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Mixed bag -- baby, work, WTF-ery
Dec. 3rd, 2012 10:03 amGood things first.
I went to see Elena and baby Kalina on Thursday -- OMG squeee she's so tiny and sweet. I mean, I know how tiny newborn babies are, but Kalina was born by c-section, weighing 2,20kg. Now, i.e. three weeks later, she's just shy of 3kg and OMG tiiiinyyyy.
The funny thing is, I don't really care for children as a category, because I just don't buy all that "children are a miracle and the most beautiful thing in the world" stuff. Children are people, certainly with special rights and privileges, but still people, which means that they aren't automatically likeable. I *do* like certain individual children, though, and seem to have a knack for babies. At three weeks old, there isn't much -- besides warmth, love, food and fresh nappies -- they want or need. So the trick is merely to find out just how they like to be held, and where to pat/caress them for maximum effect, and that's it. For a visiting, surrogate aunt, I mean. I'm aware that being a parent is a lot harder, because of lack of sleep and everything it entails, and because nonchalance is pretty hard to achieve if it's not just your child, but also your first child.
Still, we spent a lovely afternoon with a wide-eyed, mostly quiet baby.
Today is the first day back at work, and I'm coping quite well -- not so easy after two weeks of sleeping in and doing nothing.
The list of available postings came out last Friday, and I've made my final decision: 1) I'm going to back to Vienna, without applying for anything. 2) Extension of my flat will have to wait -- the mere thought of things not going according to plan makes me sick, and it's fairly common knowledge that things never go according to plan when it comes to building and/or renovation.
I already wrote to my sub-tenant, informing him that he has to be out by the end of May; this gives me enough time to have a) the walk-in wardrobe installed, b) the walls painted, c) the windows improved and d) new kitchen appliances installed. Should c) and d) not be finished in time, it's not a big problem, because they can be done even while I'm already back in my flat.
The extension may then be done step by step, starting in 2014, and while I'll probably have to move for four weeks or so to my brother's flat, the thought doesn't hold any terrors.
And yes, I already had a WTF moment. At work, needless to say. And of course with Gerald.
Oh, joy.
He arrives at the Embassy, comes to my office to bid me good morning and ask me how I am.
I say, fine, thanks, and how are you?
And what does he answer?
Yes, well, as well as can be expected if you're being pilloried.
I said, uh, excuse me, what exactly does that mean?
Which he answered with a full-blown rant re. feeling unfairly treated, not daring to open his mouth anymore, and really just wanting to go home if things continue this way.
I have to admit that I didn't react in an especially friendly way. I said, Look, this is my first day of work, and I'm in the middle of catching up with my emails, and could you maybe manage not to antagonize me after I've barely set foot into my office?
He said that he understood but wasn't antagonizing me.
Maybe that wasn't your intention, I said, but it's not what I need right now, so can we please talk later?
And here comes the punch line:
About 15 minutes ago, he asked me whether I'd be so kind to book a hotel for him with my credit card, because the company hasn't yet sent him his new one.
I did say yes, of course, but honestly, can you fucking *believe* the guy?
I went to see Elena and baby Kalina on Thursday -- OMG squeee she's so tiny and sweet. I mean, I know how tiny newborn babies are, but Kalina was born by c-section, weighing 2,20kg. Now, i.e. three weeks later, she's just shy of 3kg and OMG tiiiinyyyy.
The funny thing is, I don't really care for children as a category, because I just don't buy all that "children are a miracle and the most beautiful thing in the world" stuff. Children are people, certainly with special rights and privileges, but still people, which means that they aren't automatically likeable. I *do* like certain individual children, though, and seem to have a knack for babies. At three weeks old, there isn't much -- besides warmth, love, food and fresh nappies -- they want or need. So the trick is merely to find out just how they like to be held, and where to pat/caress them for maximum effect, and that's it. For a visiting, surrogate aunt, I mean. I'm aware that being a parent is a lot harder, because of lack of sleep and everything it entails, and because nonchalance is pretty hard to achieve if it's not just your child, but also your first child.
Still, we spent a lovely afternoon with a wide-eyed, mostly quiet baby.
Today is the first day back at work, and I'm coping quite well -- not so easy after two weeks of sleeping in and doing nothing.
The list of available postings came out last Friday, and I've made my final decision: 1) I'm going to back to Vienna, without applying for anything. 2) Extension of my flat will have to wait -- the mere thought of things not going according to plan makes me sick, and it's fairly common knowledge that things never go according to plan when it comes to building and/or renovation.
I already wrote to my sub-tenant, informing him that he has to be out by the end of May; this gives me enough time to have a) the walk-in wardrobe installed, b) the walls painted, c) the windows improved and d) new kitchen appliances installed. Should c) and d) not be finished in time, it's not a big problem, because they can be done even while I'm already back in my flat.
The extension may then be done step by step, starting in 2014, and while I'll probably have to move for four weeks or so to my brother's flat, the thought doesn't hold any terrors.
And yes, I already had a WTF moment. At work, needless to say. And of course with Gerald.
Oh, joy.
He arrives at the Embassy, comes to my office to bid me good morning and ask me how I am.
I say, fine, thanks, and how are you?
And what does he answer?
Yes, well, as well as can be expected if you're being pilloried.
I said, uh, excuse me, what exactly does that mean?
Which he answered with a full-blown rant re. feeling unfairly treated, not daring to open his mouth anymore, and really just wanting to go home if things continue this way.
I have to admit that I didn't react in an especially friendly way. I said, Look, this is my first day of work, and I'm in the middle of catching up with my emails, and could you maybe manage not to antagonize me after I've barely set foot into my office?
He said that he understood but wasn't antagonizing me.
Maybe that wasn't your intention, I said, but it's not what I need right now, so can we please talk later?
And here comes the punch line:
About 15 minutes ago, he asked me whether I'd be so kind to book a hotel for him with my credit card, because the company hasn't yet sent him his new one.
I did say yes, of course, but honestly, can you fucking *believe* the guy?
