raider_red's Journal: First entry, introduction

I guess its about time for me to use this journal facility. I've been keeping one on and off on k5, but that place is getting too hostile, and let's face it, too stupid for my tastes.

A little bit about myself: I am an electrical engineer with around five years of total experience. I'm on my third job since college. The first, with Motorola, I quit after 16 months because I hated it. The second, I enjoyed working at for three years, and four days, until my work group was eliminated, and I was ushered out the door. I guess three good years is about all we can ask in today's business climate. I've been at this job right at six months, and I'm actively looking for job number four. I don't dislike my current job, but I know it's not what I want to do for the long term.

It's been an interesting career so far. I've worked with satellite systems, ASIC design and verification, and RADAR systems. I've learned several programming languages, worked with both analog and digital hardware, designed websites, written software, built circuit boards, and written documentation. All but the last is great fun.

I am currently single. I broke up with my last girlfriend about two weeks ago. I think it's for the best. We just had views and outlooks that are too different.

I am currently living between two different towns. I have a house in Austin, Texas, and an apartment in Oklahoma City. I'm hoping to get a job back in Austin so I can stop driving back and forth so much. I might also consider permanently relocating back to Arizona, or to some other state. (Florida sounds nice.)

I grew up all over the world. My dad spent twenty-one years in the military, so we got to move about every three years. I've lived on both coasts of the U.S., Texas, in Germany (six years), Saudi Arabia (one year), and a few other places. My parents currently live in El Paso, and are still happily married after 30 years. I have no brothers and sisters, but I have several cousins scattered throughout the United States.

When I'm not working, I enjoy photography, writing, and travel. I also do a lot of reading, and I've done some work for various political and volunteer organizations. I have very eclectic interests, but try to avoid the television. (There's nothing good on!)

That's me in a few too many words. I'll try to write back here sometime in the next week.