So this blog is called Two Fools and a Bike
on the notion that we’d be spending a fair bit of time on the motorcycle down
under. However, it’s pretty safe to say
that I’ve spent more time on another two-wheeled vehicle instead. When we got to this city, it was pretty
quickly obvious that bicycles were a bit more accepted. [Though, as time has gone by and I’ve learned
a bit more, I’ve learned that there’s still the cultural triangular war of
bicycles vs cars vs pedestrians that’s present in any location that “welcomes”
bicycle traffic.] We actually purchased
me a bicycle before we purchased a car.
Ruthie specifically found us a place at a pretty close proximity to work
so that I would have an easy ride to work: a whole four kilometres.
While it’s very easy to say I’m a
fair-weather rider when it comes to the motorcycle, I’d like to say that I’ve
done my part to prove [to myself mostly] that I’m less of a fair-weather rider
on the bicycle. This has happened for a
couple reasons. One, Melbourne weather is crazy [see above] and
while it might call for rain during the day, you just are never quite sure when
it will hit. Two, it’s only 4km. Three, contrary to riding the motorcycle,
riding the bicycle in cold or poor weather still requires exertion on the part
of the rider – meaning my legs are pumping and my body does a better job of
staying warm. So if you combine all of
those with the likes of my orange parka, and I reckon I can handle just about
whatever cold rain Melbourne
has to offer. [I have yet to get caught
in hail, though, so I bite my tongue on making that a more general “bring it
on” statement.] In looking back on the
year, I’d like to take a moment to be proud of the fact that my ability to ride
in poor weather has gotten better over time.
The first time it was bucketing while I had the bicycle, Ruthie came to
get me from work. The next time it was
bucketing, I started my ride while it wasn’t, but then lost my ID along the
route; an hour later, it had been found, I had taken a hot shower, toweled
off, and Ruthie drove me to work. Then
the orange parka arrived and I learned of the driers at work – it’s been pretty
easy since then, rain or no.
As far as work itself goes, while I won’t
discuss what I’m actually doing, it’s worth pointing out a few things. First, there have been quite a few times where
Ruthie’s been way more qualified to do my tasks than me. To that end, there was a time when we tried
to get Ruthie a job as a contractor here, but that never panned out. Second, the nature of my work is pretty
good. I’ve had moments on both ends of
the spectrum, where I’ve spent time wondering why I’m even necessary on to
actually trying to get my head around the month’s challenge. Through all of it, I’ve got a pretty
love/hate relationship with my colleagues.
One, they’re awesome. I generally
have a good time at work because of them.
The level of camaraderie and good-natured jesting is really high, which
means I find myself laughing with or at them at least once a day. Two, I hate them because they all make me
feel dumb. Without going on too much of
a tangent, the R&D nature of the work combined with the education system in
this country, almost everyone has a PhD.
Generally it’s like being Walowitz on Big Bang Theory: I’m *only* an
engineer *without* a PhD. Third, while
looking back, I can say work here was good and I learned a few things, but I
have a hard time looking forward and guessing what I’ll be doing when I
return. Lastly, speaking of returning,
I’m pretty sure the work culture here has ruined my ability for the 9-hour
grind that I once knew. In addition to
most people here only working 8 hours in a day [fortunately due to their
in-house system called Flex, I still try to observe a SDO schedule] with a
30-minute lunch break, they stop for tea at 10a and 3p. I’m really going to miss those breaks when I
get back to working for Uncle Sam.
-EP
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