Thank-you for looking agin!
Not the most flattering analysis

but I have to take what I get.
August I actively pursued many small projects but all got "great idea but this is not the right time" responses.
There was one large project I pursued and competitors were awarded it, then it went back to negotiation and seemed to open up, then it was re-awarded, then it was negotiated and open again. I was woking with sveral of the competing teams...each of which at some point thought they'd been awarded the project. But it's still not settled! Once a final award was about to be made, the client Director resigned and the Board put the whole thing on hold!
In December two new projects came along but one is not big and the other has yet to be defined.
What bugs me is there are several projects I am supposed to start but they seem to be "on hold." That is in the hands of the client, I can't do anything to push them
I don't know what to make of the younger competitors. Of course, I often don't know much about the winners of bids.
Your comment about the new year is also interesting, as I am a bing daymaster, this ding hai year has been un-helpful!
But it is clear from what you said that I must hustle! The additional studies makes some sense, although it would take getting yet another degree to put me where I would need to be. Whew!
Thanks again,
Robert