Dobby is freeeeeeee!

[bironic]

Now that I've done it, I can say outside of friends-lock that I gave my two weeks' notice at work today, and my boss, a.k.a. the company president, did not in fact get angry and ask me to leave right away (which is not an uncommon occurrence 'round these parts), but instead gave me several genuine, wide smiles, a hug, a clap on the shoulder, a fond pat on the cheek, well wishes and congratulations, and a partially serious request that I give him a call when I get out of school. And then proceeded to announce the news around the office like a proud parent.

Huh.

My manager—well, ex-manager, but even four months after my promotion she still hasn't admitted that I don't work for her anymore—actually took it the hardest. Aside from losing the most senior member in her department and the only experienced writer in the company, she said she's going to miss having someone around who's on the same wavelength, sharing knowing glances whenever someone says or does something crazier than usual.

So yes, for those I haven't told, I am going back to school next month. I haven't decided exactly how much I want to reveal about what and where, but I'll be moving to the Boston area for a year, and afterwards you may call me Master. Two more weeks of work, two and a half weeks-ish to prepare, and then moving day. Whew.

It's funny; after four years at this place, fantasizing of quitting out of spite or exasperation, finally resigning has been something of an anticlimax. I even imagined what my post about it would look like, all capitals and exclamation marks. And yet here we are, not very emotionally moved: on good terms with everyone there, and writing plainly like any other day here. It probably has to do with the fact that I knew I'd be leaving months ago, so I've already been enjoying all the stress relief that comes with having an end date in one's head. Also to do with the fact that waiting at the end of these last two weeks is not a relaxing vacation or exciting new job but 12 months of hard work. Twelve months that I'm looking forward to, yes, but still.

For some reason it didn't occur to me that some people in the office might be sad that I'm leaving and want to do things like take me out to lunch. Those sorts of comments today were nice. A bunch of us will probably hang out that last Friday at a local pub, too, the usual event for developers who leave.

Oh, and the semi-final turnover numbers since I started mid-2004? Ninety-five people hired, and 65 left/fired. Average total employed at any given time, 40.

.

In other news, photos of the carnival and moon from last week:

Comments

[phinnia.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! <3

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[purridot.livejournal.com]

Go Dobby go!

Didn't Mark Twain say that he had been through many terrible things in his life, some of which actually happened? After all your worry of their potential to be mean, I'm so relieved that everyone was happy about your Big Adventure. And of course they are sad to see you go!

Your carnival pics, while lovely and mysterious, make me think of the X Files for some reason ;-)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Hee. It does work for me quite often, expecting the worst and being pleasantly surprised. Just wasn't expecting it in this case. Happy to be proved (proven?) wrong, though.

Hm. Carnivals are scary.

[pwcorgigirl.livejournal.com]

We will be glad to call you Master in a year's time. :) And with turn-over like that at your workplace, I can see that quiet relief would be the first thing you'd feel.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah. I've kept a sticky note for a few years tracking all the comings and goings, sometimes more than once per person, sometimes for employees whose names we didn't recognize, sometimes for people who were hired and never showed up. Someone will have to inherit it when I go.

[recrudescence.livejournal.com]

Congrats! Ever onward, right? Also, I got your postcard today. =)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Yay! Likewise, I am glad I did not fail at international postage systems.

And, thanks! Yes, it's time for some change, hopefully for the better.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it worked out well. I had a suspicion it might : ) Glad they're taking you out; losing someone who is intelligent and talented is always a huge bummer, and I'm glad they're showing it.

[roga.livejournal.com]

Congrats! Whew, what a relief, to have it all turn out so well in the end :-) I'm happy for you.

Pics are beautiful! I've never really thought about it, but it's pretty cool that we get a full moon at the same time.

[jadesfire.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it went well, even if that does leave you with a slightly odd feeling. That turn-over's really something - not necessarily an encouraging statistic... But glad it's alright for you, and that you have so much to look forward to! Yay! :)

[bell]

All's well that ends well? :3 It's great when we think the worst and we end up being surprised by other people's kindness. That's one of the best kinds of surprises, I think.

[elynittria.livejournal.com]

Congrats! I'm glad it went so well—it must be a huge relief to have that out of the way.

Cool pics!

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Oh, good for you! It's lovely when it turns out all right. (((hugs))) It might also have helped that you're leaving because you're going on to grad school, not to another company. I think bosses like that because they can brag. :-)

[celebriangel.livejournal.com]

I never did manage to divine what your actual job was (though I got "journalist of some sort" from the parts about writing - though, "developer"? I am so easily confused). Still. Go you! School is good.

For some reason it didn't occur to me that some people in the office might be sad that I'm leaving and want to do things like take me out to lunch.

Pshaw. Of course they'll miss you. Not only are they suddenly remembering how much they like you, they're also contemplating the workplace without your intelligent and capable self in it. Eeek.

I am so glad that my job has an end-date. And a weekly paycheck. It's those sorts of things that keep you sweeping XD.

[firestorm717.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on going back to school ^_^ And in Boston too! The city where I grew up. So from your post...you're earning a Master's degree, I'm guessing? Good luck on that.