Day one

What a change...from over nine years working odd hours and doing nothing but working with the right side of my brain, to this... a white walled cubicle with no decorations, a computer, and an oversided pencil cup. I feel out of my element, to be honest. But I'm curious to see if I can survive in this world.

The day started off with a rather wet hour and fifteen minute drive. I will have to try some different routes to see if I can cut the commute to a more reasonable amount of time. Once I move closer, it shouldnt be so bad. All I can say is thank goodness for ipods and MINIs. Couldnt imagine actually enjoying the drive in anything else. Theres no other place I'd rather be, than in my MINI.

I got there close to on time believe it or not. The place has a parking garage under the building, so I didnt have to use my umbrella. I rode up with a nice lady who wished me luck on my first day.

Once in the office, I was shown the ropes. Theres a lot to learn, and I was force fed a lot of info in one day. I took notes, but its definately going to take me a good two weeks to really get the hang of it. Lots of researching stuff and getting information about loan amounts and payments due, etc. Kind of confusing as each lender has their own form with different ways of saying the same thing. My brain is feeling very full right now.

The time went quickly, and before I knew it, it was 2:30 and I hadnt even eaten lunch yet. I rode with two of my new coworkers for salads. We brought them back to the office, and ate while we went back to work. As it got closer to quiting time, the mood got more casual. People were discussing the death of Steve Irwin, very sad. And also their plans for the weekend. I talked about MINIs a little, but I can tell already they dont really "get" it.

I didnt officially get my own cubicle yet, maybe that will happen tomorrow. the Boss didnt get in til 5-ish. He was at the office in Massachusetts. I also noticed no one really had pictures in their cubicles of loved ones or friends. I really want to make my cubicle a little more homey with a picture of my loved one, Mia MINI, and possibly a MINI mug/pencil cup. The large black mesh pencil cups that everyone else has been issued just dont appeal to me.

The same lady that I met in the elevator was going home at the same time. We rode down to the parking garage together. She asked me how my day went. I said, "I think I'll come back tomorrow".

The drive home was more reasonable, only took me half an hour. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring.

 

Day 1 done. Now keep it up!

 

Yeah Sally! So, now we just have to get your moved down here!

 

Ahhh life in a cube farm...soon you will know the fine art of ground hogging!

 

Nice to hear your first day went smoothly, if a bit overwhelming... I'm sure you'll settle into it in no time, and it will be a comfortable (and consistent!) routine.

 

Just remember the sides of the cubicle are usually soft, there is a reason for this. lol

 

We call it prairie ******* here

 

Ah yes, I made a similar change in office layout 10 years ago. It was interesting...and survivable. I agree, you have to find some ways to personalize your new digs, but I hear some companies have limits as to how far folks are allowed to go with that. I have MINI stuff around, but it's this big massive north-facing window that does the most for my sanity. Also, the fact that I do get out-of-the-office now again. Good luck, ssallykat...you'll do great!!

 

For Therapeutic Use

 

Don't even get me started with ThinkGeek. I already have too much of their stuff everywhere. I have a bunch of plush microbes on my bookshelf. I have a couple tin signs they used to sell. I have quite a few of their t-shirts.

They always seem to have to cool stuff for sale there.

 

That explains a lot

 

I don't have a cubicle, or even my own office anymore. When work shipped me out to Charlottesville, i got thrown in the room everyone makes copies in. It sucked at first, because i had my own big office to myself, but it's nice to actually see people consistently, and get in on all the conversations.

I like the atmosphere better out here than the bigger office. We're all one big clique (only 7 people out here) rather than 20 little ones in the office with 50 people.

I'm glad you survived the first day. I only did retail for a year before going to the office environment, and i thought THAT was a change!

 

Do you get tired of the "Richmeister" jokes?

 

Soooo...how is day 2?

I think you need LOTS of MINI stuff in your new space. That will make you feel MUCH better about the environment.

When you find your mind drifting off - thinking of things like: my brain hurts, this sucks, how am I EVER going to learn all this? You can just look around your space and see all those MINI things and other pictures that make you smile.

I have my own office - but I still have LOTS of MINI stuff, pictures, etc. that make it feel like "mine". When I'm having a "moment", I just scan my "happy" board...

Donna

 

Yeah, They are cool, I even drove over and visited with them one time!!

 

No, but i'm sure everyone else gets tired of my copy making jokes In my old office there were toys and pictures of minis piled on top of each other on my filing cabinets and bulletin board. When they said it was a little much, i took it ALL down, and i was miserable for a week... so they just said to put it all back up, it's now affecting my performance without it.

 

You mean it wasn't obvious I'm social inept/awkward?
Yeah, I'm a geek or nerd or something. Not really sure which one I am anymore. At some point I'll also have to explain what I refer to as the "Computer Science Oh". Don't worry, it's not dirty.

 

The "Big Oh"? I don't think that performance metric can apply to MINIs...

 

If for some reason you have not seen Office Space yet, watch it.

 

Watch the movie 'Rat Race' and you won't call it prarie ******* anymore It has a very different meaning once you see the movie.

hint: turtling

 

LOL. Check out my Gallery album: "Toys"

 

Are those for doing donuts on TPS report cover sheets?

I see you also have the penguin video. A friend at work sent that to me. I used to watch it all the time when I actually felt like doing that to someone!

 

....don't get me started on Office Space...

 

Do a search. It has its own thread, so it's there when you need it.

 

Yes! Office Space! One of my all time favorites. I don't sit in a little cubicle, but I do sit at a little and grind teeth all day. (Nose-to-the-grind, it's not funny:impatient ) The MINIs are so pleasing to look at. By all means load your "office space" with them! Riding in my Gary takes my mind off all the hum-drum events of the day, even if for a short while.