It Takes A Village

There is an old saying….“It Takes a Village.”

While the original intent of this adage was, I believe, in regards to raising a child, in this case it's in regards to me rejoining the workforce after my forced separation...and in this case, YOU are that village. Without my connections to you all, without the support of my friends, and without the never-wavering support of my wife, I could not have navigated those treacherous waters in search of that elusive job...that white whale that evaded me at every turn until I enlisted help from you, my crew. I cannot fully express my gratitude here, but rest assured, your aid and support did not go un-noticed. I had but to mention I was in need, and in no time I'd have a dozen messages with advice, offers, and good thoughts. (Do not underestimate the value of those thoughts, those messages helped me through some stressful times. I often went back to peruse some of those when feeling alone.)
My search for sustainable employment is a subject for another post, but suffice it to say it was challenging, and it’s finally over. I have given a two-week notice to my supervisor at my part-time, temporary employer, GaggleNet. I mentioned in a previous blog that I didn’t know what a “dream job” even was, but I suspect that I am soon to find out. It turns out that my dream job may well have been right in front of me all along, I was just too blind, stupid, and stubborn to see it. The search for that job is now behind me, and I look forward to soon stepping through the front door at Bloomington Cycle & Fitness (BCF) for the first time as an employee! (Ironically, I was informed last week that it was generally accepted that I would go to work for them when the car plant closing was announced. I wish someone had told me!) Yes, I may have spent a few hours in the past at BCF from time to time, but now, it will be my livelihood! I’ll be performing work that I love, with people that I love, and for people that I love. I’m looking forward to seeing you all in a professional capacity instead of strictly social, in fact, I think for me this job will blur that fine line between business and pleasure!. Please be patient with me as I learn the ins and outs of all things bicycle, but feel free to stop in and say “Hi!”
Thanks to you all for your support through this trying time, each and every one of you. (Special thanks for those involved in helping me out with the interim job, this helped Nancy and me out so much.) (Special thanks also to Scott and Caryn Davis for taking a chance with this washed-up auto worker!) (Extra-special thanks to Nancy, your calm demeanor through all of this made everything more tolerable.) Your advice, your leads, your references, the lunches, the drinks….all were invaluable through these few months. You are all citizens of “my village,” and I humbly thank you all so very much. I look forward to visiting with each one of you, whether it’s out on the road, in the bars, at my new workplace, or wherever.

Here’s to a long and fun-filled career in a different branch of the transportation industry! Cheers.

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