It’s that time again. I quit my temp job and am working hard to finish as much as possible for my boss before my last day on Monday. My boss was really good about it, other than asking me to work Monday (instead of ending Friday as I had hoped to) so she could meet me. She works out of her home in FL so we’ve never met. She’s coming to Michigan all next week and really wanted to meet me and have me hand stuff off in person. So it’s an extra day, but it’s okay, I can handle that.
My old boss, the Cat in the Hat, had his last day at Neverland on Tuesday and a bunch of us met up with him at the bar tonight to say good bye. I’m sad to see him go, but happy for him and his family that he’s got another job lined up. Now they just have to sell their house in Michigan. I definitely miss working for him, but again am reminded of how blessed I am. In the midst of trying to decide between a job at the parish and another job at Neverland, he was so encouraging. And he bluntly told me not to take a job based on money, but to do what I care about, which is obviously working for the church. It was really good to hear that perspective from my former boss who I really respect.
As I approach leaving Neverland for the new job (which I am excited about), it’s bittersweet. I’ve met some good people here and am sad to see that end, although I will still be in touch with some of those people whether I work here or not. Nonetheless, it won’t be the same as working together and getting our daily water refills together and stealing her employee of the year parking spot when she calls in sick, and being part of the work crowd. I have been blessed at Nverland, in working with good people, in new experiences, in connecting, and in stretching. And though I am happy about my new job, it is a bittersweet to leave.
And in case good ole job transitions aren’t exhausting enough, I’m getting my wisdom teeth out next week… so I’ll be at the new job for a day, then off for two days for surgery, and then start back full time that next Monday.
So it’s definitely a month of transition, in a year that has felt like a year of constant transition… and for the record, serious transition exhausts me. When I left my dad’s company and started in Electrical Safety, those couple months passed in a blur of exhaustion. Enjoying the new job and all, but being totally exhausted with all the transition. Yeah, transition exhausts me in general, as good as it is.
And did I also mention all of this is happening right around Christmas? The busiest time of the year? And that I have a dozen projects to do for Christmas? And a kitchen to finish? And… oy! If I am a walking zombie for the next 6 weeks, now you know why.
And in the midst of all of it, I am so thankful for God's abundance in taking care of me in these turbulent times. God is good, I am thankful!! Happy Advent!
Showing posts with label Neverland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neverland. Show all posts
Friday, December 04, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
There's a first time for everything...
This past Thursday night was most certainly my first time going to the bar with not just one, but two, three-wolf-moon-shirt-wearing men. You read right. Two three wolf moon shirts around one small table.
Since starting at Neverland (6 months ago), I’ve been part of many, many nerdy conversations. But I think the three-wolf-moon-shirt-obsession may top them all… Thing 2’s friend who works in our toxicology department has one, and I’ve heard many a conversation through the cube wall about the wonders of the three-wolf-moon shirt. Thing 2 recently bought his toxicology friend a dragon moon shirt! They were like kids in a candy store, retelling the story of being at the renaissance festival, seeing the dragon moon shirt – so like the three wolf moon shirt, it’s irresistible draw…
Last week, the nerdiness escalated. Thing 2 came back from his vacation to the U.P. with stories of finding and purchasing his very own three-wolf-moon (TWM) shirt. No joke. He told the story like it was a dream: “There I was in the Walmart, the nicest Walmart I’ve ever been at too, wandering through the aisles and decided to check the t-shirts. It never hurts to check for a TWM shirt you know. And suddenly, there it was, right in front of me, and in my size!!! A woman was standing in front of the shirts and I got really nervous she was going to try to buy my TWM shirt. So I reached around and snatched it. She turned and smiled at me (as if this is a sign that she thought he was cool). It’s so awesome, you should see it.”
Mind you, we (the girls in the hall) poked fun but it didn’t matter, clearly owning a TWM t-shirt truly is some kind of nerdy coming of age. In celebration of said shirt, because we all want to actually see it in action, we went out on Thursday night and Thing 2 wore the TWM shirt. He proudly showed of the “really nice stitching” and the “variegated, almost tye dye background” and the oh so soft cotton it was made out of. It was a proud moment.
And lucky for all of us, his tox friend also came in his TWM shirt. And Thing 1 wore a nerdy transformers shirt. And Red wore a communism shirt. And Bear wore some kind of nerdy shirt but I never figured out exactly what it was for. It was quite the evening. I felt so tame in my “Danger: Shock Hazard” shirt. And yes, I think I may be living in some sort of alternate reality.
Thing 2 and Tox friend
Red and Bear
Thing 1 and his wife (gross)
Foo Foo, proudly not wearing a nerdy t-shirt of any kind
And if all of that wasn’t exciting enough, Thing 2 sent me this link … reviews on Amazon about the TWM shirt… and WOW. I’ve only read a couple of them, but wow… Unbelievable. I guess it’s some sort of cult following.
Thing 2’s email: “This is hysterical...not the product for sale, the reviews on it: http://www.amazon.com/Three-T-Shirt-Available-Various-Sizes/dp/B000NZW3IY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top” … Thanks for the clarification T2, I thought it was the shirt, though if you read on, the reviews really do say it all. Enjoy.
