But before I get going, may I just say this is good news?
Friday was my final day with my employer.
There have been layoffs in prospect for over three months.
For reasons I'll explain in a moment, I was keen to leave, and told my boss so. Luckily, when it came for the decision to be made, he chose me.
You're remembering this is good news, right? No? Quick, relax with this:
Pacman never looked so good. Better? Okay, I'll continue.
I've been with the company for thirteen years.
When I was laid off, I received a very generous severance deal.
This means that I can take a long sabbatical without worrying about money.
I have time and space and resources behind me.
And so I'm going to write a book.
Called FUNNY BADGERS, it will be a feature-length version of this blog.
Yes, yes, it's all about me; are you surprised?
Plus a lion, a bear, various badgers, Abbey, Eolist and 'Difficult.
Oh, and Elliot.
And a Squiddrel.
There's even a rumour that my agent Ziva will put in a scene-stealing cameo.
As you can imagine, I'm very happy about this.
You’re totally feeling the good news now, right?
I've been distracted of late, and it's puzzled and worried a few.
It's been stressful, waiting for confirmation while dreaming and scheming.
But now the deal is done, I can share it with you without jinxing it.
I wanted you all to be the first to know.
Huge thanks to my sanity throughout this.
Indigo
This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2012
what a day for you, sugarpie!!! i love it when good news comes to friends. *cheers* and *cheers* again! xoxoxoxox
ReplyDeleteHey Savannah! Yes, this is the best news! Thank you =)
DeleteThere will be good and bad days ahead Indigo. I know from experience that the feeling of liberation is liberally mixed with occasional doubt and disempowerment and it can be a mental struggle to stay positive. You've taken control in a situation where that's a rare opportunity.
ReplyDeleteYou have real talent and now you can do what you do best and what you truly want to do.
Get your head down and that sorry fractal slacker ass in the air.
And don't you stop for nuthin or I may have to visit one night and stick my cricket bat right up your nighty!
The very best of luck to you Sir.
{Bows and retreats gracefully}
Hey Alistair! Yes sir! "Thank you sir, may I have another?!" Sage advice, my old china. Indigo =)
DeleteCongratulations old chap. Best of luck in your new endeavour. Remember that I'm here to buy you lager and pizza whenever you need it.
ReplyDeleteYou just have to make it to my neck of the woods ;-)
Bobby! I just may hold you to that, you old git. I long for the East Coast again! And thank you.
DeleteCongratulations, my friend, I am so happy for you. :) I see great things in your future, and while it will be a lot of work, I truly believe you can do whatever you set your mind to.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The flowers are lovely. :)
Hey Ziva! Thank you, m'love, that's a sane and uplifting thought. It will be a lot of work. But I tell ya Z, I'm ready for it. Indigo x
DeleteOk now - it's 09.30 and something tells me your still in bed and not sat in front of your computer or sketching out the framework of this book.
ReplyDeleteYep I'm right aren't I?
Dammit, did I leave my webcam on again?!
Delete*sends coffee* ... *lots of it*
ReplyDeleteI need EolistBlend, STAT! =)
DeleteSeize the moment! I know you can succeed brilliantly with your new project! I'm so looking forward to saying "I knew him when..."! You are a fantastic writer and I can even picture the movies ahead featuring you and your marvelous characters! Best of luck, but with your talent, you don't need luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Linda! Thanks, the good news is, you still WILL know me. "Oh yeah, I was hanging out with Indigo last week and we were laughing about when he just had this weird little blog and a necktie fixation!" They'll love that at cocktail parties. I like the idea of movies, too. Now then, who should play me and Max... Hmmm...
DeleteRussell Crowe, Silly! Who else for you?
DeleteMax, I dunno. Mel Gibson?
Ha! Not my favourite actor. I always think of Ewan McGregor, but he's too short. Colin Firth is perfect height, but too old, and frankly too good looking. We may have to settle for those sacks of spanners Clooney and Pitt for me and Max?
