Career evolution, the next chapter

The story so far....
Greene Means Go Consulting was created in June of 2009 to serve clients with training and business consulting needs. Contracts ranging from a day to a few months proved to be successful, and even - dare I say it - almost lucrative. Along the way, a long-dormant journalism career was reborn. The little consultancy that could, actually did.

From time to time, potential permanent opportunities presented themselves, but none of them came to fruition. After a while, I determined that I was probably destined to remain an indy for hire, and I came to enjoy it. Some months (and quarters) were better than others, but hard work and a lot of networking was paying off.

So now it's time for the news. On Friday, I started a new job. Not a consulting contract, but working full-time in downtown Boston as a Senior Instructor for a software company based in Silicon Valley. Why did I willingly walk back into the not-so-much-controlling-my-own-destiny rat race? The short answer is I found the right fit, they named my price, and I'm good at what I do. Excellent company, progressive software, lots of growth, and a great new challenge. This decision has been in the works for a couple months, but as far as I was concerned it wasn't real until I was issued my new laptop (and Blackberry) and logged in to my new email account. It's real now..

Certain things will have to change. My commute will go from a flight of stairs to thirty miles (via commuter rail, subway, and a short walk). I'll have to be showered, dressed, caffeinated and out the door at least an hour before I used to wake up. I'll have to shave! Daily! I might finally get a Kindle to pass the time on the train. Also, I'll have to accept a reliable paycheck every couple weeks. I will have to figure out how to use a Blackberry - the company cell phone assigned to me. Never been a big fan of Crackberries. Always hated the damn things, to be honest, but now I own one.  I'll work through it, though. How hard can it be? If Wall Street stock brokers, Congressmen and Senators can figure them out, I'm sure I can manage.

It's been two years since I worked for someone else, and fifteen since I last worked downtown. Walking the couple blocks toward South Station on the way home after my first day, I looked up at the Boston skyline I remember so well, and you know what occurred to me? I've missed it. Even though I live in Maynard, I love that dirty water. Boston you're my home.

Before you ask, I promise Greene Means Go Consulting isn't dead, not by a long shot. Under the right circumstances, I'll still do some consulting on the side, and the regular writing gig will never stop. Wild horses couldn't drag me away from my friends and readers at Pet Connection. This should be a great new ride. I'm strapped in, and ready to climb the hill!