Auspicious Start

Ok ... well what a way to start a new phase!! First day at the new job and winter well and truly hits!!! I had my $10 op shop duffle on, and my new Marcs jumper with a shirt and honey I was shaking with cold like I had parkinsons ... to top it all off, I'm back working in the city and there's a bloody shooting near flinders lane .. with 2 critically injured and one fatality!!!

 

I look at this Peter Booth painting and I see the layers through and through:

 

 

But on a happier note ... I think I may have found my ideal company to work for. I was not feeling nervous at all before this morning, and the nerves continued to stay away even when I got there!!! So that was a good sign. There were three of us just starting and NB made us feel so welcome ... and whats more wanted!!! Which is indeed rare. Usually they make you feel like you should be grateful that they hired you in the first place. We had a quick overview of the schedule for the day, had a quick tour of the office and met the rest of the staff, then promptly went to The Bean for coffee!!!

 

We started at 9.30am and ended the day at 4.30pm, after having 2 sessions on the company and the services. NB kept apologising about the dryness of the material, but seriously, I've never had an induction on the first day where they explain every facet the of the business to you.

 

Then she had an interview for the MD position. When she came out she was actually willing to talk about it. I mean these things anywhere else would have been kept hush hush like it was the biggest secret out. Another Tick peops!!!! None of that "oh that doesn't concern you" bullshit. Everything is seemingly transparent.

 

We will be having a company paid day out in a month. Start of with breakfast in the city and then everyone gets on a bus and does a winery tour in the Yarra Valley ... this is during the day!!! they hire a temp to man the phones ... HELLO PEOPS!!! Are you hearing me???

 

The CS Manager, who is new and who I report to, gets to go to Singers 3 times a year ... guess who finally has an incentive to work his way up to the top. I would be a team leader just for that.

 

But anyhoo ... ask me in another 2 weeks and I may tell a different story ... but for now, just let me enjoy this!!! I think I deserve it muthafuckas.

 

Oh ... trying to find a silver frame (cheap price, but not cheap) for our Howard Arkley print (suggestions on the back of a postcard):

 

PS ... Another cook up this Sat!!!! Pics and story soon after ... I hope.

Why am I not excited Yet!!!

Ok ... first apologies for my tardiness (?) ... I know at least one of you out there has complained .. but anyhoo!

Riddle me this ... why is it that I have a sum total of 4 working days left and YET I'm not excited AT ALL!!!! Why does it seem that on the cusp of my leaving that I am so majorly stressed!!! I should be floating round the office and having endless coffee breaks and laughing and carrying on and saying things like "Suffer!" and "Tell someone who Cares!!!" I'm too good I think.

But I am really looking forward to the new job. Its hard to describe because normally I react in the same way I react when I pay anything above $150 for a garment ... its always a mixture of excitment, regret and nervous anticipation. And I have been to That many interviews ... you have no idea!!! But I really really got such a great vibe from the people I met. There was the PR chick, the CS manager and a team member, and I was cracking jokes and talking about clothes and eveything .... so fingers crossed ... hope that my first impression lasts.

I've been getting heartfelt responses (well I hope anyways ... but who knows with these people) from some clients after hearing about my impending departure. Here are some choice excerpts:

"Oh no the only reason I was staying with [blah] was because you were there. Please if you are ever in the [blah] area please call in I will shout you a coffee. You have been absolutely wonderful to me and never lost your cool with me even if you thought I was a pain in the bum. Please keep in touch I would love that"

"P.S.  Miss you already ...................."

(between you and me ... if I was going to a competitor ... leave that to your imagination)

But just to fill in the gaps here are some pics from a recent Steamboat night:

For the uninitiated, Steamboat is like a fondue with stock. So you have your selection of meats and vegies and a little basket which you put the food in and that you use to dip into the stock pot for cooking. Try it peops!!! Its so easy .... you can use an electric frypan if you like ... and ready made stock (although really you want to make your own ... ) and then 1,2,3 and you have Steamboat!!! YAY!!!

ALSO I want to plug JM's restaurant SABROSO in Seddon:

Its on the corner of Gamon and Charles Street and its a Tappas Bar/restaurant and the food is yummy!!! and the wine and beer list is decent. Also every Thursday night from about 9.15pm the Pinstripes play an acoustic set with the lovely Trina (also a friend) and her bluesy voice!!!

Our first visit there a few years ago was memorable indeed ... I think we got well and truly sloshed ... well some of us ... and I believe JH foot the bill. Crazy 'Mo that he is!!!

KJ, MN and me went there last night with M joining us later. We had:

salt and pepper squid

cripsy bread and dips (the dips were heavenly!!!)

moorish chicken skewers

smoked trout (came out by mistake so twas gratis)

pumpkin tarts with a pomegranate molasses sauce which we weren't big fans of

meatballs

and the piece de resistance - chorizo with chikpeas

So get your arses out there ... and if you're not from the west ... expand your horizons!!!

 

An old AGE review can be found here.