Well, I took the job. I could outline for your the painful process I underwent to arrive at this decision, but I've already re-lived it for so many people that I just can't.
Work is going to take up every waking minute of my life and every iota of my brain power for at least the next six months. I'm trying to think of it as a trial by fire, from which I will emerge transformed and cleansed, but from this vantage point it just looks terrifying. I just now taped a teeny-tine reminder on my phone handset: You asked for it.
But the real problem with continuing this blog is that people in this office know about it. Only a few, and I don't think they check it, but they could. I already feel a little constrained because so many of the people I know in real life read this and are subsequently aware of what a lunatic I really am; if I can't even obliquely refer to work for fear of being dooced I'll really be constrained.
And this place is a lunatic asylum, honestly, so not writing about it in any way will be extremely difficult.
But this is where I need to be right now, so here I am. It's my journey, as my boss and mentor told me when I accepted their offer. The announcement of my triumphant return will go out this morning, and I will endure several hours of snide remarks about how I swore I would never come back, while I try to negotiate a mountain of backlogged work that would kill an ordinary mortal. So it begins.
This blog will reappear in some form, at some point. I'll keep this page up for a while before I archive these posts somewhere, and then start a new one at a secret undisclosed location. If you would like to be informed when the new site kicks off, after I get my feet wet here, please comment below or shoot me an email (lendmesomesugar AT yahoo. c o m).
I have really loved writing this thing, and I've appreciated every one of you who has read it. Thank you so much.
Boo hoo hoo. I enjoyed reading this. But good luck to you!
Please let me know if you start up again
Posted by: Erin | May 27, 2005 at 05:43 AM
Congrats on being employed, but you havne't sold your soul, you have just mortgaged it. I'm bummed about your next six months (hope they are paying you a lot), but you can always reconsider then. Who knows what the options will be. I really enjoyed your blog, please let me know when you start a new one.
Posted by: Mark | May 27, 2005 at 05:56 AM
DON'T GO!!!! WE LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! best wishes with the job....let us know when you start up a new site....and how about you get your ass over here for a visit with us and the kids?!?!
Posted by: matt and cheri | May 27, 2005 at 06:07 AM
Yikes! Say it aint so!!! After all we've been through... :)
I understand completely though - discovery at work (and the subsequent feeling of being implicitly censored) was one of the reasons I started a new blog.
Good luck with the mountain o' work though. I'll miss your writing AND your craziness!
Please let me know when you start a new blog.
Posted by: Robert | May 27, 2005 at 09:26 AM
I want the new blog addy. Congrats. I'm sure it will be a good thing for you one way or another.
Posted by: Theresa | May 27, 2005 at 10:34 AM
Good luck Cara!!!!! And start that new blog soon!
Posted by: Kevin | May 27, 2005 at 10:50 AM
Cara, sorry to know you are not going to continue sharing your daily struggles. I have enjoyed reading and getting to know you. Thanks for being open and letting folks be a part of your life. Good luck with your new job. I am sure as a 'Word Merchant' you have a great future ahead of you.
Posted by: Marty | May 27, 2005 at 04:37 PM
Booo! I love the blog -- it gives me 3 minutes escape from my own soul-selling job. Keeping the blog is easy -- you just need to write about things other than work and THAT is what will keep you honest, it will make sure you *pursue* things other than work. There, I've solved it. I think you might owe me something now. Adios!
Posted by: Erica | May 30, 2005 at 09:12 PM
Cara, you still have the 'ville. Let me know when your new blog starts.
Posted by: Leah K | May 31, 2005 at 11:11 AM
I haven't posted here recently Cara, but I too will miss you. Take care of yourself. Funny, but I'll bet there are a bunch of us out here that don't know you personally, but will always wonder how you're doing. Have a great life.
Posted by: OGeorge | June 03, 2005 at 10:31 PM
Hang in there, girlie. Congrats on having made a decision and here's to the next six months being eaisier than you expect. I've really enjoyed this blog but totally understand taking a break and I look forward to its next incarnation. Take care, babe! (and you really are a babe, you know.) xoxoxo w
Posted by: Willa | June 06, 2005 at 11:19 AM