Mem has left the building

Today was my last day after more than 21 years at Oracle. Yep. That's the corporate entity that I used to work for and whose name I carefully never mentioned in social media. Lots of hugs from people in the building, but not even an acknowledgement from management that I was leaving. No exit interview. No one assigned to take my badge, or my credit card, or my office key.

I went into my office planning to do a set of a dozen or so reports and re-write one macro. And found that the only thing I had access to was email. So I re-coded the macro, tested it, and mailed it out to my co-worker. Then had a phone conversation with him about the reports that he is going to have to take over - because I no longer have access. He asked how he is supposed to get access and I didn't know. I've had it since the system was created. No idea what people do now. And that, in a nutshell, is how I feel about leaving. I am very glad I don't have to go to work on Monday. This or any Monday. But I have no idea how my team will manage to get things done. They've been told just to absorb my work. There will be no replacement hiring. And while I care personally for the efforts and overwork of my friends and co-workers, I don't really give a fig for whether or not Oracle accomplishes it's ill-managed purposes and tasks. I've done too much, for too long, with too little reward. Screw 'em.

It's been a year...

About this time exactly one year ago I was heading into the operating room for cancer surgery. It's been a year. With the wonderful help of friends and family - Lisa and Kent and Megan most specifically - I have recovered and, praise God, have had clear quarterly cancer checks. Three of them. Next one is the end of February.

It's also Epiphany. Those are two big reasons why I chose this as my last day of work. Thank you all for everything you've done to keep me going and keep me recovering my health over the last year.

As my sister Juanita tells me, may your next year be your best year. So say we all.