Perceptions

Everyone knows Google. Everyone uses Google. I'm really not sure how much this affected my decision to accept the job, but it certainly didn't hurt. I want to write software that is used by everyone. I want to solve hard problems. Isn't this what every programmer wants?

Every time Google comes up in casual conversation, I notice. I unconsciously catalog the perceptions friends, family members, and complete strangers have of the company. My youngest brother thinks it's neat that I can (theoretically) improve GTalk. (He uses it for voice chat while gaming.) A former coworker recommends shorting GOOG, and offers his rationale. Mountain View residents seem torn between "oh no, not another dotcom!" and "what an awfully nice neighbor!" When a local elementary school was forced to close, Google chose to lease the school to provide preschool and daycare services to its employees. When a local SBC employee came to hook up a line for my DSL yesterday, he provided his own unique insight: "Google? Lots of attractive women work there."

Everyone has an opinion of this company, it seems. Soon I'll have my own (informed!) opinion...which I will almost certainly be unable to voice on my blog. And I'll almost certainly be too busy to blog much, anyway. Heck, technically, I'm too busy now--I'm surrounded by cardboard boxes filled with all kinds of earthly possessions that still need to be unpacked. I need to fill out claim forms for the pieces damaged during the move. I need to make some calls about utilities, find out when my car is arriving, and see if I can reschedule my DSL hookup. Going to be a busy week.

Random mental image: Three strong black men packed and moved the contents of our apartment. The leader of these three was named Elvis, and had a gold tooth with a cursive E on it. Quite a character. He talked about leaving the city behind, and buying a place out in the country. Best Wishes, Elvis.