Brunch in Brookline

Today was decidedly more exciting than yesterday, although I still managed to get a bad On Demand movie (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, starring Sienna Miller, who was terribAAAAARRRRRRRFFFFFFFFF).

I drove to Brookline and met up with Bullet Tosser and her main squeeze for brunch at a very popular little restaurant called Zaftig's. Since they live around the corner, Bullet Tosser added our name to the wait list in advance of my arrival. Unfortunately, I arrived 30 minutes late, due to a bridge near my house having opened to let in an ocean liner of some sort. Ah yes, another pleasure of living in the 'burbs.

No matter, we stuffed our faces with delicious food and followed it up with some ice cream (I got some hot fudge because it was cold out.), which I think motivated me to get in a little workout in our building complex's fitness center. It wasn't the best workout, but it was good to sweat today.

Couch potato

So, this must be what life without friends in the suburbs is like! After running all my errands yesterday (and successfully putting off the actual work I need to do), I found myself without much of a plan for the day.

I got dressed in my workout clothes, but decided that it was too cold to walk the 100 yards to the building complex's meager fitness center and I followed along to a "Fitness TV" workout offered through On Demand! It featured an energetic black man who led a group of decidedly unfit people in something called "cardioke" where people basically bounced around and sang. I didn't do the singing part, but I broke a sweat from all the bouncing.

Then, I watched a netflix (the only one at home, since I've been going through them at such a rapid pace) and two more movies through On Demand! I don't know who's paying for all these On Demand movies I keep ordering, but I think I'd go crazy otherwise.

She must be hungry

Last night's Chilean earthquake has everyone in Hawaii on tsunami alert. CNN has been running footage of the ocean for at least the last half hour, but there seem to be no reports coming in from Chile, itself!

I understand that the news stations hope to get some stunning footage of a tsunami in action, but what about the hundreds of people who've already died in last night's tragedy?

Moreover, some bird-brain on my facebook page updated her status this morning with, "Praying for chili."

The ethnic minority

San Franciso is home to a zillion immigrants from China and Hong Kong, making Chinese people and food a pretty common sight. Now that I'm in the Boston suburban region, I guess my heritage is sort of a novelty.

A woman in my office - an immigrant from China - seems to view me as a cautionary tale for her own children, of Chinese descent but born on U.S. soil. Every time I run into her, she asks me questions about whether or not I speak Chinese, how I communicate with my relatives and what foods I eat. Yesterday, she asked me if I used to only like American foods or if I preferred Chinese food as a child. I let her know that, when it comes to food, I'm not very discriminating. Not at all.

Her concern, it seems, stems from the fact that her children, age 11 and 8, only like Chinese food that is deep fried and/or sweet and sour pork. She would love for them to appreciate more traditional Chinese food, but they refuse to try it. Is this common for us ABC (American-born Chinese)- types? Will her kids grow out of this phase?

And upon returning to my desk, this co-worker had sent me an e-mail filled with links to Asian resources in the Boston area. Restaurants, grocery stores, apparel shops, etc. And some of these pages are in Chinese, a language she knows I cannot read.

Training day

Internets, please congratulate me. I finally did it! I somehow motivated me to go to the nearby Boston Sports Club and get a real workout in tonight!

Of course, this workout followed a big plate of baked ziti, but I'm not going to think about that right now.

Years ago, I was a member of the BSC's sister gym in Washington DC. In my twenties, it sufficed. And it fit my budget. But now, I guess I've become sort of a gym snob, because the BSC seemed to have old equipment, scratchy towels and an outdated locker room.

I mean, it was perfectly fine as far as gyms go (especially when I'm paying $20 for two weeks), but I don't think it could be my regular gym. Nonetheless, I worked out! It really hurt, and my poor body is truly out of shape, but I went!

Baked ziti belly

I spent the majority of today disgusted at how tight my jeans have become, with my ever-expanding belly spilling over the top. I look in the mirror and can't believe how quickly my body has fallen into disrepair, after just two-plus weeks without working out.

So, I pledged that I would make my way to the little gym hut in our apartment complex after work, but when I got home, I warmed up some baked ziti that I made yesterday, popped in my Battlestar Galactica netflix DVD and watched three episodes.

I need to find my motivation again otherwise the summer isn't going to be pretty.

Filing inventory

The thing that sucks about walking into a new job and inheriting a boatload of files is that you have to take time to figure out what's in all of them. After a morning of reviewing some process documents, I spent the entire afternoon sifting through manilla folders and accounting for documents that should be contained within. So far, it seems like only 30% are complete, which means I have to spend time securing proper documentation for the other 70%. I should have negotiated an assistant as part of my offer!

We're on vacation

SameBrain and I took a little trip into the city yesterday, situated ourselves at the cute Copley Place Hotel, and decided to eat, drink and shop our way through Boston. Even though I supposedly live here, we definitely were in vacation mode, where everything was forgiven and we allowed ourselves to indulge in anything. We ate well, drank well and basically spent a lazy 30 hours together.

