So my first day on the new job is behind me. Well, in fact the second day also, and it's been uneventful. My boss is based in our headquarters in the south so all I have to do for the first week is read policies and procedures and training manuals. I've been propping my eyes open with coffee beans. But I expected it would be like this at the beginning.

I occupied some of my day in taking photos of the fabulous views from the lounge.

View from the office lounge

Another view

One thing I hadn't fully appreciated was the extent to which the relationships you've built up contribute to your overall work environment. Here, I know nobody - I have nobody to kid around with, nobody to gossip with. I don't know yet who will become a friend, and it makes things distinctly less enjoyable - even a little lonely. There aren't even any cute guys to ogle (although there are PLENTY in the streets all around!) One of the receptionists is almost certainly gay, and seems like a nice guy.

I soon found out that I'm going to have to go away for two weeks to a southern state, starting this weekend, for training. I don't mind. I mean, it's not as if it's the center of the universe, but exposure to new environments always teaches you something new.

By 5.00, I'd gotten my office and computer set up, contacted all my friends at my old company by email, and done other useful things. I'd consumed numerous cups of coffee, and eaten too many of the freebie M&Ms from the kitchen. I headed home. I realized that the walk home was actually pretty nice. It was a beautiful evening, as I strolled home past the Museum of Modern Art, and through Yerba Buena Gardens.

The walk home ain't too bad

Last night, after resuming my work-out schedule with my trainer Cecilia, I got together with a friend of mine, Jason, for dinner. We have a rather odd relationship. He's a lovely, sweet guy - very spiritual (where I'm not, at ALL). Also very sexual - in fact he has a number of occupations, if you know what I mean, ranging from massage to other stuff.

My second day at work was just as exciting as the first! I'd slept awfully - the pounding car-stereos carrying people to the club across the street kept me awake for hours, and I'd had to resort to my old ocean-wave CD finally. As a consequence, I was sleepy the whole day, and spending the day paging through web documents on software development methodology meant that even more coffee was required than yesterday. Still, in the end, I learned a lot. I'm complaining - but it's all stuff I need to know. Things will get better.