First Week

I just made it through my first week at the new job. It always unfolds differently than you predict. Before starting, I had imagined myself being completely, drop-dead exhausted from the new routine and information and sensory overload. Considering I had two back to back nights that didn’t get me home until after 10 pm: an evening class and then a professional development event I was presenting at – I was doing pretty well. I was taking stock of things Friday night and thought how much I underestimated the capacity of my wonderful self. And then Saturday afternoon hit and all the grandiose plans of items I was going to accomplish this weekend had to be mostly rescheduled. But much more in alignment with the norm and what I expected.

Now it is Monday and I just popped down to NYC for the day. I really wanted to write that as it sounds so smart. But the truth of the matter is that although I tried to recharge and rest up this weekend, it was all thrown out the window this morning having to catch a 6 am train (which was a 5 am wake up). It was a sleepless night. I really need to find a new alarm clock that I know works 100% of the time. Even still I had scheduled a taxi pick-up so knew I had a check and balance so should have slept better than I had.

It’s been quite awhile since I was last in NYC . Popping up on the busy city streets outside of Penn Station, I was struck at how different and unique New York is. And everyone was so…. New Yorkish. It was a whirlwind day before I found myself back on the train full of suits… and all predominately using Think Pads. Just what I have personally and now for work. Although the work laptop I had to leave at work as I found myself packing up Friday afternoon only to discover the laptop and not the docking station was locked (as I was incorrectly led to believe). And no help as everyone had gone for the day. I need to get that resolved tomorrow.

Work last week was mainly an overload of meeting people. The company has hundreds of employees and the Boston HQ is spread over 8+ floors. And I have to say the engineering world hasn’t shifted too much from the days I was in it – comprised I would say by about 80-90% white young to middle-age men. All with pretty much the same names – Jims and Johns and Joes, Mikes and Matts and Marks, Bens and Brians and Bobs. And no cheat sheet! No master list with pictures, job roles and seating assignments. I may have to do some recon and buy one of those pens that are cameras and make my own master list.

There’s so much – my job being one that crosses several departments and is throughout almost all aspects of a project from working to the land the gig to following up with clients after the project is completed and everything in between. So a lot of my time right now is absorbing everything and making sense of it all. Understanding what are the key items and what are the “wouldn’t it be great if” items. There are a lot of opportunities and a lot to achieve which makes it hard to turn the brain off at times. But I’m settling in and looking forward to what is to come and finally mastering the names of my cohorts in crime.

4 Days And Counting Down

Monday is quickly approaching.  (Is fastly a word?  I had to switch it out just now).  And I'm heading out of town tomorrow.  Which means I really only have about 18 hours of non-sleep/non-out-of-town time left.  Not much as I try to get everything wrapped up.  I've found I've been kicking myself with my nemesis - the eternal "shoulds".  As in, "I should have done this... or that".    I was thinking about the content of my next blog post and about how I hadn't really tackled my great american novel, or rebalanced my retirement accounts and set up investment portfolios, or tried out all those cooking recipes I wanted too or got into a good excercising routine.  And I realized that was unrealistic.  That's how the "shoulds" are though after all - unrealistic expectations.  Instead I shall be celebrating the "dids":  the big and the small, the expected and unexpected, the small discoveries.

