I really haven't been able to be around as often as I like, but here are a few updates (for those of you that are not on Facebook):
In May 2009, I got laid of from my job of 7 years with the AFM (national office). It was a life changing event because like many of you, i'm a homeowner with all bills that normal Americans have. I thought for sure I'd go into foreclosure - unemployment doesn't really provide enough to survive. All I know is that I'll never have to work for an organization that has consistently failed club musicians - as well, no more having to try and sell a product and service that just doesn't work. It was 7 years of disappointment working there.
When I started getting unemployment, I entered into a grant program admin'd by the State of Texas, funded by the US gov't called the Workforce Investment Act. It was designed to "re-train" people to get jobs in industries that are looking for peeps. They sent me back to college. I'm majoring in information security (IT).
After my first semester, I landed an internship at an awesome company (web hosting). There are some really brilliant peeps working there.
Back up a few months, I re-met a really, really great woman. Never married and no kids... I've known her since the 2nd grade. We grew up 6 streets down from each other.. She ended up moving in with me. (hold that thought)
Go ahead and fast forward to May of THIS year - the company hired me full time with a salary I really didn't expect to get (a lot more than I had thought). My new pay checks and health benefits started exactly one week after my unemployment benefits ended. I was on unemployment for 1 year and 5 days (nightmare).
So new job, new industry, gaining great experience and knowledge - with products that sell....
Even better - I found a wonderful woman..
Wait for it, wait for it...
The best news is that we're having a baby and got married on July 2nd.
Life went from complete carp to being very happy and full of excitement:
Amazing wife, a little mini-me on the way, and working for a company that I truly believe in.
Congrats on your new life !! 
...did she make you get rid of your Snuggie collection? 
