First Few Days at the New Job

Here is a synopsis of my first week so far:

Day 1:

1. 30 minute new hire orientation
2. Interviewed someone
3. Lunch
4. Meeting about internationalization
5. Moved offices. New office is bigger and has better view.

Day 2:

1. Interviewed someone else
2. Reading
3. Got a task to start on
4. Installing lots of crap on my system
5. Someone (The Canadian (tm)) offered to pay my teammate to pinch my ass, but he declined. When I told BC about this later on, he asked if The Canadian (tm) would pay him to pinch my ass. Great boyfriend, eh?

Day 3:

1. Figuring out how to build.
2. Getting the pieces together I need for the task.
3. Reading about the task.

Tomorrow:

1. Company meeting 8:30 - 10:30.
2. Hopefully, followed by adult beverages.
3. Start work my task
4. Meeting about my task

All in all, not too bad so far. And I'm taking Monday off. BC and I are flying out Friday night for our weekend backpacking trip. We are going to the Sawtooths in Idaho. I'd be more specific, but all I saw was the topological map. There will be elevation changes and water. That's all I know. More details when I return. I will get to try my freeze dried lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and pasta primavera. Those should be some good eats! I hope...

Dog Scouts of America

Yes, there is such a thing as Dog Scouts of America. Your dog can earn merit badges in things like hiking, backpacking, geocaching, community service, various dog sports, etc. They can even go to scout camp! There is someone that is starting up a troop in Austin.

I'm still not sure I believe it.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Many changes going on. I have a new roommate. My Mom's ex-boyfriend moved in with me last weekend. It is an indefinite arrangement. He lived w/ my mother and I for about 10ish years, so it is more like having a father like figure living w/ me. We have always gotten along pretty well. So far, so good.

I start a new job next week. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm definitely ready for a change in the employment department. The new company is probably <= 5 miles from my house. Once I get a bike of my own, I may start biking to work. The ride in wouldn't be too dangerous. It is mostly down Parmer Lane.

On July 28th, Jim and I fly up to Boise, ID. We are going backpacking for the weekend. We'll also visit w/ his best friends Vic and Rachelle for a bit. I'm pretty excited about this trip. It will be my first back packing experience.

A Funny

I made a stop at Academy Friday night. The woman in front of me in the checkout was in the process of getting rang up when a boy around the age of 9 runs up. He is holding a Corona baseball cap and says. "Mom! This is the one I want". She looks at him incredulously and says, "You can't get that hat. You are going to CHURCH camp".

Luckily, the cashier who happened to be taking a drink at that very moment, managed not to spew all over us.

Vote for New Haggen Dazs Flavor

A friend of one of my agility clubmates is in the finals of a contest on the Food Network to create a new Haggen Dazs flavor. Why vote for him? His video doesn't suck ass and his idea sounds pretty tasty. Vote for fellow Austinite Thomas Zavaleta and Chipotle Chocolate ice cream.

The 'Pumpkinlicious' video is pretty amusing. Gotta love Wisconsin accents and pumpkin costumes.

Only 1 1/2 Weeks Left!

I start a new job on July 24th! Woohoo!

I'm pretty excited. I'll get to work at a 'real' company again and get to work on a real product that people actually buy!

What kind of road bike do you have?

I'm in the market for a road bike. I went to Bicycle Sport Shop on Saturday and tried out a Trek Pilot 5.0 wsd. I know I said I would not get a Trek. I tried this bike and a Specialized Ruby that was in the same price range. The Trek had better components, fit better, and rode better for only $100 more.

What kind of roadbike do you have? Do you like it?

Powered by Guinness (aka Marathon Relay)

Here is how we did:

Place: 22/53 Odd's And Ends Division
Team Name: Powered by Guinness

T-Rex: Lap 1 - 57:39 7:41/M
Beaver Cleaver: Lap 2 - 51:31 8:19/M
Cem Cummin : Lap 3 - 1:00:16 9:43/M
Heavin' Semen : Lap 4 - 33:33 10:29/M
Sphincter Blinker : Lap 5 - 26:41 8:36/M
Overall: 3:49:43 8:46/M

Not too bad! My leg sucked pretty badly, but I was busy being team captain. That's a pretty exhausting job in itself. I had to make sure we were shaded, hydrated, fed, beered and have everyone lined up when it was their turn! After it was done, we went down to Freddie's for lunch. Yum! Then it was home for a nappy nap and being lazy the rest of the day.

Click HERE for the pics. Please note I did not take the fantasy/dream shower sequence of Beaver Cleaver. But, I will say that he does looks mighty fine! Free Meat is in some of the pics. She wasn't on our team, but her two teams were in the tent next to ours.

Have a great weekend!