the worst kind of drainage, the best kind of downsizing

since my last post, the rudd six have been ravaged and persecuted by:
colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, ear infections, the gout
(ok, maybe one of these didn't really happen, but the rest did)

it seems now that these invaders have, for the most part, been vanquished by antibiotics and/or antibodies, with only the remnants of my sinus infection remaining.

Before our family was transformed into a breading ground for disease and plunged into sleepless nights and zombie-days, we were celebrating the climactic end to Tony Petty's eight years of employment under my merciless thumb.

That's right. I'm downsizing my company significantly. I'm canning Tony's Caboose. Not today, or tomorrow, but at the end of this month when he moves to Buffalo, NY and starts his new job where he will be making more money than I do.

**

After working together in some capacity or another for almost a decade, I will definitely miss having Tony as an employee, but several months ago, it seemed clear to all parties that our current arrangement wasn't sustainable for Stock20, or the best path for Tony's career.

So Tony started looking for a new gig.

As you all know, jobs are in short supply these days.

Tony was concerned about his lack of formal education or certifications.

But he caught the attention of growing company in Buffalo, NY (that seems to take very good care of their programmers).

He was pessimistic through numerous phone interviews, and even when they flew him (business class) to their headquarters for more interviews.

But once they offered him the job, and salary that was substantially larger than the number he had given them, there was less room for self-doubt.

With the exception of one freakishly fortunate year, I have never enjoyed a yearly income greater than Tony's starting compensation at this new company.

When he told me that he got the job, and what they were going to pay him, I was not necessarily surprised. I had told him all along that I thought the right company would pay top dollar for his services. So I wasn't all that surprised, but I was feeling very strong emotions.

Part of the emotional response was probably because I knew they would be well taken care of (a point of concern which had been growing inside of me at a rate to match Tara's uterine passenger).

But I think I may have been even more happy about the demonstration of confidence in Tony's ability. Lots of executives, experts in the field, who interview scores of programmers each year, gave Tony a great deal of scrutiny, then they worked very hard to make sure Tony understood: they *really* wanted him to work for them.

Somehow, over the last eight years, that's become something that I really wanted for Tony.

Back when he was a teenager, doing an internship for me at Orchard View Church, Tony's talent has been obvious to me. He's worked hard to develop a set of impressive skills. He's had his share of obstacles. Nothing's been handed to him.

Both He and Tara have really grown as individuals, they've earned my respect. They aren't teenagers any more.

They've cared for my children. They've run my business for me. They've become my close friends.

They are very good people and they are going to be great parents. I'm really proud of them both.

I think this move will be good for them in many ways, but I will really miss having them close by (and I know our kids will too). But right now, I'm just very happy for them both.