• Weeding - with a limited budget, I did the opposite of retail therapy.  I went through my things and started weeding out the stuff I love but don't really need.  For me this usually takes a few rounds.  Pick the easy stuff first round and just keep digging in subsequent rounds.  I do this with clothing on a regular basis but this year I also tackled other stuff including the once completely off-bounds - books.  I'm on Cicero's side of a room needing books.  And true to point, every room in my place has books of some sort - excluding closets.
• Spring Cleaning - I hate cleaning (have I mentioned that before).  But I notice the dirt/dust/grime, especially right before guests come over which is when you have the least amount of time.  My idea was to do an entire spring cleaning.  Although I didn't do all of it, I do have to give myself that I accomplished a good chunk.
• W+W - I was suprised about how my time off worked with my guys - Walter and Winston.  I've spent a lot more snuggle time and our routines completely changed.  I hope they are able to cope with S-withdrawl.
• Projects - This one is the kicker.  I was able to knock off a few projects that have been on "the list" for awhile.  But really the big take away, is that for the remaining ones - of which there are a lot, the question is "If I didn't tackle this project when I had time off from work, will I really ever tackle the project?"  The classic case of if not now, than when would this ever happen.  This has helped with the first item I listed.  I'm able to let go of more things now.  This time is a good test of reality.
• Travel - I think I spent less time visiting folks than I do when carrying a full time job in the mix of things.  Funny, isn't it?  Part was financial and keeping to a tight budget but also it had to do with recharging the batteries too and segues well into the next item...
• Pace - This time off allowed me to shift my pace of life.  Sit back and enjoy things differently.  In a strange way I think it had the effect of speeding time up for me too.  After all, time is a man-made construct.  Of course it was a challenge having the pace of a retired life meshing with the pace of the working world I was still a part of through some side projects.
• Cooking - I thought for sure I'd be cooking up all these great meals and trying out new recipes.  Instead I realized more about how I am with meals and food.  I work best cooking for others.  I did find myself slowly clearing out the pantry.  As a result I came up with some interesting meals.  I suprised myself with this great quiche that required absolutely no shopping - I had all the ingredients on hand.  Usually when I'm trying out new recipes I've got to make a run to the store to get the fresh veggies or other items.
• Indulgences - Being able to unplug does allow for any addictions you may be inclined towards to float to the top.  For me, I found my sweet-tooth got sweeter.  I organized the hell out of alot of stuff.  And found that I have a preclition towards movies and tv.  I think my downfall was the system I put in place at the end of last year.  I don't have cable - instead I have the ability to watch an almost unlimitless selection of movies and television shows through my netflix and hulu subscriptions on my TV.  Before, it was relatively easy to say no to the junk on tv.  But now.  Oh my lord.  I've had fun with the creative and smart shows and movies I've stumbled upon.  In a way I was able to swap media based on availability.  Before I read a ton due to my 2+ hour commute time spent each day.  Now I've been able to explore the video realm. 
• And finally, I was able to recharge the batteries.  I think I've been experiencing professional burn-out for awhile.  Having a break from the work world has made a world of difference.

All in all, this hiatus has been just about perfect.  Especially if you look at what I was able to discover and get done.

I'm Back ... Kind Of

How the time flys!  I've been enjoying some time being unplugged but am getting back into the swing of things now.  My little hiatus is coming to a close.  I realized after I got a few sweet emails from friends and family this past week that I should throw up something of an update.  So here it is in bullet format:

• I got a job - heading up the sustainability department at a major company here in Boston.  Great opportunity that kind of fell in my lap.  I start a week from Monday.
• The countdown has begun and I'm stressing out trying to get done everything I wanted to get done with this time off.  
• My pair of february socks morphed into finishing a scarf for a friend that was long over due.  Pictures to be posted later, hopefully. 
• I haven't started March's pair yet.  The countdown is ticking.
• Here's a link to an adorable picture of the sweater being modeled by the new owner that I posted about back in January.  How perfect is that? 
• All the snow is melting.  I'm in denial about winter coming to a close.  I'm probably the only one within a 100 mile radius.  I love winter, especially good snowy winters.
• I'm heading up to VT next weekend for the sugarbush open houses and two friends are coming - Bill and Dawn.  It's become a bit of a tradition (i.e. this will be the second time).  I've got a few great menu ideas I want to try out and share.  But I'm a bit stumped about what amazing piece de resistance for the best meal of  the day.  I love breakfast food but egg dishes and gluten are off the menu.  That leaves hot ceral and me digging a bit more in the recipe books.  The countdown continues.

So that's most barely everything in a nutshell and me off to do some more counting.