A little Texan help, please

[the captians wench]

So I've been chatting with a head hunter the past few days. He has an Owner/Operator that he'd like to set me up with, but it's in Texas.

Now I've lived in Ohio nearly my whole life. The only thing I really know about Texas is that it's huge and has a lot of dessert.

The guy owns 10 stores in the Odessa/Midland area. This is all still in the very early stages, but I'd like to gather as much information as I possibly can so that I can make an informed decision.

So if anyone can give me well anything on the area, I'd be most obliged.

 

[JMohegan]

Look who they elected governor. Three times, for cryin' out loud!

 

[CutieMouse]

Odessa/Midland area is West Texas, near the Panhandle, which means very hot summers, and cold/icy/snowy winters.

It's ranch land - think prairie, prairie, university/college, prairie, oil well, prairie, natural gas well, prairie, cattle lot, prairie, university/college, cattle lot, prairie... Having said that, there's $$ in Midland/Odessa; I have clients who fly into Dallas a few times a year, just to go shopping.

The general population is more likely to be staunchly conservative (not necessarily Republican); although the only "blue" county in the entire freaking state is Travis County (Austin/State Legislature). However, there are Universities (associated with the Texas Board of Regents) in both Midland and Odessa, so it isn't like there's no life at all...

But yeah. It's West Texas. Lot's of oil/gas; lots of ranches; very down to earth people.

And JM, Pretty Boy Perry is a bit of a twit, but you can't blame everything on him. Texas Legislature is set up such that the Lieutenant Governor actually has significantly more political clout than the Governor. Perry isn't quite a figure-head, and no one is happy with his idiotic trans-central corridor mess from a few years ago, but as Texas politicians go, he's okay. Not great, but okay.

 

[clock1]

Cutie is right. Midlands/Odessa is the middle of no where. The interstate speed limit is even 80 MPH out there because it is so delolate.

However, it is the hometown of Jim Hall, and houses a museum for his cars, so it cannot be all bad.

Did anyone mention that it is desolate?

 

[Keroin]

Wenchie,

I have a very good friend who lives in Midland. I was actually there for a visit in Oct/Nov. If you have any specific questions, please pm and I can pass them along.

It is pretty desolate out there...by my standards...but the people were very nice. I know that housing is an issue because the oil is booming again and there are a lot of people coming to that area to work. I was shocked at how much it cost me for a mediocre hotel room. So, that's something to look at and consider.

 

[Etaski]

Also the area where the Bush family owns land, if I recall correctly.

I've only driven through there before but it took a while. I got a few impressions but didn't meet any of the people.

Primary colors were gold/brown (dry prairie), blue (big open sky) and...maybe an occasional dot of green but it was summer time and hot. Might be more green in the spring. I'd expect winters to be pretty chilly but not quite as bad as Oklahoma.

Very few landmarks, higher winds, and it will be susceptible to tornadoes and other violent summertime storms. Most of Texas is (in)famous for supercells.

Lots of bovines. The occasional whiff of ranch is quite unique.

Homemade fried pies. Cherry. Pretty damned tasty, actually.

 

[CutieMouse]

Also the area where the Bush family owns land, if I recall correctly.

The Elder Bush family is from Odessa/Midland; I believe they were in oil & cattle... then again, most big name families in Texas are in oil & cattle. LOL The younger Bush actually lives in Dallas.

 

[the captians wench]

Wenchie,

I have a very good friend who lives in Midland. I was actually there for a visit in Oct/Nov. If you have any specific questions, please pm and I can pass them along.

It is pretty desolate out there...by my standards...but the people were very nice. I know that housing is an issue because the oil is booming again and there are a lot of people coming to that area to work. I was shocked at how much it cost me for a mediocre hotel room. So, that's something to look at and consider.

Housing is one of the things on my mind. If the deal goes through (if I want them and they want me), the O/O includes up to 2 months in an extended stay hotel as part of the deal. Helps, but more than 2 months in a hotel and I'd go mental!

I'll try to think up specifics. I'm so bad at knowing what to ask.

I do get the impression that there is a work boom. The recruter said that unemployment is less than 4% in that area, and so that makes it hard for these fast food places to attract employees, which I'm sure is one of the reasons this O/O is looking nation wide for store managers and assistants rather than promoting up. I've worked in understaffed stores before, it's not fun.

I also did a search and found a report that area has a cost of living 5.4% lower than the area I currently live in, and the company's starting rate for the possition I'd be in is 13% more than what I'm making now, add onto that that the O/O pays 100% medical insurance and that would take my income up another 2% or so.

The down side is that they offer consierably less in way of PTO. There's that time and money issue again.

Anyway, if I think of specifics I'll be sure to PM you. I'm sure mom will come up with some. She's really taking this better than I expected her to, but I think she's fairly confident that I won't accept.

And thanks every one for the input. If you think of anything else please let me know! Any sort of night life? Book clubs? Quilting bee? OH FABRIC STORES! Those are of vital importance.

