March 19, 2008Day 52

I started my contracting job today. After some debate I've decided to keep writing — I have a job now, but who knows for how long?

My first surprise of the day: I realized that I'd missed working in an office. Rolling out of bed and working in my pajamas was nice, but there's something to be said for cube farming. However, I did not miss driving to work. More than two hours of driving, in rain, sleet and snow, is not time well-spent.

I have two contracting co-workers, one on each side.

To my left, a soft-spoken fellow who appears to hate all products Apple. To my right, a leprechaun-sized chap who has decorated his cubicle with photos of his cat and husband. Both were very helpful throughout the day, and I'm anticipating a fruitful one- to two-month relationship with both of them.

Best of all, at the beginning of the day I was given an ID badge with one of those stretchy lines that I clipped to my belt loop so I could pull it out and swipe it (that's what she said!) whenever entering the building. I've never had one of those before, so that was cool.