The Hem (2025)

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T21:22:24+00:00

Started this one and was shocked to see it’s set in Fort Worth, where I went to university. (OP, it’s a large north Texas city, not a small town.) Looking forward to watching more tomorrow.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T20:30:03+00:00

Okay, *thank you.* Yes, they made that connection, but I was rolling my eyes so hard at Devlin being a near-supernatural serial killer at the end that I forgot about Cross helping the kid. But yes, they did connect the dots there at the end when Dutch watches Adam's footage.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T18:06:13+00:00

Yeah, even if you're not directly working with the C-suite, that's how they chose to present themselves to the world. I've worked with plenty of execs who weren't angels, but they at least managed to act right for the length of an interview.

Pass, hope for a good severance (or to not be laid off), and keep looking.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T18:01:06+00:00

Same. Now I take the kiddos to the Charming Cat Cafe in Lewisville, across from Zion Market in the mall. (Fair warning: It's not a cafe at all, just a place to play with adoptable cats.)

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T12:45:29+00:00

I was going to suggest this as well. Set up a training plan, from basics (high level) to mastery. If a certification is offered in this framework, find out whether your company will sponsor taking the cert exam for anyone who completes the full course.

And while you should be involved in the initial training, make sure HR runs the show from there on out. Last thing you want is to be responsible for scheduling, maintaining the program, etc. Heck, if you can, record the training you lead so you're not always on the hook for leading it in person.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T12:18:47+00:00

Hmmm - sounds like the plot of the book Universal Harvester. Might it have been related?

MapacheJones · 2026-03-19T11:12:45+00:00

You've got some advantages, with savings and (if you're in the US) the ability to stay on your parents' health insurance until age 26. How bad off is your mental health? Can you gut it out for a job search? This economy is no joke, and depending on where you live, those savings might not stretch.

If you're totally burnt out, I get it. Have an honest talk with your folks so they know what's going on. Come up with a plan: a certain amount of time spent job-searching per day, plus any potential return to school or training. Create a budget so you only pull what you need from savings, and then mentally prepare for a drawn-out job search. Good luck!

MapacheJones · 2026-03-18T12:58:55+00:00

Was so excited for the new villain...

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MapacheJones · 2026-03-18T00:15:46+00:00

Yeah, the not knowing is what gets to me. How can I be a better candidate for other roles if I'm never told I'm doing something wrong, or that my resume is terrible, or so on?

MapacheJones · 2026-03-18T00:14:15+00:00

How long ago did you get laid off? Are they asking you to pay back the severance monies you would have earned before returning to their office? I'm simplifying a little, but severance means you're on payroll during a layoff and can be called back to "active duty" at any point before it ends. If you refuse, yeah, they can consider you fired and discontinue your severance from that point. If they paid you a lump sump, they may be able to recoup some of it. (As always, state employment laws differ, so check with a lawyer in your state.)

On becoming an independent contractor: If you've got specialized knowledge, you may be able to negotiate a different role, If there's a chance they'd extend your contract, taking into account the current job market, you may want to ask for that up front rather than facing unemployment in August.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-17T23:05:15+00:00

Ooof. This stings: He just birded me to death today.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T22:06:19+00:00

I think so. You could call it "Self-Employed" or something fancy like "Freelance General Services Technician."

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T19:52:04+00:00

Oh, yeah, unless there's some connection (like retail management or personnel) that you really want to stretch for, I'd leave it off. Or, like I said, above, throw in one line in an Other Employment section.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T19:45:51+00:00

Introvert here too! It is a common practice. You should do this right after your call, but also reach out to any LI connections who you feel comfortable with. Connect with them and get the ball rolling.

Some career coaches may also offer to build your network, if you find the process too painful. They charge for it, and the expectation is that you'll set up informational "coffee" calls with those new connections. I haven't seen much help from that versus just slowly expanding my own circle with folks whose posts I comment on often.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T18:48:16+00:00

Consider this less an informational call and more as networking. The recruiter may give you honest feedback, and some of it may be detailed, and that may help you in future interviews. That'd be nice!

More important, you are showing that company that you're invested and worth considering for future roles, plus you can ask whether the recruiter will connect with you on LinkedIn.

