work -- the only thing constant is change.

well, work has been getting more fun. I can tell because I'm getting into it more and not minding staying til I get to a good stopping point. Alas, though, my boss, whom I very much like, is leaving. It sounds like there's a bad mismatch between him and the pres, although the pres originally hired him. I've been lucky enough to spend time talking to my boss about how he feels and what led up to all this, and the group and the company.

They've already hired a replacement. I was of course concerned that things would get awful, but... this guy seems really good -- sensitive, astute, smart as a whip. I've also spent time talking to him, both in email and in a 1-on-1. I was quite frank with him (up to a limit) about strengths and weaknesses, and easy and hard things, in the organization. (On the topics that I didn't want to get into, I at least suggested whom he should talk to and the very vague areas he should ask about.) We've talked about technical issues and people issues. And I've gotta say I'm impressed -- he seems to get it, and he seems to have observed some of the potential trouble spots already. Even my current boss, gracious and dignified man that he is, seems to like him a lot. So I'm hopeful that things will continue to go at least as well as they have so far.

And you know what? Quitting a job once this year has given me tremendous courage. While I don't want to offend anyone, I'm also trying hard not to hold back. And I realize now that quitting isn't nearly as hard as I thought it was. I'd like to stay, but now I feel like I have true options should things not work out. And that feels good.