Teething

Well, I'm approaching the end of my third week as a helpdesk support analyst - read: computer-literate phone monkey. Though I'm not one to look a gift-horse in the mouth and I'm deeply grateful to have paying employment, I've already noticed the factors that I can see I'm not going to get on with.

First, my colleagues (and boss) are incredibly anal-retentive about logging everything both on our system and in our notes, even if it's a quick question that doesn't fit any of our listed categories, meaning half the time I'm either scrawling or typing frantically trying to keep up with the call volume.

Second, network stability is only to be spoken in humour here- we average one system down a day, which from previous experience is appalling. As much of a joke as CITB IT was/is, we didn't expect our email to go down once or twice a week.

Third, the Helpdesk has to be manned over Christmas, which clashes horribly with my normal recuperation period. I normally see Christmas not only as a time to touch base with family and friends but also as a time to recharge my batteries. While it's too early to say, I hope they don't get arsey about me wanting a week or so off around then to go home- I think by then I'm really going to need the break.

I'm aware this sounds somewhat negative, but it's not entirely the case- I'm still finding my feet in the job, learning how everything works and settling in with me new colleagues. I think it's a natural reaction to feel like this- after all, I'm trying to run before I've learned to walk here.

On the up-side I've already put in requests for training in a number of application, and enquired as to the possibility of obtaining a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) qualification. It'd be good if I could obtain that- a recognised IT qualification is something I'm sorely lacking in trying to hold my own in this field.

Thanks to the stability I'm now afforded, however, I've managed to wangle some time off around Easter to head back to NL with Vicki. The plan is Theme Parks- hopefully both Walabi World and Efteling, which will be followed with Alton Towers a couple of days after our return. Three parks over two countries in a single week sounds like a worthy challenge. ;) I've also talked to Mum about Adrenalin week in this November, which she's interested in- I think she could be tempted to join us if she has the time and money.

Aside from the coasters, I'm looking forward to the time back home- I had a great time last September (and indeed last Easter), and as I haven't been able to get all the time off I wanted I'm determined to make the most of all the time over there we've got.

Countdown: 80 Days until next NL Holiday. :D

Service, Service...

Well, I'm in the IT job now- or so I tell people. I'm effectively workshadowing people until my desk becomes available (when one of the team moves to PC Support), meaning I'm sitting around watching others work and trying not to fall asleep.
Thus, in the interest of keeping me awake, I attach the following survey (yoinked from Vixel) for peeps to complete. :-)

1. Name:
2. Birthday:
3. Place of residence:
4. Favorite ice-cream novelty:
5. What are you listening to now/have listened to last:
6. Do you read my lj:
7. If you do, what is particularly good/bad about it:
8. An interesting fact about you:
9. Do you have a crush at the moment:
10. Favourite place to be:
11. Favourite lyric:
12. Best time of the year:
13. Best album of 2005:
14. Where would you take me/where would you like me to take you on a date:

RECOMMEND
1. A film:
2. A book:
3. A band, a song and an album:

PLUS
1. One thing you like about me:
2. Two things you like about yourself:
3. Put this in your lj so I can tell you what I think of you.
4. POST A PICTURE OF YOU.... (don't worry, I won't be offended if you don't want to!)

Welcome to 06

So 2006 is here in all its glory. For once it is actually fairly glorious as well. I start my new job (all being well with referees and medical checks) in less than a week, joining the ranks of the permanently employed for the first time... ever. I'll be earning slightly less than I did at CITB, but not by a huge amount, meaning that with any luck I'll be able to get back to a semblance of a decent financial foothold soon enough. I'm not quite out of the woods, but I can see light through the trees up ahead.
Looking backwards, I had quite a full and enjoyable Christmas and New Years, despite some interesting times. I headed down to Kent with Vicki for a week over Christmas, spending the holiday with her parents. This meant I was present for her brother's wedding, such as it was. I agree with Vicki's view of her brother- he's easily led astray, and doesn't really have much of a personality of his own. It's pretty clear the situation's been forced through by the bride's mother. I can almost hear the conversation:
'Mum?'
'Yes, dear?'
'I- I've got some news... it's good news-'
'Well, what is it?'
'I'm pregn-'
'Pregnant? Wonderful! Mark's the father, isn't he?'
'Well, yes-'
'So when are you getting married? The 23rd is good for me. It'll be at Battle Baptist, yes? I'll talk to the priest and get it all sorted. Oh, I'm so happy for you.'
...And so on, and so forth. It all went pretty smoothly, all told. There were no blaring rows on the day itself (though discussions alternated between heated and frosty the evening before, when Mark and Izzy turned up for dinner), and the reception was enjoyable, if a little reminiscent of a school disco held in a venue similar to the White Room at Echos.
Over the eight days down there I came to the view that the fundamental difference between Vicki's family and my own (aside from the fundamentalism) was in their method of discussion. Whereas my family and friends have always, when faced with differences of opinion, searched for a common ground through civil discussion, it appears the Hirst household tends towards arguing until someone gets their own way. I can see entirely Vicki's view that she doesn't like to return there too often- while her parents (and brother) are decent enough people, I can imagine they would really start to grate after a while.
Given all that, however, a good time was had. I consumed a lot of good food, received a significant amount of booze and a Megatokyo hoodie (a little on the large side, but very comfortable and very warm) for Christmas, met up with Rob and Lauren in London as the sales kicked into high-gear, and befriended the house cat.
We returned to Loughborough on the 29th, and I think it's safe to say I haven't quite got back to situation normal yet. The PC has been playing up again- random and frequent crashes, mainly due to the WinXP partition being too small and too fragmented. The first paycheque will sort that (new HDD here I come!), though it's just a question of keeping it together until then. I don't want to do a full system rebuild now only to have to do it again in a couple of weeks.
New Years was at Rich Howard's place this year, a rather nice abode that suffers only from being the exact furthest point from everyone else in Loughborough. Booze and food were taken- once again I made vlammetjes (a little spicier than last time, the Conimex-brand Sambal is a little more potent), and once again they went down rather well. Graeme got incredibly drunk (as is his forté), though thankfully this time round didn't vomit profusely or make a fool of himself, and did come home when we suggested it (though it was amusing to watch him periodically forget we were waiting for a taxi and stumble off down the road). I failed to get drunk, going straight from tipsy to hung-over and headachey, which I blame on the atmosphere- a little too hot and too close with so many people in a confined space. Still, it was a good night, and it was great to see everyone again.
Looking to this time next year, I'm pretty much sold on spending next Christmas and New Year in The Hague for a change- now all I have to do is convince my parents of the same. :) I reckon I can probably make a killing on flights if I book early enough again and keep an eye out for speial offers- while I'd like to head over around Easter too it's looking a little pricy ATM, though I might try for a September break again.
Also started looking at new accomodation too- it seems a three-person professional let is probably the way to go, it'd probably even work out cheaper than the student place we're currently in, and is likely to be less of a dump. The only issue is finding somewhere closer to time at a decent price and in a decent location- I don't want a half-hour walk to the bus stop every morning if I can help it.
Tonight, however, it's food and movies- the plan is we're off to see The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe...

Song of the Day: Genesis by VNV Nation- getting an awful lot of loop-play...