When I was about eight or nine years old, my Dad met a pro football player at a PTA meeting (Dad was the school vice-principal) and got his autograph for me.  Now, I wasn't into football and had barely heard of the Green Bay Packers let alone this particular individual.  I may have been a little odd at that age (OK, I'm still a little odd), but even then I found myself wondering why anyone would want to have someone else's signature.  What's the point?  Let's say that my nine year old self met someone really amazing to me like Adam West (the original live-action Batman).  What would I want out of the meeting?  I probably would have been in awe, a bit tongue tied telling him how much I like what he does, eager to hear him speak in person, maybe even shake his hand.  But I wouldn't have asked for his autograph.  

I think I have always realized there's a difference between the creative work and the person behind the creative work.  Talking to someone about how much I admire their work is obviously about the creative work, but asking for an autograph seems to be more about the person than the work.  My life may be enriched by the creative work itself or even discussions about the creative work, but how is my life enriched by possession of a signature?  It's tantamount to saying "your work is so good that it elevates you as a human being."  I don't buy it.  I have never bought it.  As much as I might have admired the incredible nuances of Batman portrayed on our black-and-white TV, I still knew even at that young age, that Adam West was not categorically a better human being than me.

So, yesterday I sent out an "It's been great" email to my co-workers and told them how much I've enjoyed working with them.  Most know that I'm going to the Clarion writer's workshop for the next six weeks before I move on to my next job and several had asked to read the story that will be published in October.  I attached the story to the email for their reading pleasure and hoped they would enjoy it.  About two hours later, a lady that works in our administrative section came into my office with a folder in hand and said rather excitedly as she put it on my desk, "You have to sign this!"  Trying to connect the dots in my head, I assumed there was some kind of out-processing paperwork or other administrative item that needed to be taken care of before my ultimate departure.  I opened the folder and discovered she had printed my story.  She liked it so much that she wanted me to sign it so she could say she "knew me when".

Hey, that felt kind of good!

Oops ... maybe that was the point all along.

I like change.  My entire adult life (about 30 years) I've changed my job (but not necessarily employer) on average once every three years.  I sometimes feel stagnant after about two years.  I think it helps with my writing because I've managed to have a lot of different experiences. 

I have also moved a lot.  My earliest years were in Hayward, CA (east side of the San Francisco Bay) and I went through puberty in a small town in the wine country north of the Bay Area.  As an adult I have lived (in order) in Fresno CA, San Francisco, Miami FL, Germany, Atlanta, Albuquerque NM, Dayton OH, Sacramento CA (three different homes), Gaithersburg MD, and now a beautiful area in southern CA. Living in different places has an impact on the writing as well. 

I have degrees in Nuclear Engineering but started out my college career as a music major.  I've been in the military as an enlisted man and also an officer.  I've worked for State government (God help me) and a family owned company with a long term service contract at the National Institutes of Health.  I am currently finishing up my third year working at a University in the environmental health and safety department.  So, of course that must mean it's time for a new job!  I haven't been actively looking for another job, but a position came open in what I consider one of the top schools in the country (USC) and I couldn't resist applying.  Long story short, I'm getting a significant pay increase, and my children have the opportunity to pursue a degree for free if they can get in (not for a few years yet, but soon).  This should be my last employment stop.  I'm not getting any younger, and I need to square the whole retirement thing away (of course I said that three years ago too).

But, right now I'm looking at the perfect storm of change.  I'm going to attend the Clarion workshop (well known for its life changing experience) and then immediately follow it up with starting my new job.  I'm hoping I'll be able to keep my head out of the clouds and concentrate when I need to.  I also hope I don't lose any writing momentum from brain overload.  I think it will work.  I hope it will work.