Today was my first day at my new job.  It’s been a little over a year since the last company I worked for was sold and I was laid off. I’ve done small things in between, but this time it’s got a real professional, established feel to it.

I wanted to write something proper, but I’m a bit tired. It’ll take a few days for me to adjust to this new schedule. No more staying up late watching old Star Trek The Next Generation reruns!

So instead of writing complete sentences and well-formed paragraphs, here are just some random thoughts in no particular order.

What I did today: Got familiar with a new shopping cart software, Magento. I’ve come across it a lot lately and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was very similar to other ecommerce solutions that I am already comfortable with such as MonsterCommerce (now Network Solutions’ CommerceSpace) and SearchFit.  As part of getting to know Magento, I created a new category and added a new product, complete with images, a PDF download, and even an embedded YouTube video.  Feeling my way around Magento took up the better part of my day as I added custom options to existing products.

I did some bug testing of the website and the ordering process, providing suggestions for improvements or corrections.  I also edited the stylesheet for the order form to fix some spacing and layout issues.  I even got to create a new button for the checkout process!

The environment: I am on the top floor of a huge building in a very busy area of Wilshire Blvd. The area has a very “business district” feel to it with shops catering to all the office workers. There’s many cafes, parks, trendy yogurt places, an underground food court, Starbucks, Subway, spas, bars, drugstores, major bus stops, post office, a subway station and more. It’s like this for several blocks. My building has a courtyard with a water fountain surrounded by a garden and wading pool along with outdoor seating and shade trees.  I like the vibe of this area a lot.

Our office has floor-to-ceiling windows with majestic, unobstructed views of Los Angeles and beyond. It really is insane. Los Angeles is built so low and we’re not even that high up and yet we are in comparison.  I can see forever and it’s a bit overwhelming at times.  There’s a kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and sink though they seem infrequently used.

The people: Our very large suite is split up into several small offices since we’re not the only company in there.  So far, the handful of people here, whom my boss introduced me to, seem pleasant.  He himself has been really easy to get along with and seems quite laid-back, intelligent and inquisitive.

The technology: I have admin rights on my computer. Let me repeat that: I have admin rights on my computer! I cannot begin to explain how happy this makes me. With my previous employer, whenever I needed a program to do my job, I would have to wait until the IT guy finds the time to come and install it for me. It was so frustrating.  Today, I needed Notepad2 (my favorite text editor) to work on the CSS file. It was a breeze to just download and install it. I was also able to install the myriad of Firefox extensions I need (Colorzilla, Web Developer, SearchStatus, etc.) without having to wait on someone else.

My computer is fast and runs the latest programs.  I also have two monitors.

The Commute

Those of you who know me know that I don’t drive, I don’t want to drive, and I don’t like to drive, especially here in L.A.  At my old job, I was one of several who took the Metro (subway) to work. It was super convenient and the company provided us with monthly Metro passes.

My new job’s major cross street is the same as where I live. It’s just 3 miles south.  I took the Metro Rapid bus this morning that runs up and down the street and timed the trip: 13 minutes!

The regular bus (with more minor stops than the Rapid) also runs the same route.  Additionally, I can take the subway (a bit roundabout since it goes east first, then south, then splits and I have to catch a connection back west), or if I’m feeling ambitious one day, simply walk. Perhaps in the summertime I’ll work in some exercise after work and take advantage of the end-of-day stress-reliever.

Okay, that’s it for now. Time for some zzzzzzzzzzzzz’s.

So I’m sitting around on a cold, drizzly Sunday night thinking about what I’m gonna do for dinner. Go out? Order in? Or heat up something that’s been lingering in the fridge. It’s a simple decision, but I don’t really have the energy or desire to make it.

As many of you (my friends who are readers) already know, I got laid off on Friday. I’m okay. Mainly because I had a feeling it was coming with this economy the way it is.  There had also been changes in the office that aroused my suspicions. I was one among several who had to pack our stuff and leave Friday afternoon.

I’m not upset about losing my job. I am hurt by the rejection. Rejection always stings, despite it not being something personal. I’ll get over it, sooner than later, but it still blows. I’m not in oh-my-god panic mode; I have a bit of savings that should last me 3 months if I were to stay unemployed that long, and I definitely do not plan on being unemployed that long. However, many of my friends have been laid off and the vast majority are having a hard time finding work, so perhaps I should be worried. I’m just not there yet. I have always had success finding work; I have a great set of skills, extensive experience, and I interview rather well. It’s not even that I’m a perpetually positive or optimistic person, rather, I’m just not much of a worrier. Let’s hope it stays that way.

So what are my plans? Well, I was going to hit the ground running, but on the advice of a few friends, I’m going to ease into it.  I’ll put my resume up on the major sites like Monster and Career Builder, and I will check out the listings to see what the market is like in my industry.  I also need to buy an “interview” outfit.  I can’t believe I don’t have any dressy clothes, but I guess that’s what happens when you live in Los Angeles.  But I just got laid off Friday so I need a bit of a breather before I am ready to interview, maybe a week.  Hah, I just realize how optimistic I sound, as if I expect to be interviewing next week despite the bad run of luck many have. Who knows?

Anyway, it’s taken me about 3 hours to write this blog entry. I’ve been multitasking, walking away from the computer and coming back.  I actually ate already; we called for pick up from the Peruvian seafood restaurant across the street.  I got steak, shrimp, rice and fries. It was delish. I have also been sorta watching the Grammys though it’s almost over now. I should go to bed soon. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow.  Figured I might as well get what I need done completed before my health insurance expires at the end of the month.  I also, quite reluctantly, have to go back into my old office at some point because they neglected to sign my severance check! In all the turbulence of being laid off, I didn’t even notice that it was unsigned until I got home.  What I did notice is that about 37% of the check was deducted because of taxes - how insane is that! I’m sorry Uncle Sam, I know you’re having a rough time too, but I definitely need the cash now more than you. Grrrrrrrrr!

Anyway, I’m going to check Craigslist again to see what’s out there and then it’s off to bed to dream about fun times at the dentist tomorrow.

A typical conversation I had today when I asked if an absent coworker would continue to be out for the rest of the week:

Me: “Does anybody know if — is going to be out for the rest of the week?”

XXX: “Yes. He’s out today.”

(Huh?)

Me: “Well yeah, we all know he’s out today. So you’re saying he’s out for the week?”

XXX: “I don’t know if he’s out for the week.”

Um, okay. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

So what was the quick “Yes” in response to? Sadly, that happens all the time.

Some people have a very hard time admitting that they don’t know something. There is nothing wrong with not knowing an answer; admitting that you don’t know something doesn’t make you look bad. Quickly giving wrong or made-up answers just to give an answer, however, does.

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Our annual Christmas Party, this year being held at The Melting Pot.

Woohoo! A press release I wrote is live and has been picked up by industry sites:

Globat.com Gives Holiday Bonuses to Web Hosting Affiliates

It’s been a while since we’ve put out a press release. I quite enjoy writing them.

On an unrelated note (well, related to 2 or 3 posts down), I put on my gym shorts, made coffee, and am sitting here enjoying the breeze and sunshine from my open balcony door. I doubt I’ll be going to the gym. Oh well.

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