For those unfamiliar with computer industry nomenclature, the Power On Self Test (POST) is the process that occurs immediately after a system is turned on. In a sense, by uprooting my life, moving to California, and getting a fresh start in my chosen field at the time, I metaphorically rebooted my life due to an existential runtime error. I had a few months to adjust to the new life, checking various subsystems and starting necessary day-to-day applications.

Most of my days were spent working on computers in a simple yet effective workshop, while the owner pursued his own activities and the lead technician occasionally ventured into the field, with me joining as needed. Interestingly, the owner held an unusual belief in the computer world, asserting that Windows ME was the best product ever released by Microsoft. This perspective was hard to comprehend, especially in a world where we were running more advanced NTFS XP and Windows Server systems.

There was a perception at the time that the owner was less focused on the business, and certain issues were being neglected. A San Jose-based company sought to expand and recruited our lead tech, who suggested I join him. Despite the aforementioned perceptions, I opted for a small pay raise. The following year was spent preoccupied with other areas of my life.

It turned out to be a year where I allowed myself to be underpaid and overutilized, with my boss making significantly more despite me taking on additional responsibilities. A year later, I returned to the previous job, accepting a slight pay raise, more fieldwork, and the company van. In my first encounter with what could be considered theft, I chose to move back to the original company. Despite knowledge of a file containing customer data being taken, they decided not to pursue a lawsuit.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter for me. While I was happy to return to their new shop and work with them again, priorities were changing. A couple of months later, California, like Missouri before it, would be in the rearview. The cost of living was already high, and my once-convenient car for a single guy with no responsibilities became more burdensome with a girlfriend and my firstborn to take care of.