Crossroads
What is in my future? It is very hard to stop asking me that question these days. If only I could fast forward a few weeks into the future and find the answer. If only I could spend the day like I spent most days last month: coding like a maniac and teaching myself new things from dawn 'til dusk, happy as a duck and without a care in the world. If only this could be my future. I can see the beginning of a few paths down the distance. After this long marathon, I am just sitting here, unable to move for a moment and contemplating the crossroads. What will happen next?

(Insert beginning of dream sequence right here)

Engel #1 managed to stay independent. He is a lean (seriously lean) and mean contracting machine working part time for a bunch of soulless corporations. The rest of the time is spent working on games. Independent games with his partner in Canada and his own non-profit open source baby. Money is tight, but this guy is so happy that all of his friends have stopped talking to him because he has become so annoying in his happiness. Who needs friends anyway :)

Engel #2 managed to get into one of the many Boston game companies. Surrounded by a bunch of really smart and passionate guys, he spends his days soaking in the game development ways, sometimes working long hours but enjoying every minute of it. He does not have to spend any time working on stupid things that do not interest him. His brain is in constant overdrive. Life is good.

Engel #3 has left Boston. Yes, by pure happenstance he got into this really cool California game company and is now living in the Silicon Valley. The company could not be any more perfect for him, but moving and leaving everything behind will probably have its consequences. Hopefully the family will like the change...

Engel #4 went back to work at a "normal" company. Just like in the old days, he is now pouring his heart and soul into a product with no other purpose than to make the big heads some money. After spending the day surrounded by some smart people and some salary zombies, he puts the rest of his energy into his personal game project. He is tired and progress is slow, but at least he is still doing some of what he loves, limited only by the amount of energy already spent at work and with the family. The dream lives on...

Engel #5 got into some serious money trouble and is yet another victime of the economic recession and that is all I want to say about him.

Oh man. What will it be? Today I have two more technical interviews over the phone. One with 2KBoston (the third one with them!) and one with Cryptic Studios in California. The other leads have gone cold or as good as cold. As soon as tomorrow I could learn whether any or both of these paths close up and disappear. If things go well, there should be an on-site interview soon, and those are brutal. How I got to talk to a company in California, I am not sure. It was not my plan, it just happened. Despite the giant relocation hurdle, so far they sound nearly perfect in terms of culture and way of thinking. Salary will be an issue anyway. They all gasp when I let them know how much I used to earn. Today I was contacted by my old company about some form of consulting work. That could be the start of another path. Ah, life...