Thanks for all of your kind thoughts - I've managed to make it through the week having sent off about 30 job applications up and down the country (once I spent a few days updating my 8-years-out-of-date resume!) so we'll see what happens...<br><br>The situation was one of not getting new large clients fast enough, thus having to waste developer time on small jobs... plus a legal wrangle with a company we *used* to be associated with that meant we didn't get paid for two large jobs we had done. It meant 4 people leaving the company; 1 person going from full- to part-time; and of the 3 directors, 2 working for half pay and 1 for free until they get back on their feet. They were pretty heartbroken about this (it's a small company and we were a great team) and I wish them all the best, but I don't think I'll be back there on a permanent basis!<br><br>

G'day<br><br>I spent sometime on the payroll of a few companies without too much joy...even joining a gov't dept. once <br><br>Anyway these days I'm on my own nomadic journey working for whoever needs my services. If you've got the talent, this may be a way to go...though the lure of the beach or the local isn't far behind...<br><br>Good luck on your search mate!<br><br>

welcome aboard Bookrat..or as I like to call you, B'rat <br><br>

Thanks for the warm welcom OSXAddict.<br><br>

Welcome rat2<br><br>

Hey Hey Siletz. Good to see you around.<br><br>

I was just reading this page due to a search I did on finding info on BUGA-UP and I thought of you and this thread since, well... it is in relatively close proximity to you, being<br> Newcastle .......for those more interested in the principles of BUGA-UP start here<br><br>=============================================================<br>| "Behold the Turtle, he maketh no progress ==== until he sticketh out his neck." |<br>=============================================================

Thanks for the thought TreeBeard, although I don't know if Newcastle is quite the ghost town the article makes out!! Anyway, I am moving on... nearly a month after losing my job, I've secured a web development contract for 3 months in Brisbane - about 900km (give or take) north of Newcastle... so it's nice to know what I'm doing for the next few weeks at least. (Although it'll be difficult being apart from my wife for that long... some weekend visits will definitely be in order!!)<br><br>

keep these things in mind.<br>that love fears no distance, however great.<br>that absence makes the heart grow fonder.<br>she is only a days drive away but.. drive to within 50 K of home and stay the night in a motel... so as to be fresh when you see her :)<br><br>=============================================================<br>| "Behold the Turtle, he maketh no progress ==== until he sticketh out his neck." |<br>=============================================================