DeleteI'm happy things worked out the way you were hoping! Count me as another who believes in your writing. It will be nice just taking time to breathe, at first, I dare say :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jen! Thank you, I'll never get tired of hearing that. And yes, I'm taking the time to decompress. It's a tough process, but I have my sanity. Indigo =)
DeleteCongratulations Indigo! And that Pizza looks so sexy :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Wendy! Thankee ma'am. And yes, it was pretty yummy, the brightest spot in a dark evening =)
DeleteAlways loved your writing.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck :)
Thank you Anonymous, whoever you are!
Delete:)
DeleteWorking sucks. Not working sucks. There is no winning, really. But perhaps having some time to write will be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteGod knows I wish I had it. Back in the olden days, writers sometimes had patrons. I guess if you can think of your former employer as your patron, then this really is a good thing. Some days, though, I feel it all boils down a slice of pizza. Sausage and mushroom, and with green chiles if you can get them, you know?
Hey Mike! Yep, thanks to the generosity of my 'patron', this is an entirely good thing. This might take some getting used to, but hey, I'm a slacker - how hard can it be? As for the pizza, I'd be honoured to share with you anytime, Sir. Indigo
DeleteI'm just going to fly in here long enough to say that not working not only does not suck, it doesn't not suck.
DeleteThose are wise words, Murr! Thank you!
DeleteCongratulations are in order! I recommend setting a specific schedule for writing (great thing: it can be any time of day or night) and sticking to it. You know, after you finish celebrating for a day or two.
ReplyDeleteHay Nancy! Lovely to see you after my self-imposed exile! And those are wise words. I intend to do that very thing once my head is pleasantly empty. It may take a few more days. Indigo =)
DeleteCarpe diem Indigo! And veni vidi vici. And, of course, e pluribus unum. Or, you know, congratulations. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Nicky! Ooooh, E PLURIBUS UNUM. That's right up there with ANNUIT COEPTIS, NOVO ORDO SECLORUM. Literally. Marvellous. Thank you! Indigo =)
DeleteI am very excited for you. Excited. Envious. Ever-so-slightly dizzy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I may soon be joining you. Not in the UK, of course, but amongst the laid off. :-( and :-)
Hugs from Mpls,
Pearl
Hey Pearl! Thank you! I was surprised to hear your news, but hope the outcome is the one you want. Ooh hey, d'you know, dizzy suits you? Thanks for the hugs =) Roth
DeleteA book Indigo???!!! That is amazing news!! I am happy for you that you are happy and now have the time to mosey through life and do some wonderful things!
ReplyDeleteI will be the first to buy that book, you mark my words!
Hey Kato! It is pretty exciting, isn't it? I'll be sure they publish it in the Canadian language, just for you =) Indigo
Deletei love your blog, to express your views, this is the correct way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jual!
DeleteSometimes I wish my work would do the same with me, though my luck I'd be screwed with my pants on. And not in the good way.
ReplyDeleteHey Joshua! Yeah, I doubt any American severance would look quite like this. But I'll keep my fingers crossed for you matey. Indigo
DeleteHappy semi-retirement! No wonder you've been quiet as of late. (No such explanations for me, tough.) A paid sabbatical is the perfect thing! I shall await the publishing of Funny Badgers with anticipated delight.
ReplyDeleteHey Paula! Ooooh, semi-retirement? I like the sound of that... Indigo =)
DeleteGood luck with the book! I've been thinking about writing one myself.
ReplyDeleteHey Zibbs! Thanks matey! I'll be sure to squeeze a blue yak in; he probably knows the badgers. Indigo
DeleteLovely and exciting! Cheers to you, Indigo!
ReplyDeleteAnd happy holidays, too!
:-D Anna
Thanks Anna! I'm embroiled in Christmas excitement right now, but 2013 is coiled like a spring! Have a fabulous Christmas! Indigo =)
Delete