One of the more serendipitous events of 2009 was that I started work at a local network storage company. It was about this time last year that I was on pins and needles waiting for a phone call that kept me waiting.

I started January 8th on a six-month contract, working as a system administrator supporting the company’s development lab. It’s a place with some very big toys – perfect for a geek like me. The team here is smart and funny and the boss is great, too. There’s Nerf dart wars almost every day and bagels and beer on Fridays. Plus I don’t wear a pager and I rarely have to take my work home with me.

It’s a pretty good life. If it ever turned into a full-time gig it might be perfect. For now my contract has been automatically renewing and looks to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.

Unemployment in North Carolina has topped 11%. I know many geek friends now looking for work. Having a job now, even if it’s just a contract, is a wonderful thing and something I feel very fortunate to have.