Settle in and let me tell you a little story. A couple years ago, in the before times of Jan 2020, I interviewed for a small company in New Zealand for a mechanical engineering position. It didn't go anywhere but they said I interviewed well and while my experience was about as directly related as possible, they went with a local candidate. Covid hit a couple months later so that was probably a good thing that I wasn't attempting to move halfway around the world in the middle of a pandemic where borders weren't exactly "open".
Fast forward to last week. One of the guys I interviewed with reached out to me on linked in to connect and asked how are things going. I commenced the small talk and said more of the same and I'm open to work down in New Zealand. I didn't expect much of anything but.........
I have an interview tonight, for a job that isn't posted, and that I didn't apply for. I'm on this weird inside track where I feel like I found a shortcut that is only accessible to people on the "inside". Except now, I'm on the "inside". It's all very weird.
Anyway, the company seems to be growing even though it isn't a very large firm. They have more people listed on their website, have more services offered, and have branched into oil/gas in the past few years.
Now the wheels are turning and I'm trying not to get ahead of myself but I couldn't help but look at some cars available in Christchurch. I found this. This is the easiest sell to my wife in the history of all mankind. I taking it as a sign.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell somebody other than my wife, who is on board in a big way - Not about the car, yet - but the move. That's all. Enjoy your Monday, Oppo. Send good thoughts this way.

Update: Turns out I'm a hell of a salesman. Or a con artist. I guess we'll find out! The last 24 hours have taken a hell of a turn.
Last night I come home to the missus opening a bottle of champagne. It's Valentines Day so nothing special. She tells me her job may or may not be going away in the next 6 months. I won't go into too much detail but Company A and Company B got together and had Company C. Company B doesn't like the fact the Company C seems to be playing favorites benefitting Company A over them and want a divorce. My wife works for Company C. Who knows how that will all shake out. We toast to a good interview from Monday and let the future come to us as it may.
I wake up this morning to a tentative offer for the job in Christchurch. Holy balls batman. There will be a deep dive with the missus about time lines and actively hoping she gets laid off. A severance package would come in handy for the logistics of moving halfway around the world. Salary is good. Just need to iron out a few details before accepting but it appears I'll be heading to the land of the kiwi.
Does anyone need a boat? Some power tools? A TV or two? Maybe an old surround sound. I may need to offload a few items.
In other timing. I just finished this damn thing and I'm not sure I can bring it. At least the dishwasher doesn't leak!
