As of 1415 on 18 July 11 set Black Flag conditions and take necessary precautions as stated below when performing physical activity. Black Flag (WBGTI of 90 and above degrees F): All nonessential physical activity will be halted.
Ok, it's been 90+ and 95+ and even 100+ already this summer, with no Blag Flag. Why today? Hm.
So, I scored this SWEET carpool arrangement! It's a 9.5hr workday, so I need to figure out what to do w/that extra hour (workout? alternate Mondays or Fridays off?). But the best part is that my neighbor and friend, Ben, runs the carpool, and he and his carpool cohorts all work for Naval Reactors ("NR"), the most prestigious group within our organization, they all get garage parking, reserved spots. That's a luxury very few others enjoy. So my new ride is practically door-to-door, saving me tons, much less stressful, and is more convenient than I ever could have hoped for, it's great! :) The only thing is... I have to get out of bed at 0600. at the latest. I'll get used to it.
We've been in a collective tizzy about the potential furlough.
I was actually looking forward to an unscheduled day or days off, but at the same time I was going to have to use leave, which I'd rather not do. I'm taking Wednesday off, I think, to chaperone a walking field trip for Phoebe's 2nd Grade class. I think it's kinda cool - her Elementary School is within walking distance to my College - they're walking over to GMU for some performing arts thing. :)
I knew that returning to NoVA to work in DC would mean a significant change to my commute. I knew it would be more expensive and more time consuming. But dammit I can't take it! I spend $301.90/mo for my VRE/Metro ticket, which is actually cheaper than it would be for gas into and out of DC plus parking in DC, but it's still a lot of money. But what pains me even more is the time! I had a 20min commute in Hampton, and now I have a 1½hr commute - that's 3hrs/day - on top of an 8hr work day! So if I bust my ass and take no breaks, I still have to spend ELEVEN hours apart from my home and family - it blows!
I tried to warn Ken when I started that the commute to DC was most unappealing, and asked if I might be able to work from home (or our Fairfax office) a couple days a week, but was denied, because "presence" is such a key part of our support. Well "presence" is a key part of a happy home-life too, and I ain't gettin' enough!
Plus, when Ken hired me, he said he was BUSY and needed help, so that he would not be working so many late hours. But as it turns out, Ken still works those late hours, and I am, to some degree, expected to "make myself useful" in SEA05Z where we have funding, but where the clients are not routinely using our support. I struggled for too long to "make myself useful" at SUPSHIP Newport News, with limited success, and am not keen on having to solicit/generate my own work.
So, if things continue along this path, which I think they will, I am already mentally preparing myself to give this job one year, then I'm going to move on. I don't have a plan yet, and won't make the same mistake this time of announcing my intentions to my boss and clients before I do have another plan, but a plan is indeed brewing.
