The dark side?

I’m really enjoying my new job. The atmosphere alone is just brilliant, everyone’s calm and friendly. There’s no tension, very little whining, and people just get on with things. Everything gets done, everything’s efficient. It’s lovely.

There’s such a difference in the people too. I don’t mean to be snobby, I loved a lot of the people I used to work with, but it’s so different working with self-proclaimed geeks. A lot of them are kind of ‘hippy geeks’ to be fair…clever, didn’t really graduate that long ago, but clued in to the real world. I think everyone has at least a 2:1 degree, some people have PhDs, everyone knows everything about the computer world (apart from me of course, I have very little hardware knowledge but I’m learning fast). Apple has already been in for a meeting once in the past week, and no one bats an eyelid.

I know I’m in the honeymoon phase right now, and I’m still worn out from all the events that have happened recently what with little sleep, leaving BBQ, moving to Notts, getting settled, sorting housemates out etc. But if it even stays half as good as this I’ll be happy.

So what have I been doing? Well, after all the admin stuff like getting used to the systems, having an IT induction, a health and safety talk, tours, introductions to various people, I’ve been working on the web copy for the main site. As I’ve just said, I don’t know much about hardware, especially not Apple hardware (especially especially not servers), but I’m finding it all interesting and I’ve learned a lot. Unfortunately, it has made me want a shiny new Mac despite the fact that I don’t need one, have nowhere to put it, and would probably either just sit there going ‘ooooh’ at it or smash it against the wall in frustration. If I’m there in six months’ time (fingers crossed), I’ll apparently be able to get shinies half price. Whether this works out cheaper than the student deals depends on what I want I think. Plus my dad’s friend can get things at cost too so I should compare the prices really…not that I need a Mac. I don’t need a Mac!!

For once I have quite a bit of money in my bank account as a result of me getting my pay cheque from my old work early, not having to pay rent, not having to travel ridiculous distances, having my deposit back from my landlord and I’ll be getting this pay cheque earlier than I’m used to as well. Although it won’t be that much given that I’ll have only worked there for 11 days! Better than nothing though…I’m going to put some into savings and then syphon a bit more off for new clothes and Em’s wedding present, and leave the rest for daily living.

The commute to work hasn’t been that great. Because of where I’m staying, I have to walk half an hour, get the bus, and then walk another couple of minutes. All in all, I have to leave the house about 8, and I get to work about 9:05 since the bus is always late. Not good for a journey that would only take 15 mins by car. In fact, it might actually be quicker to walk. I’m thinking of trying the hospital bus tomorrow, which has the added bonus of being free. However, I might get lost walking to work from the other end. Maybe the driver would let me off a bit early? We’ll have to see.

On Monday I was so tired I literally couldn’t remember what happened in the space of about 12 hours afterwards. I think all the tension of the past 10 months just flooded out, I could barely speak I was so tired, and yet I couldn’t sleep. I managed to recover quickly last night and today though, but I bought some energy drinks which has helped. I haven’t been eating all that much and I’ve been having long days. Yesterday I walked about 8 miles total as well, and I’m doing at least 5 on average (which is the standard 10,000 steps you’re supposed to walk each day).

Only two things are pissing me off right now – one is trying to use the WordPress control panel from Internet Explorer. It freezes, it jumps about, and it’s generally just a big pain. I hope the upgrade improves it because Firefox runs incredibly slowly on this computer and takes ages to start up. The other thing is the Internet connection here dies constantly…like every few seconds. My poor old laptop is probably now grandad age and can’t really cope with it, and I keep meaning to try the new one but I don’t have the wireless username and password details…sigh.

I’m actually amazed at how active my social life has suddenly become. I didn’t expect to come back after a year and find everything how I left it, but that’s almost how it is. Within a day of being back I was hanging out with Joe and Al, Tabi invited me round, Bethany wanted to know when I could have dinner…in actual fact, it’s getting to the stage now where I need some time to relax! But that’s tonight – my only free night this week. Yay!

So that’s why you aren’t seeing any updates – because I’m literally exhausted. I’m also spending seven and a half hours a day writing, which is more than enough for me really, especially as it’s physically painful for a bit more than that…I must be getting old. And finally, I’ve been getting double the amount of hits recently, no idea why but thanks for visiting