Since starting at Neverland (6 months ago), I’ve been part of many, many nerdy conversations. But I think the three-wolf-moon-shirt-obsession may top them all… Thing 2’s friend who works in our toxicology department has one, and I’ve heard many a conversation through the cube wall about the wonders of the three-wolf-moon shirt. Thing 2 recently bought his toxicology friend a dragon moon shirt! They were like kids in a candy store, retelling the story of being at the renaissance festival, seeing the dragon moon shirt – so like the three wolf moon shirt, it’s irresistible draw…
Last week, the nerdiness escalated. Thing 2 came back from his vacation to the U.P. with stories of finding and purchasing his very own three-wolf-moon (TWM) shirt. No joke. He told the story like it was a dream: “There I was in the Walmart, the nicest Walmart I’ve ever been at too, wandering through the aisles and decided to check the t-shirts. It never hurts to check for a TWM shirt you know. And suddenly, there it was, right in front of me, and in my size!!! A woman was standing in front of the shirts and I got really nervous she was going to try to buy my TWM shirt. So I reached around and snatched it. She turned and smiled at me (as if this is a sign that she thought he was cool). It’s so awesome, you should see it.”
Mind you, we (the girls in the hall) poked fun but it didn’t matter, clearly owning a TWM t-shirt truly is some kind of nerdy coming of age. In celebration of said shirt, because we all want to actually see it in action, we went out on Thursday night and Thing 2 wore the TWM shirt. He proudly showed of the “really nice stitching” and the “variegated, almost tye dye background” and the oh so soft cotton it was made out of. It was a proud moment.
And lucky for all of us, his tox friend also came in his TWM shirt. And Thing 1 wore a nerdy transformers shirt. And Red wore a communism shirt. And Bear wore some kind of nerdy shirt but I never figured out exactly what it was for. It was quite the evening. I felt so tame in my “Danger: Shock Hazard” shirt. And yes, I think I may be living in some sort of alternate reality.
Thing 2 and Tox friend
Red and Bear
Thing 1 and his wife (gross)
Foo Foo, proudly not wearing a nerdy t-shirt of any kindAnd if all of that wasn’t exciting enough, Thing 2 sent me this link … reviews on Amazon about the TWM shirt… and WOW. I’ve only read a couple of them, but wow… Unbelievable. I guess it’s some sort of cult following.
Thing 2’s email: “This is hysterical...not the product for sale, the reviews on it: http://www.amazon.com/Three-T-Shirt-Available-Various-Sizes/dp/B000NZW3IY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top” … Thanks for the clarification T2, I thought it was the shirt, though if you read on, the reviews really do say it all. Enjoy.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The girl who likes Jesus
A few weeks ago I went home with Red, my friend from work, for lunch. The first time I met her husband Bear, he’d been roofing all day, had a nasty looking black eye, and was exhausted. I respect that and basically said hi before heading outside with Red while Bear headed for the couch. Naturally, Red mentions Bear a lot and I like him already. He’s the quiet, nerdy engineering type. What’s not to like? Anyway, when we went to the Pitt (her house) for lunch, Bear was also there. He was pretty talkative, catching us up on a TV show they watch (and I’ve never seen).
On Saturday morning, a couple days after lunch at the Pitt, I’m standing at Lowes. I’d just come from the strawberry fields, so I’m in sport capris, hair not done, tshirt, and probably have straw sticking to me somewhere. But I needed to get the shelving for the kitchen cupboard project. So there I am, in all my Saturday morning glory, looking at measurements and features on sliding shelves, and I glance up. There, standing in Lowes, and looking very out of place, was Bear. Dressed in clean blue jeans, hair combed, looking very put together compared to early Saturday morning Lowes shoppers, and drinking his Espresso Royale coffee.
Then the moment of decision… do I say hi? Or should I just get really engrossed in my shelving decision? Its a little awkward since we don't really know each other... maybe I should just hide. I decided to be brave and said hi. Bear recognized me and we discussed Red dragging him to 6 stores in search of the perfect over-the-toilet shelving unit. I told him I was looking for shelving for the kitchen, “Oh yeah,” he says, “New roommate right?” I’m quite impressed, I barely know Bear, and yet he knows random facts about me (and remembers them) because Red and I are friends. Points for Bear. We go our separate ways.
When Bear sees Red he tells her, “Hey, I saw your friend from work.”
Red: “Really? Which one?” (keep in mind Red is friends with everyone at Neverland).
Bear: “it was the one who likes Jesus.”
Red: “Oh Favorite. Awesome. Were you nice?”
There is more to the story... When Red and I first became friends, she was telling Bear about me, and compared me to another friend of hers who also grew up in a large Catholic family as well – “only friend is an atheist and Favorite still likes Jesus.”
So I guess I go down in history as the girl who likes Jesus, which I think is hilarious and awesome. A few weeks later Red was telling Bear that we joke about that all the time at work about me being “the girl who likes Jesus”. “What?” he says, “I swear she was even wearing a Jesus t-shirt!” And I have to admit it was probably true since most of my Saturday (bum) clothes do involve life teen retreat t-shirts from the last dozen years.
On Saturday morning, a couple days after lunch at the Pitt, I’m standing at Lowes. I’d just come from the strawberry fields, so I’m in sport capris, hair not done, tshirt, and probably have straw sticking to me somewhere. But I needed to get the shelving for the kitchen cupboard project. So there I am, in all my Saturday morning glory, looking at measurements and features on sliding shelves, and I glance up. There, standing in Lowes, and looking very out of place, was Bear. Dressed in clean blue jeans, hair combed, looking very put together compared to early Saturday morning Lowes shoppers, and drinking his Espresso Royale coffee.
Then the moment of decision… do I say hi? Or should I just get really engrossed in my shelving decision? Its a little awkward since we don't really know each other... maybe I should just hide. I decided to be brave and said hi. Bear recognized me and we discussed Red dragging him to 6 stores in search of the perfect over-the-toilet shelving unit. I told him I was looking for shelving for the kitchen, “Oh yeah,” he says, “New roommate right?” I’m quite impressed, I barely know Bear, and yet he knows random facts about me (and remembers them) because Red and I are friends. Points for Bear. We go our separate ways.
When Bear sees Red he tells her, “Hey, I saw your friend from work.”
