My first week at work was a mixed bag. Thank you one and all for not bugging me incessantly about how it was going.
Tuesday night after I came home, I really didn't want to ever go back. Wednesday was a complete turn around, so I think overall it was a pretty good first week.
I am of course in the new job mode, which I hate hate hate. That's the part where everyone including the janitor knows more than you do, and people tend to be fairly condescending.
It was pointed out to me numerous times that most of the other people in the office had "worked their way up", so I didn't know whether that was to say that I was lucky to come in above "the bottom" or that everyone was going to hold a grudge since I didn't start at the bottom. Still don't know, but I suspect I will find out.
Most interesting/annoying part so far is that everyone in the office and at the university as a whole communicate with AOL instant messenger. The interesting part is that they have embraced a convenient method of interoffice communication by using instant messenger, the annoying part is that after the first of next year, the IM will be run internally and we'll be cut off from the rest of the planet. Seems that they don't want any information flowing outside the protection of their firewall.
I also have no control over my computer. "No" as in I cannot even change the background of my desktop... the whole thing is locked down tight. The excuse given to us by the IT department is that they don't want people using those desktops that constantly update everyday hogging up precious bandwidth. Sounds like a load of SHIT to me, but what do I know.
There will be plenty of stories to tell about this job I'm sure.
Nov.09.03 at 11:16 PM
Dan writes:
Welcome to the club. The "I have no control over my computer" club, that is. We used to be allowed a wee bit of personalization but every year they take a little more of it away. I understand that the current round of SAPM (semi-annual preventive maintenance) [looks suspiciously like scrambled SPAM, to me] will remove our sceensavers. They are to be replaced with those that power down the monitors.
I've found it best to stop thinking of it as 'my' computer which I believe is the intent. On the bright side, I'm told I'll be getting a new (GHz) computer to replace the 200 MHz/NT antiquity curently on my desk. It reportedly will have a flat panel monitor and be running Windoze 2000.
tim writes:
yeah we (at the real estate book) were supposedly not able to have any programs not authorized by them on the computers...like IM software...etc. Nor were we able to have any type of desktop pic. I can understand the desktop pic thing, because, while it didn't happen often, clients would come in the office and god knows that would be the day I had something of questionable content on my desktop (not anything too bad, mind you)
Ma' writes:
Ummm...Sounds like the typical first week! At least you hung in there thru Tuesday...it will always be better and worse, and better and worse...unless it just simply gets BAD! Hopefully, not!
Mom writes:
Guess I don't fall into the didn't pester incessantly category. At least I called on the 'right' day! :)
Hope this week goes a little better than last, and so on.
Glad to see a new post. Know that you are exhausted getting into new routine, but missed your posts.
Athena writes:
yeah, I don't think I fall into the didn't pester incessantly category either:) At least I know my place in the cosmos! ;) I would shrivel up and die if they took away my privledge to put new and exciting pixel patterns on my desktop every day/week. It's the only thing that brings me joy...ok, not the ONLY thing... :) You have an office! yay! Hopefully the person you share with will let you have your own space! :) Or you might have to get some tape and divide the room like in Brady Bunch! wuho! ;)
phil writes:
When you do put the tape line through the middle of the office, be sure to say, "This side is for the disciples of Quake3."
kris writes:
But the fridge is on your side...
Ron writes:
The only advice I can give you is to pretend you're some sort of secret agent while you're at work. Your co-workers are your fellow secret agents and you all have some sort of really important secret job that you can only speak about in mundane terminology to ensure secrecy.
Eventually your co-workers wil stop bothering you. :)
Mom writes:
Oh Ron, I really like that advice. It might just work in ANY office situation. Inspired!
Athena writes:
wait, didn't you already have to resort to that at a previous job? ;) hehe, at least that's what it felt like! Collecting incriminating information... you've already got loads of practice!!! ;)