I’ve started to shell out money for this enterprise, and let me tell you what, that’s a scary part!

I’ve commited to buying commercial liability insurance. Personal health and way-high vehicle insurance are on my to-do list for Friday. 

I spent most of yesterday browsing laptops, with the help of a very patient friend. The Dells were shiny and came in red and all, but in the end, I broke my three-computer Dell streak and bought a Toshiba. I even got it that day, as I went with the in-store pickup, so my night was filled with getting a new toy going.

The evening was less filled than it might have been though; adding an additional machine turns out to be much simpler than replacing one. There’s no major transfers to do, just move a few contacts and bookmarks on over, and I’m set. That one’s going to be dedicated to the business, but I can see that I’m going to want to use it otherwise too - the screen’s huge and bright, and it runs like the wind, even with the dreaded Vista on it. It doesn’t fit in my old laptop bag though, so John gets that back for his DVD player, and I have more shopping to do.

But the biggie of yesterday was completely unexpected. My manager called, and I assumed it was about the deliverable I gave him that morning. I’d have liked it to be about that, actually, as I’m not billing for it until he’s happy, in case I have to tack extra hours on to fix something.

But no, he wanted me to come sign my gigantic contract. Which I happily did, and even more happily since they had it right there and I didn’t have to go down to the main offices. Now I’ve officially obligated myself to six months of being my own boss. I just have to wait for the Board of Supervisors to look it over one last time (you can bet that I’m going to that meeting) and for the contracts people to execute it, and then I’ll give my notice at my day job. That’ll probably slip to a little less than two weeks, but I’ll warn my supervisor informally first. He knows I’m looking.

I took a look inside my office-to-be while I was there. It’s not bad; quite a bit smaller than this one, but nicer, and it does have a window. There isn’t as much room for my house plants, so some will have to come home with me, but I think the little fridge will fit just fine. There’s a fancy old desk in there, which happens when you move into the former Headquarters building. I’ll have to get my own internet service, which won’t be a problem, as I’m getting the office space for free. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense for them to charge me a lease when they’re the ones paying me.

So last night, it all sort of hit me, and I got the sick-feeling butterflies.

What have I done? Am I going to be able to do a good enough job at this?

I find it significant that my last day working for the Air Force is ten years to the day of my first one. I hope the next job runs as long and gives me as much growth.

It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. I’m nervous as hell, but I’m choosing to ignore that and just do the job anyway. And so it begins.