Sometimes you just have to keep looking

Well, Bidding season is still upon us.  As you may have noticed, I haven't given out where we're headed yet. That's because I still don't know.

You see, while I still think my job is great, the way we change jobs kind of sucks.  It's not transparent at all, and it can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.  It definitely becomes more of a who you know type of thing.  If you focus on lobbying for a job that you aren't going to get because of internal politics, you've basically screwed yourself.  That's exactly what happened to me this time.

I bid on a position in a place that had a lot of bidders.  However, I started early, got my name known at post, and also got to the bureau where this position was to let them know I wanted the job.  My boss called into the DCM to let him know I'd be perfect for the job.  I had an interview that went very well, and figured I was a shoo-in for the position.  The school accepted Lovely Little Girl, which is the big problem usually, so everything was lining up.

I did go after one other position as well with the same force, but it was London and I didn't think I'd get it.  Turns out I was at least on their list.  This post I'd spent a lot of time and energy on came back and I hadn't even made their top 3.  Amazing.  Especially when I found out that someone from the bureau back in Washington had gotten the job.  If I'd known they were bidding I wouldn't have worried and focused on somewhere else.  But since I didn't, by the time I found most of the jobs were taken.

So now I'm looking at the wreckage of my bid list, and trying to find a place overseas that will take LLG and now me as well.  It's all very bad for the self-esteem, you know.  I could go back to DC, but I joined the service to serve overseas.  I've done two tours in DC, and that's enough for now, Thankyouverymuch!

See, if I was single, or even just married, this would be easy.  I'd go to Afghanistan for a year with Lovely English Lass, and we'd then go someplace nice afterwards.  Now, I have a responsibility to my family as well to make sure they are taken care of too.

Sorry to dump this on you guys.  It's just frustrating.  I took a vacation last week, and still couldn't shake this.    I know something will come along, but it definitely hurts when you do a great job, but it's still not good enough.  I'll just keep looking, I suppose.  Not like I have any choice, right?