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Decisions, Decisions

I've had several people ask me for an update, information, anything...and I've been on the fence, until just recently, about exactly what I was comfortable disclosing on the blogosphere. Anyone who knows me fairly well knows that I have strong opinions, and that sometimes my mouth has a way of getting me in trouble (and never the small, harmless kind of trouble, but the life-changing kind). I would like to think that I've learned from the last couple of years of verbal misteps and faux pas, but it also occurs to me that the mistakes I've made did not seem like mistakes when I made them...only in hindsight. So, I've intentionally been kind of reticent, trying to ensure that what I do say won't lead to another lifestyle apocalypse.

Synopsis

Let me say up front that I'm not unhappy with where I am now.

Back in 2005, I thought I knew where I was going to spend my entire career, and I felt like I had found my home. In 2007, everything fell apart quite unexpectedly, and I handled the aftermath pretty badly. I regret that, if only because I've always prided myself on handling things with grace...and well, let's just say EPIC fail there.

Coming to the West Coast to work for another PC manufacturer was the best and hardest decision I have ever made. Financially, in hindsight, it was really dumb--my expectations of the cost of living and the reality were leagues apart--and it put a lot of strain on my family. The company is amazing, the best bunch of people you'll ever meet, and I had a great time working there. I still do some forum work for them part time, and I'm grateful that I'm still a part of what could be one of the best small computer manufacturers in the world.

Every now and then you have to do a gut check and then do what you have to do to survive. I got an offer and moved on it. I'll be honest, the firm I worked for down in Seattle was a disappointment. I won't go into why, other than to say that they've got a lot of work to do on their leadership within the company. Too many cooks, you see.

And...here we are. You know, there comes a time where you get really tired of carrying the responsibilities that come with executive management...lying awake at night wondering if the phones will fail, if that customer will sue, if you can squeeze more out of your budget. For the past 4 years, I've been in that place where you come in to a position and they toss you in to the deep end with no instructions other than "fix it". Guys...I'm tired. Burned out.

I have the damnedest luck of anyone I know. I fall into really good opportunities without really trying, and that's what happened with this job. I'm still a manager, but I have a core responsibility with plenty of support. I work for a large company based out of Redmond (DUH) in an operations center, and I am having the time of my life. There are a lot of reasons why, but most of all...I'm doing this for me. The money is good, the opportunities I have are phenomenal, and I'm learning something new daily. I'm not expected to be a miracle worker for once. I'm being mentored to succeed. Man, that feels GOOD.

Hope...I have some now. 2008 sucked. We have a new president, I have a new job, and I'm finally feeling like I'm going to be all right. 2009 may possibly be the best year I've ever had, personally and professionally.

Three years ago, I would have never imagined being here. Life is funny, twisted, and convoluted, but it always takes you where you need to be, I guess.

Imagine that.