singley.org > blog archives > On Endings and Beginnings 06.14.2007

I'm really not a good quitter. It was a decision over which I agonized for some time, but I finally decided a few weeks ago to leave my job as a User Experience Manager. Without going into specifics, the company and I were heading in different directions quickly, and the environment had become, shall we say, unpleasant. So, I cleaned out my desk (note: do not buy an "emergency" can of beef stew and store it at the back of your pantry. That's just asking for trouble.), found clever ways to pack up my desk plants, and said my goodbyes to some wonderful people.

I spent the next two weeks clearing my head amonst my people: the Minnesotans. They are a pleasant breed: blonde, smiling, unassertive in their driving but all around wonderful to see.

First, despite near-freezing temparatures, some of my closest friends and I drove north for 4 days to the Boundary Waters for canoeing, camping, and general relaxation. Fantastic. The next week was spent with dad in his garage, with sister in her fancy new Minneapolis apartment, with mom cooking and interpreting confusing new software, and with friends at a wedding.

When I returned to Chicago, it was time to begin The Next Phase. I'd had time with friends, family and the north woods of Minnesota to think about it, and I had a solid plan...