I’ve been keeping secrets from you. Last Thursday I had a job interview for a content development job with a web hosting company in El Segundo (as in “I left my wallet in…“), which is 15 minutes south of lovely Venice, CA.

Walking into the office was like walking into a time machine back to 1998 — and I mean that in a good way! The office was funky with exposed air ducts and walls painted colors like eggplant, burnt sienna, and puce. Employees puttered around in jeans and t-shirts. I thought that offices like this were all painted beige after the tech-crash and post-9/11. Oh, and I was interviewing for a content developer job…Who knew jobs like that even EXISTED anymore? It was totally a blast from the past, but with one exception: unlike most internet companies from back in the day, this one is actually profitable! HA HA!

My first interview went really well. It was nice how, after 20 minutes or so with each person I interviewed with, the tone went from Q&A to just chatting. I genuinely enjoyed everyone. One of the designers (who lives a few blocks from me) even invited me to a party that weekend. After the interview, I had that good feeling. You know, the one that either means either A) you did really well, or B) you’ve lost all ability to read a situation and that your interviewers are cackling over your footwear.

They called me the next day to schedule a second interview for Monday. (Footwear must have been OK.)

Yesterday I went in for the second interview. First I met with some of the same folks I’d seen last week. They peppered the conversation with words like “shit” and “fuck,” which succeeded in making me feel so perfectly at home that I let my guard down completely and told them about hooping. Then I met with the Vice President. While I sat and talked to him, he pulled up my portfolio to look at some of my writing clips. Then, as I watched, he popped open Electrolicious. Now, as you know, I keep things clean around here. Well, relatively. It was still a little nerve wracking — but the VP didn’t blink an eye. However, note to self: get Electrolicious moved over to its own domain.

After surviving that test, I reconvened with the woman who would be my boss. It went pretty well with all, although the question on everyone’s lips was, “How long has it been since you’ve worked a full time permanent position?”

A long time, folks. A long time. The Paper was full time, but on contract — which meant I could do things like go to France for two weeks. I could have become a permanent employee at The Paper if I hadn’t been planning the move to LA. Lotus was long term (four years) and pretty close to full time, but it was also (at least technically) contract work. I realized that, through the eyes of a human resources, I must have looked like a scary prospect.

I acknowleged this verbally during my first interview, joking, “I’m working through my commitment issues.” I was being honest: I’m so ready to stick around at a company long enough to see the results of my work. I’m so ready to have health insurance. I’m so ready to pay off my loans and start actually saving. I really did want to stay at The Paper. I know I’m ready to settle down and gush, “I do!” while smiling at a friendly employer. I really AM getting over my commitment issues!, I joked. Luckily for me, they laughed.

And, luckily for me, they called this afternoon to offer me the job!

I start Monday at 10am.

And, in keeping with my own advice, this will probably be the last you hear about my place of employment.