I started a new job.
No, I didn't quit my old one or get hired at a new company. My new job sort of just happened.
It went like this: my old manager got sick and tired of being abused by both levels above and below him and retired to teach hockey to students. So last summer I got a new manager.
As far as I know, my new manager likes to do software development using "Agile" methodology which means that teams are organized as multi-functional developers able to work on a large swath of the project instead of being organized into silos of specific domain knowledge. The result is that I got put on a new team.
Finally, this new team is working on new products and the amount of database work is not significant to keep a database developer busy for a lot of time, so I'm encouraged to dive in and learn new programming languages and development environments to get up to speed in the work that is available.
To summarize, I have a new boss, I'm working with new people, and I'm working in new technology to help build new software. Except for my desk, everything has changed.
The upshot of this is that all the "cool points" I accumulated for the past seven years of good work is effectively null and void. So I'm working doubly hard to not only do good work but to impress the new bosses and teammates. I don't mind because it is interesting work and there is lots of it to do, but it is a little nerve wracking.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Heave Ho
On Sunday my father and I tried to move the wood stove out of the basement.
You see, with the boys we haven't been running any fires due to burning danger and Lukas' asthma. With Peanut on the way we are running out of room and need the space for other things. Which resulted in a point on Sunday where I thought "if I slip my father is a dead man."
I rented an appliance dolly from Home Depot and we had the stove strapped to it. We got it to the bottom of the steps and then began, one step at a time, to heave it up the stairs. This thing must have weighed about 300 pounds.
The last step was the worst as I could not get enough leverage to lift it up and he was stretched out pushing up from the bottom. That was when I had my fear of it slipping and dropping down the steps like a 300 pound anvil. There would not be time nor room to jump out of the way... anyone underneath would end up underneath (emphasis on the "end").
Fortunately, after one failed attempt to lift it up we got the idea to lay the dolly down and slide it over the last lip of the last step. From there on out it was easy... well ok, not easy but at least not life threatening.
You see, with the boys we haven't been running any fires due to burning danger and Lukas' asthma. With Peanut on the way we are running out of room and need the space for other things. Which resulted in a point on Sunday where I thought "if I slip my father is a dead man."
I rented an appliance dolly from Home Depot and we had the stove strapped to it. We got it to the bottom of the steps and then began, one step at a time, to heave it up the stairs. This thing must have weighed about 300 pounds.
The last step was the worst as I could not get enough leverage to lift it up and he was stretched out pushing up from the bottom. That was when I had my fear of it slipping and dropping down the steps like a 300 pound anvil. There would not be time nor room to jump out of the way... anyone underneath would end up underneath (emphasis on the "end").
Fortunately, after one failed attempt to lift it up we got the idea to lay the dolly down and slide it over the last lip of the last step. From there on out it was easy... well ok, not easy but at least not life threatening.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Trick Or Treat!
We took the boys to the 'Bush on Saturday and the rain finally petered out to allow us to go trick or treating around the village, albeit with toques and gloves for the boys.
The boys were not sure what to think of the whole exercise, seeing strange people at their houses and taking their candy, but about half way through they seemed to enjoy the exploring and visiting a bit. No tears anyways.
At least not until the middle of the night when Lukas woke up from a bad dream and got everyone up with his crying. Let's just say there was a lot of tired eyes the next day.
The boys were not sure what to think of the whole exercise, seeing strange people at their houses and taking their candy, but about half way through they seemed to enjoy the exploring and visiting a bit. No tears anyways.
At least not until the middle of the night when Lukas woke up from a bad dream and got everyone up with his crying. Let's just say there was a lot of tired eyes the next day.
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