boy, this year has been a trip

In an hour and ten minutes, I will call my new supervisor and accept the position I was offered yesterday. I'm leaving the Corporate sector (private industry) and entering a work environment that I know will be much more suited to my personality and temperament. I am confident that I will do well with my new responsibilities and that my life will be enriched. To say that I've been very lucky (and blessed) is an understatement.

Boy, this year has been a trip. As you know, I've been out of work since last February when I was laid off from my former company. I've spent my time since then looking for a job, writing articles for The Examiner and, of course, riding my bike(s). It's been an emotional year, nerve-wracking yet exciting, and a year I'll certainly never forget. Having worked my entire adult life (and as a teen as well), I've never gone this many months without employment. I would be lying to say that it wasn't frightening at times and that I didn't have days where I was depressed. But when all is said and done, my former company did me quite a huge favor.

I'm now not angry or scared or frustrated or bored. I'm even-keel mostly and other than needing to get back on a strict regimen (both with exercise and diet), I'm far happier today than I was on February 5th. I know more what my priorities are and what matters to me, and that in and of itself, is a gift. My finances are in perfect order and my savings healthy. I plan to keep it that way and to keep simplicity in my life. I've never been as excessive as I could have been, but I certainly needed to trim the fat. Now that I have (figuratively, anyway), I no longer have a taste for it.

I start my new job next week, which means I will miss the Lighthouse Century this weekend. I'm a little bummed about that but not overly so as I need this time to get re-focused. Not sure what day exactly that I'll report to work yet since I just had my background check submitted yesterday, and those can take one day to two weeks. Hopefully, I will arrive first thing on Tuesday morning. This weekend (and today), I'm tearing my apartment apart, emptying all the old stuff out (mostly clothes), and getting everything in perfect order. Yes, I know. I had seven months to do that in, but cut me some slack - there were miles to be ridden!

I am also purchasing a brand new pair of running shoes. Where I will be working has a track within walking distance of my office. I use to run on that track many years ago and it will be nice to workout on it again. I am joining a gym near my office as well. Then, there is the wonderful opportunity to ride my bike along the ocean in the evenings. I need to purchase a new HID, and that's on my list. As for my Griffith Park night rides, once I've settled into the job, I can consider those again, and Herbie - true blue - promised me that he'd be willing to go a little later if need be so that I can join.

So, now a new chapter begins. My cycling will continue but the Cricket Runs are over. I will still have opportunities for road trips and that's a good thing as I really enjoyed the three trips I took this year. I'm also seriously considering flying home for Christmas as I will have time off then to do so.

Last but not least, my little dragon is getting a totally tricked-out terrarium. It's going to be much wider than it currently is with fresh sand, a new light, a fake tunnel for her to burrow in, and I may even see if I can find a miniature disco ball to hang in there. What? You think dragons don't get their groove on? Clearly...you've not met Boo.