We're not big on "reviews"...

... or feedback, or any of that other namby-pamby corporate stuff. The senior partner likes to give out Christmas presents, but perist the thought that he'd sit down and talk about how you're doing, etc. etc. Nonetheless, my direct boss just sat down with me (after I walked her through using her fancy new iPod video) and told me how well I'd done this year, how happy she was with my work, and that all signs looked very good for a nice raise and a bonus. She also stressed that I should remember, even if I don't hear it from others (AKA the Senior Partners) that I had an excellent year.

Which is really nice to hear.

I'm working on a book deal right now in which the author imagines conversations with Aristotle, and basically transposes his ideas and philosophies into contemporary self-help speak. And one of the things she talks about is the idea of loving what you do, and how that leads to true happiness. It's not about having a super-exciting job or being the tippy-top of your field, so much as being happy and satisfied, and letting your work be a passion in your life. And for me, now, it is. And when I look back, even just at the few years I've been blogging, about how I felt about my job somedays, I know that somewhere along the way I was able to realize that, and it's made all the difference.

Even if I spend a portion of my day blogging, or trolling the web, or chatting with my friends, I know -- I love what I do, and I'm happy doing it.