-30-, only not just yet

As I've mentioned here, I've taken the plunge and accepted my employer's buyout offer. I made this move fully expecting my last day at the paper to be Sept. 15. It turns out, however, that they're letting me stick around awhile longer during the paper's transition (we're losing a considerable number of people from the copy desk and news desk and merging with another desk ... in short, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!). In fact, I could be writing headlines and engaging in other mischief until as late as Dec. 22.

So, there you have it. Many people have asked whether I'm irritated with the situation (it really wasn't my choice in the strictest sense to stick around, though my supervisors are behaving in a supremely awesome fashion). In truth, I'm happy for this arrangement. Though I had been looking forward to readjusting to the rest of the world's schedule (9 a.m., we will meet again, oh yes), it occurred to me today that leaving most of my incredible colleagues, and life as I've known it for the better part of this decade, will be ... challenging. I'm happy for the extra time.