So, I got the word from my fabulous telecommuting job yesterday that they no longer feel that working with a telecommuting lead developer is the best solution for them. I can't say I necessarily blame them, as there are certainly some hurdles to be overcome with the current set up. They didn't offer me the opportunity to relocate to where the actual company is, but since I probably wouldn't do that it's pretty moot anyhow.

Apparently they would like to keep me on as a freelancing consultant for some other projects, so with any luck I'll have income from them even after I'm officially let go. Cross your fingers for me, because at the moment I'm not in a place where I can go without a paycheck for too terribly long. If I do manage to score a few projects from them right away, that will give me some extra time to look for a job here in the Portland area (or elsewhere if they allow telecommuting. I have grown quite fond of it and would love to continue.)

As luck would have it the news came right around payday, and this check was completely decimated by the fact that, in addition to rent and health insurance, I had to pay a pet fee and deposit to my landlord because I just adopted two cats. Both of them are sick with that upper respiratory crap that a lot of cats get at shelters, but they're eating okay finally and I got antibiotics from the vet yesterday which should help them kick it sooner rather than later. Other than waiting it out for their immune systems, the only problem I'm having is that one of them is not a big fan of the litter box. Hopefully that will pass too as he starts feeling better. I'm sure I'll break down and post pictures of them when they are happy and healthy and more photogenic.

I have been playing a lot of Pokémon Sapphire lately. My main Pokémon fighters, Lizaard and Gullty, are whaling the shit out of guys, and it makes me happy in the face of tending sick cats and preparing to find a new job. Between Lizaard and Gullty fucking shit up, a particularly supportive friend and the love of a wonderful woman, I find it difficult to be as annoyed with the world as I probably should be.