Red: “Really? Which one?” (keep in mind Red is friends with everyone at Neverland).
Bear: “it was the one who likes Jesus.”
Red: “Oh Favorite. Awesome. Were you nice?”
There is more to the story... When Red and I first became friends, she was telling Bear about me, and compared me to another friend of hers who also grew up in a large Catholic family as well – “only friend is an atheist and Favorite still likes Jesus.”
So I guess I go down in history as the girl who likes Jesus, which I think is hilarious and awesome. A few weeks later Red was telling Bear that we joke about that all the time at work about me being “the girl who likes Jesus”. “What?” he says, “I swear she was even wearing a Jesus t-shirt!” And I have to admit it was probably true since most of my Saturday (bum) clothes do involve life teen retreat t-shirts from the last dozen years.
You're a *lastname*, aren't you?
All my life, I’ve gotten the question (accusation): “You’re a *last name* aren’t you?” or “I can tell you’re a *last name* but which one?” or other variations along the same theme. I guess I always assume everyone gets questions like that. Last night I went to a local pub with my coworkers, all the guys from the electrical safety group. I was going to go home and get stuff done so I can go on vacation, but the Cat in the Hat guilted me into it by making a big deal about everyone from the electrical group going, and surely I can spare an hour to have a beer… yada yada. Fine. I guess I can spare an hour… and a beer does sound good.
Anyway, we get our beers and we hang out and talk. And then my boss offers to buy me a second beer (I guess he really wanted me to stick around). So he goes up to the bar to get another beer- then calls me over, I guess they needed to check my ID to make sure the Cat wasn’t buying liquor for a minor or something. So I go over and hand the girl my driver’s license. “I thought you were a *last name*!” she says grinning. Uh… she looks familiar maybe… but frankly, people only have to know one of us to know the look, so I didn’t even assume I would know her. I actually assumed she knew Neil, my younger brother, who used to frequent that establishment regularly when he lived in town.
As it turns out, she was the maid of honor and good friend of my sister-in-law Katie. Awesome. Haven’t seen her in years… actually just the one time at the wedding that I remember. I didn’t think much of any of this exchange… until I looked at the Cat in the Hat, who is grinning and looking really confused. “You’re a *last name*?” he asks incredulously. “What?”
How does one explain that no matter where they go, they will be recognized… or that you grew up in a close-knit community of people, so even the people you don’t know well, know who you are, or know your parents, or siblings or something. Besides the fact that I do look like a *last name* - there's no denying it. And we all look alike, whether we like it or not.
Naturally the Cat had to retell that story when we got back to the group- and everyone got a kick out of it. I just take it for granted I guess. Gosh, so many families I grew up with are the exact same way- we can pick out families from a mile away. But apparently in the “real world” or at least among my colleagues, it was an anomaly.
This morning I emailed a friend the story, and his response provokes deeper thought… “Sadly, the whole “you look like a ____” is fading from the culture (except in bizarre places like our parish). It is hard for a family to “look alike” when there is only one kid and maybe a dog.”
The sad part is that he’s right. I’ve never really thought about it before, but it makes me appreciate it more—even if people can spot me as a *last name*anywhere I go.
Anyway, we get our beers and we hang out and talk. And then my boss offers to buy me a second beer (I guess he really wanted me to stick around). So he goes up to the bar to get another beer- then calls me over, I guess they needed to check my ID to make sure the Cat wasn’t buying liquor for a minor or something. So I go over and hand the girl my driver’s license. “I thought you were a *last name*
As it turns out, she was the maid of honor and good friend of my sister-in-law Katie. Awesome. Haven’t seen her in years… actually just the one time at the wedding that I remember. I didn’t think much of any of this exchange… until I looked at the Cat in the Hat, who is grinning and looking really confused. “You’re a *last name*
How does one explain that no matter where they go, they will be recognized… or that you grew up in a close-knit community of people, so even the people you don’t know well, know who you are, or know your parents, or siblings or something. Besides the fact that I do look like a *last name* - there's no denying it
Naturally the Cat had to retell that story when we got back to the group- and everyone got a kick out of it. I just take it for granted I guess. Gosh, so many families I grew up with are the exact same way- we can pick out families from a mile away. But apparently in the “real world” or at least among my colleagues, it was an anomaly.
This morning I emailed a friend the story, and his response provokes deeper thought… “Sadly, the whole “you look like a ____” is fading from the culture (except in bizarre places like our parish). It is hard for a family to “look alike” when there is only one kid and maybe a dog.”
The sad part is that he’s right. I’ve never really thought about it before, but it makes me appreciate it more—even if people can spot me as a *last name*
Thursday, June 11, 2009
You know someone grew up in communism when...
... they reward themselves for a job well done with a celebratory trip to the restroom.
Commute to work every day.... $3.00 day
Eating out for lunch more than you used to ... $7.oo per week
Working across the hall from the Communist = Priceless
Commute to work every day.... $3.00 day
Eating out for lunch more than you used to ... $7.oo per week
Working across the hall from the Communist = Priceless
Saturday, May 09, 2009
More terms from Neverland
I enjoy going over test results and finding this:
"Stability Test....................... FAIL"
I think that applies to me some days (maybe most days).
And one that doesn't usually apply to me, but does apply to the moms going through menopause and some of my preggo friends:
"Abnormal Temperature Test.............. PASS"
"Stability Test....................... FAIL"
I think that applies to me some days (maybe most days).
And one that doesn't usually apply to me, but does apply to the moms going through menopause and some of my preggo friends:
"Abnormal Temperature Test.............. PASS"
Monday, May 04, 2009
Tidbits
A few Neverland tidbits to share...
