The great pretender

[NauticalGent]

I think I have mentioned this before, put thanks to this forum and a few of the members, I call them heavy-hitters - I would name a few but if I would leave someone out I would feel like a heel - I have been extended here in Italy for another 3 years.

Seems they like having a "programmer" (hard to keep a straight face when they call me that) on a short leash to make magic happen. Their words not mine.

I love the USA, but living abroad is an experience a lot of people can only dream about. If any of you yanks find yourself on the European continent, let me know.

For those of you already here, if you ever make your way to the boot, the pizza and vino rosso is on me. Hell, I might even come to you.

Sincerely, thanks guys, this was some great news to get today...might have to upgrade to Diamond now!

 

[pbaldy]

Congratulations! You're there because of your skills. We all learn from others.

Need an assistant? I'd love to live in Italy for a while.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Great news, Gent!

If ever you happen to plan a visit to New Orleans, give me some advance notice. If I'm still kicking, perhaps we can share a meal, but it won't be pizza. Here, it would be fried shrimp, fried oysters, fried fish, or fried alligator. Or maybe we can just get a bit fried ourselves!

 

[Frothingslosh]

Congrats!

(10-char)

 

[NauticalGent]

Gracie a tutti!

It's government work, which I am not too proud of. But in my advance to middle age, I have come to accept that I enjoy being able to satisfy my material urges.

After all we are living in a material world and I am a material girl...or guy. Hard to tell these days.

My wife and I were driving through one of the seedier areas in a nearby town and the working girls were out. My wife made a comment about how it must be terrible to live such a life. I asked her what made me any different from them?

Conversation took a down turn from that point...

Maybe that would make an interesting topic: Is our existence on this planet just various forms of prostitution?

 

[Minty]

Congratulations, I've been to Italy a couple of times (not Naples) and it is a great place to see. Working there must be really good.

 

[NauticalGent]

Congratulations! You're there because of your skills. We all learn from others.

Paul, true enough. I came to this forum as a user who knew how to design good objects but was missing the bells and whistles that make it all look, as Doc would say, "'purdy".

This site (and yours!) had played a MAJOR part in my ability to make those who pay me THINK that I am good enough to be paid.

Paid to do Access stuff and live in Italy...almost seems criminal.

But it is the awesome support from folks like you and the others who have chimed in here..."heavy hitters"...that make it happen. Cant thank you guys enough and if you ever make it over here, you have a tour guide and a place to stay...that is if you can handle the view! Looking out on my balcony at the southern farmland can be tiresome .

Thanks again!

 

[The_Doc_Man]

As to your other comments related to "working girls..."

I once was in a conversation with some folks having a good time and the topic of my employment came up. I was already a contractor at the time and understood fully my role, that my employer farmed me out as a systems administrator because of my special background. In answer to the employment question, I responded: "I'm a computer prostitute. I get in bed with your computer for money." About half of the crowd either didn't get it or were too drunk to get it.

Thinking about it, I have to admit that I still recognize the similarity. There are a few differences, fortunately.

At least my employers didn't ACT like a territorial pimp. Territorial? Maybe. Roughs up the low-performing workers? Never. Roughs up the competition? Only by winning more contracts, not by eliminating the other pimps... I mean, companies.

There was also no need for condoms. We learned how to have "safe hex" with our machines.

As long as we got paid (and as long as the boss got paid), almost any kind of service was allowed.

With the advent of remote desktop connections and advanced virtual terminal services, it got almost like phone sex. Didn't even have to wash your hands afterwards.

 

[NauticalGent]

So that's a "yes" then...?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Most definitely.

 

[NadiaVKhan]

Congrats on your success@!@!!