So we finally accepted an offer on the shop, and it looks like the hand-over will take place on the 1st April.  With the shop now heading out of my life, I thought I'd change the name of my site... which turned out to be a lot harder than I thought.

I was hit with the gaping realisation that I just don't know where I am anymore.. spiritually I guess, although I wouldn't consider myself a spiritual person, or what I want to do.  I'm pretty much in a state of complete loss and bewilderment.  Is this a mid-life crisis?

Fortunately, I have a well-grounded career to fall back on, but to return to support & networking would require a move to the city, and I don't really want to program unless the interest levels are high.. i.e. new languages/products, or fun projects etc.

Computers took their toll on me physically, the Carpal Tunnel causes me some real problems, and I just don't know if I can put myself back through that.  I've already had to give up the guitar because of it.. what will be next? I guess I could always go under the knife and have it fixed up.

I LOVE technology, and evaluating new products, and how they can be used in certain situations, but I can't see there being much call for this sort of position in the current economic environment.  Once upon a time, while working for the IT department of a large worldwide company, I created a position of Technical Innovation Manager for myself, because of my constant introduction of new technologies and products into their projects.  Since then, I've been responsible for changing the direction of two or three Programming/IT departments because I have been able to demonstrate better tools/languages/platforms etc.  It's the NEW technologies that really excite me, playing with them and working out if they can be practically used.  Once established,  I want to move on to the next one, I don't want to be stuck with it!!  :^)

With the shop came new skills, I was now responsible for stock purchasing, staff employment, accounts, etc etc.  I proved to myself that I could take a business that was close to closure, and turn it around.  While I do enjoy it, it's been a physical drain, and I've missed my family terribly, and I really want to spend more time with my daughter.

I've continued to maintain web sites for some of our old Webbod clients, and I've put a few new sites together for new clients.  While I'm a programmer, I do like the ease of tools like Joomla, and so I've been putting all new sites out using that.  Having the programming background, and knowing PHP, means I can make changes or add new modules if need be.

The trouble is... aside from computers, I can't do anything else, and I've no idea what other avenue to take.

Maybe I need to look into coding for the iPhone?  I wonder whether it's worth exploring that?  Or maybe offering Mac Support, as there's very little in the area.  Heck, maybe I should even consider going out and hooking up entertainment systems for people, there's a whole generation out there that are being driven towards Component, HDMI & TosLink connections, and wouldn't have a clue where to start.

Maybe I just need a good break?  I've worked my backside off for the last 3+ years in the shop (trust me to buy a 7-day a week business)... and for the 20 years prior to that in an IT career.

So back to the new name of my site.. it pretty much sums up how I feel right now.  Hopefully, after a couple of weeks away from the shop, some time with the family, some km's on my Triumph, a visit or two to the docs, and settling back into 'life' I may have a brainwave!