Well, I’ve got some misc pieces of gear, a couple of 2610XM’s, a 3550, and some 2501′s, but thats it.

Just ordered the following:

2x 3550′s

2x 1841′s

1x 2522

So, as it stands, I need a 2511, a 2611XM, 2x 3560′s, and one more 1841 to be complete. I’m expecting within a month I’ll be completely setup matching INE’s topology. I thought about getting a 3725 instead of the 1841′s, but wanted to futureproof my lab to some extent. I might end up just getting a 3725 to replace the last 1841 which I dont’ have. That way if there’s any changes, I only have to upgrade one router (hopefully). We’ll see. Still trucking away on the written prep. I’m currently around page 585 in the exam guide. If all goes well, within two weeks I’ll be at page 850-900, and then I can have a week to review my weak sections before I sit the exam. After that, I’ll hit INE Vol I labs hardcore.

Hamilton, AL. Sounds good as anywhere, and I’ve been driving for 11 hours straight, only stopping to get gas and for the occasional bathroom break. By my calculations, I’m only 24 hours from my new job. I wish this other job back home would call, but beggars can’t be choosers, so keep chugging away is what I’ll do. Make my way through some backroads that make me think of the “blair witch” movie..and quite frankly, I’m a little creeped out.

Ahh..pass up a hole in the wall hotel. Call me stupid, but I have a rule when it comes to to lodging..they must be at least 2 stories for me to stay there. The one-floor stuff tends to charge by the hour, and I’m not exactly looking to get my wallet stolen by a cockroach, so I stick with the two+ floor rule, and usually it ends up alright. Finally find one..one of three hotels within 20 miles, and there’s a huge FEMA command center RV parked out front. A little naive, I wonder what the hell they’re doing there. Then I remember that only a couple of months ago torando’s ripped through parts of Alabama causing a lot of devastation. Here I am, feeling bad for myself- having to leave my family to go to a very well-paying job across the country..and some people don’t even have a home. Pretty humbling.

The next morning I get up early, and hit the road. I don’t really mind driving. I kind of like it actually. Seeing new places, and in my own, small way, understanding other parts of the country. When I’m about 50 miles east of Little Rock, AR, I get a call from a job recruiter saying I might have the job back in Florida. GREAT! But..he won’t know anything till tomorrow..or the next day. What’s the problem? I’m due to start the new job in only two days. I can’t shouldn’t turn around on a hunch I have a job, but I don’t have the time to kill in Arkansas- only to lose both jobs. I drive for another 25 miles, playing different scenarios in my head, and trying to figure it all out. Where am I going to live for the next 6 to 12 months, or more? It’s completely up to me. Go on to the west coast, live good, but miss my family. Turn around, possibly lose the job, and be jobless? Keep driving. As if the answer will suddenly come to me. Only thing that comes is mile marker after mile marker. After a phone call to someone who’s opinion I trust dearly, I go with my gut. I stop in Little Rock, find a UPS store (sounds easier than it actually is), and fax back some paperwork that my potential employer is requesting. I then hop in the car, and hit the road. This time, I’m heading east..and taking a leap of faith in the process.

Soaking wet, socks disappeared in my boots..only to be replaced with something that feels like mush. Water running pouring off my cap, only another mile to walk in this crap until I get another paper signed. I guess it’s fitting..I’m getting out of the army the same way I got in, soaking wet, cold, and unsure what the future held. There is one huge difference this time. I’m smiling. I couldn’t be more happy to be walking through water and this storm which would more accurately be called a “monsoon.” I get the last signatures, and ask about five times before I get out the door: “am I good? anything else?” Nope. Run. Run fast. Hop in the car and hardly look back. No time for seatbelts.

I head straight from there to the house, shower, and get ready for a big interview with a large mobile communications company. I clean up, don the suit- and try to imagine what it’ll be like. Cutting it way too close. I just got out of the Army 2 hours ago, and now I’m going to an interview. Oh, and if I don’t pass the interview, I don’t have a choice but to take this other job in Nevada, only a drive down the road…plus 2,350 miles. Good thing I work best under pressure. This position in Nevada is an amazing opportunity, but we’re building a house here. Roots are being set here.

