Google Toilets

No, it's not a new product. But it is one of the less publicized benefits of working for Google. The heated seat is a little disturbing, when you don't expect it, but it's very pleasant once you get used to it. I've used the...err...ass-spritzer twice now, followed by the ass-blow-dryer. While not for the faint of heart, the experience is not altogether unpleasant.

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.

California Residents

We're here.

Disabling Comments

I've disabled blog comments for the time being, because spammers have been eating my site for lunch. Every 12 hours or so, some asshat posts a bunch of links to his gambling / viagra sites, to increase their pagerank. My quick-and-dirty blog software doesn't support any moderation / login system for comments, so I end up going through the comments by hand, and pruning out the junk. This annoys me like you wouldn't believe. Welcome to the tragedy of the commons.

Unemployed

As of 5PM yesterday. I don't think it fully hit me until I came home, sat down, and realized I couldn't go back to the office. It felt really weird. Not quite sure what to think...but one more chapter in my life is done.