I was looking at my pay stub today and was a little surprised at the gross pay for the year. The size of it implies that I should have a lot more of it, but I also realize that I've been a good little saver/investor this year. Good thing I think I've got the stomach for the ridiculous market slide this week.

The thing that struck me the most though wasn't the amount of money I've made so far this year, but rather the condition that got me there: A full year's worth of work. You see, this will be the first year since 2000 that I've actually been in the same place, all year.

I worked at Penton Media from the summer of 1999 to the summer of 2001. That's where the volatility started...

• 2001: Left Penton, went to a start-up publisher, got laid-off three months later.
• 2002: Started at crappy payroll processing company to do a Web app that never happened. That was in March I think.
• 2003: Got laid-off in the fall when they decided they didn't really want a Web app.
• 2004: Started contracting at Progressive early that year, but quit because I had nothing to do. I got my book contract right before that.
• 2005: Started contracting again early in the year, quit in the fall to "find myself" after the separation and concentrate on coaching at The Elms.
• 2006: Started at Insurance.com the least week of January, so it was almost a full year.

It's no secret that I don't mind being transient, but the consistency of this job has been good for me. I have predictable and generous income, I'm continually learning and I generally respect the company I work for (for now, anyway). My job record is still three years. Can I top it? I only wonder if I'm destined for at least one more year in Ohio. Given the housing market, I'm not sure if I have a choice.