I show up to the global headquarters for this mobile communications company. I sit in the car for a good 10 minutes, repeatedly saying “what the hell did I get myself into?” Oh well, with gas at near $4/gallon, I’m sure as hell not going home without something to show for it. I hop out of the car, grab the jacket for my suit as quick as I can, and make the walk while putting it on. It’s still pouring, but this is an interview..I mind if I’m wet this time. I rush towards the front door, and they open when I’m no closer than 15 feet away. “Damnit. automatic doors. GOOD ones. I’m screwed.” I confidently tell the receptionist I’m here for my interview, and she asks me to have a seat. The waiting area resembles the seats from “Men in Black” somewhat- you know, the ones Will Smith sits in while he tries to take the written test. I try to make myself comfortable, wait for the interviewer to come out.

Eventually, he makes his way out, and introduces himself. Rocking a nike shirt in a global headquarters..”this is MY type of job” is exactly what I was thinking. He badged his way into a door, and we went into a room for our interview. I made absolute sure to sit a little off angle since I had always heard sitting directly in front of someone makes you seem more confrontational. We did the interview, which I won’t bore anyone with the details of. As we’re walking out, I realize, I have no idea if I got the job or not. I THINK it went well, but who knows? I also thought that lebron james would go to the knicks, and that casey anthony would get convicted (and OJ too, for that matter), and that airlines would never charge for checked bags..so I’ve certainly been wrong before.

I left the interview, headed home, ready for the journey tomorrow. If you’re a little lost- don’t be. I had previously accepted a position out west (think near California)- a senior network engineer position. I would have been excited about it, except it was only a 6 month job (with potential to turn into 12 months), and I would be going without my wife and kids. Throw in the fact we’re building a home now, and staying here becomes much more important. That being said, I couldn’t just stay here, ignorantly thinking “hey, I’ll get a job eventually,” and ultimately end up jobless. I had to go where the work is. So, the plan was, head out there by car (I’m actually in a hotel as I type this), and if I get a call for any job back in Florida, I turn around….as long as the salary is reasonable. Well, this interview I did took place the day I was supposed to leave. I decided to postpone my trip until Sunday, so that way it gave the company a little bit of time to get back to me. Fast forward until present- I did get a phone call and it DOES look like I got the job in Florida. Time will tell.

For the tech guys out there feeling neglected because of my lack of technical information, I sincerely apologize. This blog has at times been a great outlet for technical articles/thoughts, but at others, just life in general. That being said, this position in Florida which I MAY have, will allow me to work from home up to 3 days a week, and is absolutely nothing but troubleshooting a large BGP network, as well as firewalls, IPSEC VPN’s, some layer 2, redistribution issues, etc. But mostly, BGP. This is fantastic, because, I still would like to prepare for the CCIE, but feel I need more experience with BGP. REAL experience. This would be a fantastic opportunity. Not to mention, since it’s almost all troubleshooting, it’ll allow me to be golden on the troubleshooting portion of the lab. More to follow on this..

Take care all. I’m going to hit the road and enjoy America. It’s pretty beautiful out there. Just ignore the power lines, billboards, abandoned cars, shady used car dealerships, abandoned buildings, hitchhikers, and “adult entertainment” stores- and you should be just fine.

It really is who you know, not what you know..most of the time. Recently, through a friend, I came under consideration for a consultant job with an IT services company. The position seems amazing, with the compensation/benefits to match. We’ll see how it ends up- as of right now I have a phone interview scheduled.

That being said, I have a newfound inspiration to get hot on studying. It’s rather unfortunate, in a sense, since I have had a strong interest in mobile app development lately, and I will need to drop that in favor of something that will pay the bills! Oh well. Learning is never bad. So, the big question becomes, go for the CCIP, or work on the CCIE written, and attempt to someday slay the beast?