Life changes
A lot has changed since my last blog post. I bought a house at the beach (a US beach, unfortunately). I stepped down from a management role and back into programming. I got full custody of my daughter, which is definitely better for both her and myself. Not sure what else. Probably more, but those are the highlights. I guess if it were a woman's hair, it will be blonde instead of brown. Those are pretty significant highlights.
I'm still on edge about my job. I feel like I am in hostile territory. Anyone who has taken a job they regretted and don't know their peers all that well probably understands what I mean. But that's okay. I have a significant career milestone coming up on April 1, and an even more significant one next year. Next year, I should be eligible for retirement about October or November, depending on the amount of sick time I have banked. So... and this feels weird to say, but my coworker said it about us both so I guess it's okay... next year I retire!
Now, it's not really retirement like you imagine. I won't be sipping margaritas on the beach come 2022. I'll just be free of state employment. I'll probably have to work somewhere else for 2-3 years. But I will be free. It will be like my prison sentence is over. I am anxious and optimistic, but also a little scared. I haven't been in the private sector for a long time, and my skills aren't what they used to be. But hey, free is free. Surely I can make something work for a couple of years.
Oh, and a program I wrote in 2005 for a different employer is being dug out of the closet for use at my new agency. The last person that did this got a 5% raise, called an "ACE Award." I won't get it, I am 90% sure. That is just how some people's luck goes. But that's okay. Free is free.
I'm still on edge about my job. I feel like I am in hostile territory. Anyone who has taken a job they regretted and don't know their peers all that well probably understands what I mean. But that's okay. I have a significant career milestone coming up on April 1, and an even more significant one next year. Next year, I should be eligible for retirement about October or November, depending on the amount of sick time I have banked. So... and this feels weird to say, but my coworker said it about us both so I guess it's okay... next year I retire!
Now, it's not really retirement like you imagine. I won't be sipping margaritas on the beach come 2022. I'll just be free of state employment. I'll probably have to work somewhere else for 2-3 years. But I will be free. It will be like my prison sentence is over. I am anxious and optimistic, but also a little scared. I haven't been in the private sector for a long time, and my skills aren't what they used to be. But hey, free is free. Surely I can make something work for a couple of years.
Oh, and a program I wrote in 2005 for a different employer is being dug out of the closet for use at my new agency. The last person that did this got a 5% raise, called an "ACE Award." I won't get it, I am 90% sure. That is just how some people's luck goes. But that's okay. Free is free.
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