Journey to the Far East

The "Far East" in question is East Kilbride (actually it's more like South-South-East), where I'm currently working. The new job seems good so far - it makes a change not to be sitting with a headset on all day, asking for customers dates of birth, mothers maiden name etc, and subsequently having to listen to complaint after complaint, in a fast-paced call-centre environment. I'm afraid I'll have to limit what I say about the job, as my colleagues "stumbled upon" this blog a few days ago, from an incident involving Google and my name. I don't want to say anything here I'll end up regretting in future.

Anyway, what I can say is that it's different from what I'm used to. With real software systems, there are real deadlines, which inevitably means putting in extra hours to get it finished, especially if there's only a few developers working on it. I don't mind putting in the extra hour here and there as I'm just fortunate to have a decent job opportunity (but then, I would say that). As yet, I haven't started any development work; instead, I've been reading up on C#, ASP and SQL Server (but then I would say that!). I was also assigned to correct spelling /grammar on the website, and during the process, unearthed some true horrors of web design - I'm not a qualified web designer but even brief experience has told me you need a bit of structure and clarity :). The boss suggested I either incrementally improve it, or redesign it from scratch, so I can set some time aside for that. I've been present in a few project meetings, but as I'm not yet up to speed, it may as well be in Arabic for all I understand.

Fortunately in SETP (Scottish Enterprise Technology Park), there is a canteen/coffee shop, so there's no need to venture into EK town centre for lunch (as much as I'd like to) - it's called The Hub, which any ex-ESE student reading this will recall was also the name of the canteen place in Glasgow Uni, where we used to congregate. Small world indeed.

Yesterday (my first day), I went in after having had no sleep whatsoever. Due to my reverse sleep pattern, I went to bed at 11pm Sunday night but was wide awake all night. It was really unpleasant, as throughout the day, I was shattered but couldn't miss my first day of work. I really don't recommend all-nighters, especially if you've a shift the next day! Mind you, I've done a couple of 12-hour shifts in Goldfish after having had 30 mins sleep, but that was different because my body was accustomed to the daily routine. Last night, I got a good solid 8 hours, and as a result I feel fine. I'm predicting I'll gradually feel better as I make the transition from the "unemployment zone" to the land of 9-5(++), and hopefully the days of dodgy sleep patterns are behind me - Oh oh, but I said that this time last year :O

The only downside to this job is the long commute: by bus from the west end, the entire commute (including walking) takes 1 hr 30 mins. That's 3 hours per day, just commuting :( I reckon if I take the train, I could cut this commute down to 1 hr 10 mins in total. That would save 40 mins per day, time which could be spent going swimming, or jogging or something equally productive. Or, of course, it could be 40 mins more in bed! I don't think I could get the commute any shorter than that, unless I get a car or learn to fly. I'm hoping to get my own transport within the next year, otherwise who knows? For now, I can handle the commute. I'd probably prefer the train anyway, as the bus (well, certainly the 18) is busy and full of loud teenagers, going to/from school, as well as mature, chilled-out commuters like me. Maybe I should just appreciate how priveliged I am to be able to spend so much time in the beautiful, cosmopolitan East Kilbride, the most vibrant town in... well, East Kilbride!

I could always move to East Kilbride itself, but I think that would be too much of a culture shock.