Bleeding Yellow
The last several months have been an exercise in frustration. Being out of work is not something I would wish on anybody. Being out of work, in Michigan, is even more frustrating. Things that would be absoutely unnaceptable any place else are considered normal here. It is not at all unusual for people to commute 100 or more miles, one way, in order to find work.
I've been told by many "in the know" people (recruiters, mostly) that my experience is too specialized, and perhaps I should consider learning some other technologies such as Visual Basic, C++, Java, CSS, DHTML, Windows API, JavaScript, XML, or SOA. And I've exhausted myself explaining to these same people that being an expert in Lotus Notes/Domino Development/Administration requires that I master all of these things and more. I've been told by many of these same people that career wise, it is simply not possible to find work in the field that I love, and that I really should try something other than Lotus Notes/Domino.
This isn't to say that I'm not willing to try out other platforms. Quite the contrary. At my core, I'm a problem solver and creator of things. I love challenges, and I love making useful things. Development for Lotus Notes / Domino has been my primary source of income since R3. I have stuck with this platform simply because it is the best one I've yet found. I've used many other languages, platforms, IDEs, and technologies throughout my career, but I've always come back to Lotus Notes. The simple truth is this: I bleed yellow.
Please forgive my impertinence, but telling me to give up Lotus technologies is akin to telling a heart surgeon to take up plumbing. They are both valueable professions, they both pay well, and they both have something to do with connecting tubes and making sure valves don't leak, right?
Which brings me to the main point of this post. I know I said in an earlier post that I wasn't going to announce this until Lotusphere, but the number of emails I've received has been astonishing, in addition to the number of page views. So I'm going to go ahead and announce it here and now.
I have accepted a position at Lotus 911 starting Monday, January 21st.
I've known many of the people there for many years, and others I've just recently met. Every one of them is excellent, and I am very proud to become a member of the Lotus 911 team.
Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. If you want something, go get it. Period." -Chris Gardener
The Pridelands
Chris Byrne
Show n' Tell Thursdays
Maddox
Comments
Posted by Chris Whisonant At 05:56:53 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Ed Brill At 06:10:03 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Frank At 06:10:34 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Vitor Pereira At 06:17:35 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Great post and great news!
Rock on Lotus 911 !
Posted by Curt Stone At 07:01:45 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Ben Langhinrichs At 07:21:03 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Alan Lepofsky At 07:28:57 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Rob McDonagh At 07:33:50 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 07:38:26 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Rob Novak At 07:43:19 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Chris Blatnick At 07:53:03 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Phil Randolph At 07:54:31 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Andrew Kelly At 07:56:29 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
As I went today for an interview not related to Lotus Notes at all, I have to admit that this entry was extremely hard to read. You see, Lotus Notes has been all I've been passionate about... she's been my baby longer than I've known my wife. She's been my love, and in some cases, my refuge. You're right, in Michigan, it IS almost impossible to find work, but it's even harder if you're more of a Domino administrator versus a developer. I'm divorcing my love, in order to protect my family. I'm glad you stuck with it. The community needs you!
Congratulations my brother! You deserve every success you get... and more!
Posted by Ray J Bilyk At 08:15:48 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Declan Lynch At 09:30:04 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
For the record, we ain't done yet.
Posted by Nathan T. Freeman At 09:39:30 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Brian Green At 09:43:13 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Dude, I'm so happy for you. And yes, Lotus911 has a pretty killer freaking team.
Congratulations, much cause for celebration!
You moving to Hotlanta then?
-Grey
Posted by Greyhawk68 At 09:44:41 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Have fun with Nathan, Chris and the team.
Posted by Keith At 09:47:11 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Mary Beth Raven At 09:59:49 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Gregg Eldred At 11:09:50 PM On 01/10/2008 | - Website - |
Great news for you AND Lotus911
Posted by Vince Schuurman At 04:02:25 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
The relief to be able to carry on doing what you love must be huge!
Posted by Steve Castledine At 04:24:18 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
@9: Not buying... bringing.
@14: I understand about protecting your family. I'll keep on praying for you brother.
@18: No, I'll be staying right here (although the commute is hell)
@20: Mary Beth Raven reads my blog!!?? I think I've just died and gone to heaven! (If y'all thought my ego was big before; y'aint seen nothin yet.)
Again, seriously, thank you all.
See you at Lotusphere!
-Devin
Posted by Devin Olson At 04:51:52 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Don McNally At 07:51:41 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
---* Bill
Posted by Wild Bill At 08:50:39 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Wild Bill At 08:50:47 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Ed Brill At 08:54:18 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
(Like Alan said though, a shame about the Nathan thing eh)
Posted by Ben Poole At 09:23:17 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Mrs. Chris Whisonant At 10:09:32 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Scot Haberman At 10:28:05 AM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Will gladly take one of your beers next week (christ that is scary saying next week).
They are very lucky to get you
Posted by Paul Mooney At 12:10:54 PM On 01/11/2008 | - Website - |
Now I am starting to get pissed off that I wont be at sphere this year to celebrate with you
Posted by Alan Bell At 02:17:09 PM On 01/12/2008 | - Website - |
Your perseverance to do the work you believe in makes a father very proud.
I am happy others believe in you as I do.
Love,
Dad
Posted by Carl Olson At 07:52:15 PM On 01/12/2008 | - Website - |
Dood, you will rock at your new gig. I've worked with you off and on for almost 10 years now. You've taught me a lot and bailed me out of a few (code) problems.
I'd say good luck...but you don't need any. Let's see...you have a great family, you get to continue coding on a platform that makes you happiest AND you get to brew your own beer?!?! I'd say life is pretty freaking great for you my friend.
I, too, wish I could stay on Notes / Domino so I'll just have to live vicariously through you.
Posted by Tony At 04:26:03 PM On 01/13/2008 | - Website - |
-Devin.
Posted by Devin Olson At 04:40:10 PM On 01/13/2008 | - Website - |
we are proud to have you.
@34-36 - Now I understand why Devin is who he is. Congrats to you both for the accomplishment you've achieved in him.
Posted by jimmy bracco At 09:07:27 PM On 01/13/2008 | - Website - |
Many congrats Devin - thats awesome news... Lotus911 is becoming quite some superteam.
Posted by Stuart McIntyre At 01:55:19 AM On 01/14/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Joe Litton At 11:07:35 AM On 01/14/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by Brett Patterson At 09:14:03 PM On 01/14/2008 | - Website - |
Posted by John Stack At 01:34:19 PM On 01/16/2008 | - Website - |
Life is very good right now. Very good indeed.
-Devin.
Posted by Devin Olson At 07:38:47 PM On 01/27/2008 | - Website - |