I’m still plugging away on the job search. I know that I am competing against 50 to 100 people (or more) for many of the positions I have applied for. My lovely wife tells me that I should feel pretty good about being a finalist for a number of these positions. Yes, but I’d sure rather be employed than just feeling good about myself at this point.

I still have a tentative offer for an excellent position, but it may not start until 2010, and I can’t wait that long (and they know that). If I can find good temporary work, this might still work out. Until it is a done deal, however, I’m still looking for a permanent position.

Click here for a brief resume, or go to Ten reasons why you should hire me.

What does one do in a long period of unemployment, other than networking and working on applications?

• I’ve been taking GIS classes from ESRI to expand and update my skills. The course I’m working on now is “Creating and Integrating Data for Natural Resource Applications.” I also took a course on the geochemistry of gas shales this summer.
• Long walks in the mountains and foothills. I saw my first western tanager last week—a very pretty bird.
• Lunch dates with my wife.
• Reading books.
• Going to the apartment complex swimming pool with the family.
• We’re going to a Colorado Rockies baseball game this week. My wife found some seats for $1 each!
• Writing blog posts on The GeoChristian helps to keep me sane.

The greatest number of comments in the past week have been on my “Seeing God in nature” post. What is the difference between ID and the theistic evolution of Francis Collins? Is God a malevolent bioterrorist?

Grace and Peace