Big changes work-wise this year for me: I’ve been working since 2002 for a major private foundation in California. I decided it was time to cut the cord at the end of this year. That marks the first time since 1975 that I’ve not had a full-time gig in California.
Several things went into my decision. I’ve been telecommuting for California companies since March 1997. Basically that means that I’ve been on the road one week each month since that time. I figure that I’ve spent a total of almost three years away from home over the last eleven that I’ve lived here in Iowa. It’s been great money and a lot of fun, but...
When I first moved to Cedar Rapids in 1997 we were remodeling this house. Stuff was torn up constantly. Traveling back to my condo in those days was a treat: it was a chance to rest from unending construction. Those days are long since over, and I’m very happily writing this from the music room filled with plants growing and the piano just at my side.
When my last company died in 2001 I decided to sell my condo. Had I realized that I’d continue working in California for another five years, I might have made another choice... No matter. When I started with the foundation I also started staying with some very close friends who were incredibly generous to open their home to me for a week each month. We’ve all had a great time .
I’ve noticed one thing, though. When I first started my travels in 1997, I relished being in California. So much has changed out there - not all for the better - that I don’t have the same emotional attachment to the San Francisco Bay Area. And I’ve not been technically challenged by the work any more.
I thought I’d stick around one more year when I got a call back in October from some old friends who run a software engineering consultancy around here. We’d talked for some time about possible things to do together, but their specialties aren’t what I’ve wanted to do. All that changed when they started to have prospective clients appear who want exactly what I do. So I got an offer to join them - and I accepted on Hallowe’en.
I start the new gig on 2 January 2008. I have a week off between now and the New Year. I’ve just finished wrapping up work at the foundation, and I’m finally starting to decompress a bit.
Comments