match.com commercials? No. No, it isn't possible.

So he either was trying to make a joke, I misunderstood, and once he realized how stupid I am he decided to keep going with it, or he was just flat-out lying to mess with me. Either way I think I like him more for it.

I started my contracting job today. After some debate I've decided to keep writing — I have a job now, but who knows for how long?

My first surprise of the day: I realized that I'd missed working in an office. Rolling out of bed and working in my pajamas was nice, but there's something to be said for cube farming. However, I did not miss driving to work. More than two hours of driving, in rain, sleet and snow, is not time well-spent.

I have two contracting co-workers, one on each side.

To my left, a soft-spoken fellow who appears to hate all products Apple. To my right, a leprechaun-sized chap who has decorated his cubicle with photos of his cat and husband. Both were very helpful throughout the day, and I'm anticipating a fruitful one- to two-month relationship with both of them.

Best of all, at the beginning of the day I was given an ID badge with one of those stretchy lines that I clipped to my belt loop so I could pull it out and swipe it (that's what she said!) whenever entering the building. I've never had one of those before, so that was cool.

Miracle of miracles, it finally happened!

I interviewed for a contract position on Monday, took a skills test on Tuesday, and received an offer for the position on Thursday. It was difficult not kissing my cellphone when the offer came through.

I start the job next Wednesday, after I get back from my out-of-state interview. I also had an interview yesterday — one for a permanent position that would eventually require a move. One thing my job search has made me realize is that, while my current living situation worked perfectly for my previous job, just about anything I find for my new job will either mean a ridiculous commute or finding a new place to live. I'm not particularly enthusiastic about this prospect, but having a job will make up for it.

With my applications starting to receive responses, and the interviews going well, I've encountered a new problem: how do I deal with prosperity?

I've got three interviews next week, and one I'm traveling for the following week. I'm fairly confident (and yes, I know I'm jinxing myself) that at least one of these interviews will result in an offer. So what do I do now?

The Editor says I should continue on as though there aren't any prospects — scour the job boards every day and continue applying. I understand the logic, because there aren't any guarantees with these interviews, but I know what I'd like to do. I'd like to get the two month contract I'm interviewing for on Monday, and then get the job I'd have to move for the following week (giving me some income while we find a place to live and get ready to move).

With that in mind, how do I deal with my other interviews, and how do I proceed with my job search outside of these interviews? Obviously I go to the interviews, but if I get an offer (a big assumption) how do I put them off until I've had my other interviews? For some reason I don't think they'd appreciate me saying "I need to wait until I've interviewed for a job I want more than this one," so how would I deal with this (admittedly unlikely) scenario?

Regarding the search outside of the interviews I already have scheduled, should I continue on as though nothing is different or put all of my energy into preparing for these interviews and then resume the search after?

I realize I'm getting a bit ahead of myself with these interviews, but the Editor is currently finding places for us to live if I get the job that would require a move, so can you really blame me?

I gotta say it was a good day.

Two face-to-face interviews today, and one by phone.

I started out by amazing myself with my ability to use my Magellan navigator. The lady in that box doesn't always give me directions when I need them, but she always gets me there in the end.

The first interview went well. Met with two people at a staffing agency. We reviewed my resume and discussed my qualifications. They indicated that they had a contract job for me and scheduled an interview with the client tomorrow (tentatively).

The second interview also went well. Met with a lady at another staffing agency. We reviewed my resume and discussed my qualifications. In the end we decided that the contract she was trying to fill wasn't for me, but I actually came out of this feeling better than I did after the first one. While I got along fine with the people at the first interview, at the second I had a better rapport with my interviewer. The Editor will claim that I'm a flirt, but my response is that I'm simply doing a good job of marketing myself. If one of my strengths is that I work well with others, shouldn't I show that off?

Finally, after finishing up the interviews and driving home, I called in for my final interview of the day.

This one went better than the other two combined.

Again, my interviewer and I had an instant rapport but this time I was a fit for the position — I described myself as a wagon-puller and she said that was exactly what they were looking for — so we scheduled a second interview where I'd meet her staff. This job would require that the Editor and I move, but we're too busy being happy about me having prospects to care (well, she's actually already looking at houses in the area in case I get the job, but I'm happy enough for the both of us).

Things are starting to look up.

I've been a bit depressed of late. For those reading the blog, the posts have been fewer and farther between. For the Editor and our small army of animals, I've been (putting it mildly) grouchy. I hadn't been getting many responses on my applications and, when I had heard back, the interviews didn't go well. This week has been a different story.

I had an interview on Monday that appears to be a solid lead. From the way it ended I should be called in for a face-to-face. Today I got a call on a contract job and will be interviewing with them in person tomorrow.

Even if they don't pan out these leads have me feeling a lot better.

I got a call from my mom.

We started off talking about the rest of the family; my sisters and dad are doing well, and everybody's certain that David Archuleta will be winning American Idol. Then we moved to the job search. I told her that I hadn't gotten any solid leads, just a couple interviews but beyond that nothing.

She said, "Well, I'm sure you'll do fine. You always come out of bad situations better off than you went in to them."

I agreed with her and, with a laugh, tried to sound unconcerned until we said goodbye…

In the past, I have always come out ahead when things have gone wrong. When I lost my job I was certain I'd do it again. But when I had my interview yesterday it didn't go well. I was overconfident, and as a result I seemed completely unqualified for the job.

I have been overconfident. Until now I'd relied on my abilities as a quick study, gotten myself in the front door, and excelled.

Now, I can't get in the front door. I can't even get anyone to answer the door.

My next interview is in a couple days, for a job that would require that I move (assuming I'm offered the position).

It wouldn't be a move across town, or even within my current state of residence. It would be a move taking me from one coast to (very nearly) the other. I can't say that I'm excited about this prospect — I'm very happy where I am. However, at a certain point I need to accept that telecommuting is most likely not a possibility. If that's not going to happen, it seems a move is inevitable.

It was pointed out to me today (thanks, Editor) that I haven't posted in a while.

I've tried a couple times this week, but each time have been unable to get started. The purpose of this blog was to chronicle my job search with an eye towards the humor of each day or event I described. I'm no longer finding my situation to be very funny.

I'm tired of looking at jobs, tired of submitting resumes, and tired of being ignored. More than that, I'm tired of keeping score in a game that I feel I'm losing. Where's the fun (or funny) in that?

The one face-to-face interview I've had (on Monday) went ok. I felt like I acquitted myself well, but while I was there interviewing for a part-time job they were, in fact, looking for a full-time employee (error in their post on craigslist). I told them that I couldn't afford to take the job at the per-hour rate they were offering, and that if they decided they wanted part-time, off-site support in addition to the full-time position they were seeking I'd be interested. They said they'd think it over and let me know. I haven't heard back.

I've been going back and for with a woman at a consulting firm, but every time we've had a phone interview scheduled she's canceled. That doesn't exactly make me feel as though they're interested. Other than that I have a phone interview scheduled for next week. If I end up getting that job it would be necessary for me to relocate — something I'm not keen on doing.

So, all in all, I can't say this is going well.

On the positive side I still have three-quarters of my severance package coming to me and, after that, unemployment. I'm using my free time to educate myself, learning some skills that should make me more attractive to prospective employers. Whether or not that will actually help me find a job, I can't say.

The long and short of it is this: I'm bored. As much as I try to stay active there is no sense of achievement in my day-to-day. I never realized how much having a job kept me sane.