h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Work is going pretty well. Finally got a computer today. I think the flood shutting everything down plus the holiday made for a bad week to put in an IT request. I have my own work to do. I have my own desk that isn't on a main aisle. I have a computer. What more do I need out of life?

...

A closer parking spot. Or maybe some new legs. I park out in the boony section of the parking lot because I'm not a crazed fanatic who arrives at work at 6:30am. Then I walk the length of the lot to the tunnel entrance. Who knew there were all these tunnels under downtown? Down the steps, around the corner to the right, around to the right again and under the railroad tracks, around to the left, then to the right, then to the left and back to the right where I can finally catch an elevator to my floor. That tunnel is kicking my ass. How sad is that? Tuesday I was nice and beet red while the boss took me around to meet everyone first thing. Fabulous! Friday I went home with blisters on my little toes. Today I was smart and wore my faux Crocs and changed shoes in the elevator but this time I had crampy calves. I wasn't winded though, so I guess it has to be getting a little bit better. Who knows. Maybe someday I'll work my way from snail pace tunnel walking to turtle pace.

The plant I work in covers several city blocks, with adjacent parking lots. My office is in a building just about in the center of the plant. Even though I have to be there at 5:30 in the morning and I usually can park on the front row, I still have to walk two blocks over and one block down. That's the easy part.

My building is just over 100 years old, and is four stories tall. Unless I'm carrying a lot of stuff, or am planning on having to make several trips, the stairs are always preferable to the ancient (smelly!) freight elevator.

It does get easier - I've been doing this for 8 years now

How is the job aside from the tunnel?

Aside from the tunnel, it's going really well. People are chatty and friendly. The work is similar to what I was doing at the last job. I liked the work there, just not the fact that I wasn't getting hired to a permanent position. That and I never felt like I was really a part of the group. The guy who was brought on there after me was more a part of the group - got invited to a lake house by co-workers, hung out at the boss's house & drank beer, etc. I'm not jealous at all but frustrated that I wasn't able to make connections with those people and feel like I fit. I think I probably already know more about everyone who works here after 3 work days than I ever did at the other place.

I know the tunnel will get better. I just need the weather to cool off a bit and the humidity to go down. And I need to quit eating salty foods that upset the sodium/potassium balance. And I have to say I'm glad our elevators don't smell funny.