Zounds!

Egads! Umm.. yotz!

Today's the last day at PNI. It's a bittersweet time; though I'm thrilled without a doubt to be on the cusp of a whole new chapter in my life, I've been reflecting a lot on the wonderful times I've had here. It's almost difficult to imagine life at the beginning of the journey.

I finally sat down and tallied up a list of all those I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. The list of direct webteam members alone is no fewer than 25 strong. There are at least 25 more people from outside that group with whom I've also worked and for whom I have a great deal of respect. And I can't even attempt to tally the complete list of those I have at least some history with, but it's well over 200.

One day early in my time there, I recall walking with my team lead through the office to attend a meeting. She greeted so many people by name as we passed them that I absolutely couldn't believe knowing that many people. It seems like I read an article once that the human brain is terribly flexible, but that left to its own devices, pretty much everyone has a maximum tribal limit of 300 people. Beyond that and it's harder to know any more people well enough to care. I guess that's only at any given time, since I can certainly prattle off stories and memories involving every single person I've known here.

Reactions to my departure have been varied and revealing. Those that I'm closest to have been fantastic and supportive and sad as I am that we won't be so near to each other every day now. A handful seem to have world views or personalities that simply don't contain the choice that I'm making, and thus can't comprehend why I'd do this. And the rest... probably still find me bizarre or enigmatic at best, since I've never really acquired the knack for mass friendliness toward those with whom I have no direct working relationship. Maybe someday I'll swap out my social on/off switch for a rheostat.

But all that aside, the reality of my situation is sinking in and my excitement is growing. Never in my adult life have I had this kind of uncomplicated, universal freedom to explore... and I intend to take full advantage of it.