Work update
So my last post here was in Ireland, and I was kinda freaking out about leaving my job.
Well, now I have left my job and have been working for the Goog for three days so far. I have learned so much, it’s pretty crazy. Everyone I’ve met so far has been very cool and helpful. I’m working in their ginormous data center here in Atlanta and have been trying to absorb as much info as possible. I keep telling myself that it’s nothing I can’t learn, I just need the time to get everything down pat. I’m learning workflow, server models, how parts are stored/distributed/disposed of, and trying to assimilate myself into the culture there. The scale of their operation is mind-blowing.
It was almost too much to handle on my way in this morning, because sometimes I vacillate between being overwhelmed and excited. It’s a lot to process: new job, new daily routine, working out in the mornings and not training people in the evenings. My head is still spinning, and probably will be for awhile.
This has been a renaissance for my brain though. Sometimes it’s downright exhilarating. It’s really strange to work super hard every day, learn a lot, and feel edified and know that I did stuff for pretty much eight hours straight. As far as feeling overwhelmed at times, I’m told that everyone that has started there has had similar feelings, so I’m no exception. I take comfort in that.
The perks are pretty great too. I pretty much don’t have to buy groceries for myself anymore. There’s a well-stocked cafeteria that has food for the entire day, and not just shit food, like REAL FOOD. On my first day I had london broil and grilled asparagus. I’m told there is a very real “Google 20” effect because there is a lot to eat if you want it. Pizza, sandwiches, salads, cookies, smoothies, coffee machines, custom made omelets and waffle stations with fresh fruit everywhere, it’s pretty bananas. I don’t even have to buy frozen fruit anymore to make my protein shakes.
Oh, and there are mini kitchens everywhere with non-perishables. Today I found all the candy jars chock full of peanut M&Ms, gummy worms, reese’s pieces, and more. And snack-size bags of chips, big jars of every kind of nut there is, and refrigerators full of drinks that have as much selection of drinks as whole foods. There’s pretty much nothing that isn’t there, and it’s all free. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so health conscious, but today I had a moment of weakness and had a philly cheesesteak and a quesedilla for lunch.
Well, so my post about my job ended up being half about food. I do what I want.
