Crossroads

I must say there is so much that I love and hate about being unemployed.

There are some people that don't do well with too much free time. I think that if I had a little more security with my life I could see myself being rather content pursuing my passions. I love that right now I am able to indulge in my hobby of knitting. I've made a number of projects, done some serious brainstorming and planning on future endeavors of yarn, and have promised a number of hand knitted items to friends and family.  I've also learned how to crochet; and it's a great feeling to learn something new. In fact, here's a picture of my Aunt Trish with my first completed crochet project:

I adore the sense of accomplishment that comes from handing off a finished project to someone. Lately I've been also getting a sense of accomplishment from my walks. Almost everyday I go on something that is more like a hike than a stroll in my neighborhood. It takes about fifty minutes and I work up a sweat doing it. Fortunately aside from leaving me sweaty, it alsogives me a sense that I'm doing something good and healthy for myself.

Though I'm going through an existential crisis, it seems thatquite a bit of it is due to me coming to grips with who I am andb having it not mesh with what society expects from me. Alas, more on that later.

Unemployed

Over a month ago I left Blizzard, which was not the easiest decision to make. I loved my co-workers, the banter, and occasionally being able to assist people in having fun. However, there were enough reasons that I decided it would be prudent to begin looking for employment elsewhere; even in a completely different field.

After applying my signature to documents (that sadly I did not receive copies of) at Idexx (a laboratory company that runs all the tests on your pets), I put in my two week’s notice at Blizzard I received emails from disappointed coworkers who were flattering enough to say they were going to miss me. In fact a few were personalized and photoshopped… but here’s one that made it to my Blizzard email address:

My last morning at Blizzard had me walking out with a lump in my throat. I hadn’t even been there for four months, but surrounded by cynical geeks... it was like being home! Driving away I actually started to cry, feeling like I was leaving everything behind.

In the car driving home, I got a phone call from the friend that had gotten me the job at Idexx. Despite signing a contract, the manager had changed his mind and decided that the only position available was one with lower pay and responsibility. Unbelievable… finding out after just having worked my last shift at Blizzard.