Easy peasy, fat rat, old sign

Another view from my office. I think it's time the 

windows were cleaned.

It was billing day at work today. Billing day. Actually, it wasn't even a whole day. I started at about 11.00am and was done before 5.00pm. In my old job, billing dragged on for a week and was a real pain in the butt, especially when there was other urgent work to be done. There were so many files and so many partners and solicitors there, so monthly billing was quite a saga. 

But at my new job, where there's only two partners and five solicitors, it was a breeze, even taking into account that I'm still learning the ropes. The billing system is much simpler than the one used at my previous firm though. So many things are much simpler and I'm so much happier (and I've stopped having  nightmares about work, too). 

I'm enjoying the location of my new office - there's so many good shops to poke about in. Today I had a browse in an art supplies shop, a kitchenware store (so many nifty doodads!) and a camera shop. There's also a pretty decent food court at the bottom of my building, which means I don't have to go outside for food on cold, wet days. And there's a place that sells ice cream!

I saw a fat water rat on the edge of the river when I was walking home tonight. I wanted to take a photo, but every time it saw me, it ducked down under the surface. I think it was a native water rat (aka rakali). I always get a little kick out of seeing creatures in the Yarra, although nothing can beat the dolphins I saw a few years ago (well, except for a shark).

While the photo above I spotted an old(ish) sign on the roof of a building on Elizabeth Street (Roger David is now around the corner on Bourke Street.

Two weeks in, autumn light, flamboyant shoes

Taken on my walk home tonight

Two weeks into my new job and I'm still enjoying it. So far I'm finding the learning curve much less steep than when I started my previous job. I often had moments of self-doubt for the first six months inthat job and seriously worried I wasn't cut out for it. I might not have enjoyed it at the time, but it was good for me. I guess a lot of things in life are like that (you might recall one of my 39 Secrets of Adulthood is 'Sometimes things that suck can still be kind of awesome'. Yup.) 

I had drinks last night with two friends from my old firm last night. That job was good for me in more ways than one.  

Indian summer

We've been having a very mild autumn in Melbourne with sunny days and mid-20s temperatures. It was raining this morning, but it turned into a sunshiney day which then gave way to  quite a balmy evening. There's something special about the light in autumn. In the late afternoons at work I've been enjoying the view from my window of the city bathed in soft, yellow light. As well as the State Library, from my 21st floo windows I can see the tops of St Pauls Cathedral, the Manchester Unity Building, the Century Building, and the MCG and AAMI Park in the distance. I also have a pretty good view of the construction site between Myer and Melbourne Central - they've demolished almost everything that was on the site, except for a  section of façade that's several storeys tall. 

Pressies

I arrived home a couple of nights ago to a parcel I'd ordered online last week. Nothing scholarly  like books - just a pair of rather flamboyant shoes. And they fit. Yay!  The shoes are further evidence that my obsession with black and white stripes is getting out of control...

I've had a few other online purchases arrive lately too. It's good being absent-minded because I order stuff and then forget about it. 

Tonight I arrived home to a parcel from my mum containing a bunch of those crocheted, padded coathangers that she made for me. They're daggy and nanna-ish, but they're so good for hanging knits and other garments prone to getting out of shape on wire hangers.

I haven't spent all my time online shopping though - I found  this great photography blog via Digital Photography School last week. If you're into photos of urban decay like me, you'll love it. He takes some fantastic black and white photos too. 

I've also become addicted to Pinterest. The girl who sent me the invite to join did warn me...

Other gleeful highlights since my last blog: 

* Luke and I are going to see the Black Keys in October. We've been waiting for them to announce another tour after the last one was cancelled. It's such a long time to wait!  Wah! 

* I have been eagerly anticipating the release of Jack White's new solo album, Blunderbuss. I bought it today and I'm listening to it now. I like it. Jack is doing a show in Melbourne in July too.   Must. Get. Tickets. 

