Phil recently went public with his pending career shift - he's leaving VelocIT to make waves at Koders. Naturally I wish my friend only the best... but I've got to get something off my chest.
My gut reaction
When Phil first called me to break the news I thought I took it rather well.
I mean, I certainly understand where he's coming from when he talks about his love for OSS and the communities that are built around great projects like Subtext - boy do I understand! I also tend to agree with his there are only two kinds of developers view.
And let's be honest, sometimes we need to change things up to keep life interesting... especially when one's heart is leading them somewhere other than where they are. So I wished him well and ended the call feeling pretty well.
The morning after
However, the next day I was kinda bummed. Apparently I was in a noticeable funk as Carli even poked fun at me... "are you sad because Phil is leaving you, aww."
When she said that, it hit me. Yeah, I am sad... sad that I won't be working with a guy - and a friend - that I really respect. Sad that I won't be able to call my boss just to shoot-the-breeze about Subtext, or the latest design pattern, or our mutual love/hate relationship with Microsoft products, etc... Oh, and just who do these 'Koders' guys think they are?
So, I called Phil up and told him that it felt like I was being broken up with. After all, Phil was the guy who recruited and brought me into the VelocIT fold to begin with.
Naturally a Seinfeld-ian conversation ensued...
Phil: It's not you, it's me.
Me: "It's not you, it's me"... what do you mean "it's not you, it's me?" I invented "it's not you, it's me"... if it's anybody it's me!
Phil: And we'll always have Subtext.
Me: Yeah, that's true...
In the end, it more of the same from Mr. Haacked - great insight mixed in with the occasional obscure pop-culture reference.
I'm so over Haacked!
I can now say that yes, I was Haacked - and I liked it. But I'm over it, and a better person for it.
OK, so all joking aside (this really was supposed to be a serious post, but I lost focus after the 2nd sentence)... Congrats Mr. Haacked, and all the best in the future! Your friends at VelocIT certainly will miss you and I'm sure you'll rock the house over at Koders.
Viva la Subtext & buena suerte Phil!