So, today was my first day as a corporate whore. I went to work in one of the only really big corporate parks in all of Kalamazoo, and got greeted by a company duffel bag filled with propaganda...the usual stuff, company tee shirt, company baseball cap, company mousepad, company license plate holder. I think that officially makes me a corporate whore. You know, I've worked in offices before but I don't think I have ever gotten the little propaganda presents before. I don't think you're truly a corporate whore until you get the propaganda presents.
I also got to sit through an HR meeting where I heard all about "the company vision" from someone whose life was obviously changed by "who moved my cheese". It was pretty funny. It seems the more buzz words you use, the happier she is. So, of course, I used many buzz words at this meeting, all the while getting a good chuckle at my own expense.
A lot of the people seemed very cool, too. I was impressed. They actually seemed cooler than I expected, at least from my initial observations. I think part of it is it's such a fast paced environment. It was something a bit more in synch with my own personality, and seems is active enough of an environment for me to feel challenged. Folks have that healthy dose of cynicism that you would expect at a job like that but without any of the snottiness I became accustomed to in Chicago. So I am digging this. I also think that having a job to keep me busy will help me immensely with my depression and homesickness. It gives me something to be involved with, the sense I'm doing something and a genuine opportunity to interact with other human beings. So that is a very good thing.
The power went out while I was at work. Rob and I went out to eat at Olde Peninsula. It was mainly because of the power being out and us both needing to eat, but it wound up being a nice way to unwind after the day. We were home for a little over an hour when it finally came on.
Well, after I finish this already interesting week, I'm going to get to see New York Room play at Harvey's (on Friday) and then, if we can swing it, we're going to go to Chicago for a party. I'm actually feeling pretty excited.
The Italy trip is all coming together, too. We sent the check to my Dad's Russian connection, and the hotels have been booked in Naples. We just need to get our Rome hotel now. It's solid enough for me to feel seriously excited.
Now excuse me, Daria is on television...