I bought Blunderbuss at Basement Discs in a basement below Block Place, one of Melbourne's bustling laneways. It cost more than buying it online or at JB Hi-Fi, but I felt good about supporting an independent record store. (Coincidentally, tomorrow is Independent Record Store Day. I won't be visiting an indie music store though - I'm going to a market at the Royal Exhibition Building, one of my favourite Melbourne buildings.)

Silver lining, learning curve, Friday

Daylight savings ends this weekend. Although I will be sad it's over, I'm looking forward to being able to see the sun set from my office window.

I was on late shift today (late = 9.45am start). I get to sleep in until 8.30 (hurrah!) and my 1.00pm lunch time comes around very quickly when I start a little later. I don't even mind working until 6.00pm because I'm really loving my job. I was feeling overwhelmed for a while, but now I've settled in and I feel like I know what I'm doing most of the time, I'm enjoying it much more. I feel a nice sense of satisfaction from successfully surfing that steep learning curve (so far...I'm still learning).

Wooh! It's Friday eve!

Sweet, busy, cheap

A wet sunset from near the Convention Centre

I arrived at work to find a ladybird chocolate and a little Christmas note from a woman in my department who's now on leave for the rest of the year (*goes green with envy*). Everyone got one. How sweet is that?

It was all work, work, work after that. It was crazy busy and I felt a little overwhelmed, which wasn't pleasant, but it was great to leave at the end of the day feeling like I did a good day's work (especially knowing I don't have to go back for two days!)

It rained again. I could just hear it spattering on the windows at work and then a minute later I looked up and it was fine again. Ah, Melbourne, you and your four seasons!

How ace is it when you buy something and it scans through at even less than the ticketed price? That happened to me tonight - a pair of shoes which were already cheap as scanned at $20!

Got the flat to myself for the weekend. Wooooh! I'm playing some loud music.

A delivery

I got a courier delivery at work today. I love that. Getting a nice surprise at work is almost the best reason to shop online.

I ordered a 50s style dress for my work Christmas party in a few weeks (a black tie event at a posh hotel in the city). The dress only took a week to get here from the US, it fits and looks good. Phew. Now for shoes...

I'm so glad it's the weekend. I had an intense day of formal and on-the-job training almost from start to finish today and my brain needs some time out.

I forgot to buy a sandwich at the cafe with gluten free bread. Something for Monday.

Surprise chef, Hector the Cat, more sleep

A training session this morning on online expense reconciliation turned into an impromptu Italian cooking class after one of the participants mentioned she had sore arms from making fettuccine by hand on the weekend. If anyone wants a recipe for never-fail gnocci with pumpkin and garlic sauce, let me know!

This week's That's Melbourne! email newsletter from the City of Melbourne came with the subject line "Hector the Cat would approve" (in reference to a road safety computer game). Do any of my Aussie readers remember Hector the Cat? I wonder if Google knows who he is...Yes, it does! The internet is ace.

I'm loving my shorter walk to work and being able to sleep a bit later. I've been working 'normal' shifts - not that 9.00am to 5.15pm seems normal to me - and I've been told they need people to work the 'late' shift, which means I could have mornings where I start at 9.45. I could get up at 8.30! God, I love the sound of that.

Comfy, casual, competent

I've probably mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: changing out of your work shoes into sneakers is fantastic.  Changing from your work clothes into your pjs is pretty good too. (I'm also wearing a Fraggle Rock T-shirt I got at Dimmeys for $5).

I'm pleased my new firm also has casual Fridays, although casual seems to be less casual at this place (which isn't a bad thing).

Today was my first full day on the job and I had a lot to take in, but I still don't feel overwhelmed. I've got a good trainer, who keeps telling me how happy they are to have me (mostly because they needed an extra pair of hands, I think!) and that I'm doing well. The feedback is appreciated. I didn't get much feedback in my old temp assignment - I had to resign before I found out I was doing a good job!

So far, so good

I finished my initial induction training today and I'm feeling calm and confident about getting down to work. It's a nice feeling. I still have a lot to learn though...

