Going to California?

Today I was struck by the following:

For several years before Jenny was diagnosed, while we were living in Ravenna, she would come home and sit in her car for long periods of time, really long periods of time. I found it odd. Generally, we weren't bickering, so I couldn't figure it out. Oftentimes, in retrospect, she was on the phone. One can only presume with whom she was talking to the majority of the time. 

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I hate myself more than I should. I do. Perhaps hate isn't the right word, but it sounds good enough. People are always kind when you are leaving a job, and as I am saying my goodbyes, it has come to my attention that people do respect me and the work I do. That I am surprised probably means I need to find a better therapist--clearly I didn't work through this issue enough. I have my own ego that tells me I am performing well, but the kind words spoken by union and management alike are buoying.

My last day in the public sector, at least for now, is January 20. I look forward to a new beginning in the private sector, doing whatever I can to forward the interests of my employer. It is a tech job, 100 percent remote. My understanding is that for the first year I will be assigned to the United States, but after that I may have coverage that includes a couple dozen or so nations where the company has a presence. I am thrilled.

This new leaf will allow me to relocate to California next fall, which I have been planning to do for some time. I was split between Hawaii, which I love, and California. My girls pointed out that they would be much less able to see me if I was 8 or 9 hours away by plane versus 2 hours. So, that made it easy. I have friends in California, all of whom I can't wait to see. But, it isn't set in stone. My girls come first, and then my desires.