That’s right listeners, I am going home!!!

I fly out Saturday AM.  I got the call tonight that Friday would be my last day on the assignment, and Saturday would be my paid travel day, sweet, I guess.

This assignment has been a learning experience on so many levels.  I had never been a consultant, a representative, or a liquidator before, and I got to be all three for almost two months.  It is a pretty cool job.  The hard part is being away from the family for so long.  We have two wonderful cherubs at home, so the absence is tough.  But you know what they say, “Absence SUCKS!!”

I have learned that I have somewhat of a knack for selling, and even negotiating, though I really haven’t honed those skills on the tough buyers yet.  I was actually looking forward to that.  There is an art to it, and plus to me it is like a game, and as anyone who knows me will tell you, I love to win, and you get to win alot in this business, at least I think so. (Yes sis, I know that sentence is way to long.)

I will miss the people.  They have quite an interesting store team down here in WPB, as the locals say.  I have never met a group of folks quite this  Most of the associates are between the ages of 17 and 25, and they all know way too much about computers, systems, and hacking.  Everyone of them has either an iPhone, BlackJack, or BlackBerry, and each one has some sort of hack on it.  They would probably go crazy if they ever went without them.  I give them a hard time about congregating, talking/texting on their phones, and not selling all of the time, but the truth is they know their stuff and do a good job.  This has to be hard for them, but they will never admit it.  They all found out the day before I arrived that eventually they would all be out of a job.  The first wave of associate releases took care of the dead weight, leaving the ones who still want and need their job.  Thanks for all you guys have done, and taught me.  I was actually able to sell some networking hardware today:)

The weather will be sadly missed.  When the mercury hits 50 these folks are wearing jackets and sweaters, even though it will be above 65 for most of the day.  It cracks me up.  In the spring when it hits 50 in VA I am breaking out the shorts!  It always looks like it is going to rain, but seldom does.  This phenomenon creates some of the most beautiful skyscapes.  They will be missed.

I won’t miss the long days and seven day work weeks, although the money is pretty good.  I usually tried to break up my day with a long lunch/dinner and a quick workout or nap.  It has helped maintain most of my sanity.  But lately the days fly by before you can work that break into the day.

Part of me will miss the semi-bachelor life.  What I mean is the living alone in a small place all by yourself, but for $80+ a day you can have it.  You can hit snooze way too many times and leave the dishes for a couple of days without worry.  But I miss our house and all of its little quirks.  I miss my honey and the two tiny reindeer.

So the wife and I decided to not tell the kids I am coming home until they see me.  She will pack them up and tell them they are taking a trip.  I think Clarice will put two and two together, after all she will be 4, and tell Mommy that she sees planes, and maybe even Daddy could be on one of those planes.  They will be able to see them this time.  The last couple of time they dropped me off it was dark.  That makes me happy too.

I don’t think this will be my last blog from WPB, but just in case, thanks for the memories and all of the ups and downs.  It has been a beautiful life experience.  Thanks again!

Carry On;)