___________Tidbit 1___________________
___________Tidbit 2___________________
Most mornings, somewhere between 8:15 and 8:30, a few of us trek down to the cafeteria to fill our large mugs. The group is usually Thing 1 and Thing 2, Foo Foo the Snoo, Red, and me. The water trek usually comes with free entertainment, mostly because Foo Foo and Thing 2 like to bicker... so sometimes the rest of us just hang back a few steps to watch.
___________Tidbit 3___________________
As you might expect, learning a new job (all things electrical safety) you might encounter some new terms. Being a person with a quirky sense of humor, sometimes these words provide endless entertainment inside my quirky brain... Here's one of my favorites:
"Creepage"
--The dictionary says: "(electricity) The conduction of electricity across the surface of a dielectric" which is what they mean when they use it at work.
--What goes through my quirky brain: Haha, creepage, oh yes creepage. So many good examples of creepage: some of the guys a friend dated... "I love you for your young womb" (said by one such creep)... my cousin butt bumping me while dancing... Brendan touching Betsy's leg to silence her (back in college days)... you name it! Creepage. It's my new favorite word.
___________Tidbit 2___________________
Most mornings, somewhere between 8:15 and 8:30, a few of us trek down to the cafeteria to fill our large mugs. The group is usually Thing 1 and Thing 2, Foo Foo the Snoo, Red, and me. The water trek usually comes with free entertainment, mostly because Foo Foo and Thing 2 like to bicker... so sometimes the rest of us just hang back a few steps to watch.
A couple mornings ago, Foo Foo reached for a straw after filling her large water mug. The straw container was empty!! Oh no. Foo Foo immediately asked the kitchen staff, who said we were out. Foo Foo wailed: "What am I going to DOOO???" I nearly busted out laughing, until I realized she was serious. Oh boy. My plan was to drink out of large mug without a straw that day. Foo Foo had no such plans. "I can't drink out of this huge thing! Now I'm gonna have to get another cup, I can't BELIEVE they are OUT OF STRAWS!!" (In case you can't tell, Foo Foo is a bit of a drama queen).
Overheard this morning in the Coliseum (my name for the area of cubes I work in).
Thing 2 to Foo Foo (his big sister): Wanna go get water?
Foo Foo (in her loud whiny voice that she only uses with Thing 2 - guess it's a sibling thing): What? Nooo, will you get me water?
Thing 2 (in his rebellious bratty teenage brother voice, that he only uses with Foo Foo): No! I'm not getting you water. I get you stuff all the time. Get your own water!
Foo Foo: What? You don't get me stuff all the time? That's ridiculous. You got me Arby's once. I got you this JOB!!
Thing 2: Yeah well, you can get your own water!!
....
Thing 2 to me (in a normal adult voice): Hey, wanna get water?
Me: Sure...
___________Tidbit 3___________________
Another part of my job entails looking up component certifications on this website. Once you've found one component and need to search for the next, you get to hit this link...
Haha. "OCD home." I love it. Maybe I relate to it a little too much, but it always makes me chuckle.
___________Tidbit 4___________________
I haven't said much about the lab guys who work with my group. One of them is middle aged, obviously has been doing it a long time. I couldn't put my finger on why he looked so familiar, until Red at work referred to him as "Willie Wonka" and suddenly it all made sense. Imagine this guy with lab glasses that are actually your bifocals and regular glasses and you can picture one of my coworkers. His code name is obvious (though not Dr Suess themed).
The other lab guy is younger (maybe a couple years younger than me), he does not wear lab glasses outside the lab, is really cute, but doesn't really speak much. Sigh. We'll call him Quiet Man. I only see him once a week if that these days, and, like I said, he doesn't talk much, so I don't have much material to share here. Stay tuned. Maybe someday I'll actually talk to him.
This has been Tidbits from Neverland, tune in next time to...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Communist
There’s this really fun girl, probably around my age, who seems to be friends with everyone. We’re going to call her “Red”. She’s clearly an extrovert, and not surprisingly, part of the sales crew. On my first day, the Cat in the Hat warned me that she’s really into her dogs and as soon as she finds out I’m a dog person, she’ll try to draft me to volunteer for her rescue group. Sure enough, within 30 seconds of meeting her, she asked if I liked dogs and if I’d like to volunteer for her rescue group. Thankfully she didn’t wait for an answer and proceeded to show me pictures of her two dogs, which are all over her office. Somehow I could tell she’s one of those dog people. The next day she came over to my cube and we were comparing dog stories and she was telling me how great it is coming home to happy dogs “Mommy mommy”… yup, she’s one of those dog people. I didn’t want to burst her bubble and expose that I’m not one of those dog people, that the BOC just call me “Reenie” and never “Mommy.” Regardless, we’re planning to get together for a doggie play date sometime, her two, my two, and see how it goes.
She’s just across the hall from our ES group down in the coliseum (in an office). She stopped by as soon as I moved down there to let me know that she’s got her own mini fridge I can stash stuff in if I want and she’ll share her coffee maker too (she loathes Neverland coffee as much as I do). She and her husband just bought a foreclosure house and are in the process of a lot of home repairs and remodeling, another connection point. I think we’re going to be friends.
Oh yeah, and the reason they call her The Communist is that when she was very young, she and her family escaped communism in a eastern European country and went to Canada and then the US. Ever since then, she’s been kind of obsessed with communism and always tells coworkers if she hears anything about communists and what they are up to. Not that she is one; just that she is rather by them… thus the nickname. Sometime I want to hear the detailed version of the escape, but until then, at least I understand why they call her that.
She’s just across the hall from our ES group down in the coliseum (in an office). She stopped by as soon as I moved down there to let me know that she’s got her own mini fridge I can stash stuff in if I want and she’ll share her coffee maker too (she loathes Neverland coffee as much as I do). She and her husband just bought a foreclosure house and are in the process of a lot of home repairs and remodeling, another connection point. I think we’re going to be friends.