We met up with some of my friends for dinner last night, but ended up meeting SameBrain's friend for drinks afterward. This fellow had no problems divulging the intricacies of his sex life and drug use and revealed some interesting tidbits about the clients he'd bagged back in the day when he and SameBrain worked together.

I couldn't help but notice how frenetic he was and how he reminded me of Vibrating Crackhead, whom I thought I'd left behind for good in San Francisco. And when he confessed that he used to leave work in the middle of the day to smoke crack, it all made sense to me.

Workforce wildlife

During a meeting with my boss yesterday, I happened to glance out the window and saw six deer, prancing through the parking lot! I'm not sure where they were going, but it definitely isn't something I would have ever seen while at work in San Francisco!

Hopping Hingham

SameBrain is here for the weekend! After picking her up from the airport, we went to a very nice dinner at the one restaurant everyone has insisted I try. It's a huge Italian restaurant with a very rustic feel, and completely exceeded my expectations.

And even though we arrived close to 9:00m, the place was packed! We were, however, the youngest people in the restaurant. Yay?

Workplace cereal?

Since I started my new job last week, I've been overhearing people mention "kashi" all over the office. It's been so confusing to me because our work has nothing to do with food. What is this obsession with kashi, I've wondered?

Well, this afternoon, I finally put the pieces together. People aren't saying "kashi," they're saying "cost sheet"! See, I sit by our Sourcing team and they're all headed to Hong Kong next week for a costing trip.

QC at the DC

This morning, I accompanied my boss to the company's distribution center - a huge warehouse that stretches for miles and through which all our merchandise flows. Having most recently been employed by a company that specializes in distribution logistics, DCs are familiar territory. Still, I'm always shocked at how vast and how utterly efficient they are.

I toured the facility with a Quality Control manager and she explained to me each step of the process, taking me around and showing me how the boxes of merchandise go along their merry way on conveyor belts. We also stopped to examine a line of product that had arrived earlier in the day: a bunch of pants that were mis-labeled. Had they gone to stores, our size 12 customers might have had heart attacks, thinking they'd suddenly packed on some serious weight.

Snow day

After last week, when the weatherfolk predicted a doozy of a storm that never materialized, I didn't hold my breath when the local news promised a few inches of snow today. But to my surprise, I woke up to a pretty lovely snowfall and realized quickly that I have no idea how to drive in the snow.

Fortunately, it wasn't sticking yet this morning and I work approximately 0.1 miles from my temporary housing, so driving there wasn't an issue. But as I looked out my window throughout the day, I saw that it was snowing harder and harder. There was probably 4 or so inches on the ground by late afternoon and the plows were clearing the parking lots.

With the office situated on a lovely pond surrounded by trees, it was very pretty. But when I left work (At the regular time! No early dismissal like last week!), I realized what a pain it is. Brushing the stuff off your windows and mirrors. Letting the engine warm up. Squishing cold, wet socks in your shoes. Treading gingerly over the icy patches.

Again, fortunately, I had approximately 0.1 miles to travel home.

Apartment hunting

Puppy came to Boston this past weekend so we could look at a few apartments for our new life in Beantown. We made appointments with a broker to see several units throughout the South End and spent Saturday with her carting us around in her little black car.

Our broker was a singer-songwriter who hummed throughout the day and made it very clear that she didn't intend to be in real estate as a primary profession. That said, she seemed pretty adept at opening doors for us and showing us different available units.

We saw many modern apartments, a few traditional brownstones and a couple of funky lofts. Yesterday, we put in an application for a spacious loft in a building that used to be a piano factory. I'm not that keen on the building itself (The hallways kind of smelled to me and I'm 99% sure a recent episode of Hoarders was filmed in one of the units.), but it's a lot of space for the monthly rent, didn't require any deposits and includes utilities! I think we'll find out in the next day or so whether or not we get the unit.

Offline

It's been a tough few days without any internet connection in my corporate apartment. My new employer doesn't allow employees to log onto blogs (We can get onto blog pages, but cannot comment or post!), so I've been unable to update Chiieew!

Finally, after spending 30 minutes on hold last night and after a 20 minute conversation this morning with Comcast, I'm back online at home! Please take a moment to welcome me back to civilization!

Welcome, from human resources

Today was the first day of my new job. It also, apparently, was the first day of a "pilot" orientation program, which Human Resources cobbled together a few weeks ago.

Since I was the only new employee starting today, I spent the day in one-on-one meetings with a number of people in the company. Correction: I spent the day with a number of Human Resources employees in the company.

For whatever reason, a bunch of HR folks got together recently to revamp the orientation experience. They felt that new employees should be exposed to all aspects of the HR function, so that we all know who our contacts should be in HR management, health benefits, retirement benefits, talent management, etc.

So, I ended up spending hour after hour learning and re-learning the company's HR philosophy and being told how the different pieces of HR fit together. It was kind of tiresome and tiring because I constantly felt like I had to smile and act engaged. I was also really eager to just get settled in my office and figure out how to use my computer and phone!

The day ended up completely filled and I now know a lot about HR. Sadly, I have no idea where my nearest restroom is or where I should get pens. I think I have some feedback for the HR team.

