Saturday, December 23, 2006

"I'll Be Home For Christmas, If Only In My Dreams"

This will be the first Christmas in all my years that won't be spend with my family.

I've got a wonderful new job, and I'm really enjoying it (more details to come later), but it means I don't get much time off for the holidays. We had a half-day on Friday, and we get Christmas day off--but it's back to work on Tuesday morning. The same goes for the New Year, though I've asked for all of that Friday off. I need the money, it's the right choice. But still, it just won't be the same without Christmas eve and morning with my mom. It won't be the same without the big dinner with all the Soave's. It won't be the same without our crazy gift-giving game that no one can ever remember the rules of.

It won't be the same without my family.

I am, however, blessed with a warm welcome to the Christmas of my girlfriend's family. They're traditions are different, but their hearts are the same.

I feel both sad and happy at the same time.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to.....Work?

First day on the new job; you want to make a good impression, you want to show up a little early, you want to prove to your new colleagues and coworkers that you're the right person and deserve to be there....

....you want to do something.

I arrived at the building a good twenty minutes early--my first mistake. Getting up to the offices, there was no one around to let me in. (Little did I know, there's a receptionist on the floor below me who could have let me in.) So, I wandered around a bit, and conveniently ran into my new boss on her way in. She showed me my new desk (which is unfortunately temporary, as it's right by a window), gave me a paper describing how to setup my computer, and asked me to wait until another person came in to actually show me what to do. Well, the computer took a few seconds, and I've read all the papers that happened to be sitting on my desk (no idea if they're meant for me). Since then, I've just been waiting. Over an hour.

I met the guy who's desk is next to mine, he seems very nice. A few other folks have given me curious glances, but mostly the office is still pretty empty. It's 10:20am!

Maybe this isn't far off from grad school after all....

Thursday, December 07, 2006

And Now For Something Completely Different

Yesterday did not start well. I slept in a little, and cut myself shaving, and couldn't find any hot water for a shower, and the glass was half empty, and cracked, and I cut my lip on it, and chipped a tooth.

However, once I was awake and moving, I had to get into the city for an interview with Conde Nast. Now, I know what you're thinking; "Conde Nast? The magazine publisher?" Yes, the very same. I was offered a position as a producer of the websites that accompany the magazines! I've been fiddling with websites for years, but never really considered it a career. Even in this job, though, I won't be coding much (there's a whole design team for that), but I'll be producing. What this means is a little unclear to me at the moment, but I think it mainly involves checking everything over to make sure it'll look right on the screen, clearing everything with the magazine, and finally taking the website live for the world to see.

Not something I ever would have thought I'd be doing. But, I do enjoy playing with websites, and getting paid for it hardly seems a burden! I'm starting as a temporary hire, until I can learn their system and gain some experience. With some hard work, I'll be able to step into a permanent position in a few months.

And all of this is because I sped across the country to meet my aunt for drinks. Go figure.

It'll take some time for all the paper shuffling to occur, but hopefully I'll be starting next week!

Oh, and I still haven't heard back from that other company. It's been almost a week. If they offer me more, I'll probably still go with them. But at this rate, I don't know if I'll ever heard back from them....

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

I Got a Job!!!

Details forthcoming....

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

The Suspense is Killing Me

I haven't heard back from that company yet, which makes me think it won't be today. They did say early this week. Well, tomorrow is mid-week, and I'm going crazy waiting. I really like these guys, and if they offer, I think I'll take it.

In other news, I have an interview tomorrow with a publishing corporation, and another on Friday. The one tomorrow isn't exactly for a permanent position, but it'll at least be money in the bank as I keep searching.

Anyone know any ways to retain sanity whilst waiting for a potentially life-changing event to occur any moment?

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Holding My Breath

The second interview yesterday went wonderfully. I spent almost three hours there chatting with two partners, and the folks I would be working directly with should they hire me. I'm really trying not to get my hopes up, but I just feel so good about this firm. They are great people, and the office is so comfortable.

I have two more interviews next week, but there is this very real hope that I can cancel them. I'll know Monday or Tuesday.