Trading Ferns

Another milestone has been met; Yesterday was my last day at work. It’s hard to believe (and frankly a bit horrifying from an ‘I’m getting old’ point of view) that it’s been 7 years since I first started work at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. (Editor’s note: The card cover shown was designed by the very talented Mary Osterbind and officially came from the Education department—I love the little Air New Zealand plane!)

What a great time it’s been. Yes, there were ups and downs, as there are at any job. At times, it could be compared to a wild roller coaster ride. But, I can honestly say that this is the only place I’ve worked where I thoroughly enjoyed every one of my co-workers. Perhaps it’s just because we’re all cut from similar cloth, all ‘museum types’ who have similar interests and points of view. I think one common denominator was that everyone always felt passionate about their work and that they believed in what they were doing. The staff does some amazing things with very little, and they could not do that if they were just there for a paycheck.

In past jobs, I never felt that way. Work was always for the purpose of making a buck, mostly someone else’s. To this end, I’m a bit troubled by my assertion that I can ‘do anything’ in New Zealand, including go back to tradeshow work or corporate graphic design. Technically that may be true, and the reality is that I may have to, but I don’t know how happy I can be in that arena again. Going into this I always knew that sacrifice would be part of the equation. I guess time will tell, and if nothing else it gives me renewed resolve to an eagle eye out for museum/nonprofit opportunties in NZ. Looking at the bright side, I dont intend to be at work that much anyway...there's too much tramping to do! =)

In closing, I wanted to say a quick ‘thank you’ for the sendoff from the team at Fernbank (I’ve never been treated to so many lunches, most of them Mexican food! Soon that will be in short supply…) and I wish everyone the best. I hope some of you will make your way to NZ someday to see me, and that all will stay in touch. In the meantime, I will keep my fingers crossed for a Bernie Marcus type to come along and drop millions on the place so that all of the visions and dreams of the institution can be made a reality at long last. Fernbank deserves it, and so does Atlanta (even if the city’s populace does not always realize what they have).