This is How it’s All Gone Down
🗓️ There
My “last day” at MAK System was the Friday, the 26th of September. Literally on the last day, I spoke to my manager and he apologised for not being able to renew my contract. I told him it was fine, and that I understood the situation. I thanked him for the opportunity to work with them, and we parted ways amicably.
The same day I was speaking to colleagues, and mentioned that I wasn’t going to delete all the links, accounts, files, code, etc from my Macbook until the coming Tuesday the 30th of September - just in case.
🗓️ And Back Again
Wouldn’t you know it! On the Monday, I relaxed. No job searching and I tried to have a lay in. Relaxed! Tuesday comes around and I jump on LinkedIn to see what’s available. And there’s a message from the same manager saying he’s got the renewal approved!
Same 3 month contracts, but I’d need to use a company MacBook Pro M4 instead of my own M1, and I’d have to do the same training that everyone else does. I thought about it for a bit, and agreed. I mean, it would be stupid to just turn down paid work when it’s right there.
I stipulated that I wasn’t coming back “that” week, as I had plans with the missus to go see Hercules in London.
So I went back to MAK System on the 6th of October.
🗓️ And Forth One Last Time
However, I knew that I couldn’t carry on like this forever. The uncertainty of 3 month contracts, no acceptable notice period of whether they’d renew or not, and the still unexplained politics behind them getting rid of ALL the contractors in the first place.
So I kept going with all the job applications, interviews, and so on.
That permanent role I interviewed for back in September - and did the take-home assignment for - and would have been my first choice in any event - went quiet. They eventually wanted to schedule a second interview, but I’d already taken a first and second interview with a company called Mesh-AI.
I got great vibes from them, and the interviews went well. The goal posts moved a bit, during the process, from an outside IR35 contract, to a permanent role, then back to a contract - but inside IR35 working with an umbrella company. I’d swore I’d never do that, but they made an offer too good to refuse.
So… I gave my 2 week notice today, and I’m looking forward to starting the new role. I’ll work hybrid in London, one or two days a week, do the 6 months, and maybe think about staying on permanently if they’ll have me and make a compelling offer. Or, since it’ll be springtime by then, and I might look for something else.
But for now, I’m a rolling stone gathering no moss.
Health Update
FINALLY got my MRI results back from 2nd scan earlier this summer. Basically, like the other MRI, they found nothing sinister. No disc herniation, no nerves being compressed, no spinal problems. So, there’s literally no good reason to be in any pain.
However, all that said, I’m taking WAY less painkillers than I was before. I’m down from like 8 tables a day to 1. Walking’s much easier and I’m not using a stick anymore. So, what the hell was that all about? Being this age sucks.
Liminal Dial Dot Net
I moved my radio site from underneath this site to it’s own home at liminaldial.net.
As always, you can add my RSS feed to your reader of choice and if you made it this far thanks for reading!
Chris