So. I still haven't posted those pieces. I still haven't really made notable headway on my other three projects. I still haven't updated to Drupal 6 (well, I *can't* update yet, but I haven't had the time, either). What have I done? Well, it hasn't been laundry or dishes, either...

I've been working. A lot. Long hours. Late nights. We've got big things going on right now, and I'm an integral part of that, so I've been the diligent employee and done what I've had to do. Why? Because I love what I do. I like the people I work for. I believe in our mission.

Despite that, I have a future to think about. And that future does not include Texas (beyond the scope of our lease, at least). Why worry about that now? Because planning a move across the country takes time, effort and money, and if you don't start well in advance, you're left scrambling and may have things slap you in the face. So, we're planning. Sarah and I, we are planning machines, with lists and lists about lists and discussions about more lists. We enjoy this kind of thing, and whats more, we're damn good at it...

About a month ago, a friend of mine - Mike, if you were curious - mentioned that his company was hiring and it was something he thought I should go for. It sounded like a good deal and a great chance, so I took it...I passed along my resume and thought nothing more of it. Weeks went by without word (alliteration!). Then I got an email. Then the email was a phone call. Then the phone call was more emails and more phone calls. And then it was an offer...

I talked with Sarah about this, and she is supportive. I talked with Verizon about this, and they are disappointed, but supportive. I've talked with myself a lot about this, and I am terrified, but supported. Long story short, March 21 (it's too bad I couldn't make my last day the Ides of March...but that would've been lost on too many people, anyway) is my last day as an employee of Verizon. March 24 will be my first day as an employee of StrongMail.

I won't be crass and discuss compensation, but I will say why this happened:

1) Sarah and I no longer desire to reside in Texas. We hate the heat. And we want out.
2) This new position affords me the opportunity to travel
3) As well as the traveling, I will be working from the comfort and confines of my own house (well, what we call our house, it's a rental)
4) The pay is significantly better, as are the benefits
5) Even if the pay weren't an issue, the working from where I live thing is, and I would've had to leave Verizon in a year and a half regardless of the outcome

So there you have it. I'm actually profoundly saddened to be leaving, and I am - admittedly - horrified at the prospect of traveling alone (save a couple of times a year where I might get to have a companion in Mike or Will), but I am extremely excited over what lies ahead. It will most certainly be an adjustment, and I'm sure that my proclivity for talking to myself will only be exacerbated by extended periods of time surrounded by no one else, save my dogs; however, I am positive that this is the right thing to do, and I won't in any way eschew the wonderful friendships I've formed with my coworkers...so all is not lost.

More later. Work to do.