 

[CutieMouse]

The economy in Texas is far more stable than most of the rest of the country; the cost of living is lower, as well. I don't have current stats, but every person I've ever met who moved here from out of state has been amazed at how "inexpensive" it is. (Of course, I'm horrified at how "expensive" [and criwded] everywhere else is. lol) I don't know if you have state taxes there (in addition to federal), but there aren't any state taxes in Texas + the sales tax is 8.25% (not sure how that compares elsewhere). Gas in Dallas is also currently around $3.15/$3.25 a gallon, if that matters.

 

[JMohegan]

But yeah. It's West Texas. Lot's of oil/gas; lots of ranches; very down to earth people.

And JM, Pretty Boy Perry is a bit of a twit, but you can't blame everything on him. Texas Legislature is set up such that the Lieutenant Governor actually has significantly more political clout than the Governor. Perry isn't quite a figure-head, and no one is happy with his idiotic trans-central corridor mess from a few years ago, but as Texas politicians go, he's okay. Not great, but okay.

My apologies, my comment was clearly too vague.

It was not meant to blame Perry for anything, but rather to make a point about the sociocultural attitudes of the majority of the electorate - i.e., Wench's potential colleagues & neighbors.

 

[JMohegan]

Wenchie,

I have a very good friend who lives in Midland. I was actually there for a visit in Oct/Nov. If you have any specific questions, please pm and I can pass them along.

It is pretty desolate out there...by my standards...but the people were very nice. I know that housing is an issue because the oil is booming again and there are a lot of people coming to that area to work. I was shocked at how much it cost me for a mediocre hotel room. So, that's something to look at and consider.

This is my image of the predominant culture in Texas:

http://forum.literotica.com/showpost.php?p=39188228&postcount=1097

And this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAJNntoRgA&feature=player_embedded

Leaving aside any judgment on that culture whatsoever, I think it's worth taking into consideration. Maybe Wench would fit in just fine; maybe not.

From a sociocultural perspective, has your friend found a comfortable niche?

 

[the captians wench]

The economy in Texas is far more stable than most of the rest of the country; the cost of living is lower, as well. I don't have current stats, but every person I've ever met who moved here from out of state has been amazed at how "inexpensive" it is. (Of course, I'm horrified at how "expensive" [and criwded] everywhere else is. lol) I don't know if you have state taxes there (in addition to federal), but there aren't any state taxes in Texas + the sales tax is 8.25% (not sure how that compares elsewhere). Gas in Dallas is also currently around $3.15/$3.25 a gallon, if that matters.

I currently pay federal, state, and city taxes (both for the city I live in and the city I work in). Sales tax is 6.5% and gas is between $3.29-$3.39. And last night we had snow flurries. We are one of the top states for unemployment last I checked (which admitedly has been a while ago).

So it sounds like I'd have a deffinate surge of expendable income, but I am already living very comfortably on 3/4 of what I bring home now (the other 1/4 goes into saving or put aside for large purchases), so that's not a huge factor. Nice to know still.

 

[Keroin]

This is my image of the predominant culture in Texas:

http://forum.literotica.com/showpost.php?p=39188228&postcount=1097

And this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAJNntoRgA&feature=player_embedded

Leaving aside any judgment on that culture whatsoever, I think it's worth taking into consideration. Maybe Wench would fit in just fine; maybe not.

From a sociocultural perspective, has your friend found a comfortable niche?

Oh, from my POV, that part of Texas is ass backwards...but I come from a leftie, liberal hotbed, so I try to be objective.

The people were very nice though.

My friend has lived there most of his life, so he's OK. He used to have a job that allowed him to travel quite a bit, so I think that helped. He did say growing up was tough with all the holy rollers trying to convert you. When I told him how god-saturated I thought it was there, he said that it's downright mellow now compared to fifteen or twenty years ago. Which I can't imagine.

*shudders*

He's in school now, so at least he is surrounded by people who are, generally, more open minded than the norm.

I don't know Wenchie well enough to say how she would blend in, or not. Culturally, my guess is that folks there aren't the types that would welcome kinksters with open arms. But I don't know how that compares to where she lives now.

If the goal is to just get somewhere, bite the bullet (they have lots of those there) make some money and then move on, then that area would suffice. Long term living and quality of life? Not so much.

 

[Etoile]

The only thing I really know about Texas is that it's huge and has a lot of dessert.

Yeah? Maybe it is not so bad after all! They use a lotta chocolate?

Kidding!

I know nothing about texas. My stepdad's grandmom lives in Goldsmith, near Odessa/Midland. My best friend is from Lubbock, my other best friend is from Houston. My daddy's grandmother lived in Broaddus but she just died. And that's the extent of my knowledge of TX.

 

[the captians wench]

I don't know Wenchie well enough to say how she would blend in, or not. Culturally, my guess is that folks there aren't the types that would welcome kinksters with open arms. But I don't know how that compares to where she lives now.

If the goal is to just get somewhere, bite the bullet (they have lots of those there) make some money and then move on, then that area would suffice. Long term living and quality of life? Not so much.

