Jonathan Field - Maker of Random Stuff

(written en route from Atlanta to Dakar)

The last week before I took off I must admit that my efforts at the office were minimal. It wasn’t intended as a slight, and I hope it isn’t viewed as slacking off on the way out. It was mainly because I compressed my departure schedule too much and had to cram so much in.

In addition to all the crazy stuff that would be expected with such a change, I had to go to court for not having my car registered and not carrying proof of insurance. Court was surprisingly efficient. The judge spoke so fast it sounded like another language. I simply said “yes” twice, then “no contest”, then “thank you”. And magically the judge reduced my fines from just over $1000 to just over $100. I think it was because I winked at her. Providing proof of registration and pre-existing insurance may have helped as well.

The team took a trip to Shark Reef and the Buffet at Mandalay on Tuesday, I think it was. That’s the classic original “dev outing” from just over a year ago that we so fondly recall. More of us made it this time, though not everyone. Jessica, Jen, and Jon were out of town. Here’s a picture of the rest of us. Jessica and Jon were at Shark Reef last time. And Jen was at the go-kart outing, so I feel we’ve all got our recreational goodness at one point or another.

But wait, there’s more! On Wednesday I got the coolest going away gift ever! Yes, it’s a mini-Martin travel guitar! I was truly touched and amazed at the team’s thoughtfulness. What a great bunch of people. I had considered bringing my guitar to South Africa with me, or buying a cheap one when I got there, but this was absolutely the perfect solution. I guess it’s 3/4 scale, it plays beautifully, and actually has a deeper tone than my full size Ovation.

A quick rendition of Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” was the first thing I played when I opened the gift. Tears all around, I tell you.

Honestly: I admit that I’m a little bit worried bringing it with me on the trip — there is quite a high crime rate in South Africa. But dammit, I’m not going to let fear keep me from enjoying a travel guitar as it was intended. It is in the overhead bin right now as I write this.

But wait, there’s more! On Thursday night there was a Sad Happy Hour held for both Eric and I, as it was our last day. Lots and lots of people turned up at PT’s on Eastern for drinks, snacks, and a chance to say one last goodbye. The drinks and snacks may have been slightly more compelling, but it seemed like most people came for us, too.

Tony and Fred got me to stand up on a stool (after a huge mug of Fat Tire) and give a little speech. I managed not to fall off. The gist of my speech was that I wanted to hug everyone. Then I got Eric to get up and give a little speech too. The gist of it was that we were all a big family. Lots of love and applause. We were awarded with two absolutely gorgeous garden-gnome statues, complete with custom engravings for each of us. I’ll have to post a picture later; I didn’t get a chance to shoot one before i packed it up. It’s about as nifty a thing as I could imagine after the guitar.

I didn’t get to hug everyone, but I sure got to hug a lot of people. It really was an emotional time, saying goodbye. So many good friends. I know I’ll be back to visit and there will be more fun in the future, but it is the “end of an era”, as the KY fab four were known to say as last October wound down.

But wait, there’s more! Somehow people on my team figured out that in addition to loving music and gnomes, I also love goats. Yes, I know that saying such a thing can can get awful rumors started, but to hell with it: Ireally love goats. And not just because they’re neat little creatures, terribly cute and curious. I like them because they make great gifts. So, as if all the rest wasn’t enough of a send off, I also got a wonderful little goat. Or more accurately, someone who can use one did.

That was the Happy Hour and then I took off.

As I mentined in an earlier post, I spent the rest of my time in Las Vegas clearing out the house in a marathon cleaning session that involved skipping sleep that night. I’ll post more about the big cleansing later. But for now i just want to soak in the pleasant memories I’ve had with all the good people I worked with, and to be thankful for their appreciation. I hope you all know I appreciated you too.

Okay, I’m going to sleep now… in Africa!