So, I resigned on Tuesday, January 6 and on Thursday of that week our station manager, with whom I’ve never really gotten along, scheduled an exit interview for one week later, on Thursday, January 15. Like I said before, my last day was agreed to be Tuesday the 20th.

I was surprised he wanted that exit interview and that he had any concern about what I might have to say, but I was happy to have the opportunity to explain why I thought things just weren’t moving in the right direction.

I spent some time that first week preparing files, moving personal stuff home, and tying up some loose ends. I didn’t do everything that week though because I had an entire week ahead to do the really big, important stuff.

But when I went to work on Tuesday, January 13, the station manager called me into his office after lunch, handed me a check for the rest of January and told me that day would be my last day. No exit interview, no finishing up in-progress projects, nothing.

Why the 180-degree change? I have no idea. No explanation, logic, or reasoning given. But it was entirely typical of the station, and a major reason why I was ready to move on. Make no mistake: Clear Channel Broadcasting is out to monopolize and they’re bad, bad, bad. I still have the memos instructing me on what to say to the FCC, legislators, and the general public in regard to Clear Channel’s bad name, and none of it is honest.

It was a big shock to be shuffled out of there with no warning, and I had kind of a hard time adjusting. I’ve never really worked anywhere else; I graduated from high school and then started working there at the station. I just didn’t know my adult life any other way, and even my identity as an adult was somewhat tied into my position and role there. So, the transition took some time, especially since I never got to mentally prepare for an exit—I was saving that for the final scheduled week.

I think I’m over the whole thing by now, but I did need a little time away from everything that had become routine—including blogging—just to sit and think, alone, about what I want to happen next in my life. I had a lot of great, introspective time, and Patrick and I have been able to spend a lot of really nice quality time together, which has been amazing. I don’t know what I would have done without him.

I don’t have any answers yet, but I don’t expect them anytime soon. I’m freelancing a bit on projects here and there, but I’m financially OK for a while, so I’m just planning on having some fun without worrying about any definite plans or goals. I think I just need to float for a bit, let life wash over me, and see what comes up in the next few months.