I'm moving my butt in every which direction

Yes, I forgot (a tad) what it was like to be on a working schedule. More importantly, and very odd, I was actually less active being unemployed than employed, even with more time to ride my bike. Go figure. Now, I'm moving my butt in every which direction. Granted, it's a new job and where I'm working is walk/bike friendly (with lots of steps everywhere and hills), but still - I'm not use to all this walking/moving!

And since Sunday, my legs have been challenged in ways they are not use to. Sunday, I decided to try out my new running shoes and ran for a good three miles...just like that...ouch. In between all the running, I power-walked up hills, making for a near 2 hour workout that desecrated my legs. Then, I started a new job on Monday and walked all the hell over everywhere, and today, again...walk, walk, walk, including a rather formidable flight of stairs (no, really, if I actually walk all the way up them, it's exactly 100 stairs - imagine walking those twice in a day which is my goal!) Walking and running are not cycling, lest you forget, like me, who'd forgotten. My legs now hate me.

My head hates me, too, almost worse than my legs do. I have been challenged to learn the names of many people who all wear name tags. You'd think that would help, but it doesn't. My department alone has over 25 people and we're connected to another department with how many employees, I just don't know. I've yet to get a full Org Chart (no fault of my coworkers; both Monday & Tuesday have been hectic). I've had trouble completing full sentences and speak at times as if I'm slurring (no, I am not drinking on the job!). I've apologized and cracked jokes, hoping to disguise my embarrassment. Mostly, I've just been humble and at the mercy of folks I just met.

Lucky me - so far, every person I've met has been more than willing to help me. They want me to succeed, and I will. But the initial new job smell has yet to wear off, and I really don't expect it to for at least three months. I'm realistic...learning a job takes time and already, after two days, I'm tired, sleepy by 4:00pm and feel as if I keep turning my head suddenly only to have my rather prominent nose slam into a wall (figuratively speaking, of course). Sigh...this too shall pass.

Now, given that it's 8:30pm, and I have to get to bed to get up at 4:30(ish)am to get to the gym, I am am simply going to list the pros of my job. No, I'm not listing any (perceived) cons. That would just be silly and self-sabotaging. No job is perfect, let's face it, and I don't expect this one to be. So, I will focus only on the positives, as they most definitely outweigh any (perceived) negatives!

1. It turns out that there is a secret way to work. It's a canyon road that dumps me literally into my parking garage where I work. It takes 12 minutes to travel the entirety of this canyon, making my commute to and from work less than 20 minutes...sweet. Oh, and in the daylight savings months (lighter at night), I intend to commute by bike!

2. My coworkers are (genuinely) rooting for me, helpful, down-to-earth, and very nice.

3. I like my boss. No really - I do. I like his wit, patience and direct nature. I have a feeling that once I chill out (and know my job better), he and I will make a great team.

4. I pay next to nothing for lunch...honest - next to nothing. I'm going to save a ton of money.

5. I get three weeks vacation per year - three weeks, and not two like most companies.

6. I get a track and several gyms to work out at for a ridiculously cheap fee. I plan to use all facilities, including the tennis courts (I'm going to drag Joannie up there cause she likes to play tennis)

The track is lit nicely at night!

7. I have a job...nuff said!

I now work 8am-5pm which I'm not use to. I've almost always worked 9-6, but personally, once I get the schedule kink worked out, I like this better. I plan to get up two days/week between 4:30 and 4:45am, drive over the hill, workout before work, get ready at the gym and walk to the office. The other three days, I'm going to run at the track and ride my bike after work (night rides!). Weekends, I ride my bike. I realize that I will need a day of rest, so likely one of those "runs" will be a walk like tonight.

Tonight, I walked through my old 'stomping' grounds where I lived and worked when I was in my 20s. I loved it there and now revisiting, I'm floored by the establishments that have survived over the years and those that have folded. Then, there are the new places. Lots to explore and I can't imagine that I'll get tired of walks anytime soon.

Okay, I'm off to bed. I'm going to be tired until I adjust and my schedule is set and rolling. I'm happy to be back at it, believe it or not. I like people and having daily interaction is actually healthy...or so they say.