Random Thoughts on Going Back to Work

• This coming Monday, after six months of wondering if I was ever going to get a regular paycheck again, I begin my new job as a technical writer. I'm relieved, apprehensive, excited -- and regretful that my "vacation" is coming to an end.
  
• I've been out of work for so long that I can hardly remember what it was like to have a purpose for getting up each day. Lately the days of the week have begun blurring ever so slightly; I'll be thinking it's Saturday when it's only Friday, or even Thursday. When the main distinguishing feature of your days is the unemployment check showing up on Wednesday (assuming you remembered to file your claim on Sunday), it's easy to lose track of the days.
• My termination (or "transition," if you prefer) seems like it took place in the distant past, years and years ago. Conversely, the days and weeks seem to slip by so fast that I don't get anything done. How can that be?
• I have no idea what things to take in for my office. I suppose I'd better wait till I can scope out the typical office decor before shlepping in a bunch of Star Trek paraphernalia. Actually, I'm not planning to have nearly as much personal stuff in my office this job. Never again do I want to have to make three trips to clean out an office.
  
• I stopped by the office Wednesday to complete a million pieces of paperwork. Hopefully that means I'll be "in the system" a tad earlier so I have insurance cards in time to refill prescriptions, go to the dentist, etc.
• A passport is handy for completing an I-9. Which means the passport I got to go to Essen a couple years ago isn't utterly useless now.
• HR manager is showing me around, stops at the receptionist's desk where some guy is talking to the receptionist. HR manager says, "Have you met Rick yet?" "No, I don't think so." "Well, this is Rick. He's the owner." "Hi, I'm your new tech writer."
  

Pros of going back to work:

1. A regular paycheck.
   
2. I'll (probably) know what day it is.
3. Increased human contact.
4. Less opportunity for random snacking with concomitant weight gain.
5. Better medical insurance coverage, paid for by The New Company, and I'll bet they won't let the premiums lapse.
6. No commute into downtown Norfolk.
   
7. No parking fees, and no walk from the parking garage.
8. No hauling a laptop back and forth to work. My back will thank me.
   

Cons of going back to work:

1. Commuting 15 miles each way.
2. Paying for the gas to commute 15 miles each way.
3. Car insurance costs go back up.
4. Ohmigod I'm going to have to get up in the morning! Much earlier than I did when working for The Old Company. I haven't had to use an alarm clock for the last four years, and it was heaven. I hate alarm clocks.
   
5. No SubWay next door.
6. Having to learn a whole new set of office procedures and protocols. (I already know where the bathroom is.)
   
7. The New Company uses Windows instead of Macs.
   
8. None of my friends will be there. :-(