Erieversible

So, three days into the new job, and after two days of orientation I entered the IT department.  First impressions are that as a company they not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as well.  Everyone is very friendly and the working atmosphere is quite remarkable.  Of course, in theory I could just have caught them on a good day, but I don’t think so.  This was the right decision!

Today I did most of the driving unaided; the GPS stayed tucked away.  No wrong turns, so I am getting to know at least a few of the roads around the place.

The pace of the house purchase seems to have settled down.  I think everything is now waiting for the legal processes to work through, though there’s some financial paperwork back in Erie needing a signature (or seven!).  That can wait until the weekend as it isn’t on the critical path.

In the next few days I have to make a decision on what to do about my 401k.  I’ve never had such a thing before, so whether to invest through that or take my chances elsewhere….a decision on which I’m trying to gather as much information as possible.  It is easy to focus too much on the last 12 months, and the general downfalls of 401k fund values, but I need to focus on the longer term.  Still not an easy decision, but a very interesting one!

So, another strange day, but all days at the moment are somewhat unique.  Routine is something we are working towards and which, hopefully, is now not too far away.

I left Erie on Sunday evening and drove to find my corporate apartment in Buffalo.  Thanks to the miracle of GPS I arrived without any hassle.  Due to the weather conditions I drove the full way without cruise control and it was much more like driving the motorways in the UK.  I arrived a little tired, rather than bored.  Now, if they’d add some features to Interstates to make it more entertaining I wouldn’t mind the drive so much

Apartment fine.  But no internet access.  Cable, and a cable modem with necessary wires, but no access.  Sorted that out this evening, eventually.  Apartment office says Time Warner to blame, Time Warner say apartment firm to blame, the usual stuff.  Luckily, the usual stuff that I’m used to, so it is now sorted.  All credit to Time Warner who were very responsive.  No idea where the bill is going though!

The first two days of the job are orientation days.  Hectic, far too much information to take it all in.  At least on Wednesday I should have some peace and quiet.  (That’s a joke….)  Lots of stuff to sort out - I need to find a medical practice here and register everyone so we can join the company health scheme.  I need to understand the complexities of the US tax system.  (Another joke….does anyone understand them?)

So, end of day one.  Lots of emails to catch up with about the house purchase, but maybe after work tomorrow I can head to a mall or somewhere and find a decent pillow.  Ho hum.

Well, maybe not the last day of freedom but certainly the last non-weekend day that I can do what I want.  On Monday I start work, and the US practice of giving only a handful of vacation days each year to employees will mean that days like today become precious.  I had 30 days vacation a year in the UK - that’s one of the things I gave up with the move!

It won’t be fun being away from home 5 days a week, but unlike when the rest of the family moved over here in the summer and left me behind to tie up loose ends (like selling the cars and house!) at least we’ll be back together at weekends.  And it shouldn’t be for too long, as the house purchase progresses smoothly.  Touch wood.

So what have I been doing today?  Nothing special.  I’ve had a lot of days like this since the summer and I am raring to get back to work.  When I suggested a start date of 8th December the company said that was a lot sooner than they were expecting, but luckily they are delighted to get me sooner rather than later.  At least if I find it hard going I’ve got the Christmas break to look forward to.