Good bye folks - we're moving to L.A.
03-21-2008 | 08:13 PM
#1
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
Good bye folks - we're moving to L.A.
11 May is my tentative report date to Fort Rucker, AL. I've never been to Lower Alabama before, so this is QUITE an adventure!
Yesterday Morning I got a phone call:
"Hi. This is Deena from Fort Rucker Alabama. We have you as a referral for a Strategic Planner position. Are you still interested in the job?"
"Sure!" I had NO Idea what job she was talking about though. I'd applied for a half-dozen in the past few months.
"Great Darin - can you conduct an interview, right now?"
(stumbling) "oh. Wow. Sure thing!"
She asked me a few basic, generic interview questions..most I think I nailed. Are you a team player, if so, why? Give me an example of a project you've lead, etc.
After about 10 minutes of that she said "Now...do you have any questions for me?"
"I sure do" I said.
"What about me, based on what you know from my resume, would make me a 'strong' candidate for this position?"
"Well, your military experience for sure, and your experience as a strategic planner for a Army Corps, and this Interview, really"
(score!)
"Well thank you!" I said
"Great, Darin, if you don't have any other questions..."
"Oh, I do!" I said
"If I were to be offered this job,and accept. Fast forward 6 months. If my Supervisor thinks I am a success or succeeding in my duties, what does that look like? What will I have done, or what would I be doing which equates with 'success'?"
(insert crickets.)
"Well, we are a brand new office - we're just setting up now. There's on GS13, and we're hiring two GS12s. Our mission parameters have yet to be defined..." she went on for 5 solid minutes without specifically answering.
(BIG SCORE!)
Then I start talking about the challenges they're facing standing up a Strategic Planning cell - we did that here, too. We chit-chatted about some of the things they are facing, and I've faced here. I concluded reminding them to not let themselves get overwhelmed by the process. Let the process work FOR THEM, not 'them for the process'...and don't forget to take time to BREATHE. As we said our goodbyes I gave them the obligatory "Great, thanks much...and take the rest of the day off!" They laughed quite a bit.
The said I'd know next week if they offered it to me.
They'd pay all moving expenses...to include Realtor expenses, moving, a House-Hunting Trip for me and Mary (airfare, lodging, food, rental car) for up to 10 days, etc. I'd only officially gain about $300/year (their pay scales are quite a bit lower than ours here)...but I figure our mortgage will go down about $500/month AND we'll have a bigger, nicer place, with a HUGE yard, too! so - that's like a raise. It's a grade-increase, most importantly, which will enable me to apply for other, higher grades. (to go from, say, a GS11 grade, to a GS12, you must have been a GS11 for 52 weeks. Therefore, this GS12 job will help me get to GS13..and so on).
So - about 11:30 am today I got a call from the Personnel Center at Fort Rucker officially offering me the position.
I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I'll likely head out first, then bring the family there after the school year.
But - I'll be around, on the boards, and I still have family up this way, so as we visit, I'll set up 'let's all drink!' nights.
My plan (right now) is to sell mary's truck, drive the RX8 down to Rucker in time for my 11 May report date, with mary and the kids living here until the end of the school year. After that, I'll fly back here, and drive them down in the Subaru.
For now. Plans will likely change, of course.
Yesterday Morning I got a phone call:
"Hi. This is Deena from Fort Rucker Alabama. We have you as a referral for a Strategic Planner position. Are you still interested in the job?"
"Sure!" I had NO Idea what job she was talking about though. I'd applied for a half-dozen in the past few months.
"Great Darin - can you conduct an interview, right now?"
(stumbling) "oh. Wow. Sure thing!"
She asked me a few basic, generic interview questions..most I think I nailed. Are you a team player, if so, why? Give me an example of a project you've lead, etc.
After about 10 minutes of that she said "Now...do you have any questions for me?"
"I sure do" I said.
"What about me, based on what you know from my resume, would make me a 'strong' candidate for this position?"
"Well, your military experience for sure, and your experience as a strategic planner for a Army Corps, and this Interview, really"
(score!)
"Well thank you!" I said
"Great, Darin, if you don't have any other questions..."
"Oh, I do!" I said
"If I were to be offered this job,and accept. Fast forward 6 months. If my Supervisor thinks I am a success or succeeding in my duties, what does that look like? What will I have done, or what would I be doing which equates with 'success'?"
(insert crickets.)
"Well, we are a brand new office - we're just setting up now. There's on GS13, and we're hiring two GS12s. Our mission parameters have yet to be defined..." she went on for 5 solid minutes without specifically answering.
