Can't you just stay in one place?

No, apparently, I can't.

I'm changing jobs. Again. Sort of. I'm actually going back to an old job. Sort of.

Now that I've confused you, here's the story. I left the museum in January to take a job with a marketing company in Huntersville, a decision spurred primarily by the jaw-dropping hike in gas prices after Hurricane Katrina, combined with a 100-mile roundtrip commute and low state salaries. I've enjoyed my new job, and love my co-workers. For the most part it's interesting, often challenging, and I've learned a lot of new things.

It is not exactly what I would call fulfilling. I don't really go home at night and think that I'm doing something important. After three years of high stress, low pay and even less appreciation at a newspaper job that was supposed to be fulfilling (and in many ways was, but was just as often frustrating), followed by a year and half at a job that was fulfilling but didn't pay enough to make ends meet, I was honestly okay with a job that was just a job and nothing else. Not a mission, not a statement, just something that provided enough money to pay the bills and have a little left over.

But... a new opportunity presented itself last week. An opportunity to go back to the museum, but not as a state employee, and making equivalent to what I make now. In short--a job that pays the bills, is fulfilling, and is not abnormally stressful. The job is actually a bit different from what I was doing there before, but has some similar facets to it, and is one I believe I will enjoy. So after getting a lot of advice from some wise friends, I've decided to return.

And hopefully I'll stay in one place for a little longer this time. :)