Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go

No suspenseful build-up, I took the job. Started last week. I'm in the Technical Support group, we provide answers to peoples problems <grin>. Unlike past jobs where I supported internal clients (aka staff). in this job I'll be supporting external clients. This is quite a different situation and has a different set of good and bad points.

The really good news is it looks like a good crew. People like to laugh. The humour is dark, bastard operator from hell type humour, but it's humour and its good-natured. The place seems to run on its stomach, fun AND tasty.

I'll ultimately be doing an alternating afternoon/night shift. While I'm training I'll be on days. I'm actually curious to try out nights. I've read some stuff by people working nights and have known a few night denizens. They talk about it being a different world, I'm curious to see for myself.

In keeping with an inexorable law of nature that causes big events to happen in clusters, I drove down to Oregon the weekend before starting my new job to play at being Best Man in a wedding. My only disappointment was none of the ladies were interested in finding out if I really was the best man. Strongbad, I feel your pain.

Today's Job Offer Brought To You By The Number 2

I wonder if there’s something special about the number 2. I’m considering my first job offer since being laid off on my 2 year out-of-work anniversary. Not that I’ve been scratching tick marks on the wall or have the day marked on my calendar. The first thing I did after being laid off was go to the Dragon Boat Festival. Today as I drove away from my new perspective employer, offer in hand, an ad on the radio informed me the festival is this weekend.

I haven’t looked at the details of the offer yet, that will have to wait. I’m currently sitting in a classroom waiting to be edified on the wonders of XML. The chances are very good I’ll accept, though.

Until then, I’m still unemployed. Those books, I-Books, DVD Players, 19” monitors and on-line games will have to wait. It ain’t over till it’s over. Not that I'm paranoid. I'm cautious. Yah, that's it.

Slaying the Marks

It's official, last term went very well. Finally got the marks back on the design pattern course I took: 97%. I'm usually not sure how well I do - or don't do - on an exam, but that one had a good feeling. I got 89% on the database course. I so owned that term!

Of course, fate has a way of asking, "what have you done lately, my friend?" Got my XML course mid-term results back last night: 78%. On any other day of the week I'd be happy, but after seeing my last term marks … Then I discovered it was the highest mark in the class. Happier.

This 30 Minute Meal Has 7 Days

Since I was young I've been fascinated by cooking. Not so much that I've ever wanted to become a chef, but I remember watching a lot of "The Galloping Gourmet" and developing the stupendous gastronomic repertoire of pizza and spaghetti with Catelli tomato sauce. I've had bursts of culinary enthusiasm ever since.

My latest infatuation is "30 Minute Meals" by Rachael Ray. Her mantra is great food fast - my kind of chef! Unfortunately, her recipes make enough for 4 to 6 people or 2 teenagers and in many cases are impossible to half. Since the invention of the microwave leftovers have generally been a good thing. But too much of a good thing is … you know … not.

This abundance has helped me to develop a new ratings system, though. If I'm still enjoying the dish by the time I get to the end, it's a keeper. On the other hand, if it's still in the fridge after seven days the rating is prorated by the amount left for the table scrap gods.