(BIG SCORE!)
Then I start talking about the challenges they're facing standing up a Strategic Planning cell - we did that here, too. We chit-chatted about some of the things they are facing, and I've faced here. I concluded reminding them to not let themselves get overwhelmed by the process. Let the process work FOR THEM, not 'them for the process'...and don't forget to take time to BREATHE. As we said our goodbyes I gave them the obligatory "Great, thanks much...and take the rest of the day off!" They laughed quite a bit.
The said I'd know next week if they offered it to me.
They'd pay all moving expenses...to include Realtor expenses, moving, a House-Hunting Trip for me and Mary (airfare, lodging, food, rental car) for up to 10 days, etc. I'd only officially gain about $300/year (their pay scales are quite a bit lower than ours here)...but I figure our mortgage will go down about $500/month AND we'll have a bigger, nicer place, with a HUGE yard, too! so - that's like a raise. It's a grade-increase, most importantly, which will enable me to apply for other, higher grades. (to go from, say, a GS11 grade, to a GS12, you must have been a GS11 for 52 weeks. Therefore, this GS12 job will help me get to GS13..and so on).
So - about 11:30 am today I got a call from the Personnel Center at Fort Rucker officially offering me the position.
I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I'll likely head out first, then bring the family there after the school year.
But - I'll be around, on the boards, and I still have family up this way, so as we visit, I'll set up 'let's all drink!' nights.
My plan (right now) is to sell mary's truck, drive the RX8 down to Rucker in time for my 11 May report date, with mary and the kids living here until the end of the school year. After that, I'll fly back here, and drive them down in the Subaru.
For now. Plans will likely change, of course.
03-22-2008 | 02:49 AM
#4
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
omg... I'm sorta still in shock from Volney and Tracy moving... and now you!! Wow.... 
You're not gonna be that far from OK - you guys should meet half-way on some twisties Volney has almost none where he is.
You're not gonna be that far from OK - you guys should meet half-way on some twisties
Volney has almost none where he is.
03-22-2008 | 09:00 PM
#5
Registered
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Edmond, OK
Wow. I am in shock too. I guess the southern migration is on. If you decide to drive through Okalahoma City on your way down in the 8 or the subaru, we would love to see you and you and the family are more then welcome to stay with us. We have plenty of room.
03-22-2008 | 09:27 PM
#6
Power!!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,412
Likes: 3
From: Sunny See attle
OMG!!
Darin congratulations! We're sorry to see you go but that's a great opportunity!
We'll need to all get together before you leave so we can properly wish you on your way!
You'll definitely be missed.
Darin congratulations! We're sorry to see you go but that's a great opportunity!
We'll need to all get together before you leave so we can properly wish you on your way!
You'll definitely be missed.
03-24-2008 | 01:32 PM
#8
PaPa Bear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: Miami, Florida
I was based at Rucker during the sixties. Stay out of the slop shots and off the pogey bait.
Back then it was a very nice base as I was Cadre working there. You have a ninety mile straight shot south to Panama City, FL which is one of the nicest areas in Florida. I used to jump in my Morris Minor every Friday afternoon and headed for PC. Dothan, AL used to be the hosiery and peanut capitol of the U.S. Now all the hosiery production has moved to China, but still has a lot of nuts.
LOL
Back then it was a very nice base as I was Cadre working there. You have a ninety mile straight shot south to Panama City, FL which is one of the nicest areas in Florida. I used to jump in my Morris Minor every Friday afternoon and headed for PC. Dothan, AL used to be the hosiery and peanut capitol of the U.S. Now all the hosiery production has moved to China, but still has a lot of nuts.
LOL
11 May is my tentative report date to Fort Rucker, AL. I've never been to Lower Alabama before, so this is QUITE an adventure!
Yesterday Morning I got a phone call:
"Hi. This is Deena from Fort Rucker Alabama. We have you as a referral for a Strategic Planner position. Are you still interested in the job?"
"Sure!" I had NO Idea what job she was talking about though. I'd applied for a half-dozen in the past few months.
"Great Darin - can you conduct an interview, right now?"
(stumbling) "oh. Wow. Sure thing!"
She asked me a few basic, generic interview questions..most I think I nailed. Are you a team player, if so, why? Give me an example of a project you've lead, etc.
After about 10 minutes of that she said "Now...do you have any questions for me?"
"I sure do" I said.
"What about me, based on what you know from my resume, would make me a 'strong' candidate for this position?"
"Well, your military experience for sure, and your experience as a strategic planner for a Army Corps, and this Interview, really"
(score!)
