Being trained

[darkemeralds]

I'm in one of those virtual courses where the training schedule is in the Eastern Time zone and the technology required to participate is greater than what I've got at home. This means I have to get to work at 6:15 a.m.

What's more, it's February. There is snowy-sleety-hail. With wind. For the past two mornings I've ridden to work at 5:30 in the morning while being needled in the face with small pieces of ice. Honestly, I'd drive my car, but the garage I use doesn't open early enough.

On the plus side, traffic is very light at that hour. And I get to go home at 2:30, in the daylight.

So I'm sitting here tethered to my computer and phone, having eaten my lunch at 9:30, with a weird, schedule-induced jet lag-minus-the-jet, watching the thrilling saga of Variances and Invoice Blocks unfold before me on the computer screen.

The trainer frequently uses the phrase "at this juncture" so at least I'm reminded of Benton Fraser.

Comments

[executrix]

How often do they inflict these courses on you, and how much more technology would you need do get bored senseless at home instead of at the office? If the answers are "frequently" and "not really that much" I think there's a business case for making them provide you with it (possibly by leasing rather than purchasing it), you're already saving them at least one person's salary by having the work dumped on top of your existing workload.

[darkemeralds]

Once a year, and they'd like it if I'd do it twice. The technology gap is vast. To participate adequately, one extremely large monitor or two regular sized ones affixed to a Windows or Mac computer, a land line, and a land-line headset would all be required.

I have none of those things at home, and my employer has neither the means nor the motive to provide them. But you want to know the real truth? A) I like to bitch about it and B) "working from home" is a complete contradiction in terms as far as I'm concerned. I'm much better off in the office.

This virtual classroom thing is so far above flying to some hotel suburb and eating cooked freight for a week that I really have very little room to complain (though you observe that I can find room), and the trick for me is finding relevant courses that don't happen in the winter.

[executrix]

I suppose it's not worth installing a landline for once or twice a year, but...man, I'm looking at a huge fucking monitor now. I paid $30 for it, and there's another one that I paid $20 on top of the bookcase near the Fandom Shrine. If they can't find an extra computer someplace, they can certainly lease one, and a headset...that might run $20 or even $30. Out of their pockets, not yours.

[darkemeralds]

Now that you break out the costs, I can see what the problem really is: I don't want all that stuff in my tiny house. It would take up more room than I've got to spare and say "work work work" to me all the time.

[tehomet]

This means I have to get to work at 6:15 a.m. What's more, it's February. There is snowy-sleety-hail. With wind.

That's rough.

The trainer frequently uses the phrase "at this juncture" so at least I'm reminded of Benton Fraser.

Hee!

[darkemeralds]

Every little bit helps!

[dine]

man, biking to work that early, with the kinda crappy weather we've been having would be miserable - I feel for you! \

any good possibilities for breakfast one of these weekends? it would be keen to see you!

[darkemeralds]

OMG YOUR ICON IS SO PERFECT!!! I love it when that happens!

My next two or three weekends are just...stupid with busyness. What about a weekday evening dinner? I really enjoyed Russell Street Barbecue back in November. Could I talk you into going back there?

[dine]

this is one of my older icons, and one I don't tend to use often, but it was just exactly right for this post *g*

I really liked Russell Street BBQ, so am totally amenable to another trip! what evenings work best for you? at this point I can't think of any firm commitments in the next few weeks, so I'm fairly available

and are you open to inviting others to join us? I was thinking maybe the Michelles (if they're free) or other locals if you're game. not to make it a huge party, but 4-6 makes for lively conversation - and most of the folks I know are multi-fannish, which means everyone can join in

[darkemeralds]

Absolutely! A party of four or six would be fun, and Russell Street seems like it can easily accommodate.

How does the first week of March look for you? My best evenings are Tues-Wed-Thurs.

[dine]

the first week of March looks good - Wednesday & Thursdays are generally both good for me. I'll put the word out and see who all might be free to join us.

[darkemeralds]

Perfect! Thanks for being willing to organize it.

[rainkatt]

Oh, god. Hell.

[darkemeralds]

Almost completely.

I'll give it this: the course is actually kind of relevant to my job, and not entirely incomprehensible. And it has the added virtue of ending tomorrow.

[kis]

Would that be a 'tender juncture'? ;)

[darkemeralds]

Right now the classroom screen I'm looking at says "Configure Vendor-Specific Tolerances," so I'll leave it to you to imagine how tender the juncture is.

[erda]

I'm a total wimp about riding my bike in cold and wind, so your fortitude impresses me. Anyway, that sucks mightily and I apologize for laughing.

[darkemeralds]

Don't apologize. I'm laughing myself. Of course, this morning it was clear.

I love your Jensen icon.