It was a good run.
I’m tired, beat, burnt out, etc. I had to try and I even liked it. Job was cool, boss was cool, team was cool…the surroundings weren’t happening.
I was never one for keeping old adages; especially "Leave with grace and bridges in place". DOH! I still have a boatload of testing, and I fear it just won’t get done by the time I need to leave. I start my new gig in a couple of weeks and we ship June 30. There is so much to do home side that I’m afraid that something must give…I’ve made up my mind: I will make it on time when the boat leaves for my next journey; bridge be damned.
TechEd US would have been nice, but I will make up for it in TechEd SEA. And Representing a company that looks forward to me going. I am very excited to contribute to a new-yet familiar team, in a new-yet familiar place, doing something new-yet familiar stuff.
All signs point to this being a very good move. Lower cost of living, boost in pay, reasonable housing costs, NICE WEATHER, happy people around me…yeah, I’m excited. Downside is, it seems I am leaving death and destruction behind. Not a good thing, but I can’t help the course of the things that happened. I did not initiate them–I’m just going with the flow.
So, I look forward to not having to watch what I say on my public blog any more. I look forward to not having it snow in April (almost May). I look forward to more than 10 sunny days a year. I look forward to not having to travel 30 minutes just to go somewhere to eat or to the theatre.
On the other hand, I will miss the cultural diversity. I will miss Microsoft. I will miss the deer that come into my back yard. And there are people that I will miss a lot. I must call them out:
CSmith — You were right. You were always right. There is nothing to say but…you were right all along.
LKwon — Give me the addresses of your relatives in Korea. I’ll tell them you sent me. HA! We’ll be in touch always.
DMendoza — Melange in Yakima was awesome! I thought it you’d move to Seattle but…not this time.
BBaer — I bow. But your Redskins still suck.
SKelley — I’m selling that pic of you on Ebay.
MWatson — You’re tougher than I, boss.
TSnyder — Chess via email…it’ll work.
Las Maris (Apud, Martinez, Luisa) — son las mas bellas alli. De verdad! Fue un placer.
BMS — YOU. As Dorothy said to the Scarecrow–"I think I will miss you most of all". I shed a tear thinking about your housecall and what I learned. My son loved Cannon and learned a lot from him. You and your family MUST come and visit. MUST.
so now, my Messenger will read: T minus…..the number of days ’til HOT SUMMER NIGHTS!
Slick Rick's Space 
WTF-need more info!
Blessings, just stopping in from JOSELYN\’s SPACE…….
Suggestion for your TO DO\’s make a list and prioritize. As you are finished a task, cross it off, you\’d be surprised how you get through it as the list makes you more purposeful and keeps you on track. I am sure you are use to working with deadlines, simply give yourself one and go for it. YOu can do it and keep all your bridges in tack. Life is a circle and you never know when and where it will bring you back from whence you came, so keep those bridges in tack.
Make your move in grace and blessings in all your future endeavors.
Peace…..
It was a pleasure working with you Rick. We will miss you. Good luck with your future endeavors. See you at the next conference.
Welcome back to the heat!
Call me, we\’ll do lunch!
Bailey