Oh yeah, and the reason they call her The Communist is that when she was very young, she and her family escaped communism in a eastern European country and went to Canada and then the US. Ever since then, she’s been kind of obsessed with communism and always tells coworkers if she hears anything about communists and what they are up to. Not that she is one; just that she is rather by them… thus the nickname. Sometime I want to hear the detailed version of the escape, but until then, at least I understand why they call her that.
The Coffee
As you know, Neverland is a large corporation. I couldn’t have told you what my coffee expectations were going into the job, but I guess I had some since discovering the terrible coffee served there was kind of a let down. There are numerous little coffee / kitchenette areas in the building, each with a mini fridge, plates and napkins, coffee makers and water. Neverland may have their own cafeteria, with great food, but they do not make good coffee!! I have no idea what brand it is, but it is not what I consider to be worth drinking. Sigh. I guess I assumed a company with such good benefits would make a decent pot of coffee, but apparently the two are unrelated.
Now that I think about it, I do remember wondering why so many people had coffee makers in their cubicles… hmmm… Note to self, next time you’re job hunting, be sure to ask for a cup of coffee during the interview process. Maybe work it into your salary negotiations or something.
I can’t really complain, I always make my own coffee-snob coffee in the morning anyway, put it in a travel mug, and head for Mass and then work… so nothing has changed, but I figured you’d be dying to know about the coffee…
Now that I think about it, I do remember wondering why so many people had coffee makers in their cubicles… hmmm… Note to self, next time you’re job hunting, be sure to ask for a cup of coffee during the interview process. Maybe work it into your salary negotiations or something.
I can’t really complain, I always make my own coffee-snob coffee in the morning anyway, put it in a travel mug, and head for Mass and then work… so nothing has changed, but I figured you’d be dying to know about the coffee…
The Stapler
My second day at Neverland, Thing 2 comes over to my cube and hands me one of those heavy duty staplers. Naturally I think of the old cult classic Office Space and the guy who gets moved all over the cube world and just wants his stapler... so I'm not sure if this is a joke or not. Thing 2 goes on to explain that he’d already ordered one but then got this from the desk of a former member of the ES group. I thanked him and put it in my desk, figuring I don’t need my own heavy duty stapler since there’s a shared one in the supply room, but what the heck.
A few days later, Thing 2 stopped by my cube to show me his new stapler. And what a stapler it is! As he’s showing me, he’s excitedly explaining that it staples 60 pages, I mean, 60 pages!! I refrained from asking how often he thinks he’ll need to staple 60 pages and just showed enthusiasm for the stapler. When Thing 2 moved to the Coliseum, he proudly arranged the new stapler on his desk. Moments after arrival, his sister (Foo Foo the Snoo) stops by to see his new spot (she’s now across the hall from us, which makes for some entertaining brother-sister bickering). She’s like “What on earth is that huge stapler for?” Thing 2: Isn’t it awesome? Look, it’s so great, it staples 60 pages with no effort at all. Watch. (I hear stapling through my cube wall). Foo Foo was skeptical and made some comment about not believing he’d ordered his own huge stapler.
A few hours later, The Cat in the Hat stops by to see how the move went and if we’re all set up down in the coliseum. He also notices the huge stapler and comments, “Woah, that’s quite a stapler!” Thing 2: “Yeah, check this out! It’s got a 60 page capacity and it makes it soooo easy, just watch (more stapling sounds).” The Cat in the Hat makes some comment about him being all set if he ever has to staple large quantities of paper.
Within an hour, Red stops by from across the hall… and, yup, you guessed it, she also asks about the stapler, and I heard another rendition of the glories of the heavy duty stapler.
Good thing we’ve got dividing walls between our cubes or he would have seen me busting up at my desk. At least I know where to go if I have to staple 60 pages “with almost no effort!” ... and I do feel a prank coming on...
A few days later, Thing 2 stopped by my cube to show me his new stapler. And what a stapler it is! As he’s showing me, he’s excitedly explaining that it staples 60 pages, I mean, 60 pages!! I refrained from asking how often he thinks he’ll need to staple 60 pages and just showed enthusiasm for the stapler. When Thing 2 moved to the Coliseum, he proudly arranged the new stapler on his desk. Moments after arrival, his sister (Foo Foo the Snoo) stops by to see his new spot (she’s now across the hall from us, which makes for some entertaining brother-sister bickering). She’s like “What on earth is that huge stapler for?” Thing 2: Isn’t it awesome? Look, it’s so great, it staples 60 pages with no effort at all. Watch. (I hear stapling through my cube wall). Foo Foo was skeptical and made some comment about not believing he’d ordered his own huge stapler.
A few hours later, The Cat in the Hat stops by to see how the move went and if we’re all set up down in the coliseum. He also notices the huge stapler and comments, “Woah, that’s quite a stapler!” Thing 2: “Yeah, check this out! It’s got a 60 page capacity and it makes it soooo easy, just watch (more stapling sounds).” The Cat in the Hat makes some comment about him being all set if he ever has to staple large quantities of paper.
Within an hour, Red stops by from across the hall… and, yup, you guessed it, she also asks about the stapler, and I heard another rendition of the glories of the heavy duty stapler.
Good thing we’ve got dividing walls between our cubes or he would have seen me busting up at my desk. At least I know where to go if I have to staple 60 pages “with almost no effort!” ... and I do feel a prank coming on...
The Actual Job
My first two weeks at Neverland was mostly training, lots and lots of training. And I’ve got more training in my future. In the following two weeks though, I’ve gotten real work assignments. And now that they’ve started, I don’t think I will ever be bored here… there’s plenty to do. Currently I have at least 6 different assignments on my desk and more in the works. My first week of real work I got dizzy at the amount of stuff to learn and the questions I was generating. But in the past week or two I’m finally feeling less overwhelmed by the work and I’m starting to be more familiar with all the terms, etc. It’s definitely a learning curve for me, but a great fit overall.
