I'm the worst travel blogger so far...

But it is confirmed I will be a travel blogger!

Yup. I was hoping my company would persuade me to stay. Offer me a hot position. NOPE.

In fact, they offered me an entry-level position as department assistant - basically a paid intern. Uh huh, after over a decade in television, I was offered a position that paid about 15 grand less than I make now, plus a demotion. They said they'd like it if I could continue working on the stuff I do now plus the departmental assistant stuff. Sorry no. If you want to demote me and take away 15 grand... you're not getting more work out of me.

To be fair, this was HR's decision, not my manager or my manager's boss, whom I met with about this transition. He felt it was a sucky offer as well, considering all I've done for this channel. When I turned it down, he said I was making the right decision and that he'd help me find something new. I have heard this line before but I hope he can make good on it.

So. I guess that's that. Decision made. Trip is a go.

Holy crap, I'm suddenly very nervous.

Some progress made.

I emailed my mother just before Christmas that I wanted to quit my job and travel for 3 months. I got no response. Then, the day before Christmas Eve, we were out shopping when she casually asked, "So who would take care of your dependents (cats) while you're traveling?"

"So you got my email?"

"Yeeeees."

And that was that.

There have been no discussions.

Then last week I realized my brother, Owen, was graduating from college in mid-May. I wrote my mother a rather, admittedly, histrionic email:

I wanted to take my trip but I didn't remember that Owen graduates in mid-may. I don't think I want to quit my job for just a 2 month trek. I wanted to do 4 months originally but Erin's wedding made me knock it down to 3.5 Now, with O's graduation, that's another 1.5 months gone.I'm never going to do anything interesting with my life.

She wrote back:

I'm sure Owen would understand if you are out of the country. Don't be so dramatic...

So... I guess that's parental support?

Nothing from the patriarch yet....