So I show up to my NetApp test, 10 minutes early, registration paper in hand... and they have no record that I should be there. To make a long story short, the testing center has a box that they use to communicate with Prometric (The Test Center people- a monopoly on computer-based testing), but it wasn't getting data. They call Prometric, get put on hold for 20 minutes, and are eventually told that it's a known issue, engineers are working on it, and that there's no ETA.
So I'm sitting here at work sitting on my hands. I (and about 4 other people in my group) need to take that test this week- I'm sure quarter will be given if Prometric can't get their stuff together by then, but still. Spent all that time cramming for the test, and now I get to sit in turmoil for another few hours/few days.
So, I've just completed a battery of intense computer-based training. Pretty decent training at that, but there was a lot to digest. Far too much. I know I'm going to forget a lot of this with time, and poewrless against it... The problem is, most of this stuff isn't "Stuff that you should forget"- I'll be needing to do this stuff daily.
Oh well. Repititio est Mater Studiorem.
Tomorrow is my "big test" for certification. I'm not worried, it looks like a snap from what I've heard from others. But still, I hates me the certification testing.
Today, I took an extended lunch break, because my brain was full. Ended up going to Raleigh to the local comic book/RPG store there (didn't buy anything, was specifically looking for Chinese comics). Got some kick-ass wine-something gellato from the excellent gellato store next door. Aside from some tendonitis in the right wrist, it's been a good day.
Tonight: Studying for tomorrow's test, rest, and get up early tomorrow.
Turns out that training wasn't, as my Lead and colleages assumed, in California- It's going to be held here in RTP. So no travel (yet). Too bad, but oh well- Now I don't need to leave Orie alone for a week. Was kinda hoping to meet up with Drew in Cali, but it's all good.
Hey, my first official post from work!
Spent the last 4 days in solid training. Still training today. This week, next week: Training. After that, I take a test, then I fly to California for 8 days... to do more training.
And at the end of that ordeal, I will have just enough knowledge to put myself on the Starting Line for this job. I fully plan to get my ass stomped.
But man... Very exciting.
Gotta get some sleep. Unfortunately, just like the First Day of School, the First Day of New Job is also almost always preceeded by a restless, nervous night. Tomorrow starts a New Chapter.
Today I got some rest, did some shopping. Finally picked up a Heavy Punching Bag stand. I'll be putting it together tomorrow inshallah, we'll see how fried I am after my first day.
So yeah, I had a HOUSE for a while now, some six weeks or so. Today marked the first day it felt like a home. Well, in a particular way, anyway: I was looking outside in the front yard, and noticed that there were leaves in small piles all over the yard. Pinecones, burrs and the like scattered all over the place. So I went to Ace Hardware, got a rake, and raked the yard pretty much clean.
Dear God, I'm a Homeowner.
Also, looked at more cats today at the Second Chance shelter... but I guess we have our heart set on a kitten after having so many cats. So we'll keep our eyes open, probably hit up the regular shelters in a few days.
Two more days of break before I begin my new job. That's a lot to try to get together...
Going to bed at 2:30AM, waking up at... OK, so I'm still waking up at 8:00 to feed the kitties, but then I have the option of taking a nap afterwards. Ahhh, this is NICE.
Today was the first day of unemployment for me for... wow... 4 years? Anyway, my next job begins in just one week. In that time, my goals are to:
Tranlsate more Tenra Bansho (that Japanese game I've been working on).
Chill. Out. Just relax.
Write a little more, finish up a website idea or two I've been working on for a while.
Get through a few more lessons of the CNBC Investing program, start sinking some money into that
Lose at least 3 of the 25 or so pounds I put on in the last three years at Cisco. Back at a stable 116, but time to hit the gym. Heck, time to sign up for a gym so that I have one to hit.
Buy a punching bag stand for the garage.
Talked to Jamie tonight at my faux College Basketball/Going Away party about NetApp, the place I'll be working next week. As I expected, I will basically be hammered, and Hammered, and HAMMERED with information. I must become The Sponge. I will be paid well to be The Sponge, but still, I'll have to get in the mode of "don't maintain, don't level out, but push yourself and keep your Learn Light 'On'". If I don't, I might as well throw in the towel now. It's gonna be rough, but worth it, both for the challenge and the eventual career payback. It's gonna be like a technical bootcamp for the brain.
Makes me a little nervous just thinking about it. Oh well, that's not for 5 more days yet. Concentrate on the now: The Now is "Chill Out".
Firing off Goodbye emails like ninja-shuriken. More later when my fingers aren't smoking from the typing...
...but now I totally forgot what it was. Pooey.
Just one more day here. Going out of my mind trying to make sure that all the bases are covered, that all my tools have been given to others, that all the correct training has been doled out, etc...
Yesterday we headed over to SAFE Haven for Cats in Raleigh (a no-kill shelter). Unfortunately, all the kittens were gone, but there were some really great cats. Orie is realy big on kittens though (she wants one young so that she can start to train it), so we're going to hold out for kittens at area shelters. Probably Second Chance or just the animal pound.
If you're ever looking for something to do on a sunny day, or need a quick pick-me-up, there's nothing better than heading to the local humane animal shelter and petting dozens of kitties.
1) Daniel's, the great Italian/Pasta eatery in Apex.
2) Me: Mushroom ravioli in marsala sauce, Wife: Southwest chicken ravioli in a chipotle cream sauce.
3) Eat from both. Become quite full. Enjoy.
4) Three hours pass, just enough to have your mind and body forget that it's still digesting a gutfull of pasta and cream sauces.
5) Dance Dance Revolution for about 50 minutes. Intense.
6) Stomach rumbles.
7) Spend next 30 minutes DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS
Yesterday I spent a little time on my LiveJournal dummy account compiling a "friend's list" (essentially a list of blogs that I want to bookmark to), writing some comments on other blogs, and updating the Indie RPG Awards site- we're live now!
3 more days of work. Let's see how attentive I can be.