Last week I was working on some doc reports (which is a big part of my job) and had some ideas for ways to make them more usable, ways to change up the format a bit, add a coverage, use consistent styles and headings, etc. Simple stuff really. So I started making a template of what I think we should all be doing to make them work and look better. Thing 1 came by my desk to answer some questions and saw my new template and raved about how AMAZING and professional it looks, and how on earth did I come up with it? Etc. It’s nice to be appreciated. The next day I took it to the Cat in the Hat’s office because we were working on a different doc report and I was suggesting some changes, and then showed him how it would look in my new format. He loved it and suggested I start converting any docs I’m working on into that format and to start using it (which meant more work that day, but was good in the long run). The boss has given me a lot of room and encouragement to make suggestions, change thing up, use my expertise to make improvements. I am feeling more and more like an integral part of the team, and it’s all really good.
After being there a whopping 10 days, they moved me from the Village (the other cube area I was in) to a new area (without a name, but with the advice of friends, I’m calling it the Coliseum). Thing 1 and Thing 2 were also in the Village but at different ends from me. Now we’re all lined up in a row in the coliseum and just down the hall from Cat in the Hat’s office. I think it will be good to be all in the same spot, and it has already added a new level of amusement for me.
Last week I was working on some doc reports (which is a big part of my job) and had some ideas for ways to make them more usable, ways to change up the format a bit, add a coverage, use consistent styles and headings, etc. Simple stuff really. So I started making a template of what I think we should all be doing to make them work and look better. Thing 1 came by my desk to answer some questions and saw my new template and raved about how AMAZING and professional it looks, and how on earth did I come up with it? Etc. It’s nice to be appreciated. The next day I took it to the Cat in the Hat’s office because we were working on a different doc report and I was suggesting some changes, and then showed him how it would look in my new format. He loved it and suggested I start converting any docs I’m working on into that format and to start using it (which meant more work that day, but was good in the long run). The boss has given me a lot of room and encouragement to make suggestions, change thing up, use my expertise to make improvements. I am feeling more and more like an integral part of the team, and it’s all really good.
After being there a whopping 10 days, they moved me from the Village (the other cube area I was in) to a new area (without a name, but with the advice of friends, I’m calling it the Coliseum). Thing 1 and Thing 2 were also in the Village but at different ends from me. Now we’re all lined up in a row in the coliseum and just down the hall from Cat in the Hat’s office. I think it will be good to be all in the same spot, and it has already added a new level of amusement for me.
The Guys
Let me introduce the gang:
My department, the electrical safety group, is technically 6 people.
My boss is great, very personable, brilliant in all things electrical, and a great boss. We’ll call him the Cat in the Hat. He's been in the field for years, used to work for our biggest competitor and has only been at Neverland for 2 or 3 years. He's a solid family man (I met and love his wife), has two beautiful daughters, and clearly strives for balance at home and at work. I can't say enough great things about him- God sure has blessed me with a good boss.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the certification project managers (CPMs), the ones I’ll do most of my work with. Thing 2 started just two weeks before me, so he and I are learning a lot together. The first couple weeks we had numerous days where we spent most of the day in the Cat in the Hat’s office learning the ropes. Thing 1 has been there a year and a half and is a walking brain. He definitely knows the ropes and is a genius at all this electric stuff (or at least he has me convinced). For the first year, I’ll be working the most with Thing 1 and writing his documentation and helping him on projects, while Thing 2 learns how to do everything on his own before I start helping him. Guess he’s gotta learn it himself so he will really appreciate having someone else (me) doing his documentation in the future.
Then there is the lab side of the ES group, which includes two guys I can’t come up with nicknames for yet. Then again, I have less stories about them since they spend most of their time in the lab and I don’t see them too much yet.
And then there’s me, the brand new technical writer, who is just learning about all things electrical, and the lone woman in our group.
Other characters who aren’t in the ES group but work directly across the hall include Foo Foo the Snoo who is Thing 2’s older sister and works in sales with Red.
My department, the electrical safety group, is technically 6 people.
My boss is great, very personable, brilliant in all things electrical, and a great boss. We’ll call him the Cat in the Hat. He's been in the field for years, used to work for our biggest competitor and has only been at Neverland for 2 or 3 years. He's a solid family man (I met and love his wife), has two beautiful daughters, and clearly strives for balance at home and at work. I can't say enough great things about him- God sure has blessed me with a good boss.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the certification project managers (CPMs), the ones I’ll do most of my work with. Thing 2 started just two weeks before me, so he and I are learning a lot together. The first couple weeks we had numerous days where we spent most of the day in the Cat in the Hat’s office learning the ropes. Thing 1 has been there a year and a half and is a walking brain. He definitely knows the ropes and is a genius at all this electric stuff (or at least he has me convinced). For the first year, I’ll be working the most with Thing 1 and writing his documentation and helping him on projects, while Thing 2 learns how to do everything on his own before I start helping him. Guess he’s gotta learn it himself so he will really appreciate having someone else (me) doing his documentation in the future.
Then there is the lab side of the ES group, which includes two guys I can’t come up with nicknames for yet. Then again, I have less stories about them since they spend most of their time in the lab and I don’t see them too much yet.
And then there’s me, the brand new technical writer, who is just learning about all things electrical, and the lone woman in our group.
Other characters who aren’t in the ES group but work directly across the hall include Foo Foo the Snoo who is Thing 2’s older sister and works in sales with Red.