I met many of the people in my practice group this afternoon and they were all very nice and welcoming. I'm feeling really good about my decision to take this job,  although it still seems surreal. I can't believe I'm working at this place - one of the biggest and best law firms in the country! It's a big, bright new world and so far I like it.

Even though the firm is huge, my initial impression is that it's quite down to earth and not at all stuffy.

I'm working on the 47th floor. There are breathtaking views from every window (Melbourne, you so purdy!).  My desk is on the west side, so in winter I'll be able to see the sunset. Working past sunset in the winter might be a little easier to bear when I can look out and see the city lights twinkling too (but that's a way off yet - best not get ahead of myself.)

I have the firm's style guide in my bag...nerdvana ahoy!

My first day

Off AC/DC Lane, which is right behind my new office

I started my new job today - or at least I fronted up for the first day of induction training. I wasn't anywhere near as nervous as when I started my last temp role, which was a relief and perhaps a sign I have greater confidence in my abilities after my stint at a mid-tier firm.

I was happy to discover the document management system is very similar to what I'd been using in my last temp role, which should alleviate the information overload and flatten the learning curve a little. It sounds bad to be pleased about that,  but I find learning new computer stuff stressful, and it's only three months since I went through that onslaught.

Of course, the feeling you get when you master the new systems makes the stress worthwhile. I was overwhelmed at the beginning of my last assignment - everything was new to me - but I surprised myself by getting the hang of it quickly. I might not like learning new computer stuff, but apparently I'm pretty good at it!

I was given a copy of the firm's hefty style guide (ie the rules for written communications, not office attire!),  but I was disappointed I didn't get to have a good look at it today. What a nerd I am! I love style guides - especially when the prescribed styles are broadly in line with my preferred way of doing things, as this firm's seems to be at first glance. (This probably comes from my journalistic background or maybe just because I'm a pedant.)

I'm working in the part of the city where I started my working life as a journalist *mumbles incoherently* years ago. It feels kind of nice to be back.

I got to finish early today. Yay.

Soggy, sewing and phwoarness

City in the rain

I got caught in the rain walking home today. My leather thongs got all slippery and squishy and hard to walk in and the bottom of my jeans got soggy and dragged along the ground, but it was ace all the same. So refreshing.  

I'd been over to The Thread Den with my friend Anna practising sewing in zips, and it was really humid and sticky when we emerged, drained but (sort of) triumphant. The rain really cooled things off.

And it's still going now - it's been coming down steadily for hours. I hope it's still going when I go to bed.

I think I might watch one more episode of Angel before I call it a night. I watched the first episode last night and the opening music gave me goosebumps. I'm loving it...especially loving seeing David Boreanaz (who plays the role of Angel, the demon-slaying vampire-with-a-soul) in a black singlet....and with his shirt ripped open....and in a towel...Phwoar. *fans self*

See what I mean?

Looks like someone else got caught in the rain. Here, let me dry you off....

Speaking of sewing, Anna and I struggled with putting in zips, but I think we'd got the hang of it by the end of our sewing session. They weren't pretty, but they were functional. Learning new things is hard...but at least it might help to stave off dementia.

Got my glee back!

Yup, I've definitely emerged from my grump. Phew.

Today I was up way earlier than I needed to be (in hindsight) and as it was a sunny day, I decided to walk to my sewing class in North Melbourne. It was only about 5kms in the end. It was a little chilly, but fine and there were rowers on the river and more people than I expected in the city, possibly due to the Caulfield Cup (big horse race...as in a major event, not large horses).

The sewing class was great. Our teacher was a guy! That was unexpected. Yes, he was gay and also very entertaining.

Importantly, I didn't suck at the sewing. In fact, when we were winding the bobbins and threading the machines, it all came back to me from my high school textiles classes. Well, hazily, but I didn't feel like a total novice. We made this:

It's a wallety/clutchy kinda thing. Yeah, I know my thread doesn't match. That's not the point, people (I'm not actually going to use it).

My friend Anna and I were so pleased with ourselves we signed up on the spot for the second module, which is next Saturday. Button holes and zips. This could test us... We're both excited about the class where we'll be making an A line skirt. I even went to Lincraft on my way home to have a look at fabric (I have to say fabric, rather than material, now that I can sew).