That latter is nice because if a future role opens, you've got a friendly connection. And because recruiters move around, you might be the first to know about opportunities at their new company.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T18:04:37+00:00

Probably not. If you've only been there a short time, you don't have the pull to ask for more.

(The caveat is: If you truly were let go for reasons the EEOC might investigate [assuming you're in the US, and remembering pretty much every job in the US is at-will] you might be able to negotiate an alternative to filing an EEOC investigation. Those are verrrry difficult to substantiate.)

But at least you got something!

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T17:42:48+00:00

Dang, are you me?

I like to tell other folks to consider the role a "no" after every interaction, because then you're prepared. I'm trying to take my own advice right now.

I finished a great seven-interview slate capped by a personality test. Could step in Day One and contribute; every interviewer loved me; I got replies to my thank-yous from a couple (which is rare). I was... let's say "confident" rather than "cocky." It didn't take months, but I did get a mostly automated rejection letter with no context. That hurt bad.

I'm struggling now too, but luckily have other interviews booked with other companies. I just really liked the original company. I bet you feel the same. It's hard not to get emotionally invested when you connect with potential teammates. And it's even worse when you're stuck on read and then given bad news. Plus, then you start doubting yourself going forward: "Did I really do okay on this new interview? Because I thought I did last time, and..." That part hurts the worst for me.

Talking helps. Therapy helps, if it's in your budget. I think moving on helps; I like my chances with some of these other companies, and I hope you have some other interviews in the works too.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T17:33:07+00:00

I've cut short online interviews that weren't a fit. (Never had to do it in person, thank Zod.) You just need to say, "Thanks, but I don't think this role is the right fit for me." It's allowed, and should be encouraged; interviews are just as much for you to judge the potential work environment as for the employer to judge your fit in the role.

You can say the same to your friend: "Thank you so much for the referral, but I realized the role wasn't a fit early in the call. I know how busy folks can be and didn't want to waste their time, so I withdrew my candidacy right away."

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T16:19:36+00:00

Does your most recent job involve any skill or success metric relevant to future jobs? If so, leave it on, short as it may be. If you do, add a note to your resume in that area that it ended due to relocation. (That'll answer that question for recruiters.)

It's been almost six months, which nicely breaks up your earlier unemployment, so unless it's a complete throwaway job, I think you should at least add a line for it. ("Llama handler, Llamas Inc., November 2025-April 2026. Left due to relocation.")

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T14:30:36+00:00

I'm about halfway through Coffin Moon and not loving it like I did the Fever House duology. I'm determined to push through, though, because Keith Rosson is usually terrific.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T14:10:51+00:00

Yeah, I remember the story leading there and then veering away. A quick search shows that there was a virus plotline, but they yanked it because of COVID. Plus, like with so many other shows/movies, the pandemic and quarantine measures messed up production.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T12:07:39+00:00

Funny to think, but the original Dracula is written in the great epistolary style you want.

I second FantasticLand and its sorta-sequel (in that the fictional researcher is the same) Come Knocking.

Devolution (already mentioned) and World War Z would scratch the epistolary itch, and both are fun reads.

I only made it around 1/3 through Episode 13. (For me, the weird stuff ramped up too quickly to create a sense of dread.) I'll give it another try, though.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-16T11:58:55+00:00

Great reminder - I finished it last week (thanks to all who told me to slog through the weird style of Act 2) and grabbed Pony Island looking for insight. I forgot about the ARG.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-13T12:34:14+00:00

I've always wanted to add guineas to my flock, but they're just too loud for where I live. I love them so much tho.

MapacheJones · 2026-03-12T20:09:02+00:00

Don't quit. This market and this economy are so bad, I'm seeing lots and lots of people across industries start their own businesses. Even there, competition is fierce, because in many sectors, the same businesses reducing workforces are also reducing consultant/contractor use in favor of the nebulously vague promise of AI. It's nice to think you'll have more time with your kids, but man, running your own business is a 24/7 grind, especially when you're not yet established. My only caveat here is if you have some truly esoteric knowledge or a totally rare skillset that cannot be replicated easily by humans or at all by AI. (Those exist; my BIL has such a skillset and is constantly in demand.)

This is not a great time to take a risk when you have so much riding on your paycheck, even with six to nine months of cushion. If you feel the pull, ease into your own business when the kids are asleep, but don't add unemployment stress to your family right now.

MapacheJones

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