Magic Jewball

all signs point to no

 

Liberté

Filed under : Life in general
On July 14, 2010
At 11:00 pm
Comments : 9

I’m a bit late with this post, that is, I meant to write it this morning where it could have basked in its anniversary moment. But I was busy with six hours of classes and then the library so I could avoid buying a book which is available there free online. And that’s as it should be, because that’s what I chose to do and this is the day I let the world know about that decision. A year ago today, I gave my notice at work after thirteen years at the company and sixteen in the business. I really chose it because it was the only day with sufficient advance time to the day I wanted to leave that had everyone I needed to tell not on vacation. Summer is hard. And it wasn’t a Monday so I couldn’t worry about it all weekend. But I liked that it was Bastille Day, the day the prisoners were freed from their chains. A year later, I realize that if I had chosen July 10th or 15th, I never would have remembered. It was because I saw that it was Bastille Day on the news this morning (naturally, there were deals to be had at French restaurants; that was the angle) that I suddenly recalled it.

I’d like to say that it doesn’t feel like a year but in fact, it feels like ten years. I barely remember what it’s like to lead a 9 to 5 (or 9 to 7, really) life or to answer to a boss or to care whether music is selling or what’s #1. If it weren’t for Facebook, I’d scarcely even remember the people. It seems like such a long time ago and worlds away from the way I live now. I’m hesitant to give a full on status report when it’s not really a year since I left (that’s in about five weeks) but suffice to say, I am thankful every day for the opportunity to do what I am now. In fact, I decided to stay on another year (I was supposed to finish in May 2010) because, quite frankly, this is like a vacation and who wants to go home? Also, because I feel like I just haven’t learned enough and am not quite prepared to start a new career. So onward we go to May 2011. Money will be even tighter and we’ll see just how far I can take a bag of dried beans. But it will be worth it, I know. Even if I lost everything today, it would be worth it. It’s just that good.

The funniest part, to me, is that I’ve always hated school. I used to say, after I was working, that my worst day at work was better than my best day at school. But maybe like youth, school is wasted on the young. When you’re an adult and you get to answer only to yourself and study things you like with other people who love it as much as you do and professors who are passionate about it, too, I mean, how much fun could putting together a spreadsheet for The Man be in comparison? Well, no, I still love spreadsheets. That’s a bad example. But I do remember calling Sarpon and crying to her on the phone on the night of the 13th that I was making a giant mistake and what the hell was I doing? I can’t remember anything she said but I do know one thing for sure: she was right.

I hope when the next stage comes along, I remember this part well. I have a feeling I’ll really miss it. Except for the beans.



The Plimsouls – A Million Miles Away

 

9 Comments for this post

 
  1. kylydia says:

    Are there people who don’t love spreadsheets? How could there be?

  2. Irishelena says:

    Me!Me! I hate anything that involves numbers.
    Happy Bastille Day, Becca! Enjoy your liberté before you have to go back to the grind of every-day work. I don’t think I could have done what you are doing. I hope you find an inspiring job when you finish. Or at least, one that pays the air-conditioning bills.

  3. sarpon says:

    I validated your feelings, told you how wonderful you are and we compared your feelings about the music biz to Scarlett’s attachment to Tara.

  4. Becca says:

    Lydia, I know! I love spreadsheets. I have Excel open all the time.

    Elena, thank you, I hope so too. And I never would have thought I could do this either. It still feels crazy.

    Sarp, if I had really been wonderful, I would have remembered that. But the Tara thing sounds about right. That must be why I remember to wear my gloves with my portiers dress to school every day.

  5. sarpon says:

    You best remember to keep your head and shoulders covered up in this heat or you’ll be as brown as Ol Miz Slattery.

  6. Tami says:

    I really need to brush up on my spreadsheets! Every time I make one, I have to relearn it all.

    Becca, you are a very intriguing person. I’m lucky to know you.

  7. Becca says:

    Sarp, I also make sure not to show my bosoms before 3 o’clock. It’s my hallmark.

    Tami, why, thank you. Just for that, I owe you a spreadsheet. Just kidding; I would have made you a spreadsheet anyway.

  8. Deas says:

    I thought this was about Pastille Day!

Comments are closed.