Bill Gates and Sara: Two Peas in a Pod

Okay, so only because we're both cleaning out our desks today as we move on to other things.

Today is my last day of work at The Factory, and I have nothing to do but clean my computer, re-organize files and remove my self from the premise.

I want to cry.

I've alternately dreamed of, and loathed, this day for the last four months. Last week, I was relegated to sitting in the kitchen (prior to that, I sat at the front desk ... see the trend?). It's isolated, quiet and I cannot be seen from the main hallway. It also means, I feel as if I've been kicked to the curb already. No one even seems to remember that I'm here today.

I've thought about my last days at other places at which I've worked, and that is what makes me want to cry. When I left the last two companies, there was a week of celebrating, tears and promises to keep in touch - it felt a little like the last week of senior year of high school - without all the appropriate high school drama and the "U R a QT" written in my yearbook. I've spent a minimum of three years at my last companies, so leaving after only a year means the ties aren't as strong.

Leaving because I can no longer tolerate the environment means there are no farewells. I am alternately sad to leave the team and business and clients I've built and worked with and for and joyously happy that 60-hour workweeks are done.

But even under the circumstances, leaving is tough. I hate change as a general rule. I eat the same thing for breakfast 80% of the time. I have the same morning routine. I struggle to make friends, so leaving any tenuous friendships behind is tough.

There are job options. Several. Nothing that strikes me as the greatest job ever, but jobs that are stable and will compensate me reasonably well.

I wonder what Bill Gates is thinking as he clears out his desk today ....?
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