This job, and this office came to me when I was just about burned out from a stint at an struggling, understaffed telemarketer. I got a chance to catch my breath, work a normal week, and learn the hotel industry. Since it was a small shop, I got to do programming, system administration, database administration, and even work with the phone system. I've found my vocation in administration, and my avocation in programming. I get to do what I love to do every day. I am very grateful for that.
I've learned to handle myself professionally. I've worked with great teammates who have helped me understand what a joy a highly functioning team could be. I've also worked with a couple of bullies, and eventually learned to stand up to them. I've made mistakes, been disciplined, and proved that I could learn from them. I'm more confident about my work, but also more careful.
My personal life has been lived out in this space too. I've been divorced and re-married. When things got too ugly at home, my office sometimes became a sanctuary. One of the most healing and forgiving conversations I've ever had took place here on the phone on a Friday night long ago. I had the privilege of meeting a co-worker who became my friend and mentor, and the pain of losing them to illness. Lots of laughter was heard in this room, and more than a few tears were shed.
My favorite perl moment in this room was in 1999, when I bought my copy of the llama and left it on my desk. One of my more bullying co-workers saw the book on my desk, picked it up, and said "Why do want to learn a dead language!. Learn Java!" He's gone now. I'm still here. My boss loves perl. :)
And so it's time to go. There's a new space for me, smaller and less private, but
still mine. I still have the thirst to learn, to teach, and to serve. Maybe the biggest
lesson I've learned here is that it's not where I do my work, but what I do and how I
do it that's most important. Thanks for reading an old monk's rant. I thank God for
my time in this blessed space.
Dave
Code On!