I will likely post no more than very occasional updates going forward, unless something major happens. I've stated this before and soon found that I wanted to write regularly again. That's always a possibility.

Conclusion: If I fail to write for several months, this is not a cause for concern.

Current life action plan, by priority high to low:

1. Continue dilating

2. Find a job with benefits, whether it is contract, contract to hire or permanent - either in the Chicago area or somewhere else.

3. Enjoy life and have fun

I am not saying good-bye, just letting folks know how things are. My job search is occupying nearly all of my hours not used for eating and sleeping. I do not allow dilating to interfere with my job search.

great news good luck

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:49 am I will likely post no more than very occasional updates going forward, unless something major happens. I've stated this before and soon found that I wanted to write regularly again. That's always a possibility.

Conclusion: If I fail to write for several months, this is not a cause for concern.

Current life action plan, by priority high to low:

1. Continue dilating

2. Find a job with benefits, whether it is contract, contract to hire or permanent - either in the Chicago area or somewhere else.

3. Enjoy life and have fun

I am not saying good-bye, just letting folks know how things are. My job search is occupying nearly all of my hours not used for eating and sleeping. I do not allow dilating to interfere with my job search.

I will continue to look forward to seeing your updates. Wish you luck with your job search. Hope you find a job soon. Take good care of that pussy - you waited a long time for it.

I have been offered a 6+ month contract job in Pittsburgh. I am very familiar with this city, as most of my extended family lived there or in surrounding suburbs. Both Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh have transgender protections in place. Pittsburgh has a lot to offer. Although I like it, for several personal reasons it is not among the top places I would choose to live.

I just this minute accepted the contract offer, starting in about two weeks. This does not mean I will wind up moving to Pittsburgh. Contractors frequently accept permanent offers from other companies, and that could happen even before I would move to The Keystone State. Even knowing the nature of contract work, I felt guilty accepting the it. I dislike giving my word on something and then backing out. I called my close woman friend in Minnesota to disucss my feelings. She has been a hiring manager for permanent and contract jobs. She has worked most recently in a pemanent job but held several contract jobs in the first ten years of this decade. 'F' reiterated what I already knew. This is the nature of contract work. Many people want permanent jobs and are forced to accept contract work until something permanent comes along. She said that I'd be 'insane' not to accept a good permanent job to remain with a contract job. Contract jobs, at least the type I do, are not legally binding on the length of employment. As with any permanent job, with a two week notice I would be able to leave.

I am under active consideration for an excellent, permanent opportunity in Southern California. I hope to hear later this week or early next if the company wants a face to face interview. They will pay all expenses for an interview trip. If this outfit wants an in person interview and I am already in Pittsburgh, I will take a Friday off to fly to the west coast.

Later this week, I should learn if I will be offered a contract to hire position at a very good company in a northern suburb of Chicago.

If I move to Pittsbhurgh, I will sell or give away some of my things. Just about everything I own is in my bedroom. Some of it is too heavy and bothersome to move on my own. Contract jobs, of this type, do not always cover moving expenses. This one does not. Besides, I want everything I move to fit in my Ford Focus station wagon.

I am not thrilled about moving again, especially to a city that is not one I prefer. At the same time, I accept that I need to be working again ASAP.

Danya, I am happy that you have been offered a job. In the words of kung foo "Choose wisely Grasshopper".

Moving long distance can be hard. If you do move here, I hope you will find your stay enjoyable. Keep following your dream untill it becomes reality. I admire your strength and courage. I hope that you are offered a better position in a city that you feel comfortable living in. If not, just look at Pittsburgh as a six month adventure. Make sure you take the time to go to PNC Park and root for our Pirates, oops I digressed a little. I have followed your thread from the start and I am impressed with what you have accomplished. I know you will have a bright future wherever you go. Good luck!

woofpuppy (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:04 am Danya, I am happy that you have been offered a job. In the words of kung foo "Choose wisely Grasshopper".

Hi woofpuppy,

Thanks for the words of wisdom and for writing. There are several positive aspe

woofpuppy (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:51 am cts to the Pittsburgh job that make it very attractive.

Moving long distance can be hard. If you do move here, I hope you will find your stay enjoyable. Keep following your dream untill it becomes reality. I admire your strength and courage. I hope that you are offered a better position in a city that you feel comfortable living in. If not, just look at Pittsburgh as a six month adventure. Make sure you take the time to go to PNC Park and root for our Pirates, oops I digressed a little. I have followed your thread from the start and I am impressed with what you have accomplished. I know

you will have a bright future wherever you go. Good luck!

I've adjusted to the idea of moving again, but it would still be stressful. I really do like Pittsburgh and I'm already looking at this possible move as another adventure. Or part of a new adventure.

I can remember when the now demolished Three Rivers Stadium was being built; I have not been to PNC Park.

[Just a moment ago, I got a call from another recruiter about a permanent job in a close in northern suburb of Chicago. He is submitting my resume and expects the company to act quickly. This leaves me with more uncertainty about what the wisest decision really is. ]

Thanks for your thoughtful, and generous, words.

Best wishes,

Danya

Although I will likely move to Pittsburgh in the next week, I'd rather be moving to San Francisco, Portland (OR) or Seattle. Or be remaining here. Many articles I have been reading about Pittsburgh lead me to the conclusion that it is also a fine place to be. It certainly has changed a lot since the last time I visited in the mid-1980's. The economy is much more diverse, it has a vibrant downtown, it has fared relatively well through that latest recession and so-called recovery. I have always liked it.

I'm glad many of the abandoned factory sites are now places for new businesses and office complexes. This will make it easier for me. Nearly all of my 5 uncles and several cousins on my mother's side, and my paternal grandfather worked in heavy industries that either no longer exist or are mere shadows of what they once were. I might find it difficult to see visible reminders of what were once critically important places for my extended family's life. Particularly since most of them are now long dead or in other parts of the country.

It's possible a few cousins who might be open to me still call the area home. We lost touch many years ago, my immediate family moving far from the clan.

There are many things I want to write. I don't have time now. I'm meeting Erica Ann this evening for dinner and some nightclub time. To say good-bye. Erica Ann has always been terrific.

What's on my mind now, that I might write about later?

1. Trying to reconnect with my only niece. We are both on a business networking site and I can use that to contact here. She and I always got along before I transitioned. I suspect she accepted me after my transition, too. Her father, one of my unaccepting brothers, may have gotten in the middle. She is an adult now and not dependent on Dad.

2. What do I envision for my future and what steps can I take to make things happen?

3. Relationships - I may need to let go of some things to develop deep relationships

4. People who are role models for me, some of whom I have never met - including Theresa Sparks (San Francisco). Although I have never gone to TG support groups, role models have been and continue to be critically important reminders for navigating life.

I love the new auto-save feature of vBulletin Time to get ready for a night on the town.

I found out today that I will receive retroactive unemployment benefits. This would enable me to remain here for many more months. I am still going to proceed with moving to southwestern Pennsylvania in a few days. I made this decision based on a number of seemingly logical factors (several friends agree with my reasoning, if that proves anything ), and one feeling. That's another jump off the cliff and then building my wings on the way down sort of thing. It has served me well in the past. There come times when I need to let go of thinking about possibilities, and their potential complications, and go with what feels very right. This is one of those times.

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Congratulations on getting retroactive benefits!! Also on D #4. Take it slow, relax, think good (or naughty!!) thoughts, and you'll be fine.