Stories from Neverland, Part 1
I don’t know exactly how to tell stories on my blog about real life people who could, potentially, however unlikely, stumble upon them later. That’s the weird thing about a blog that anyone can read… you’re never sure who is out there. So I’m instituting code names for work and for my coworkers.
Work will be from here forth referred to as “Neverland” … I’m not sure why, but it seems appropriate somehow.
I’ve been wanting to introduce the gang and share some work stories, but coming up with good code names is harder than I thought. With some help from a brilliantly witty friend, I’m going to use Dr Seuss names and see how it goes.
Work will be from here forth referred to as “Neverland” … I’m not sure why, but it seems appropriate somehow.
I’ve been wanting to introduce the gang and share some work stories, but coming up with good code names is harder than I thought. With some help from a brilliantly witty friend, I’m going to use Dr Seuss names and see how it goes.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
First Impressions
Once again, it has been a whirlwind since I was last here. I had a terrific weekend with the Loves, some good catching up, some crazy notions about my personality type that I hadn’t discovered yet, lots of good kid time… all around really a great visit. I flew home Sunday morning, got a ride home from the airport and had lunch with a good friend and then headed for my grandpa’s birthday party.
Sunday I started getting a scratchy throat, always the telltale sign that I’m going to get sick. Ugh. Monday dawned bright and early and I made it to 6:45 Mass, stopped off at the drugstore for Dayquil, and headed for work… 8:00 am the new job begins…
I met with my boss (RT) briefly, he showed me my cube, and then I spent the morning in company training… the exciting stuff, you know, presentations on submitting timesheets, benefits, lots of paperwork to turn in and go over, etc. I had lunch at the cafeteria with RT, which was nice. Now that I’m writing this, I realized I am quite comfortable with RT, even for a first day and me being an introvert! God is good. Then an afternoon with more training: don’t sexually harass coworkers, don’t discriminate against anyone, how to evacuate the building in case of emergency, etc. until 3 pm. Then back to RT who took me on a tour and introduced me to the people I’d work with (which was probably 30 people). I met a lot of nice people but of course had a hard time trying to figure out who everyone is and what department, etc. I’ll figure it out in time. I also met the rest of the electrical safety group, 2 CPMs who are about my age, and 2 lab guys, who I won’t see as much as the CPMs, but will be working with them some. One looks about my age and the other is probably 40-ish. So basically it’s me and 5 electrical engineer genius-nerds. Although in food equipment who is our closest department who we work with constantly, there are more women than men, so it all evens out.
My cubicle is in “the Village”… don’t know if there’s a story behind that yet, but it’s an area of cubes on the second floor with a lot of Certified Project Managers (CPM) from food equipment and electrical safety. I can’t complain, it’s kind of nice to get an empty desk – no paper stacks anywhere, nothing actually. I am really going to miss my big beautiful window from my old office, but such is life. I’m thinking of taking a nice picture of the window and blowing it up for the wall of my cubicle. And there is a nice big skylight a block of cubes over, so I’m going to try some of my low light plants to brighten up my space (and lots f pictures of cute kids- of course).
Tuesday was more training, both company trainings and one on one training with RT showing me the many new programs I’ll be working in. It all looks doable and learnable, though some of it is hard to really get until I’m working in the programs for real projects. RT took me and the two CPMs out for lunch. We talked cars, stereos, rigging cable, and other equally brainy-nerdy topics that I know nothing about- but that’s okay with me, I like all 3 of them and am looking forward to working with them.
Today (Weds) a lot more training (of course) and then lunch out with the gals and RT. I am not a lunch out every day kind of girl, but it’s hard to say no when you’re invited by the people you’re working with and want to get to know. It ended up being a lot of fun and I’m so glad I went! RT’s wife met us there so I got to meet her and she’s really neat and down to earth. And the girls are all my age-ish and shockingly though most of them are married no one has kids, everyone has dogs (except RT and his wife who have kids). It is kind of a funny opposite from most of my real life friends, who all have kids and almost none have dogs. Nonetheless, dogs tend to be a good starting point when you’re getting to know new people- and once again, I am convinced that I’m a pretty mild dog person (not a crazy dog person). Anyway, lunch was a blast and it was a great opportunity to hang out and get to know many of the other Villagers and the people I’ll be working with every day.
It has been really weird to not have any real "work" for several days, although RT just gave me some assignments since he's coming in late tomorrow. I’ve got documents to read and suggest changes for, forms to correct, and electrical code to learn. And I’m loving it!! It's all good, still strange but really good. I continue to just feel so blessed and like this is a really good fit for me.
Anyway, this been wayyyy to long, I apologize, but I figured I’d update everyone at once so you know I’m still alive on this end (though congested and in need of puffs plus) and really enjoying the new job.
Sunday I started getting a scratchy throat, always the telltale sign that I’m going to get sick. Ugh. Monday dawned bright and early and I made it to 6:45 Mass, stopped off at the drugstore for Dayquil, and headed for work… 8:00 am the new job begins…
I met with my boss (RT) briefly, he showed me my cube, and then I spent the morning in company training… the exciting stuff, you know, presentations on submitting timesheets, benefits, lots of paperwork to turn in and go over, etc. I had lunch at the cafeteria with RT, which was nice. Now that I’m writing this, I realized I am quite comfortable with RT, even for a first day and me being an introvert! God is good. Then an afternoon with more training: don’t sexually harass coworkers, don’t discriminate against anyone, how to evacuate the building in case of emergency, etc. until 3 pm. Then back to RT who took me on a tour and introduced me to the people I’d work with (which was probably 30 people). I met a lot of nice people but of course had a hard time trying to figure out who everyone is and what department, etc. I’ll figure it out in time. I also met the rest of the electrical safety group, 2 CPMs who are about my age, and 2 lab guys, who I won’t see as much as the CPMs, but will be working with them some. One looks about my age and the other is probably 40-ish. So basically it’s me and 5 electrical engineer genius-nerds. Although in food equipment who is our closest department who we work with constantly, there are more women than men, so it all evens out.