Suburbia

Well, I'm officially in the 'burbs. After my first (exhausting) day of work today, I drove "home" and unpacked my bags. I'm staying in corporate housing, which is in a pre-fab new development. It's perfectly nice and serviceable, but devoid of character.

I then spent an hour and $200 at the super huge grocery store, which was pretty empty - surprising to me, for whom the supermarket was always an exercise in maneuvering the crowds and fighting for parking. Especially on a Monday evening!

Because the housing is furnished only with the "daily necessities," I had to buy things like dish soap. And soap soap.

So, I've settled in and started watching television, which is irritating me because the cable doesn't come with a DVR. I have to watch television live! And sit through the commercials! I feel confined to my couch.

Who-per Bowl Sunday

Why the heck is The Who performing at the Super Bowl halftime show? These songs from Tommy are nice and all, but it's 2010!

That's right, I'm watching the Super Bowl from my hotel room in Quincy, MA. I've just scarfed down a hamburger and a plate of buffalo wings, which were an indulgence because it seemed sporty and appropriate today.

It's a pretty dull Super Bowl Sunday. I've spent some time working out in the fitness center, filled out the paperwork required by my new employer, clipped my fingernails and toenails and caught up on some e-mailing. I'd much rather be at the bar in SF, yelling at the Super Bowl stupidity at Beetle's happy hour party with Roommates A&J, Lucy Ricardo and the rest of the gang. Alas...

One-way ticket

So, I flew to Boston this morning on a one-way ticket from San Francisco. It was much sadder and more surreal than I expected it to be, and I can't fully admit that I am no longer a San Francisco resident.

Going through security was a hassle because my bags were over the weight limit (Hello! I'm moving cross-country! What do you expect?) and I had to pay a ridiculously high fee. Also, I had a Nalgene bottle full of pens that TSA seemed very concerned about for several minutes but ultimately let me go through.

The flight, thankfully, was uneventful and I made it to Boston on time, even though the Mid-Atlantic region is experiencing the blizzard of the century. I find myself now at Reebs's house, where I'm spending the night. We had a lovely dinner in her neighborhood (hopefully, soon to be my neighborhood) and I've learned how to wear a scarf, hat and mittens again. Oy. Fortunately, I think we've consumed a few bottles of wine since my arrival a few hours ago!

Pack it up, pack it in

I had a pretty blah birthday yesterday, spending most of it packing up my clothes, moving furniture around and cleaning house. It was a rather ordinary day and kind of made me sad, thinking about the remaining hours I have in San Francisco.

There are now five suitcases, filled with clothes, in my home but not all of them can go with me tomorrow. Let's hope we can figure out the rest of the move logistics soon!

Farewell SF, goodbye 33

To commemorate my birthday and this little cross-country move, I decided to designate yesterday evening as my farewell party. I told a bunch of people that I'd be at Blackbird for happy hour and hoped that people would show up.

Fortunately for me, a lot of my friends came to wish me well and I had the chance to see a lot of great people one last time before I move away. There was my usual posse, friends from undergrad, a couple of cousins, friends from childhood and high school, some business school chums, a few colleagues from my most recent employer, a group from the employer before that and even one from the company I worked for in DC! All facets of my life were represented in one little bar, and it was kind of surreal to see all the groups of people mingling.

And as reluctant as I was to do anything for my birthday, I'm glad I did. It was good to feel loved and I'm really going to miss so many people. After all, eight years is not a short amount of time living in a city...

I don't like the way English tastes on my tongue

I headed over to BoomKat's house last night to watch the season premiere of Lost with a bunch of friends with whom I worked two jobs ago. It's kind of a rag-tag group of folks, with some die-hard fans who theorize, dig up internet clues and consume every ancillary bit of merchandise available. Others, like me, enjoy the ride but cannot be bothered to spend more than an hour or two each week with the castaways.

But over some pizza, beer and apple pie, we got sucked right back into the craziness, the mythology and the confusion! I'm eager to see how the season unfolds, but really, I'm anxious for answers!

Goodbye guacamole

To celebrate my impending departure and birthday, Lil' Bro' Panda!!!!, his main squeeze, Puppy and I met up for some Mexican food - a cuisine I'll surely miss in New England. And we certainly didn't hold back during the ordering process, opting for some delish guac that was made tableside, queso, carnitas, scallops, a beef filet, chile relleno, several fruity margaritas (blackberry!) and a few sides.

Yes, we were properly stuffed, but I'm not sure when I'll next get to have good Mexican food. Or see my brother and his girlfriend.

Succession planning

Since my last job was posted on the internets, I've been receiving e-mails, facebook messages and LinkedIn messages asking me about the job. I've scheduled a few conversations, including a coffee date for earlier today, to let people know the good, bad and ugly about my last position.

Even though I feel like it's a good job, I find it difficult to remain upbeat and positive when I'm excited about the new job around the corner. Obviously, I'm leaving for a reason, and I want to give people a realistic picture of what my job was like, but I wonder if I'm doing a disservice to my boss by meeting with these potential candidates.

At the end of the day, I guess it's not really my problem!