"Well thank you!" I said
"Great, Darin, if you don't have any other questions..."
"Oh, I do!" I said
"If I were to be offered this job,and accept. Fast forward 6 months. If my Supervisor thinks I am a success or succeeding in my duties, what does that look like? What will I have done, or what would I be doing which equates with 'success'?"
(insert crickets.)
"Well, we are a brand new office - we're just setting up now. There's on GS13, and we're hiring two GS12s. Our mission parameters have yet to be defined..." she went on for 5 solid minutes without specifically answering.
(BIG SCORE!)
Then I start talking about the challenges they're facing standing up a Strategic Planning cell - we did that here, too. We chit-chatted about some of the things they are facing, and I've faced here. I concluded reminding them to not let themselves get overwhelmed by the process. Let the process work FOR THEM, not 'them for the process'...and don't forget to take time to BREATHE. As we said our goodbyes I gave them the obligatory "Great, thanks much...and take the rest of the day off!" They laughed quite a bit.
The said I'd know next week if they offered it to me.
They'd pay all moving expenses...to include Realtor expenses, moving, a House-Hunting Trip for me and Mary (airfare, lodging, food, rental car) for up to 10 days, etc. I'd only officially gain about $300/year (their pay scales are quite a bit lower than ours here)...but I figure our mortgage will go down about $500/month AND we'll have a bigger, nicer place, with a HUGE yard, too! so - that's like a raise. It's a grade-increase, most importantly, which will enable me to apply for other, higher grades. (to go from, say, a GS11 grade, to a GS12, you must have been a GS11 for 52 weeks. Therefore, this GS12 job will help me get to GS13..and so on).
So - about 11:30 am today I got a call from the Personnel Center at Fort Rucker officially offering me the position.
I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I'll likely head out first, then bring the family there after the school year.
But - I'll be around, on the boards, and I still have family up this way, so as we visit, I'll set up 'let's all drink!' nights.
My plan (right now) is to sell mary's truck, drive the RX8 down to Rucker in time for my 11 May report date, with mary and the kids living here until the end of the school year. After that, I'll fly back here, and drive them down in the Subaru.
For now. Plans will likely change, of course.
Yesterday Morning I got a phone call:
"Hi. This is Deena from Fort Rucker Alabama. We have you as a referral for a Strategic Planner position. Are you still interested in the job?"
"Sure!" I had NO Idea what job she was talking about though. I'd applied for a half-dozen in the past few months.
"Great Darin - can you conduct an interview, right now?"
(stumbling) "oh. Wow. Sure thing!"
She asked me a few basic, generic interview questions..most I think I nailed. Are you a team player, if so, why? Give me an example of a project you've lead, etc.
After about 10 minutes of that she said "Now...do you have any questions for me?"
"I sure do" I said.
"What about me, based on what you know from my resume, would make me a 'strong' candidate for this position?"
"Well, your military experience for sure, and your experience as a strategic planner for a Army Corps, and this Interview, really"
(score!)
"Well thank you!" I said
"Great, Darin, if you don't have any other questions..."
"Oh, I do!" I said
"If I were to be offered this job,and accept. Fast forward 6 months. If my Supervisor thinks I am a success or succeeding in my duties, what does that look like? What will I have done, or what would I be doing which equates with 'success'?"
(insert crickets.)
"Well, we are a brand new office - we're just setting up now. There's on GS13, and we're hiring two GS12s. Our mission parameters have yet to be defined..." she went on for 5 solid minutes without specifically answering.
(BIG SCORE!)
Then I start talking about the challenges they're facing standing up a Strategic Planning cell - we did that here, too. We chit-chatted about some of the things they are facing, and I've faced here. I concluded reminding them to not let themselves get overwhelmed by the process. Let the process work FOR THEM, not 'them for the process'...and don't forget to take time to BREATHE. As we said our goodbyes I gave them the obligatory "Great, thanks much...and take the rest of the day off!" They laughed quite a bit.
The said I'd know next week if they offered it to me.
They'd pay all moving expenses...to include Realtor expenses, moving, a House-Hunting Trip for me and Mary (airfare, lodging, food, rental car) for up to 10 days, etc. I'd only officially gain about $300/year (their pay scales are quite a bit lower than ours here)...but I figure our mortgage will go down about $500/month AND we'll have a bigger, nicer place, with a HUGE yard, too! so - that's like a raise. It's a grade-increase, most importantly, which will enable me to apply for other, higher grades. (to go from, say, a GS11 grade, to a GS12, you must have been a GS11 for 52 weeks. Therefore, this GS12 job will help me get to GS13..and so on).
