Monday, May 29, 2006

Busy, Busy, Busy

Dezi and I have been busy this weekend.

I took a little time to relax then got back to work by reading a couple of books trying to get familiar with some of the technology I'm going to be using at the new job.

Last night we went to the second annual Luau hosted by Mike and Jenni Trinka. Around 50 people RSVP'd to the pot luck gaila. We had a great time seeing old A&M buddies. While at A&M I participated in the Wesley Foundation. It was my second home. When I wasn't studying, in class, or sleeping chances where I was at Wesley. Well it seems Wesley has propagated in the course of a year. There was a large number of babies. Well not just babies, but kids. Sheesh.

However, when big boys get together they revert to little boys. A water volleyball match turned into gator ball when we started launching a 6 foot gator float back and forth over the net. I'm sure a couple of people took pictures when it turned into gator wrestling and then Alan "rescued" the alligator by performing CPR.

This morning we Dezi and I went to Home Depot to buy some window tinting. We have some large windows in our kitchenette that face west and south. I had decided that I wanted to apply some window tinting to those windows. With Dezi's help we figured out how to apply the tinting. I'm actually quite pleased with the outcome. Each window got progressively better, but I now understand how they can charge so much money for applying it. Still, I'm glad we did it.

Tomorrow morning start my new job. I'm still nervous about it. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have wonderful things to say about it.

9:02 PM Posted by Big Dave | 1 Thoughts

Friday, May 26, 2006

Bittersweet

No fanfare. No banners. I just quietly walked out of the office with a fan in one hand and a desk lamp in the other. On my way out I felt the tension of the entire office leave my shoulders. Many "Best Wishes." A lot of "We'll miss you." Several, "If you ever change your mind." And that was it. It's odd leaving someplace you've given your heart and soul for 3 and a half years. I'm still scared, but I'm ready for the next challenge.

9:34 PM Posted by Big Dave | 0 Thoughts

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Moving on

This week has been rough. My role has changed from being the Hero at work to being the newly proclaimed leper. If nothing else I'm putting more hours in at work trying to wrap up. My boss took my resignation very personally. The person taking over my responsibilities doesn't want them. The general reaction from everyone else is that they don't want me to leave, but wish me luck.

I haven't had a lot of time to review the stuff that I wanted to be well versed about for the new job. I did take some time this weekend to try and catch up. One more week. I'm starting to get excited about the new job. I'm nervous about what will come, but I'm still excited. We drove by the new office today and then had lunch nearby. The short drive will be a wonderful change.

I haven't been honest with the people at work as to the true reasons why I'm leaving. Most can make their own assumptions, but few know all the details. When I turned in my notice they promised the moon. It was tempting, but I had made my decision that there wasn't a figure that they could throw at me that would make me stay. My friends and family and a few confidants at work know all the reasons I want to leave. There are some days where I just want to shout about what I think of the place and where they can stuff it. I'm doing my best to keep all that emotion buried, but every now again it boils up. I don't know that I will necessarily work with them again, but it is a small world and there is a possibility that acting less than professional could come back to haunt me. I just have to get through this week and then I can start putting some of this behind me.

8:08 PM Posted by Big Dave | 0 Thoughts

Friday, May 12, 2006

It is finished

I turned in my resignation letter this morning. My mind imagined all sorts of possible scenarios, but the actual event was actually rather sad. I'm sad to be leaving, but there is nothing they can do to change my mind.

9:49 AM Posted by Big Dave | 2 Thoughts

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Winds of change

I've been staring at the screen for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to put this. I love what I do. I believe the fact that I love being a programmer has allowed me to continue to thrive in a situation that I think most people would describe as intolerable. A series of events combined a few months ago that forever changed my opinion of my job. I won't go into details, but that something happened. To put it simply, a fuse was blown.

I had been loyal to a company that gave me an opportunity. I was dedicated to a product that I had poured my heart and soul into for over 3 years. But at the same time, I came to realize that my hard work, endless patience, and extra hours were expected not appreciated. I endured ridiculous rules, an absence of support, and a lack of respect. My concerns were trivialize. My personal time imposed upon.

I could tell countless horror stories, but that's not important just now. I know what I must do, but change is always scary.

However I have been looking for a new job for several months. I had an interview last week with Aldor Solutions. They are a small company, but have a completely different feel. The people there talk with excitement about their jobs. They strike a balance between hard work and fun. Best of all it's people I'm already familiar with. I know several of them from Jiu-Jitsu lessons. In fact the gentlemen I interviewed with is an instructor I have rolled with before. I'm looking forward to the new challenges and new opportunities that this will present. I'm ready to work someplace where I can be excited to go to work again.

9:04 PM Posted by Big Dave | 1 Thoughts