Odds and Ends

Yesterday was my annual physical. Since leaving Synacor I've lost enough weight to be considered within a healthy range. Other things that checked out were heart, blood pressure, blood work, reflexes, and the finger exam.

Whoever comes up with a practical alternative to the finger exam could become wealthy.

On the job front:

• one call with a regional professional recruiter who was nervous. It was a bit of a roll reversal and uncomfortable.
  
• one call with the NY professional recruiter who was more social than business - it seemed to be managing my expectations down
  
• one application to Yahoo for an SRE based in Lockport. This may get stuck in the hopper
  
• one LA professional recruiter who flaked on a call time. I've rescheduled for today
  
• followup call with CIO for First Niagara. Went to voicemail - I doubt he will return my call
  
• followup call with CIO for Independent Health - She is going on a trip and probably won't get back to me until the end of the week
  
• voicemail to an inside contact as First Niagara. It is the 2nd voicemail. I don't want her to think that I'm stalking her so I'll probably back off.
  
• Finally, the tailor called to say that the interview suit wouldn't be ready. That is O.K. because I was getting the suit ready for the local professional recruiter, who doesn't seem to want to meet face to face yet

Progress, but no interview with a firm yet.

Definitely a health bonus to leaving Synacor

Certification Musings

While between jobs, I'm looking at the certification racket.

From the management side, there is an ITIL foundation certification. That particular certification doesn't seem expensive. Exam ~$200 and bootcamp style class for ~$500.

From the technical side, there are the RHCSA and RHCE certifications. The classes are a major gouge. The exams themselves are $400 each. I have the knowledge but there are a few areas I could brush up on. Books are about $40 but instruction ranges into the $3k-$7k range easy. That is why it is a racket.

Now a RHCA seems to be a nice certification but it takes work to get there. It requires an RHCE and about 5 other exams. Naturally it represents brainwashing the RedHat way but it does show the technical creds on building an infrastructure.

Anyone have thoughts on this one.