I haven't traveled a whole lot, so I have no idea how my area compairs to others. I'm also very introverted and have a very difficult time making friends (mostly because I have a hard time talking to strangers). But I usually don't have much trouble blending in with different groups, I just never feel like I really belong.

The more I think about it, the more I think this would be a good opportunity for me. Maybe not a life long move, but sort of like going out of state to go to college. It would force me into unfamilure. I'd have to be me alone and not have my mom to lean on.

At anyrate I'm not going to decide until after I've been out there, and right now I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not. I did talk to my GM yesterday about getting a release so that I could interview with them. Now they are going up the ranks to see who actually gives that permission. Which means I'll probably have a conversation with my Ops manager about why I want to leave. What's the policitly correct way to say "because you're an ass" and not burn the bridge incase I need to come back?

 

[the captians wench]

Yeah? Maybe it is not so bad after all! They use a lotta chocolate?

Kidding!

Oops.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

.... What's the politically correct way to say "because you're an ass" and not burn the bridge in case I need to come back?

"I've lived in Ohio almost all my life, and seen very little of the rest of the world. This seems like it might offer me a chance to experience a very different part of the U.S., and also to explore my options for advancement. I'm not UNhappy here, but I would like to see what my opportunities might be in a different place, with new people, and see how I might grow."

Or something along those lines

 

[Sir_Winston54]

.... The only thing I really know about Texas is that it's huge and has a lot of dessert.

Yeah? Maybe it is not so bad after all! They use a lotta chocolate?

Kidding!

Oops.

Don't get stressed over the difference between deserts and desserts. One way to remember is that "Stressed" = "desserts" backwards. When you're stressed, you want more desserts. A desert is so barren, it only has one "s."

 

[Sir_Winston54]

BTW, Fetlife lists at least one active group (113 FL members) in the Midland/Odessa area, at this page: https://fetlife.com/groups/18225

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

Look who they elected governor. Three times, for cryin' out
loud!

Yup, that they did. You did failed to note of the 10 fastest growing cities in the U.S. five are in Texas, and nearly 50% of all new jobs in this country were in the state with the dumb ass Governor.

Mike

 

[the captians wench]

"I've lived in Ohio almost all my life, and seen very little of the rest of the world. This seems like it might offer me a chance to experience a very different part of the U.S., and also to explore my options for advancement. I'm not UNhappy here, but I would like to see what my opportunities might be in a different place, with new people, and see how I might grow."

Or something along those lines

I knew you'd have an answer for me. I'll practice it so that I can say "I'm not unhappy here" with a straight face.

Don't get stressed over the difference between deserts and desserts. One way to remember is that "Stressed" = "desserts" backwards. When you're stressed, you want more desserts. A desert is so barren, it only has one "s."

I know the difference, it really was a typo this time.

I always think about what my 1st grade teacher said about the words: "dessert has two s's because you always want seconds, but you never want more than one desert"

BTW, Fetlife lists at least one active group (113 FL members) in the Midland/Odessa area, at this page: https://fetlife.com/groups/18225

Cool. I'll give it a look see. Maybe if I get to the point where they fly me out and wine and dine me, I'll give the group a look over while I'm there. It was along the lines of what Mom suggested I do as part of my interviewing the area.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I always think about what my 1st grade teacher said about the words: "dessert has two s's because you always want seconds, but you never want more than one desert"

Hah! That's cool. I'll have to remember that one.

 

[JMohegan]

Yup, that they did. You did failed to note of the 10 fastest growing cities in the U.S. five are in Texas, and nearly 50% of all new jobs in this country were in the state with the dumb ass Governor.

Mike

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/08/texas-size-recovery/

The more I think about it, the more I think this would be a good opportunity for me. Maybe not a life long move, but sort of like going out of state to go to college. It would force me into unfamilure. I'd have to be me alone and not have my mom to lean on.

Sounds like a worthy adventure, Wench. Best of luck to you.

 

[the captians wench]

Well, they finally signed my release so I can talk to the Owner/Op last Wednesday. With the full field inspection on Friday, I just got to send it along with my references and my resume off to my contact.

Now it's just a matter of waiting for the O/O's District Manager to contact me. With the time line they gave me, that should be around Monday, maybe sooner.

I'm really feeling good about this. I'm slightly worried that it took too long to get my release, but I suppose they expect this to be a some what lengthy process as they are seeking from all over the country. And if I don't hear from them, then well it just wasn't meant to be, and at least I've thrown it in my higher up's faces that "Hey, I'm worth a damn"

 

[the captians wench]

Spoke to the O/O on Tuesday. He expressed some frustration as he had been calling my supervisor repeatedly and failed to receive a call back after a week of leaving messages.

Today I heard from the head hunter who said that they have decided not to pursue the deal any further.

I'm frustrated, and in the process of composing a letter that will be addressed to my supervisor, my ops manager, and my regional consultant. But I decided to send a text to the O/O thanking him for his time and consideration.

He sends back "your welcome"

It wasn't meant to be.