decidedlyodd

Yesterday morning, I finally moved my stuff out of the furnished apartment on the ground floor where I’d been staying and into my actual apartment on the top floor. I then drove to work, braving the traffic. The traffic wasn’t actually as bad as I had heard, although maybe I just still have a high traffic threshold from that summer I worked at GDI and had to commute every day. Either way, I got in a bit late (around 10am) because of the moving, traffic and parking. I was intending to work late that night so it isn’t such a big deal. However, while I was making progress on getting my workstation set up, I sort of ran out of things to do while I was waiting for a whole bunch of stuff to build. Still, I didn’t leave until around 7 or so.

I drove down to Mor Furniture and Ikea in Kent and Renton (although the two are across the street from one another). I saw some nice furniture, but it became immediately apparent that I really didn’t know what I space for in my apartment. I badly need a tape measure and to take measurements with it of the different rooms in my place so I can plan things out. The bedroom isn’t tiny, but there is a limited amount of space.

Last night I slept in my sleeping bag on my camping pad supplemented with some additional blankets on top of my new hardwood floor. While I slept relatively ok for the first night in my place, it is definitely giving me some motivation to get organized with regard to bedding and other furniture. Originally, I thought I might buy a futon that I could fit in my car, then get a real bed later. However, the more I think about it, the less I want to have a futon in the apartment afterwards. A sleeper couch is really the better way to go with regard to comfort for people sitting on it. Still, maybe I should consider a futon for my office. That could be nice for taking a nice after lunch nap, although I’m not so sure how that may affect my productivity.

Today I finally got things set up with my workstation to a point where I have actually started doing real work. I even tackled three minor bugs in Word this afternoon. Still, it’s all a bit overwhelming at times. Here you have a very complex program with a 15-20 year old code base using its own unique coding standards. It takes a bit of time to even begin to figure out how things work. I’m confident though that as long as I put in the time and effort things will work out.

Since I’ve moved out of the temporary furnished aparment, I no longer have internet access at home. The Covad guy is supposed to come out on Wednesday to do the physical wiring for my Speakeasy DSL. Hopefully, I’ll be up and running shortly afterwards. I decided to go with Speakeasy, because I’m fairly tired of dealing with cable and phone companies that jerk you around. Plus, I’m getting the ‘naked’ DSL that comes without actual phone service since I’m just planning to use my cell phone as my main phone. If I do end up wanting or needing a landline, I’m inclined to go with a VOIP solution and stick it to the local phone monopoly (Qwest).

Anyhow, I believe Speakeasy has done everything on their end that needs to be done and I just got an email from them saying my equipment was shipped today via UPS 3-day. Consequently, I’ll have limited internet access from outside of work (maybe I’ll find some free wifi) for the next week or so.

Tonight I’m hoping to get back home at not completely indecent hour, so that I can run over to Target to stock up on various odds and ends that I still need for my apartment. For example, I bought a shower curtain the other day, but of course the shower rod doesn’t have the little rings you need to attach it. Hence, this morning I actually took a bath to avoid spraying water all over my bathroom while showering without a curtain. Honestly, I don’t remember the last time I took a bath instead of a shower (maybe when I was 12 or so?), although it was pretty enjoyable. I’ve got a whole list which just seems to be getting longer and longer.