My cubicle is in “the Village”… don’t know if there’s a story behind that yet, but it’s an area of cubes on the second floor with a lot of Certified Project Managers (CPM) from food equipment and electrical safety. I can’t complain, it’s kind of nice to get an empty desk – no paper stacks anywhere, nothing actually. I am really going to miss my big beautiful window from my old office, but such is life. I’m thinking of taking a nice picture of the window and blowing it up for the wall of my cubicle. And there is a nice big skylight a block of cubes over, so I’m going to try some of my low light plants to brighten up my space (and lots f pictures of cute kids- of course).
Tuesday was more training, both company trainings and one on one training with RT showing me the many new programs I’ll be working in. It all looks doable and learnable, though some of it is hard to really get until I’m working in the programs for real projects. RT took me and the two CPMs out for lunch. We talked cars, stereos, rigging cable, and other equally brainy-nerdy topics that I know nothing about- but that’s okay with me, I like all 3 of them and am looking forward to working with them.
Today (Weds) a lot more training (of course) and then lunch out with the gals and RT. I am not a lunch out every day kind of girl, but it’s hard to say no when you’re invited by the people you’re working with and want to get to know. It ended up being a lot of fun and I’m so glad I went! RT’s wife met us there so I got to meet her and she’s really neat and down to earth. And the girls are all my age-ish and shockingly though most of them are married no one has kids, everyone has dogs (except RT and his wife who have kids). It is kind of a funny opposite from most of my real life friends, who all have kids and almost none have dogs. Nonetheless, dogs tend to be a good starting point when you’re getting to know new people- and once again, I am convinced that I’m a pretty mild dog person (not a crazy dog person). Anyway, lunch was a blast and it was a great opportunity to hang out and get to know many of the other Villagers and the people I’ll be working with every day.
It has been really weird to not have any real "work" for several days, although RT just gave me some assignments since he's coming in late tomorrow. I’ve got documents to read and suggest changes for, forms to correct, and electrical code to learn. And I’m loving it!! It's all good, still strange but really good. I continue to just feel so blessed and like this is a really good fit for me.
Anyway, this been wayyyy to long, I apologize, but I figured I’d update everyone at once so you know I’m still alive on this end (though congested and in need of puffs plus) and really enjoying the new job.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
God is Good!!
I have a new job!!! I'm not going to get into the long complicated details or tell you where my new job is here on this public forum. But I had my second round of interviews yesterday with a large stable corporation in A2. I thought the interviews went well (I interviewed with 4 people back to back) and they said they'd have a decision for me by the end of the week.
By the end of the day, I got a phone call with the job offer! God is so good! I know this job is a gift directly from Him. Whew. It's also a huge relief. And it is mixed with some very real sadness about leaving my current job and the many wonderful work, people, and blessings I've experienced here. The new job will be very different to be sure, which is daunting and kind of exciting at the same time. My job is technical writing and working closely with test engineers who test equipment. Fascinating stuff -or at least it's fascinating to a nerd like me. I credit my getting the job to my first interview with them...
I was interviewed by the head of the immediate department hiring a tech writer. He was nice, easy to talk to, asked good questions, and then started quizzing me on random mechanical parts he pulled out of a box… the first one he handed me I had no idea what it was and felt like a moron stumbling over my words… uh it’s metal plates fused together with wiring… uh. The next one I guess correctly as a heating coil and even managed to guess what was inside of it, etc.
The third one he pulled out was a similar motor to the one I’d pulled out of my freezer, so I recognized it immediately which I think impressed him. That led to why I knew that part. "You took apart your freezer? Why??" Me: To replace the motor that had burned out. Him: "Wow, and did you fix it?" Me: Of course! "Wow" I think he was pretty pleased – this company tests products by pulling them apart and I’d be writing reports of that nature. As the first interviewer passed me off to his boss for the next interview he tells him, "She took apart her freezer to replace the motor." Boss: You did?? Wow.
Seriously, I really think I got the job because I fixed my old freezer. That frustrating project has paid off big time! (and God still has a great sense of humor).
By the end of the day, I got a phone call with the job offer! God is so good! I know this job is a gift directly from Him. Whew. It's also a huge relief. And it is mixed with some very real sadness about leaving my current job and the many wonderful work, people, and blessings I've experienced here. The new job will be very different to be sure, which is daunting and kind of exciting at the same time. My job is technical writing and working closely with test engineers who test equipment. Fascinating stuff -or at least it's fascinating to a nerd like me. I credit my getting the job to my first interview with them...
I was interviewed by the head of the immediate department hiring a tech writer. He was nice, easy to talk to, asked good questions, and then started quizzing me on random mechanical parts he pulled out of a box… the first one he handed me I had no idea what it was and felt like a moron stumbling over my words… uh it’s metal plates fused together with wiring… uh. The next one I guess correctly as a heating coil and even managed to guess what was inside of it, etc.
The third one he pulled out was a similar motor to the one I’d pulled out of my freezer, so I recognized it immediately which I think impressed him. That led to why I knew that part. "You took apart your freezer? Why??" Me: To replace the motor that had burned out. Him: "Wow, and did you fix it?" Me: Of course! "Wow" I think he was pretty pleased – this company tests products by pulling them apart and I’d be writing reports of that nature. As the first interviewer passed me off to his boss for the next interview he tells him, "She took apart her freezer to replace the motor." Boss: You did?? Wow.
Seriously, I really think I got the job because I fixed my old freezer. That frustrating project has paid off big time! (and God still has a great sense of humor).
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