I often tell my friends about my quest for the perfect job. This is something we who do contracting can indulge in. Changing jobs every few months, seeing lots of new faces and new work environments means you can do that kind of thing. Compare job A to job B to job C.
Okay, so Boss A was a psychopathic megalomaniac, but gave good appraisals, and the view from the window was brilliant. Boss B was terrific, but the pay was miserable and the office was underground. Job C had some great perks, but Boss C managed to stifle every innovative suggestion. You get the idea.
Then you can imagine what would happen if Boss A and Boss C were to meet each other in a fight to the death with only staplers as weapons.
A day after I started my current job, I was not a happy camper. A cramped desk, in the middle of the main office thoroughfare. No working phone. Only barely acceptable shops within walking distance. And… gasp No e-mail or Web access at work. Shock! Horror!!
But to my surprise, this is turning into the most enjoyable job in a long time. Why? For a start, I’m hailed as the guru in my particular area of expertise. I think I’m going to ask them to build a kind of temple for me in the corner, where they can bring offerings for my advice.
I’m also getting to try things I’ve only hitherto dabbled in. Which means I’m learning lots. It’s good to keep the ol’ grey matter ticking over, you know. If not thoroughly exercised, the brain starts to get kind of rubbery, and you begin lose your ability to umm… concen… whatsername. It’s good to keep the ol’ grey matter ticking over, you know.
So anyhow, now I’m a happy camper after all.
