Jobbie - Day One

*whew*

Day one is done. Matterdays tired. So just some bullet points to recap:

• My commute SUCKS. It's only about 3 miles, but the bus I have to take is about 7 blocks from my house, only runs to and from my neighborhood every 30 - 45 minutes, and takes me about 45 minutes each way. And the office is in an up-and-coming neighborhood with construction on every block ... so all the parking lots are full (no monthly spots open, difficult to find an open spot day-to-day). Blech.
• Upside: the firm provides bus passes for free, which they didn't do in the past. (Damn - I'd already bought a pass for May ... )
• More people recognized me (and came up and hugged me) than I thought would. I was told that the entire department practically gave a standing ovation when it was announced to them last week that I was returning. The one person working under me who I hadn't met (and I was told was a little unsure of getting a new boss) came up to me as she was leaving and told me how glad she was that I'm there.
• The building was designed by the firm (it's an architectural firm) and I'd never been in it - they moved about 2 months after I left, although I had seen all the plans and had an idea what it would be like. It's very cool - and "green" - windows that open (there are lights that tell you when the temperature is okay to open the windows), blinds that automatically move throughout the day to reduce glare, rooftop spaces with native grasses growing, etc.
• Downside: They got real creative with naming the conference rooms (and there are about 20 of them): all related to jazz songs/themes/composers. The two closest to my desk are "Misty" and "Time Out". People literally carry these little floor maps around with them (along with their key cards) so they can find the right conference rooms. It was suggested to me, having a musical background, that when I send out meeting requests, I attach a sound file that relates to where the meeting will be, and everyone will have to just figure it out. I think I like that.
• Huge huge huge plus: the controller/assistant controller are totally making me know that they are treating me as an equal and a member of the management team. When we met this morning, they made it clear that I am in charge of my group - they will not be presiding over anything. I'm included in any meetings and calls that involve the rest of management. They took me out to lunch today, which in the past was unheard of if you weren't part of the "core team". I'm officially recognized as being at "that level".
• In answer to CondoBlogger and Jo - probably no travel, or very little. Possibly a trip or two a year to Columbus, which I'm gonna push for - since that's a smaller office and the people there on my team feel kinda left out. But Jo - generally when you fly from Seattle to Columbus, you HAVE to go through Chicago ...

Good good start. I'm still excited. Tomorrow will be the first real meeting of my team, so we'll see what everyone brings to the table. I have some big ideas ...