All Things Must Pass

I'm borrowing my headline today from two of my favorite people: George Harrison and Axel Hoyer.

George said it first, but Axel used it most recently. 

As many of you know, for a few years, Axel was my lifeline, providing me with steady work to keep me afloat when my unemployment ran out and my prospects were slim. He took me under his wing, and I learned how to convert videotapes to a DVD (or USB) format and scan photos and slides.

Along the way, I also learned how to set up a website – enjoyagain.net – which won't win any design awards, but gets the job done. I did some social media via the FB page. And I got my first lesson in Google analytics. Thanks to Mr. Ginley, I also figured out how to set up spreadsheets to inventory and organize jobs so I could stay on top of them.

While I was working for Axel, I continued to look for employment that more closely matched my professional skills. No one wanted to gamble on someone with this much "experience" – until my current employer, OuterBox, took the time to read my work, look at me as a whole package and took that chance. Thankfully, they did, and I've been very happy there. 

But...it meant leaving the ranch, where I'd helped to bring back so many folks' memories to life. Fortunately, I was able to continue working for Axel as a side gig until last week, when he found my replacement. 

It was a bittersweet moment. On the one hand, it frees me up to do other things. On the other hand, it's the end of an era for me. 

Most people don't share my enthusiasm for the work, but in spite of technical glitches, poor quality tapes and other "pebbles in my shoe," I've enjoyed restoring people's memories. I imagine them sitting down to watch the newly-converted family movies, and seeing images of Grandma and Grandpa or Uncle Luke, who's no longer with us, as they flicker across the screen. To relive their children's early years. To remember that which had been forgotten.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get sentimental there, but oh well. What I really want to get to is to thank Axel for giving me the opportunity to try something totally out of my comfort zone and master it. Things didn't look good that first day when I sat down at one of the machines, went home and burst into tears because it seemed too much for me. Luckily, I didn't get sacked, and I even feel like I contributed in some small way to the success of Enjoy Again for awhile.

So here's to you, Mr. Hoyer, for the opportunity and the memories to enjoy again...and again.

Prost!