Day 11
My first job today is 5 minutes drive from the hotel, so I stay in bed as late as I can - the bed here is big enough for two whales to get it on, without touching the sides - so I want to spend as much time in it as possible!!
In fact, I've been a bit slack on getting this site updated because I've been spending too much time in bed - so I decide to spend this evening writing up yesterday's and today's accounts - this does not go down too well with Jem, but I've made a rod for my own back - if I hadn't started this website, I wouldn't feel obliged to carry on!!
My first job is with one of inhouseIT's oldest clients - we've had a relationship with these guys for 5/6 years now, so there's no pressure on me to perform!!! And they've been having some real serious issues lately which, if not fixed, could cause the relationship to go sour. They have a Server here and one in San Francisco that have been crashing and rebooting of their own volition - and there doesn't appear to be any particular reason why this is happening. This is always the best way to start a job with a new client - thrown-in at the deep end - a kind of sink or swim situation!
I chat to a couple of the other IT Managers here, we come up with a plan of action, and I implement it - fingers-crossed, things will become more stable, and we'll regain their confidence - if not, I'll be on a plane home sooner than I anticipated!! [In IT, not everyone knows everything about everything - it's really handy to be working with a pool of guys who you can share knowledge with, or bounce ideas off - having a knowledge-base with your peers is something that's vital to making sure you implement the right solutions - and if it all goes tits-up, you have someone else you can blame!!!]
For lunch, I head back to the hotel, to see how Jem's doin' - she's spent the morning lounging by the pool - what a hard life!! Shame I have to go back to work really, as I'm still as white as I was when I got here, and could really do with some rays - never mind, there's plenty of time left for that! I spot the spa, and decide to give it a go when I finish work.
My afternoon appointment goes without incident - one of the guys in the office is planning a trip to London in December, and wanted to know if I could recommend any decent hotels. I was tempted to point him in the direction of the Cumberland Hotel (Kings Cross) but he mentioned he was taking his kids, so I thought better of it! I've had so many people ask me about London, saying how wonderful it is - they've obviously NEVER been to Bermondsey - but they're all making me feel welcome, which is cool.
I arranged to pick Jem up from Fantasy Island, where she's been shopping all afternoon - she has a pressie for me - well, I wouldn't expect anything less - and we head back to the hotel for a night-in. I have my early-morning meeting tomorrow, so I don't want a late one. We order room service and get a movie in. She gives me my present - a pair of baby-blue underpants from Pac Sun - they look small enough for a five year old to feel comfortable in - nice!!
After half a bottle of wine, I decide to try them on - for hilarities-sake! They're tighter than a gnat's bottom, and feel like cheese-wire wrapped around my gonads - thanks Jem!! I've heard that they do disposable digital cameras here, so I may just take a snap or two of me modelling them, and post here for your amusement - if my blood continues to circulate long-enough for the pose-down, that is!!
Then, for reasons best known to herself, Jem decides to pour the remainder of the ice bucket down the front of my shorts - I'm now able to fit into my new underpants without wincing - hooray!!!
On that note (a very high-pitched one) I hit the hay.
END OF DAY 11