You Know You're In New England When...

The lead story on the evening news is about the Red Sox. And it's not even baseball season yet! Sheesh!

Some Thoughts

Eddie Bauer Wrinkle Resistant shirts rock.

Apparently all the taxi drivers with the cab company I've been using love me (or so I was told this morning).

I hate to wear thong underwear (I refuse to wear it), but recently discovered, "boy shorts" (especially in lycra). What a wonderful invention! Solves the panty line issue and are very comfortable all at the same time. I may never wear anything else. (Perhaps this is TMI).

Wore my mother's pearls for my first day of work here. I'm hoping that they will bring me some luck.

Looking out the Company cafeteria (floor to ceiling) windows yesterday at all the trees still covered in snow from the storm the day before made me feel like I was in a ski lodge.

I'm working with a consultant here who works for Old Company. I used to work with him years ago when I worked for the NY Consulting & Education branch (I did operations, I was not technical in those days, he was a consultant). He knows his stuff, technically, so I am very happy to have him here, especially as I know that I can talk to him and he will help me out. But, I can see how they need someone like me on this project. I'll speak up in meetings, come up with ideas and am far bossier and more outspoken than he could ever be. I had a revelation about this in a meeting yesterday.

I've been to two meetings now (New Company Orientation on Monday and a team meeting hosted by my boss's "boss" yesterday) where the participants were told that we are "the best and the brightest" and that's why we are here (at the company, on the team, whatever). My response both times has been, "huh?" Wondering how I managed to sneak into such esteemed company.

Big Differences

So far there are lots of differences between Old Company v. New Company and Old Job v. New Job, and one of those is that I seem to write a lot more email with New Job, even this early in the game. I love to write email, I do some of my best thinking while writing email (or while writing, in general), so this could be a very good thing.

On the Road to Acquiring My Driver's License...

I actually drove an actual car for two hours yesterday. I even drove on the highway and everything. Woo.

This is Going to be a Problem

So, when I was working for Old Company, my routine in the morning was to pick up a Dunkin' Donuts large coffee on the way to the office, because the free coffee provided in the company pantries was just dreadful. I would then nurse it for most of the morning and that would be my coffee ration for the day. Now with New Company, it's a whole new ball of wax. On my first morning here I was introduced to the Company Cafeteria (which in and of itself is a wonderful thing) and the vats of Free Coffee. Wonderful Coffee, there is even a daily flavored option (if I went for that sort of thing, which I don't). So now I find myself helping myself to Wonderful Free Coffee multiple times throughout the morning. I can just see a real coffee addiction in my future.

One Other Thing

Was talking with Taxi Driver this morning and when I commented that I had been with my former company for almost 17 years, he whipped around so fast, I thought he was going to crash the car. He said, "you don't look like someone who could have worked anywhere for 17 years. I thought you were maybe in your late-20s!"

I think I love Taxi Driver.

I Went to Bed at 9 O'Clock Last Night...

I really wanted to go to bed at 7:00 (I was falling asleep watching stupid TV), but it seemed too ridiculous.

It's been a crazy few months. The last two weeks have been particularly nuts, finishing up at my old company, trying to get my stuff and myself in order enough to make the move up to New Hampshire. Not sleeping (at all!), partying, worrying, anxiety, stress, blah blah blah. So, I started yesterday at New Company and what do you know, I'm sick. Today I'm even sicker (coughing, chest congestion, etc.) Just the way you want to start a new career at a new company. Just. Fantastic.

Other than that, everyone here has been very welcoming and friendly. So far I feel pretty comfortable, although I will feel more so once I start working on the project and get a feel that I know what I'm doing and can get the job done (competently).

The corporate apartment is okay, although it's weird not to be surrounded by my own furniture and books and plates and pictures and STUFF. It makes me feel a little lonely, even though I would no more be going around and socializing after work on a work night in NYC than I am here. It's just that feeling of limbo, I think. I'll feel much better once I get the car thing straightened out. I really hate having to rely on taxis (not to mention the fact that it's also fantastically expensive).

So, the transition is going well. I had just worked for so long at my previous company that it is a foreign concept to come to work and not immediately know what I should be jumping in and working on. And once I have a car I'll be able to take myself to the (wonderful!) grocery store. Not to mention being able to explore the area.

