Horse Diary -- September 2005

September 2005

September 18 , 2005

Holy cow -- I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last update. So much has happened.

First and most importantly, I rode Blue!! Woo hoo!! Actually, I've ridden him twice. Brandy, Tanja, and Lesley came over on Labor Day, and I did the first ride. It was completely uneventful, which was the best we could hope for. Before we started, I told him how important it was for him to put his silly side on hold and to keep all four feet on the ground. He was perfect! He wasn't even concerned.

The second time, a week later, was just as uneventful. Brandy came over, just in case I needed help, but he was fine. I even trotted him this time. I was a little worried about that, because I remember his bucking episode when we first lunged him with a saddle on. But he was relaxed... he seemed more surprised that he was allowed to trot with me.

The next step is to ride him out on the roads. I even got him hoof boots, but I haven't had time to get him out there. Weekends are for freelance work and pastures, so it isn't like I have time then. And it's starting to get dark earlier and earlier. Sigh.

I don't know what I'm going to do when I get my filly. I've decided to change her name, by the way. It's a rather long story why, so suffice it to say that her name is Amazing Grace... Gracie. It's a name she can grow into.

I'm not sure when she's coming. The shipper called me a couple of weeks ago and told me that the owner had told him she wouldn't be ready until the end of October. I checked with her, and it took her nerly a week to get back to me. When she did, she said, no, the filly would be ready at the beginning of October. Problem is, the shipper had already changed his schedule. Grrrr -- because I found a way to take her to Alex's clinic in October. He's going to get back with the owner and let me know when he can deliver her. How much you want to bet that it ends up being during Alex's clinic?

There's a lot more to write, but I just don't have the time, I'm afraid. I'll try to do a better job updating. The reason I haven't been updating my blog is that I started a new corporate job a couple of weeks ago. Four years ago I left Microsoft, vowing that if I ever went back, you might as well shoot me, because I will have become the ultimate failure. <cough> Well. Guess where I am?

I'm not back because I failed. The last four years were incredibly successful and fulfilling. But I wanted some things in my life -- like a farm and horses -- that require two salaries, and I just haven't been able to make enough money freelance yet. So I'm back at Microsoft -- as a contractor, not as a permanent employee. (If I ever do THAT again, you really should shoot me. PLEASE.) I found a terrific, laid-back, hands-off manager and a nice group of coworkers. In fact, I'm working with one of my very favorite people from my old group.

I'm supposed to be here right now. I know that in my heart for several reasons. I don't know why... it might not even be about me, and I might not ever know why I need to be here... but I'm where I'm supposed to be. That, I thought, especially coupled with my weanling, should make the transition back to corporate life easier. I figured I would just breeze right back into that world.

I haven't. It's Sunday evening after my second week, and I'm already dreading Mondays. I don't hate it. I just feel like it's 12 wasted hours five days a week, whih translates to five wasted days because I'm too wiped when I get home to do anything but give the horses an apple and scritchies. I don't give a rat's ass about Microsoft or what this department does. Passionate DISinterest, in fact.

The ironic thing is that since I started working, I've gotten several really exciting freelance projects I *am* passionate about. I'm working with my former editor on a three-book editing project, and I'm working with a friend on a two-book writing project -- all on subjects I'm super interested in. Plus I've taken on the moderating duties of two new mailing lists... Beyond Basics: Equine Clicker Training and TAGteach. Ideally, all are due by the end of the year... hey, five books, a full-time corporate job, a weanling, two green riding horses, other freelance projects, and moderating three mailing lists. What am I worried about?

List and Site Owner: Melissa Alexander, mca @ clickersolutions.com