Adjusting

work hood

I had a couple of “Whoa.  I live here now.” moments today.  It happens when I look out over the city from my desk’s 7th floor Manhattan view.  There are trees on the roofs.  There are new weather patterns.  The snippets of conversations I hear are in different accents.

I got an email from my old boss, and every time I see it in my inbox, I have a minor anxiety attack and sign out.  I keep having the same feeling at work when I get carried away researching a new application or something. At my old company, we had to log our time in fifteen minute increments, so that all time could be billed to somebody or some project, so I’ve been trained to catch myself and ask myself, “Can I log this time anywhere?”  At the new job I don’t have to think about that, I just have to learn.  Such a different feeling.  This afternoon, as if he could read my mind, one of the network architecture guys stopped by my desk and asked if I came from higher education or industry, then nodded knowingly and said it would take some time to adjust to.

I spent nearly an hour walking around and perusing the green market at lunch today.  An hour break!  I feel like I’m doing something wrong, or like I’m going to get in trouble for taking off for so long.  Do I sound like an abused puppy that’s afraid of people trying to pet it now?  That’s what it sounds like seeing it written down.  Whew.  That chapter is over.

For some reason I’ve been pretty exhausted when I get home, even though it’s earlier than I’m used to.  I haven’t done much unpacking this week other than shoving boxes around.  I can’t decide where I want furniture, and I can’t unpack until I know where shelves and cabinets will live.  I have unpacker’s block.

My mom and brother arrive in three weeks, to spend a week at my place for Christmas.  I wonder if there’s an unpacking or moving-in kachina.

Ugh

homeward

So I found my local bar.  I was welcomed by the bartender in the wee hours of Sunday morning to my “new local,” perfect timing, because it had dawned on me only moments before.  Thanks, Brendan.

I returned tonight, and was treated really well again, this time by Greg.  Problem is, my tired ass self tipped based on number of drinks, not total dollar amount.  He was giving me a big break, actually (curried vegetable pie with a slightly charred edge was on him!), and the total was $28.  I tipped $4 on my 3 drinks and free pie.  I feel guilty.  Guess I’ll have to go back for more rosemary infused margaritas.  Or maybe I’ll have to drink stout instead, so $1 per drink works out a little better.

On Being Thankful

going out in norwalk

gold

I used to make lists all the time, entitled, “Things She Digs, Things She Hates On.” There’s something satisfying about listing what you’re appreciating and what is pissing you off. It being the day after Thanksgiving, I’ll skip the hate list.

Things I’m Thankful For

• The move is over
• My Boston friends
• Reconnecting with Leah, and the resulting fabulous new apartment and neighborhood (big up Greenwood Heights!)
• A renewed focus on taking photos (A Year of Days)
• Getting to know my paternal family
• Quitting my job!
• Finding a new job
• WD-40
• Caffeine
• Old issues of Gourmet magazine (RIP)

One More Long Night

four days and three nights

Today was my third day in Albuquerque.  Save that first lunch on the way home from the airport, I’ve only been out of the house once, to take a 20 minute walk with my mom in the nearby canyon.  Well, they call it a canyon, but it’s more of a wide dip of open space between a housing development and her neighborhood.  Other than that, I’ve only left the computer for naps, the bathroom, and to eat… though I’ve been eating at my machine a lot.

This sordid tale ends tomorrow.  Whether it’s done or not, I’ll be through with this project, this documentation, this employer, this seven year chapter of my life.  I’ll definitely miss some of my coworkers, but I don’t need the job to stay connected with them.  I’d rather kick it when I’m relaxed, not venting about dumb work shit.

still life with peace lily and dull machete

On a lighter note, this awesome scene is the entryway to my mom’s apartment.  Still life with machete, peace lily, ganesha, and peppermint essential oil.  Truly the house of a mountain lady.  Apropos, as well, because in some circles I’m known as Dull Machete (Dully for short), and I’m about to reconnect with those friends in The City.

Albuquerque

first impression of the southwest

prickly

My mom picked me up from the Albuquerque airport yesterday and we went in search of food.  I wanted southwestern style food, and after some wandering around in the car and wandering around on foot in old town, we settled on a place called the Church Cafe.

JP Interlude

flock of leaves (dark)

flock of leaves (light)

Instead of packing, I spent Saturday enjoying JP with RB.  We had planned to just hit up JP Licks for some caffeine by the fire, but the line at the Centre Street Cafe was so short we decided to have brunch.  After we ate (oat-cornmeal pancakes with fruit: yum!) we stopped into JP Licks, acquired caffeine, and went for a walk around the pond.  Better choices all around on such a beautiful crisp day.

Scenes From a Last Day in the Office

what it was like

Carlos!

last year's view

The cleaning guy’s name is Carlos.

I thought I’d be leaving too early to see him today, but my friend S was nice enough to give me and my 2 boxes of art and books and stuff a ride home, and she doesn’t get out of work until after 6.  Tomorrow I have to hand in my badge, so I’ll definitely be gone by the time he shows up.

The Leaving is Surreal

flag of the whiskey rebellion

Still at work, totally sleep depped.  Depped: I say it, but I know it isn’t a word.  Meh.

I just said goodbye to the man who cleans the office every night.  We’ve talked a lot randomly over the years… he’s been working here as long as I have, and I’m often the only person left in the office when he’s making the rounds.  I’ve worked so late so many times, he finally stopped asking me to turn out the 2nd floor lights on my way out the door.

Small Steps

steamers (ufos!)

The Great Purge continues, but at a snail’s pace.  Still trying to focus on work whenever I can, so I’m not getting a lot of packing in.  I packed my DVDs and VHS tapes today… small victory.  They all fit in one box, neatly.

My friends just got a place in Maine, and Ash just moved back into my current apartment without a lot of stuff, so many of my kitchen cast-offs are being adopted immediately.  I’m glad they’ll be used.  I’m starting to feel weird, asking everybody I know if they need or want this or that.  It’s like reverse pan handling, almost.  How does one person acquire four colanders and five or six mesh strainers (and why am I holding onto a strainer in every size and shape… ugh)?