After a lot of gut-wrenching moments, we’ve decided to remain exactly where we are, in regards to both residence and jobs¹. The angst over the life/work situation came to a close today, about 20 minutes before what was to have been my farewell lunch, which turned into a salute to our team of admins, and the standing up of our 300^th Red Hat powered server. Somehow, word that this wasn’t a farewell lunch had gotten out², and the following dialogue ensued:

Co-worker: Ken, are we really saluting your last day?
Me: Salute anything you please, just don’t anyone plan on looting any shit out of my shabby cubicle come Monday.

A few laughs, and outstanding barbecue followed.

I talked with the CFWISF, had an interview set up for September 9. They then subsequently decided to fill the position “via promotion from within”³.

My current employer is a stand-up organization, and they are working on some ideas to ease my workplace concerns, and I’m sure they will come through as best they can.

Now, all that remains is to decline the West Virginia gig⁴, cancel the movers who were coming on Saturday to make an estimate, tell our WV real estate lady of our change of plans, and cancel my hotel reservations for next week.

I’m happy and looking forward to the future. Even in Northern Virginia. Even though there were at least three drivers on the commute home who richly deserved the proper salute for their Neanderthal driving courtesy.

You can’t have it all. We soldier on.

-k-