Monday, August 18, 2008

A List: The New Job

I'm feeling very list-y these days--probably because there's still so much I need to do to make this move complete (I still need a new license, new tag, to update my address with several companies, health insurance, to hang things, and so forth). Last Thursday was my first day in the office, and I eased back into the legal world with some work at home earlier in the week. I'd forgotten how much harder this lawyer stuff is than playing and praying with children; it's just constant thinking and analysis. I miss flip flops, hugs, beads, and singing, but all in all the new gig is going well. I'm grateful.

What I Like

1. Today I arrived at work at 9:00 and was the first attorney in the office by 45 minutes.
2. A partner brought enough pasta to work today for all of us to have lunch.
3. I can (within reason, I suppose) arrive/leave work whenever I want--granted I'll be paid accordingly:)
4. The older partner has a crazy good memory and has great stories (Tina Turner, Ray Charles, and James Brown all played at his frat parties in college), and I'm already learning a lot from him.
5. The other female attorney had on capris today, and she's setting up a lunch for me to meet some of the female judges and attorneys in the area.
6. I asked that they stock the fridge with Diet Coke with Lime, and voila there was a 12 pack in the fridge today. I'm liking cherry Diet Coke pretty well too.
7. Lots of doughnuts last Thursday.

What I Don't Like

1. They waited around to order my laptop, and it's still not in. I've had to use random computers the last three days and had significant internet issues. This makes me angry!
2. The firm uses Wordperfect. Sigh. Why? So when we send attachments to...well anyone else in the world...we have to convert our documents into Word or the attachments mess up.
3. The firm uses Westlaw. Westlaw may be wonderful, but I just do not feel comfortable using it. I've always used Lexis.
4. I can't walk to any restaurants from the office (upside is that I'm too lazy to drive anywhere = save money).
5. The hassles of getting settled in an office w/o significant support staff/orientation. Where's the paper? Where's a stapler? Can you set up my e-mail please? My chair is broken. How do you work this massive copying/scanning/faxing machine?
6. Lack of (seemingly) logical organization for documents, time, etc. This is something they want my input on, so it may (slowly) change.
7. Billing. But what are you going to do?

Oh, Ella, this photo is for you since you asked about the dress code for croquet. Here's some of the regulars all dressed up. These boys are hilarious....one lost a croquet bet Friday and had to jump in the river.

p.s. I'm grateful for the 35.85. party tonight...free yummy food, free drinks, decent music, and good conversation. And I met a bunch more people.

19 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed the 35/85 party. I'm proud of you for making the effort to go!

yourfriendwhodoesnthaveafakeblogname

Thomas said...

I am glad you are settling in.

bMoles said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bMoles said...

idonthaveafakenameeitherandaccordingtoally
idontknowhowtoblogproperlybutwhatdoesshekn
owshesalawyerilovetypinglikethis

boohoo said...

Ahh I love lists too ;)

I'm glad it's all going so well. This post has made me very hungry though... and I also want some diet coke now too ;)

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you're having WAY too much fun at this new job...COME BACK...teehee.. :)

Aaron said...

If I weren't so far away, I'd whore myself out for IT support. :P

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new beginning...glad you are getting settled in...

Jennifer Kirby said...

Wordperfect, seriously? Why?

TC said...

I'm left with tons of questions. You're a lawyer who opted to work with kids for awhile instead?

What's 35.85?

Ally said...

TC: I practiced law for three years and then quit my job to do mission work for a year (which ended up being with children). I couldn't do the degree symbol, but that's what it is supposed to be. I'm guessing it's the latitude/longitude of where the party was located, but I'm not sure.

Jennifer: Um, I think someone here likes it. That's the best explanation I've gotten. I try not to talk about it too much because it makes me angry:)

AA: That'd be great. You could tell them all about the 21st century:)

Chasie: Yeah!! Your very first comment. Wish you could have gone with me.... yummy food!

anne said...

That is such the push and pull of a small firm - all the pros were things you get being at a small firm but it is hard not to have a set infrastructure. You'll sort of learn to grown into the chaos and disorganization - as sad as that sounds. But it will become more comfortable.

ella said...

So glad you are meeting new people. And thank you for the visual - there are some cuties in Chatty!

And tell me more about this party....

Lib said...

dang--sounds like things are going really well and i'm so excited for you! wow--the croquet bunch look like a hell of a good time. glad you're meeting people!

Pam said...

lol! I love the photo of your croquet friends...I bet they are a funny bunch.

Jennifer Owens said...

Dude, doughnuts and diet cherry coke - wow! (o: Glad you're settling in - hopefully some of the peskier things will work themselves out.

And the croquet wear is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Now if you ever decide to leave this firm you've got your advantages/disadvantages list already made out!! I hope you like it there.

Scotty said...

Humph. I use Lexis, and billing is my arch nemesis.

cdp said...

Ugh . . . they used Wordperfect at S&M and it made me want to stab myself in the eye with my pen. Okay, maybe I'm being a little overdramatic; but it was really frustrating for me.

I hear you on the Lexis . . . I'm a Westlaw girl, but it's always hard to have to use whichever program is the one you DON'T normally use.

Here's hoping a lot of these issues - support staff, email, computer, technical stuff - will resolve on their own as you get settled in. May the irritating stuff go away and the donuts and pasta keep coming!