I... think I'm in love. <3

I just realised how infrequently I post to this thing... D:

Boy, it's been a while since I've posted something. I just set up the new computer so I thought it might be time for the biennial update:

- I've quit my job. Work conditions became unbearable in July, after sixteen more engineers were made redundant and our workforce was burdened with 48-hour weeks and no end in sight. I quit on August 30, and got a nice severance package.

- I started a new job September 1st. :D It's a bit away from my old place, about 50km, but it's much better than the old one. I still do the same stuff basically, software design for appliances, but instead of dishwashers and washing machines it now is for medical and industrial appliances.

- To cut down the commute, I moved four days ago. The DSL line had been connected on the 28th already, but it was only now that I've unpacked and installed the computer I bought from my severance package money.

Plus, Wednesday is a holiday so I have a day off. How cool is that? :)

Ugh. There's a bit of internal restructuring ahead at the good ol' workplace, and the whole department is up in arms. Apparently they'll lay off a two-figure number on our level alone, and we're already severely understaffed.

Therefore, I've literally worked my tail off the past few weeks, barely had time to check on the Muck any more, let alone update this thing. I haven't even gone and checked out the replacement for the Lining yet.

And now it's two days off for me and it's all windy and rainy. No riding the bike to work tomorrow, I guess...

The timing belt has snapped the other day, and it's not worthy replacing it any more given the car's age (1986 Golf II)

I have temporarily replaced it with a 1991 model Nissan Micra that has two years until its technical inspection expires (just passed a few days ago). It's kind of meh, I wanted a decent car after all these years (could not afford insurance for new drivers, so I started out small) but my current financial situation is a bit strained. Ah well, it gets me to work and back.

The little employee training interlude was barely bearable, but I think I'll live. The weather has been rather nice the past few days, and I'm currently working on getting the bike ready for the summer season.

Well, so much for trying to post regularly in this journal... life has kept me busy most of the time, and I'm barely finding the time to kick back and relax on the MUCK these days. Work has put me into some sort of cheerful employee training - which is completely unrelated to my actual job, but at least they're paying full time wages. That also means I'll be out of town from Tuesday to Saturday, in a small hotel somewhere remote with ten other guys from my department - and without a laptop. Meh. :P

Yes, I've decided to start up one of these things as well. I'm not entirely sure what to post here yet, but I guess it'll be good for something...

Whether you know me from the muck or whether I'm a total stranger, feel free to friend and comment... I could use some more people on that friends list of mine. :)