Unreal

After being unable to sleep for most of the night, I finally get up and turn on the news this morning only to hear a report that there is a tornado warning in effect for all of the NYC boroughs (until 9 AM). Tornado. In New York City. Are they kidding??? The rain and horrendous weather is then supposed to be followed immediately by a severe drop in temperature, snow, sleet and whatever. This is, like, wrath of God sort of weather! Wonderful day for moving to New England. Such is my life. Sheesh.

Last Day

Today was my last day at my old company and it was just incredibly sad. I managed to keep pretty busy for most of the day, but then when it was winding down and getting to that time I needed to leave, I started getting a bit emotional. My friend Chris came by my desk to say goodbye while I was shutting down my computer for the last time and so I was saying goodbye to her, with Scott (Former-currently-temporary-maybe-permanent manager) hovering just outside of my cube. I know Scott wanted to say a proper goodbye to me, but I just couldn't, I was going to completely lose it any second, so I practically ran down the hall with Chris to leave. I couldn't even look at either of them. And I'm sure Scott was disappointed. I just don't do public emotion well.

Some Pictures from Last Night
(my goodbye party)

Billy, George, Maria.



Bob, Carol.



Janos, Eugene, Paul, Luminita.



Michelle, Luminita, Carolina.



Richie, Carolina.



Scott, Charon.

Unfortunately, I missed taking pictures of a bunch of people.

Up Early and Panicking

The real panicking is starting. I slept pretty well for most of the night and then at about 4 AM my eyes just sprang open and I started thinking of all the things I still have to do. Stuff that needs to get packed, personal business that I need to sort out, bills that need to be addressed, stuff at work that I still need to do, papers and books and stuff I still need to drag home. And then I start thinking about the New Job and worrying about if I can do this, can I perform, will I be the Right Person, CAN I DO THIS???

Lola at least is pretty much squared away. I dragged her into Manhattan last night for an appointment with her old vet. We used to go to him when we lived on the Upper Westside, but we switched to a local Queens vet when we moved here. I always preferred him and his office however, so I brought her back to him for her last NYC vet visit. She had an update on all her shots and I have a health certificate for her. At least I won't have to worry about finding another vet right away.

I decided to take the offer on my apartment. It was pointed out to me by a couple of people that perhaps my apartment had been listed too low, or that it was so early in the game that it was possible that I could still generate some additional interest and thus perhaps generating some more bids. But, on the other hand, I'm not going to be here to monitor what's happening so there is a lot of comfort in knowing that that ball is already rolling (and even with the immediate offer, that ball will continue to roll for months since we're dealing with a co-op here and my co-op is even more ineffectual than most) and also I am more than doubling what I paid for the place a few years ago, so I don't think there is any need to be really greedy about it. Plus the broker pointed out that it's possible that trying to get that much more money might throw a bit of a wrench into things when a buyer deals with appraisals, etc. Just because it's possible that a buyer might come forward to pay more, doesn't mean the bank will back that, particularly when my current offer is already the highest paid for a studio in this building. Whatever. I decided to just take it and be done with it. Now I hope it all goes as smoothly and as quickly as possible. I'm sad though, I've come to like this quirky little apartment of mine. Particularly since the Neighbors from Hell moved out (along with their Hellspawn). It's actually been rather pleasant here lately (punk kids in the street outside my apartment yelling and screaming and setting off fireworks not withstanding).

Lastly, the Director of my department at my current job is taking my resignation personally and it's stressing me out. Apparently one of the first things she said when told that I had resigned was, "how can she do this to me???" She then became really pissed off that I was only giving two weeks notice. Since then she has not said one word to me, other than one cryptic little email response to my resignation letter (most of which was comprised of how stressed out she is). She got pissed at my friend Chrissy who is trying to plan a little goodbye party for me. Chrissy checked first with former-currently-temporary-maybe-permanent manager to make sure that they weren't also planning to do something and to make sure that she wasn't stepping on any toes and to find out who in the group he thought she should invite. Former-currently-temporary-maybe-permanent manager said just to send the note to the entire group (this was last Tuesday, I think). Well, Department Director went into a tail spin because she hadn't sent a note to the group yet telling them that I was leaving. She then scrambled to respond on top of Chrissy's note to the group to say she had asked someone in the group to write this note the day before and that it hadn't been done and then someone had said that they weren't sure if I even definitely had the job (I had just mentioned that New Company had to do background checks) and oh btw, Debbie is leaving so congratulations. Gee thanks (thanks also for airing my dirty laundry for the entire department to see). Since then there has been no communication from her. Lou forwared me a note yesterday that she had written to him that said something like, "make sure she shows you how to run this (refering to a quarterly report for Marketing) before she leaves." She doesn't even mention my name. It all makes me feel so... icky. I've worked for her for about ten years. I just feel so sad and hurt by this attitude. It really is making my tenure here end on a bit of a sour note.

AAAAAAACCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

My apartment has been on the market for a few hours and I already have a full price offer!!!! This is all freaking me out!

Things I'll Miss About NYC...

* Central Park!



Of course, I've been missing Central Park ever since I moved to Queens four years ago.



So, it's really been like a 4-year long goodbye.





Ah, but I love you Central Park, there is not another place like you in the World. *sob*

You Know You're Getting Old When...

...You can't even remember how old you actually are! Sheesh!

Things That I Won't Miss About Commuting In NYC

* Rush Hour in Penn Station.

Things That I WON'T Miss About NYC

* Running out at lunchtime and having to dodge plume after plume of cigarette smoke. ICK!

Well, The Cat Is Out Of The Bag!

Everyone at my company knows. ACK!

Things I Won't Miss About NYC, My Job (or Company) or Commuting or Whatever

I should start a list of things I will and won't miss about my life here, as I think of them. From today:

* I won't miss standing on the LIRR train platform in the morning in the cold, Winter rain while train after (half-empty) train blasts by. Especially when there is no explanation of why no trains are stopping (other than the obvious fact that it is a cold, rainy, Winter morning, because why would there be decent train service on such a day?)

Edited to Add...

...to the list below:

* Sort through current closets and see what I have (that fits) that will be appropriate work wear for New Company.

* Perhaps have a couple of things (previously hemmed by self -- the HORROR) re-tailored professionally. Sort through sweaters, etc. that have worn through at an elbow, or anything stained or whatever and chuck.

* Figure out if there is anything I need to buy right away to fill in the above.

* Buy boots that will get me through a NH Winter (because those Merrell Mocks with the holes really are just not going to cut it).

Happy New Year!

I know that I really should put some goals together for 2006, but with all the recent developments, I have so freaking much on my mind and on my plate right now that I think a bunch of scary goals could just put me over the edge. So, I think instead, the actual goals for this year are going to all be centered around this huge life change. Here is a short list to start with:

1) Work my ass off at my current company for the next two weeks to tie up as many ends as possible, train as many people as needed, create automated procedures for some to the work I do, so that I can leave my job with the peace of mind that no one has been left in the lurch.

1a) Find a way to see, spend time with, talk to as many people that I've worked with and known over the years as I possibly can.

1b) Try not to get too emotional about leaving.

2) Get in one more dental and one more Dr's appointment on my current insurance, before leaving NYC.

3) One dinner out with my Father.

4) Maybe buy a cell phone so that I will have a method for communication during this settling in period.

5) Figure out how and where various bills will be sent to me.

6) Sort out how various bills will be paid and how I need to handle old & new checking accounts.

6a) Figure out if I'll need some interim money to cover the period of time between paychecks and the clearing period for manual checks, etc.

7) Figure out how I'm getting up to New Hampshire (and exactly when) and where exactly I'm going.

8) Figure out how Lola is getting up there and where she will be staying (hopefully with me).

9) Figure out how I'm getting back & forth to the new company at first.

10) First plan of action: Figure out what I need to do to immediately get a driver's license (might need to enlist a cousin to take me to Concord or something).

11) Put all of this transitional stress and complications out of my mind and immediately focus on the new position and what I need to do to literally hit the ground running and do a fantastic job.

11a) Instill confidence with New Company that will make them see that they made the right decision in hiring me, despite all the difficulties with relocation, etc.

12) Once I am a bit settled in, re-start some kind of exercise program.

13) Finalize whatever needs to be finalized with sale of the Queens apartment.

13a) Receive (hopefully) nice profit from sale of apartment and pay off every cent of debt.

13b) Also with apartment sale money, buy a car.

13c) Put the rest away to be used for home or condo purchase in a year or so.

14) Rent a place to live.

Once the above is all sorted out and things settle down and I'm not hyperventilating hourly, re-evaluate and come up with some normal goals. Probably in two or three months (of course the apartment sale will probably take longer than that, but whatever).