So - about 11:30 am today I got a call from the Personnel Center at Fort Rucker officially offering me the position.
I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I'll likely head out first, then bring the family there after the school year.
But - I'll be around, on the boards, and I still have family up this way, so as we visit, I'll set up 'let's all drink!' nights.
My plan (right now) is to sell mary's truck, drive the RX8 down to Rucker in time for my 11 May report date, with mary and the kids living here until the end of the school year. After that, I'll fly back here, and drive them down in the Subaru.
For now. Plans will likely change, of course.
03-24-2008 | 11:41 PM
#14
Mu ha.. ha...
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 3
From: Cali
I ss goin back dittle dittle dee to Alaba dittle dittle dee
Where the skys so blue dittle dittle dee and I wil miss you dittle dittle dee
Better get use to hearn tha fiddle if your movin down there boy!
Where the skys so blue dittle dittle dee and I wil miss you dittle dittle dee
Better get use to hearn tha fiddle if your movin down there boy!
03-25-2008 | 12:13 AM
#15
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
Thanks all, for the wishes. I'm drawing up plans now to either drive, OR, if they'll ship two cars, Ship the RX8, then fly in and meet it. I'll keep you posted, Volney, if I get thru OKC, aight?
03-27-2008 | 10:45 AM
#16
Bimmered
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Lynnwood, WA
Glad you're leaving! No wait I mean Congratulations!!!
I am concerned though, you've never been to the Armpit of the nation and you're moving there??? Scary stuff indeed. Having spent 4 years at USSOCOM in Tampa, with a good number of months spent in Macon Georgia, and a little time in Charlotte NC, I am a little worried about you bro. The weather, the mindset, the people.... I dunno, I don't think you could pay me enough to move back.
BUT, I hate heat, Humidity, and being sticky, and I hate crowds so admittedly the South and I were at odds from the word GO. It's the only region I've lived in that made me miss Omaha Nebraska and USSTRATCOM.
There some obvious bonuses though as you mentioned. Property is dirt cheap, so is the over all cost of living. You can be living large in the South on high 5 digits. Which is funny cause you gets hoards of folks making right around that convinced that they are truly "ballers". Silly yeah but the low cost of living will do that.
Best wishes and good luck in all seriousness, I am certain you are going to have a good time and that the move will be a positive one for the family. Cheers Bro.
I am concerned though, you've never been to the Armpit of the nation and you're moving there??? Scary stuff indeed. Having spent 4 years at USSOCOM in Tampa, with a good number of months spent in Macon Georgia, and a little time in Charlotte NC, I am a little worried about you bro. The weather, the mindset, the people.... I dunno, I don't think you could pay me enough to move back.
BUT, I hate heat, Humidity, and being sticky, and I hate crowds so admittedly the South and I were at odds from the word GO. It's the only region I've lived in that made me miss Omaha Nebraska and USSTRATCOM.
There some obvious bonuses though as you mentioned. Property is dirt cheap, so is the over all cost of living. You can be living large in the South on high 5 digits. Which is funny cause you gets hoards of folks making right around that convinced that they are truly "ballers". Silly yeah but the low cost of living will do that.
Best wishes and good luck in all seriousness, I am certain you are going to have a good time and that the move will be a positive one for the family. Cheers Bro.
03-27-2008 | 04:54 PM
#18
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
Glad you're leaving! No wait I mean Congratulations!!!
I am concerned though, you've never been to the Armpit of the nation and you're moving there??? Scary stuff indeed. Having spent 4 years at USSOCOM in Tampa, with a good number of months spent in Macon Georgia, and a little time in Charlotte NC, I am a little worried about you bro. The weather, the mindset, the people.... I dunno, I don't think you could pay me enough to move back.
BUT, I hate heat, Humidity, and being sticky, and I hate crowds so admittedly the South and I were at odds from the word GO. It's the only region I've lived in that made me miss Omaha Nebraska and USSTRATCOM.
There some obvious bonuses though as you mentioned. Property is dirt cheap, so is the over all cost of living. You can be living large in the South on high 5 digits. Which is funny cause you gets hoards of folks making right around that convinced that they are truly "ballers". Silly yeah but the low cost of living will do that.
Best wishes and good luck in all seriousness, I am certain you are going to have a good time and that the move will be a positive one for the family. Cheers Bro.
