Closing a Door

My last few days on the job went quickly. I didn't realize how many friends I had made until I was booked for lunch my whole last week. There was even a surprise going away party.

The party wasn't just for me, though. Three other editors around my age were also leaving. So there was a cake, cards, flowers and a game one afternoon. My department is big on games and skits. I'm just glad I got away without a skit!

The game featured the names of the three outgoing editors and about a dozen photos that people were supposed to match with us. Here were the photos that went with me: the seal of the University of Missouri, a clarinet, a marching band and a picture of an outspoken educator researcher whose conference I had attended.

I had no idea I came off as such a band nerd! I have been to the symphony with one of my co-workers several times, so she must have suggested the clarinet. And my manager's son is a musician, so we talked about band sometimes. I guess some things just stay with you; I haven't played an instrument in at least three years!

After work I had margaritas with my closest work friends. We all sat along the same cubicle hallway and had grown quite close. Saying goodbye to them really felt like leaving my family. Afterward, my friend Matt and I walked toward the train station as cold rain fell. It was like the end to a sad romantic movie.

Oh well, on to sunnier days.

I Quit My Job

I already have another one, though. I couldn't pass up the dramatic headline.

I am very excited! I will be getting more money, more flexible vacation and more respect. Most important, the job description is more in line with what I want to be doing. It's still education publishing, but it's not a position a former teacher should be doing.

I'll miss some of my co-workers, but otherwise there are no drawbacks.

Even my iPod Shuffle approves.

The firs three songs it played after I accepted the new gig:

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin' " by Nancy Sinatra: nuf said

"Circle Back" by John Hiatt: I gotta circle back/Touch something near/Find out which way to go/To get on out of here/I lost my thread/And i've lost some time/But it takes a lot of ground/For me to change my mind

I freelanced for the new place for a few weeks before taking my current position

"Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc : Gotta make a move to a town that's right for me/Town to keep me movin' keep me groovin' with some energy ... Gotta move on/Gotta move on/Gotta move on

True!

Gone, Baby, Gone

At work right now, there is a project involving the state of Oregon. Thus I have heard "Oregon" spoken a lot lately.

I have noticed a trend: People from New England/ New York say OreGONE. So this version is the one I hear most often, and it really bothers me.

In college, I witnessed an OreGUN native deliver a tongue lashing to someone who asked her about OreGONE. Since then, I have always been careful to stick to my GUNs.

I'm starting to believe that stereotype about East Coasters not knowing anything about places south of D.C. and west of Pittsburgh. Don't even get me started on the things they think about Texas.