Now, I don’t talk a lot about my work. Mostly because of bad blogging experiences in the past, but realistically, it’s pretty hard to actually explain to some people what I do. Contrary to what some might think, I don’t fix computers, or work on networks, or build servers, or do any of that kind of stuff anymore. It’s mostly customized client work. Regardless, next week I am off to Cincinnati for what will be my last work trip before I go on leave. I managed today to get myself upgraded on my flights so I am flying first class for 3 of my 6 segments. If I had been flying Air Canada the whole way, it would have been 6 out of 6. Oh well. Since my upgrade coupons expire in February of 2010, and I have no idea if I will travel within the four months they are still valid, I figured I’d use them.
Regardless, since I am out of the office next week, and then after that it’s merely a waiting game for baby K to arrive, my workload has been getting lighter and lighter. This is to be expected since I will be gone and there’s not much point in taking on any new projects when I’m not sure when I will be going on leave.
Having some extra time is nice. I’ve been doing a lot of admin stuff and tinkering with some things, but it tends to make the days go by longer. This is why I am glad next week is a travel week as I find when I am on the road, the days go by MUCH faster.
The weird thing is, this winding down has a familiar feel to it. I’ve felt it in the past when I have given my notice at a place and am simply filling in the days before I leave. It sort of got me thinking back to some of the places I have been and gone as far as work goes.
I do have a very memorable departure from Norampac. I gave a four week notice when I quit there. About a week and a half in, maybe more or less by a day or so, I literally sat at my desk and hated being there. Have you ever HATED being somewhere and you just wanted to go but couldn’t? That’s exactly how I felt. I did a little digging and I actually found the post I did when I left. Can’t believe that was more than 4 years ago. Regardless, on that day, I called Tamara and made sure she was ok if I just said fuck it, and left. She supported it, and I walked into my boss’s office and said, “I’m done”. I handed my keys, told him that if I stayed any longer, I would end up saying or doing something that I could not take back so I best leave on good terms. I said my goodbye’s, and never looked back.
Anyway, going on leave is sort of like quitting in that you still have to wrap up everything you were working on but at least with a leave, you know that at the end of it, you are going back to a job. A lot of things can happen in six months but I am glad that I have this opportunity. We won’t be having any more kids and I could use a break from some of the things going on at work, so it really does feel like the perfect thing to do right now.
Only bitch is, the money. It will suck having my pay cut in half, but trim here and there and we’ll be fine. I can live on KD and hamburger for 6 months if I have to 🙂
