#Nerdsunite: Confessions of a ginger (back in the saddle)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Layne. I forget how we first started talking ... I think it was on twitter, and then we totes became besties on Facebook, and then we started reading each other's blogs and like commenting and like and like and like ... this chick is RAD annndd she's a ginger. No, seriously. Welcome to the world of Layne and the thoughts that are inside of her head. HIT IT GIRL! </editorsnote> 

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @redheadintexas

So, after two days of my new gig, things are going pretty well. None of the people I work with make me want to strangle them, nor do I feel as though I am a wolf in sheep's clothing, meaning that I don't feel like I have to tone down or hide my personality. Everyone I have dealt with face-to-face thus far has been fairly laid back, intelligent, and everyone seems to have a great sense of humor.

Wait, I do work at a law firm, right?

Of course, this could be the "honeymoon phase," wherein everyone is on their best behavior and none of the hidden terrors have reared their ugly heads… but I am going to go with the opportunists point of view by choosing not to over-analyze the moment, and enjoy the fact that no one seems to have any high-grade neuroses or a habit of flying into uncontrollable rage. You've heard that saying, right? The pessimist says the glass is half empty, the optimist says the glass is half full… and while they're busy arguing, the opportunist finishes the drink.

Who knows what the coming weeks will bring? I am getting back into the saddle, finding that many things are coming back easily, while other things are in that "use it or lose it" category, like all that Spanish you knew in high school, but can't remember a few years into college. There are some pros and some cons to the situation, so far, and I would like to share them with you.

Con: My commute to and from work every day is about an hour each way, so spending two hours driving (more like 45 minutes driving and the rest is spent riding the brakes, or parked on the freeway) is kind of a bummer.

Pro: Free gym in the building! (I haven't had a chance to use it yet, so I will report further findings once I do.)

Con: It takes a lot of walking and two elevators to get to my floor, meaning that even once I get parked, it still takes 10 minutes to get to my desk (and that's 10 fewer minutes to sleep… boooo.)

Pro: I can wear jeans (as long as they're not ratty or torn) every day! (Bonus pro: this also cuts down on the expense of buying work-specific clothing)

Con: My computer is kind of lame (although, so far, it's working alright and they do have a great IT vendor) and the monitors they have are so TINY that I elected to bring in my own so I could have some actual work space.

Pro: My work space is pretty comfortable… lots of storage and room to spread out when I need to work on a big project. Also, I can verify that there is enough room under my desk to take a nap. (Not that I did that or anything, but I did spend some time down there getting my computer all hooked up.)

Pro: Flavia coffee maker that has MILKY WAY SWIRL packets for making delicious lattes. FREE! I cannot stress how important the coffee-making situation is in my work environment. We even have a pumpkin spice flavor that is amaaaazing.

Pro: Medical and life insurance paid 100% by the firm, not out of my pocket. Very nice!

Pro: Paid parking… which is awesome, since the garage is not free to visitors, and this garage is very safe, secure, etc.

Okay, so far that's three cons versus six pros. I think that's a winning outcome, thus far. Next week, I'll have more to say about the ins-and-outs of the daily grind, and the real test will come when and if a trial is looming, because that's when the chaos and stress kicks in. That's when I'll really see how everyone holds up and the dynamic between everyone when we all have to pull on the same rope.

In the mean time, I really need to improve my casual footwear wardrobe… I don't think heels are going to be a regular thing at this place, but you know, maybe the fact that I don't have to wear them means I might actually enjoy being six feet tall a few days per week by choice. Oh… I think I just found another pro.

P.S. I am officially moving in with my boyfriend next month… dun dun DUUUUNNNN! 

#nerdsunite

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