Leaving my previous job

It was strange to leave campus yesterday afternoon, having handed in my badge. Many workplaces are fairly easily revisited but, with my having being working at a large government laboratory with a well-guarded security perimeter, I knew it to be a world that, once left, is not easily reentered. Seeing my office, the approach road, etc., yesterday might very well be the last time. I was careful not to leave anything behind accidentally.

Many colleagues were kind enough to take the trouble to tell me individually and privately that they had appreciated working with me and would miss me. I was touched.

Earlier this week, they bought me a farewell lunch, I chose a barbecue restaurant with covered outdoor seating, which seemed optimal for weather resistance during a pandemic. I find it an interesting place: it is a converted gas station where the building is staff-only and, along one side, the gas pumps have been replaced by picnic tables, where we sat under the overhead canopy. The other side has been adapted for drive-through service.