I do think it's a personality thing, yes, but one that could use a bit of toning down. I like that quote about a good programmer being someone who looks across the street both ways!

I had lunch with a friend whose balanced outlook I really appreciate. He's an entrepreneur, but not the typical type, if that makes sense, much more risk averse than most, more interested in his life than his work.

His take was that I have nothing to lose by presenting my thoughts to the company, even if one of those thoughts is 'Hey, Joe, you're really too busy to supervise this role and it doesn't belong buried in the middle of this department. Why don't I report to X instead?' He thought that I should get really clear about what I would need to do the job and just go back in and talk to them.

He also said that my approach seemed very professional, my observations were good, and that I presented them in a non-confrontational manner. It made me feel better about my ability to possibility negotiate a good deal after all. I think that I've had the tendency to let myself get trampled on professionally in the past.

But, like you said, all of this weird mixed signal stuff makes me want to back away. I don't like dealing with craziness in the workplace and this all seems crazy. I also just don't trust these people. And the thing with telling me about the interview at the last minute - haven't forgotten it.

That synergy comment - is there a more perfect emoticon than the one you used?? Just, wow. I had a job once where I often didn't have any real assignment. I'd be given a month to do a project that took a week to do well, that sort of thing. It really bothered me a lot at the time, but when I ran into that at my next job, I just jumped into teaching myself useful skills while I was waiting for something to do. I started thinking of it in terms of being paid a retainer. It was easy to do since I was really underpaid

It really is stressful, though - I'd start to think that there wasn't enough work for everyone and sooner or later they'll figure it out and I'll lose my job.

Still not sure how I will respond to the latest note. Why does he keep asking me if I am still interested? What is with that?