I am concerned though, you've never been to the Armpit of the nation and you're moving there??? Scary stuff indeed. Having spent 4 years at USSOCOM in Tampa, with a good number of months spent in Macon Georgia, and a little time in Charlotte NC, I am a little worried about you bro. The weather, the mindset, the people.... I dunno, I don't think you could pay me enough to move back.
BUT, I hate heat, Humidity, and being sticky, and I hate crowds so admittedly the South and I were at odds from the word GO. It's the only region I've lived in that made me miss Omaha Nebraska and USSTRATCOM.
There some obvious bonuses though as you mentioned. Property is dirt cheap, so is the over all cost of living. You can be living large in the South on high 5 digits. Which is funny cause you gets hoards of folks making right around that convinced that they are truly "ballers". Silly yeah but the low cost of living will do that.
Best wishes and good luck in all seriousness, I am certain you are going to have a good time and that the move will be a positive one for the family. Cheers Bro.
After 1 year in Korea, a few years in Alabama (although just as foreign) will be NO sweat...erp..I mean a LOT of sweat...but I'll be there WITH my family.High 5 digits? Brother, I'm a poor Gov't worker making a few bucks an hour and we'll have a mansion compared to what we have now - with the same mortgage payment.
Some online sources say the city/area we're looking at is as much as 20% lower cost of living. Median salaries are only in the 40K range. I'll make 7 digits (counting those to the right of the decimal) and feel as though I'm doing quite a bit better than I am here. :D Look at this line (albeit from Wikipedia):
(in 2005) The median income for a household in the city was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $45,025. Males had a median income of $34,475 versus $22,572 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,539.
That's sort of a problem. After living in 3000-3500sq ft, with a pool, 3 or 4 car garage, on +/- 1 acre for $325k, in the event i move BACK, I'd be pretty pissed off at seeing what I could likely not afford. Even on whatever my salary would be, say, 5 years from now (+10-15K, I'd guess). There's a reasonable chance, by then, I'd have trouble buying the house I'm selling now.
03-28-2008 | 10:43 AM
#20
Bimmered
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Lynnwood, WA
Gotcha Bro, I will say this for the South, there are a LOT of critters to mess with, and a lot of Natural Beauty. Not to mention that depending on where you are at, and if you can move far enough away from the base, folks in the south are pretty damn friendly and easy to get along with.
I knew the cost of living was lower but Dayum... Sounds like you will be living large. As for the moving back here thing, it was felt when Pam and I left Tampa and came here and it's exactly what you are talking about. We had the pool, the big house, hardwood, yadda yadda... Move up here and... Not so much.
Sounds like a good opportunity, and not a bad time to be moving...
I knew the cost of living was lower but Dayum... Sounds like you will be living large. As for the moving back here thing, it was felt when Pam and I left Tampa and came here and it's exactly what you are talking about. We had the pool, the big house, hardwood, yadda yadda... Move up here and... Not so much.
Sounds like a good opportunity, and not a bad time to be moving...
03-28-2008 | 03:25 PM
#21
Man, We Ain't Found Sh*t!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 318
Likes: 2
From: Earth
so since you are leaving soon, does that mean you will be going on the shamrock shuffle II drive for one last huzzah? saw you at lewis last friday.. we passed each other on jackson road.. you waved and i honked..
04-23-2008 | 05:21 PM
#22
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Darin, You gonna surprize us and go on the drive this weekend before you leave town - the 27th? 
We're going out to the coast this time, so it's sort of in your neck of the woods. And Nemesis8 has *promised* to show up for part of the drive 
If the weather is good, the kids could play on the beach 
We're going out to the coast this time, so it's sort of in your neck of the woods. And Nemesis8 has *promised* to show up for part of the drive If the weather is good, the kids could play on the beach
04-29-2008 | 08:57 AM
#23
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
House is up - listed over the weekend, JUST In case anyone wants to buy my place!
http://www.johnlscott.com/propertyde...ingID=31810312
http://www.johnlscott.com/propertyde...ingID=31810312
Last edited by dmp; 04-29-2008 at 09:02 AM.
05-02-2008 | 11:44 PM
#24
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Very nice Darin! Darn - too bad it's so far away... my daughter and her boyfriend were looking for a house and it would have been great!
What's the latest on the move? When do you take off, or are you already on the road?
What's the latest on the move? When do you take off, or are you already on the road?
05-03-2008 | 01:48 AM
#25
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
I leave 16 May, about 6am. I'll fly back 21 June. 25, 26, 27 June the Army will pack up my house, and we four (and our three cats) will fly out for Alabama on 1 July. I can't believe it's all happening so fast now, ya know?
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