That’s It — I’m Quitting
I've put a lot of thought into this decision, and I know it's the right thing to do for myself and for my family. I just can't take it anymore. I'm not satisfied with what I'm doing and the path I'm going down. This is just something I have to do.
It saddens me to say that today will be my last day… at my day job, that is. Had you going there, didn't I? You thought I was going to quit blogging. It's funny, because The Strobist made a similar announcement yesterday that he would be taking a one year leave of absence from his day job.
But the difference between he and I is that I'll actually be starting a new job in two weeks. Unfortunately I'm not at a point where I can blog full time, but who knows, maybe some time down the road. I currently work for Ethicon as a medical device engineer in Research and Development here in New Jersey. On July 16th, I'll be working for Quartus Engineering in San Diego as a mechanical engineer working on design and analysis. I know, I know — San Diego is a terrible place to live, but we'll manage to struggle through.
So what does all this mean for the blog? Nothing really — except that I might be posting some road trip photos in addition to regular entries on the week of the 9th. My wife and I are taking a cross-country road trip while our things are shipped out to our new place (which happens to be right behind the Torrey Pines State Reserve). It should be a fun drive — we'll be making a few stops along the way, including a visit with my Grandfather in Missouri and a stop at the Grand Canyon.
I'm not terribly familiar with a lot of other photo-ops along the way, so if any of you have suggestions for things to see along I-70 or I-40, let me know in the comments. We have seven full days to make the trip, so we'll have plenty of time to make a few stops.
Well, I'm off to my last day of real work here on the East Coast…
kRiZ cPEc
June 29, 2007You Really got me there…you know what? I just worked out a way to link to your blog from my blogspot–in Chinese sorry–only to see you say you’re quitting–and I will need to remove that link?–Thanks goodness, you mean something else. Good luck with your new job.
kRiZ cPEc
June 29, 2007Sorry, forgot to include my blogspot link in the previous reply/comment…whatever
this is it:
https://krizcpec.blogspot.com/
I post up some photos there as well.
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007LOL! Thanks for the words of encouragement — I hope I didn’t give you too much of a scare!
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007Wow! Lots of good advice for things to see and do! I’ll have to look into that park pass — I’m sure we’d get our $50 worth.
davew
June 29, 2007Ethicon? Wow, that brings back memory. When I lived in West Texas years ago, there was an Ethicon plant that manufactured surgical devices, I think sutures, needles, etc. My mom and brother-in-law both worked there for awhile.
I now live in Flagstaff, which is right on I40, south of Grand Canyon. I have a couple of suggestions: Look into buying a national park pass, for about $50, you can access quite a bit of national parks, including Grand Canyon (I believe park entrance is $25). Take a look at the booklet that comes with the National Park Pass, and check out different places you can visit.
second suggestion is to get to Grand Canyon, I recommend from Flagstaff, go north on 89 – to reach Cameron, when you are close to Cameron, you can take 64 West to reach East Rim entrance of Grand Canyon. There are various stops on East Rim, and that will take you to South Rim, and from South Rim, you can head towards Williams, and you are back on I40.
On 89, you can take a short detour to Sunset Crater National Monument, you can purchase the National Park pass at the entrance area. If you remember the movie Easy Rider, you will notice the lava flow when you go through that park, several Indian ruins are along that way.
Good luck with your new venture, don’t forget sun screen!
Mary
June 29, 2007Just started readin’ ya, so am glad you’re not leaving cyberspace. Good luck with the new gig. Sounds like you’re going through or near St. Louis — if so, don’t forget the Arch.
Susheel
June 29, 2007You really had me there for a while… I’m glad you’re still out here in the blogosphere!
I’m sure people are also looking out for pictures from your scenic road trip, all the best on your new job!
Andrew Ferguson
June 29, 2007Don’t scare me like that!
Good luck in San Diego 🙂
veronica.lynne
June 29, 2007Congratulations. You’re coming to beautiful, sunny California. San Diego is awesome. You’ll love the weather and the sunshine makes for great lighting for lots of fantastic photo ops on the beach.
–veronica.lynne
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007Yup, we’ll be going right through St. Louis — I totally forgot about the arch!
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007I know it! Now I’m really going to want that super telephoto lens I’ve had my eye on — surfer shots!
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007I couldn’t help myself, guys. It was perfect timing with The Strobist going problogger and all.
rygood
June 29, 2007Congrats on the new job and move brian! Exciting stuff.
In january i took the big step and moved cross-country from Miami to Los Angeles and it was an excellent decision. I think you will love California. Lots of new stuff to shoot!
Bowrag
June 29, 2007Sounds great. Enjoy your drive. We just made a similar trip. Had a blast. I love seeing the country.
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007That’s a big move too. I know I’ll love Cali — I actually grew up in Moreno Valley and I spent a lot of time in San Diego. We moved away when I was 12 though, so it should be great to get back out there and rediscover things. I’m excited about the weather too — 65 to 75 degrees year-round.
Brian Auer
June 29, 2007I think we’ll have a great time. The kids are in Idaho with my parents already, so it’ll be just me and the wife takin’ a trip. I want to try doing a photo documentary — we’ll see how it turns out. Maybe I can put together a flipbook video or something… we’ll see.
wingerz
June 30, 2007Best of luck with the new job and the move! I switched jobs a few weeks ago, but only switched office locations by a few blocks. 🙂
Brian Auer
June 30, 2007Man, that would be kind of nice. Though, I’m only switching office locations by a few time zones… no biggie.
inspirationbit
June 30, 2007yeah, you got me worried at first too – I even looked at the date to make sure that it’s not April 1st today. Glad to find out that you’re only quitting your job, and already found another one. Did you find a new place to live in San Diego already?
That would be some trip, moving to a new place with your wife and kids. Best of luck with your new job and a stress free move.
Denear
June 30, 2007WOW, congratulations. Dago is awesome, and the drive across will provide you with loads of photo ops. My friend just did the oposite, from SD to NJ and it took him a very long time to get adjusted to East Coast living, again…. The direction you are going in is a breeze.
Lots of luck, and have a great time.
Brian Auer
June 30, 2007Yup, we found a nice little apartment complex just up the road from work — about 1.5 miles. We’re also about 1 mile or so off the coast right behind the state preserve, so that should pose some pretty good photo ops.
Brian Auer
June 30, 2007Yeah, Jersey is a bit more uptight and stressful than Southern California. The whole family is ready to change things up a bit and enjoy life a little more.
Craig
July 3, 2007Welcome to San Diego…you’re going to love it! (From a current San Diegan/former East-Coaster.)
PhotographyVoter.com
October 23, 2007You had us going there! For a site who has supported photographyvoter from the start, we’re delighted you’re going to be still around!