So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish

I gave my notice today. As of September 9, I will no longer here.

I’m immensely looking forward to my new opportunity, and the team I will join.

It’s very liberating, quitting a job on your own terms!

-R.

The List

Before I get to this post, I have to mention that it was my anniversary on Monday. Morgan and I went out for sushi on Tuesday night to celebrate another year of marriage. I love you, sweetie!

And now, today's post...

I enjoy what I would consider to be some of the finer things in life. And I know people who raise their eyebrows when I share these items. You see, I believe there are certain things out there in the 'finer things' category that are meant for everyone. If you don't like it, it just means that you haven't found the right one yet. But I guarantee it's out there, if you just open up a little. Here are those things, in random order:

1) Wine. If you say you don't like it, go on a tasting tour.

2) Jazz and Blues. There are so many facets to these art forms that you will find one you like. Honest. If you need help, try CKUA for some tunes.

3) Cheese. Especially when paired with the wine.

4) Scotch. Single malts. You think wine has depth? No other time have I tried a liqour that can taste so different between types - from smoky and bitter, to light and fruity.

5) Gin. No, I'm not an alcoholic, but a G&T is the perfect summer drink, and you haven't really had a true cocktail until you've had a painfully dry gin martini. The trick is the quality of the spirit - cheap gin is like paint thinner. Much like cheap wine.

6) Cigars. Yes, smoking kills, but at least this way you do it with taste and style.

7) Theatre. Live theatre. There's lots of plays out there. Go see one.

8) Tea and Coffee. Beverages that carry the world.

I may add or amend to this list, especially if the folk out there give me some suggestions. Until then, go pour yourself a drink, light up a cigar, and sit in a dark room with some John Coltrane.

-R.

The Phone Call

"Good afternoon, this is Rob"

"Are your ears ready for this?"

"What?"

"Are your ears ready for this?"

"Sure..."

"Would you like a new job?"

"Uhh..."

So that's how my work week ended on Friday, and going out for lunch today was my cover to make a call on my cell to investigate what could be a new opportunity. Wow, cautious statement.

I still don't know who lacks vision. If it's me, or the organization. Or maybe I need an organization with vision, so I can get some. Maybe I'll feel better after I'm done with this next book we are putting out.

Whatever the case may be, I came home today and sent a couple of emails.

Jeff - I need a contact telephone number for you.

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Ashleigh was giving me a hard time about not posting. My RSS aggregator picked up fifteen new feeds from her this weekend. I didn't post once. So a wave out. Sorry I couldn't make soccer. Glad you won! Sounds like it was a fun weekend.

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Loving the new car. Took it to work today. I think I'll be a little sad tomorrow.

It has been a grey day. Rain is refreshing, but I really feel like I took a hit today.

I'm supposed to do some work at home tonight. It's not going to happen. I'm going downstairs to my sofa, to cuddle up with Morgan, and listen to the rain.

I'll keep you all updated.

-R.

Holiday Hours

There is something endearing about working on a holiday – especially a funny one like August long.  And especially this one, with the fantastically hot weather we’ve had.

 

You wake up in the morning, and it still feels like a weekend.  I took a leisurely approach to eating breakfast and making lunch, taking time to stand on the balcony and breathe in the air that’s been flavored by the sunrise an hour before.

 

No traffic.  Warm beginnings to a hot day.  And at the office – almost a perfect solitude.  Although there are a few people here (just call centre staff, mostly), the rest of the company has been abandoned by the crew for an extra day of play.

 

I get so much done on days like this.  Part of it is likely that there is nobody to drop anything else on my desk.  Part of it is the ownership I feel over my work, being one of the few here.

 

The biggest part, though, is tapping into that holiday vibe that still rings through those that are here working. Everyone is very relaxed.  Even the boss is in jeans.

 

It won’t be a tough day at all.  But at the end, everyone here will have crossed a lot of items off their hit list.  On any other day, they’d be exhausted from that kind of performance.  But today – it’s almost par for the course.  We’ll go home an reclaim what’s left of the ‘long’ weekend, and start our daily grind – along with our colleagues – tomorrow.

 

-R.