I seem to be an archaeologist for pay again

[hsapiens]

I won't say that it's an entirely done deal but I had a 2.5 hour meeting today with a good friend (whom I owe a really nice meal out and undying gratitude) and the board of a local archaeology non-profit. They need someone to be in charge of field labs, who can program in VBA, and who has experience as a material culture analyst. It has been a reeeeeeeeally long time since I was paid to be an archaeologist but I appear to meet their needs. It's contract work, which is not something I've enjoyed in the past, but the work that the foundation is doing is fascinating and it would be working for the public good so I am willing to reconsider.

Comments

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffft! Couldn't it mean Very Buff Archaeologist? They could be looking for someone to splash Daniel Jackson across their webpage? ;)

I heart you.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Doesn't it, though? :) :)

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

With cheese! It was about time for me to have some good news.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) I never wanted to stop being an archaeologist so I'm doubly excited.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Definitely I can talk about it. That's one of the things I *love* -- it's all about sharing information. I can't tell you how different that is from the last two places I worked.

CARI has several sites working right now. The largest and most promising is the first plantation ever in Texas, the Bernardo Plantation. They have an active dig in Freedman's Town that the Rice Field Methods Class is helping to dig.

Both of the principals are particularly interested in documenting African American history in the region as fleshing out our understanding of the African diaspora. (One of the principals, Carol McDavid is a recognized expert in this area.) I'm really excited about this because the Bernardo Plantation has mega-huge Texas history associated with it (it's where Sam Houston took delivery of the Twin Sisters). The Texas military bunked in the slave quarters during the Texas Revolution. Happily, the dig will not be ignoring the history of the slaves in favor of the sexier military stuff, as has often happened in the past.

Anyhow, ultimately the purpose is to document a comprehensive history of both those who "made history" and those who did all the work that made history. The emphasis is particularly on involving the community and sharing what we learn and the process. The foundation also takes on smaller side jobs as needed, but happily they do not constrict their work to an artificially defined area as often happened when I worked in Cultural Resources Management, which is the commercial side of archaeology.

From the discussion, I got the impression that the foundation is a lot more like working in academia than in the marketplace. Now, if they can just have enough work and money so that I can afford to *live* off of what the money (and by that, I mean pay my bills, my insurance premiums, a retirement account...all those things I have to keep in mind at age 41.)

ETA: I forgot to mention the other really exiting thing about Bernardo -- there have been Clovis points and mammoth found not too far down the river so there's a serious chance of encountering the world that makes MY blood sing: paleoindian!

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) I was overdue for some really good news. Now, if I can just cobble together enough work to earn a real living, I'll be ecstatic. I'll have to continue looking for full time traditional employment but even if I do get a regular job I could still work on nights programming and the weekends in the lab. I don't know how long I'd want to work days, nights, and weekends but the prospect of getting back into archaeology has me excited.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's a relief to have options -- and this one is such a juicy one. WOOT!

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

:) :)

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

I think the fun is a given. Now, can I afford to continue living a life that I've come to enjoy (roof, medical insurance, electricity, a cadre of expensive vets for the dog, travel, a retirement account, etc.)? That is the part I'm unsure of.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

:) :) :) :) It feels good to finally have some good news. *g*

[tejas.livejournal.com]

WOW! Talk about a dream come true! This is so COOL! You have *got* to keep us all updated if you end up with this position. :-)

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that cobbling together work to make a living is a bit more stressful than I had anticipated, especially in this economy. But when the work is work you actually enjoy, it balances out. I'm very stressed out right now, but I'm HAPPIER than I've been in a long time. Which is worth a LOT. :) I hope the same works out for you. With perhaps less stress. :)

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

It is! So long as I can afford to live. :)

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

You've been in my thoughts a lot as I consider this. I have no question that the content of the job is a dream. But I know myself and money worries are crippling for me. I'm not motivated by money so much as by the lack of it. I want my luxuries: a yard for the dog, expensive vets (he has his own ophthalmologist!), eating out somewhat regularly, traveling once or twice a year, bills paid, saving for my old age...

My luxuries may not be caviar and the Riviera but they're vital to my emotional well-being. That's what I'm most concerned about at this point. Plus, you know, trying to re-learn what I've forgotten since I was 25 and cram in everything new that's happened since then. Erp.

[slavelabour.livejournal.com]

YAY!

[drelmo.livejournal.com]

That is awesome covered in awesome sauce.

[la-directora.livejournal.com]

See, here's the thing. All of those things you describe are important to me, too. Thus the stress. :) But I'm trying very hard to have faith that my business is building and I'll eventually be okay. And get to travel occasionally and not be utterly screwed when I need to retire someday. :)

[casett.livejournal.com]

Just cruising by and saw this. Glad you are getting some good news in your life <3

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

With a cherry on top! :)

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Indeed, it is. I had no clue that there were jobs available in archaeology. Now, if I can just make it work financially, it'll be perfection.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I had a really hard year starting with Hurricane Ike in Sept 2007 and culminating in being laid off from a boring but steady (ha!) job. So now there's a real possibility that I can return to my first love.

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

We can commiserate, then. :) I want to make this work because I've never stopped thinking of myself as an archaeologist even though I've done nothing in it for such a long time. I need a benefits-supplying other job that will challenge me but not mind that my first passion is elsewhere. That shouldn't be hard at all. *rolls eyes*

[tubin.livejournal.com]

Keeping my fingers TIGHTLY crossed until it's a done deal!

[hsapiens.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) We're in a holding pattern until they get word about 2 different grants. They're very optimistic about getting them (hence the talking to potential contractors) because the Texas Historical Commission and the State Historian are involved in supporting the grant apps but until the grants are announced, we're in planning stages.