For me today marks the real end of summer vacation and the start of a whole new part of my life.

Three months ago, I was laid off from my job as a software engineer after thirteen years of working for (essentially) the same company. It was the only real job I’ve ever had and I was there since I was fresh out of university. That was thirteen years of watching my friends get laid off as a company of over 120,000 employees was dwindled down to less than 10,000. Finally, after several close calls, my number was up. When I got my notice I decided to take the summer off and spend some much needed time recharging my batteries (they were empty) and enjoying time with my wife and son.

Now that summer is over, it’s time for me to really focus on what’s next. I guess early retirement is not really in the cards (booo!) so I have to figure something out. For now, my son is home every second day, so that means I’m a part time photographer and part time Mr. Mom (not sure that’s politically correct anymore but you get the point). Who knows what the longer term has in store…

As expected, summer flew by and today I saw my son off to his first day of senior kindergarten at his new school and his first ride on the school bus. He has a new school, new teacher, new bus, new rules, new faces… He should have been terrified. But instead he was so excited and brave and ready to take on these new challenges that he couldn’t contain himself. And I couldn’t be prouder of him… that is unless he comes home with a note from his teacher today! 

Am I an out of work software engineer who enjoys photography, or a photographer who used to write software? I’d be lying if I said the thought of what’s next for me is not incredibly daunting, but if I could scrape together just a little of the enthusiasm and fearlessness that my son displayed today, I’ll figure it out.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some vacuuming to do.