I had lunch and a chat with Anna afterwards (oopsie, diet fail) and then I decided to walk home. I'm the peripatetic version of Forrest Gump. Walk, Frisky, waaaaalk!

I stopped in at Queen Vic Market (not the food bit) and bought myself a self-heating gel heat pack that's shaped especially for your neck and shoulders (I've had a major pain in the neck this week, which didn't help my mood). You press a little metal disc inside the heat pack and - voila! - it gets hot. Toasteeeeee.

I also adopted another member for my giraffe family. That's him rear left.

By the time I walked all the way home, I'd covered just over 12kms. Whew.

Then tonight I walked up to Hamer Hall to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. It was an experience and, in the interests of trying new things, I'm not sorry I went, but the music for the most part was just a bit...well, noisy. I won't be buying the CD (yes, there is one). I think if I go again I'll stick with the classics or the pops series, rather than contemporary stuff.

But the conductor was fun to watch. I actually laughed when he first started spasming and twitching about. I wondered if he deliberately keeps his hair floppy so he can flip it about while conducting. And I also pondered how the orchestra bosses select the person who clangs the cymbals. Would there really be much separating the talents of one cymbal-clanger and the next? Most of the time tonight the cymbal dude just sat on his stool, waiting to clang. Oh, and gong. He had one good bong of the gong.

Imagine if you're the clanger/gonger and you meet an attractive lady at a party and she's all, "So, what do you do?"...

Clanger/gonger (swaggery): "Well, I'm in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra actually."

Attractive lady (with interest piqued): "Oh, really? A musician! And what do you play?"

Clanger/gonger: "The cymbals. And also the gong."

Attractive lady: "Oh? Oh. Well. If you'll excuse me..."

I imagine that's why the term "percussionist" was invented, though personally I prefer clanger/gonger.

Anyway, it was a night out and now I can make out like I'm cultured because I've seen the MSO perform.

Philavery, hideous goodness and Coco Pops

I bought Foyle's Philavery on my way home from work tonight. It's cold and wet and I am tired and headachey, and very much looking foward to curling up on the couch under a blanket and losing myself among the collection of uncommon and pleasing words. No doubt I will share my favourites with you soon.

While at the bookshop, I saw quite a few titles that are on my list of must-read books. I was a tiny bit tempted to grab them all and buy the lot, but fiscal reason reigned.

The joy of mastery

As I approached the steps at Federation Square on the way to work this morning, a toddler with a mop of curls was tentatively walking down them holding on to her mother's hand. She smiled at me, clearly thrilled with her efforts. I smiled back and thought about the pleasure and pride that come from attempting and mastering a new skill.

It's been quite a while since I learnt to do something new. I think it's time I put my pupil hat on...

Glam tram driver

I caught the tram home tonight because of the cold snap. The driver appeared to be sporting a wig modelled on a 70s glam rocker 'do, but I think it was actually his own hair. It was so appalling that it was glorious.

Does anyone else delight in things that are so bad they are good? The Go Fug Yourself girls often do - they had an amusing entry today on Sarah Brightman's whackjob stage costume. I want to memorise the line "This is so much no, yet it all adds up to YES" for the next time I see some hideous goodness.

Cocoloco

I had a craving for Coco Pops the other day and have had a big bowl of the chocolatey cereal for breakfast the past two mornings. Mmmm....just like a chocolate milkshake...only crunchy. I had a bowl of them this afternoon too, and my boss disagreed when I insisted cereal is "anytime food". Pah!

I brought the half-full box of Coco Pops home with me tonight which means I carried it around the book shop in a clear shopping bag. Normally I have a calico carry bag or similar with me, but I had to scrounge up a plastic bag in the kitchen at work to avoid having to just tuck the box under my arm and go. I felt a little self-conscious about carting around a box of kiddy cereal - it doesn't really go with Foyle's Philavery - but the incongruousness of it still pleased me.