Work Anniversary

Twenty-four years and about half an hour ago, I officially became a federal employee at the Patent Office in Crystal City. It’s been a long journey, and I’m now a part-time teleworker to the new facility in Carlyle. The job has had its stresses, but I became a primary examiner, managed to remain employed (there was one period when my then-supervisor and the then-group director were pretty much making things impossible for me), have made a good living, and have been able to provide for my own needs and make donations to causes I care about. Only sixteen years remain until I can retire.

And now to cross the room in my apartment, unlock the laptop computer I took home last night (together with a mouse, a keyboard, and some papers), and start my workday.