The Book of Coworkers

So I finally hit the floor at my new job. I've had three weeks of training, and I was dubbed ready to be out there with a mentor. Sure, I'm not as fast, and don't expect to be, but much of the job is research, so I'll learn what i need to look at and what i can skip soon enough.

I'm actually out on the floor earlier than expected. Part of it was that I got it. Quickly even. It's certainly not brain surgery or anything, but several others with varied backgrounds are still in training, and will be for another three weeks. Their job is not that different than mine, but here I am, on the floor. I'm kind of proud that i didn't start at the beginning, missing an early week of training as i finished my two week's notice at AIM, and now out amongst the real workers.

It also factored in that my trainer was going on vacation for the next two weeks. Still, they didn't put me with anyone else.

Of course the early exit means I have to start taking thirty minute lunches like everyone else. training, as it always is, was a little lax on the rules. I also lack a desk with a working computer. That was still to be requested and delivered. In fact, I'm still not sure what desk they will give me, since they all seem occupied to me.

So I borrowed a desk today of one of my new coworkers. His was closest to my mentor, a woman who's sour mood I'm just going to ignore, so he was shuffled of to another desk. He went home sick, so I also inherited his work for the day. It took me a while, but I got it done. Tonight it was in the hands of sourpuss, and she will grade it. i wonder how picky she will be?

Still, the desk had several pictures - more than most people's desks have - of his wife and two daughters. It's always a little awkward working in someone else's space, especially with pictures of family around you.

I wasn't trying to be nosy, but when you're on hold for 30 minutes with nothing to do, you start looking around (I moved nothing, I didn't even go for supplies from his drawers). still, over in a stack of books, there was a Portuguese Dictionary. Now his family looks to be very, very caucasian-american, as does he, but next to the dictionary was, in portuguese, the Book of Mormon. I wondered about his ability to translate. Later I wondered if he had the special underwear on.

Now many people in training have asked me why I moved to Dallas, and I've been very honest with them, telling them that I moved to be with my partner. I don't see the reason to lie, and the company's big enough that they should be able to handle having a gay boy or two along with the Mormons and Catholics and those who go to The Potter's House (TD Jake's church) on Sundays and such.

I guess the Book of Mormon gave me a moment's pause, wondering it I should bring my bear flag and a picture of Chris to the office, but I thought about it and shook it off. I should be able to express myself within reason, and I'm not doing it to threaten anyone. Heck, I saw a "got jesus" bumper-sticker in one cube, I'm sure some would be offended there. it's not as I'm telling people they must accept my life, just that we all work away from our loved ones, and we all have those little differences that we want to express. My cubicle will be my little touch of home just as our Mormon's is to him.

Besides, it should be about your work both as an individual and within the team. Still, I'm sure I'll offend someone with my Astros pennant.