A moment of weakness

I wanted to go home.

This Thursday, I was unhappy at work because I felt like we weren’t getting anywhere or accomplishing anything.  I was unhappy with the time outside of work because Tauranga’s a hard place to make friends and there’s very little to do – and I’ve pretty much done it all. 

I didn’t fit in here.

And that Thursday, wallowing in my self-pity, I got two e-mails.  One was a reminder that Chris Trew (one of my best friends in Austin) was having a birthday coming up – and the reminder was sent from Tami Nelson (the other one of my best friends in Austin).

At the same time, I got an e-mail from the recruiter for my old company, NetQoS, who asked me if I could recommend anyone for the position – they hadn’t filled it after two months. 

I was sorely tempted, and at one point, I decided that I should go.  However, friends and family helped convince me that I’ve come this far – and it should take more thought. 

I’m glad they did.  Friday, we finally launched one of the two blogs and everything seems to be working perfectly.  http://blog.braincell.co.nz/ has started up, and I’ll be posting there on things that are of relevance to graphics media buyers and other creative project clients.  This means, I’ve finally got something to show for my efforts.

Additionally, I explained that I was unhappy with Tauranga to my boss, and she agreed that we could start telecommuting sooner, rather than later.  I’m moving down to Wellington the week after next; a town with a lot more to do and many more people like me. 

It also worked out for her as she had just hired the new Web developer, Kyle, and we were running out of office space and parking space…

So I’ll be living and working most of the time in Wellington – probably working at an Internet cafe because the last thing I want is to get isolated, which telecommuting can do – and be driving up maybe one week out of six or so to collaborate with everyone in the company in Tauranga. 

I still miss my Austin friends terribly, though.  That’ll never go away.

Mainly the problem with Tauranga is that the things that really help deal with homesickness are hanging out with friends and doing things – the two things that were extremely difficult in Tauranga. 

And so I had my moment of weakness.  And I’m soldiering forward.