Changing Channels

I'm sitting here at work like I've done just about every Thursday for the past ten years except its different, vastly different. It's my last Thursday here.

When the missus and I found out the phinlet was on his way we'd discuss my switching jobs to something less stressful and with less travel. Part of me wanted to stick around, it's not that I hate change, I like change, it's that I wasn't sure how much change I could stand and for the most part I really enjoy my job. Then once he was born it really only took that first look for me to realize that I was going to do anything in my power to be around him as much as possible.

After he was born my first day back in the office was a crusher, being unable to watch as he slept was all it took. I placed a couple of calls to talk about openings and to see if I was a fit for them and they were a fit for me. Turns out one of the openings was and I start at the new job Monday.

I've made calls to the friends I've made over the years, each one of the calls a struggle. Letting them know I'll keep in touch, sending a new e-mail address, all the while knowing that it'll be different, it has to be. The common bond is no longer there.

Sure the jokes will be exchanged, but there won't be the calls just to catch up on business and family. The trips to the bar after conferences to pass the time and trade war stories from the past year won't be an option. The passing on of the latest industry gossip, finished. For the first time in my working career in an industry that I've come to love I'm an outsider.

Funny I never thought leaving would be this hard. Tomorrow morning when I'm filling out paperwork for the new job the guys here will be carrying on. You can't help but form friendships when you've worked with somebody for so long, especially in a small company. I hope and pray that they don't miss me, that they're able to carry on business as usual and that I'm leaving them in better shape than when I walked in the door ten years ago. Only time will tell.

Come Monday I'll be wearing "big boy" clothes to work. No longer will I be able to sport jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops into the office, granted I don't have to wear a tie, but I do have to keep my shirttail tucked in.

New faces and new places. I'm an outsider again.

There are really on two things I'm certain of.

The first, that I've made the best decision possilbe with the information available. As I looking into my son's eyes as I left my house this morning I knew it was only for a brief time. I knew that I wouldn't, at least in the forseeable future, have to go for a week or two without cuddling up with him on the couch.

The second, that my new employer won't be impressed if I lock the intercom system on the LLama Song when I go to lunch.

Professionalism folks, that's what I'm all about.

Fittingly, Jimmy Buffet's If The Phone Doesn't Ring It's Me is playing on the iPod.

With the changes I'm not sure what's in store for the ole phish bowl. I'm planning on being around, but for the next few months the postings here may be scarce, or they may not, nobody really knows, I sure as hell don't. The posting times will be changing, as I won't be blogging from work.

I'm closing this rather random collection of thoughts by thanking y'all for providing a distraction when life has seemed all to real, whether you knew it or not.

Catch y'all on the flip side.