sunset

sunset
Originally uploaded by Julep67

Today was a blustery day.

This was my first "weird weather" day in the new building. There were times when it felt like the wind was going to pop the windows out and pick the building up and carry us off to Oz. That didn't happen but yanno, it could have!

This January haw and the weirdness that has followed it should not be a surprise. At this time last year, I took this photo during a thundershower:



Today was my first day in the office "on my own." The person who is training me was off today. It was sort of nice to be there alone. When she's there, I'm trying to get as much stuff out of her brain as I can so today, I could actually assess what I needed to do and actually got a few things done. It's a busy spot but I like it. Right now (and this works perfectly for me) they are in a lull period so I can take my time a little bit, figuring stuff out. Tomorrow, the training person will be back and I'm sure she will be able to answer some of the questions I've got. Lucky for me, everyone is being very patient and helpful. The best thing for me right now is that I'm not dreading going to work in the morning. That feels really good.

I need to scan stuff

For the past two days, our local tv news folks have been showing some archival footage from the '98 Ice Storm. The storm left us without power for several days and it was cold and creepy. I can remember almost every detail of the time we were without power. It was an experience that I would not want to do over but at the same time, it was absolutely unforgettable.

Watching the coverage on TV has got me thinking about digging out my photos from the storm and scanning them. I may try to find them this weekend. For years I've thought about doing that but just never did it, the time I now I think. 10 years is long enough to wait don't you think!?

Day two at my new job was awesome but it flew by again. I was feeling a little flustered and overwhelmed by the end of the day but I know that is partially because I am still trying to figure out what I need to be doing and when I need to be doing it. In a few weeks I know that I'll have found my groove but right now, I'm just trying to pick the brain of the lovely lady who is training me, as much as possible. She'll be in one more day this week with me and I'd like to make the most of this opportunity.

In other news, I'm absolutely in love with the Juno Soundtrack. We've not yet dragged our sorry asses out to see it but maybe Saturday that would be a fun thing to do.

back

After 3 weeks of vacation it felt a little bit strange going back to work this morning. It also felt a little weird going into a new building. Good, but weird.

The building I'm in now is lovely. It's really a cottage and it's very bright (even though today was rainy it was still bright!) with lots of windows and plants everywhere. My office is really airy and the space is open so there is (again) lots of light because I have 3 big windows. It's very pretty and once I get settled, I know that I'll love it.

The day flew by really quickly (as first days usually do). There's a lot to absorb but I really like the stuff I've been working on so far. The best thing about this job is that it's really self directed. There are certain things which need to be done each week or each month but for most the part, whoever is in this job can figure out a schedule for themselves. I like that.

Anyway, I'd write more but I'm completely braindead at the moment. I'm off to bed.

Oh, btw, did you see, Monsieur Crocker is back!

childish

On my last day of work before the holidays, as a reflex, I threw my office keys into my bookbag. A few days ago, I realized that I still had them. I'm starting a new job tomorrow so I won't be needing them anymore. I stopped by the office over the weekend to drop them off (just leave them on my old boss' desk). It felt very strange to be in the building, knowing that I wouldn't be working there on Monday. I've been working in the same building since June 1996 (although I've worked in several different rooms in the building) so it may feel a little weird tomorrow.

Probably it won't though. I'm excited. I have a bag of "desk stuff" all packed up to take in with me tomorrow. When I started bringing stuff home with me in the days leading up to the holidays, I was a little surprised at how much stuff I'd accumulated. Given that I've had many office moves over the years, I travel pretty light compared to some folks but still, it piles up.

So tomorrow is kind of like the start of the new year for me. New year, new job. I'm happy about it. I'm really looking forward to it actually.

On a completely unrelated topic, tonight, Mark and I watched the season premiere of "Law and Order." I was happy to see the dreamy Jeremy Sisto join the cast but during the first half of the show (it was really two episodes aired together), one of the victim's names made me giggle every time I heard it. I couldn't help but think of "Towel Room Locker Fights: The Blinding of Larry Driscoll" from the Simpsons. I'm a child, I know. Bite me.

particularly sick

I'm not a fan of cats, I have an allergy to them. Given a choice between a dog or a cat, I'll pick a dog everytime. Having said that, I wouldn't wish this on any cat, allergies or not.

Teens charged with microwaving cat to death
Four teenagers from the Edmonton area have been charged with breaking into a house and killing a cat in a microwave.

Police in Camrose, southeast of Edmonton, say a home was broken into twice while the owners were away for the holidays last month.

During the second break-in, a cat from the home was put into the microwave and then cooked to death, Insp. Lee Foreman said.

Four teens between the ages of 13 and 15 have been charged with several offences including breaking and entering, theft and unlawfully killing an animal. They are scheduled to appear in a Camrose court on Feb. 7.

None of the teens lives at the home or is related to the owners, Foreman said.

"I've been policing for over 25 years and I've never encountered anything quite like this," he said. "It's very disturbing. It's especially sad given the season."

A family friend who was looking after the house while the owners were gone found the dead cat in the microwave.