This week was fantastic and exhausting, obviously enough that it prevented me from posting squat, not even little trivial stories I could squeeze out. Hang on though, I’m going to give a quick synopsis followed by another event warranting its own entry.
So how is the job? Initially I was intimidated, nervous. Having the person I was supposed to be training with spend the first week elsewhere didn’t help. I did get through it. The week I just completed was more successful. Monday began with my chest tightening and by Friday I was on a cloud, hitting deadlines as if it were nothing. I also applied for the opening vacated by a really nice person who had to move to California. Do I want the gig? After the mind-blowing week I experienced, I definitely do. Will I land it? I have no idea. The manager making the decision is on paternity leave until December. Then comes the competition I’m up against. Those candidates definitely have me beat on the technical skills and certainly have earned the right to be called engineers. I do feel my stock has been raised when the other managers told me they also want people with strong work ethics, excellent customer skills and a willingness to learn. They don’t expect me to have MCSE certificates. Phew! I’ve always felt I was worthless to them without Active Directory wizardry.
I do still plan to return to my regular Sr. Specialist position in two weeks and I won’t be bummed about it. Unlike the three weeks I was an acting manager, I also won’t be relieved. Let me clarify the latter statement. When my backfill as a support engineer (or doing the work of one) ends, I will be happy to have completed the opportunity and work with the hope it went well enough to receive stronger consideration for a position. Then I will be returning to my usual job, continuing to give my all there. No sour grapes, no irritation and no regrets. I say this since I often see the anger in others whenever their opportunities end; one guy almost had a tantrum the day he was told to get back on the phone. Fear not, this incident was over a decade ago, before there was an Enterprise team. I would also be a liar saying I didn’t feel some resentment long ago with my first time as a team manager, especially with how long I was strung along. I learned my lesson on what to expect.
Enough about work. What else is there to share?
We’re in the process of having Nemo put on Prozac to solve his pissing-on-the-floor problem. This better work or else. I just don’t buy the anxiety argument from the vet. Nemo has lived amongst multiple cats most of his life (he is the only one we adopted as a kitten). Should the medication fail, my theory about Nemo being just an ornery, rotten animal will win out. He’s now nine and may have to be euthanized for his anti-social problem. I want to avoid it but we can’t spend up to another decade cleaning up after him.
Despite our pre-Christmas preparation, we’re back to being behind the eightball like everyone else. This year Somara does have Black Friday off which will provide a little help ironing out the cards. If you’re on my recipient list, be prepared for something off-color yet funny. Chicago looms in less than 40 days!
I could’ve sworn there were other things beyond work and the next story. I guess not.
Next week will be a relatively slow time, I would say to expect the same from here as I will continue to focus on what I do at Apple.