[Phalanx]

Just thought yknow, I haven't actually spoken to a whole lot of you for a while, and thought I'd give some updates with what's going on with me.
Then I thought, hey...why don't you guys do the same?
What's been going on in your life?

PART 1: Whut?
So, put my studies on break...the chef stuff.
I guess you could say I'm pretty much at the stage of a qualified CATERER.
I'm still planning on finishing my studies, but I found there were some issues I had with certain aspects of the industry (which I won't bother going into now...), so, decided to let it go for a while.
Am I still cooking and learning? Hell yeah. In fact, I'm cooking way more.
My long term decision is not to actually work as a chef, mainly finish my studies for personal development and interest. After that, I'll maybe check out some catering gigs, or see if there's any cook work or people that wanna hire an in-house cook/chef. Other than that...I just can't see me working in the industry.
When I've had enough of the workforce alltogether, and saved enough, the girl and I have always thought about doing a nice B&B kinda place, each of us serving our favourite recipes we've developed over time...that's a long time coming, but yes, that's the desired endgame.

PART 2: The new job...
I was applying for jobs here'n there. I don't even know where I applied for this one, but it was one of the bunch of replies I got.
It's actually an office gig. Weird, hm? Especially for me. It's not "suit and tie", but it's casual corp. wear...which is all good, but unfamiliar to me.
Gotta keep the hair short, not SHORT short, but yknow...short-er than my usual. What is it? hm...a whole buncha stuff. Marketing (but prior client related), promotions, aspects of corporate research, client liason, various workers unions, customer service and info.
Our clients that I've seen thus far?
The govt in power (yeck), NineMSN, Sony, The state transit authority, Acxiom, among many more. Got to play with a ps3 about a week before launch in the office, that was pretty cool...
So, yup...that's me. I'm called an agent now.
First job I've had that might be worth a damn in future. I've actually been in talks with some of the management about study paths that'd qualify me for HR, training, or management positions in the future...they have a program that leads into that kind've thing for select candidates (as I understand, I'm one of those) - might check that out in a 'lil bit.
Right now, I'm comfy just immersing myself in the environment...enjoying the first "good" job I've had.
Weirdness there...for some reason they like ALWAYS feed you. Half way through training on the current campaign, 5 people walk in with platters of food "here's some lunch"...they were handing out mango slurpees to the staff prior that, amd we're always getting told to chill out and snack up on the stuff they always bring out like yknow seaweed crackers, dips, vegetables...etc...it's like I seldom have to buy lunch. The management is the coolest bunch I've ever had, by fucking FAR, and I've never worked with so few freaks. I get optional hours...contracted 12 weeks by 12 weeks. Right now I'm on 9am-4pm contractually, monday to thursday. 9AM-1PM Friday. No weekends, like, ever. Also, there's day and night, international and national campaigns to work with...so, there's always more hours if I'm so inclined.
The work is easy, and I'm good at it.
Best thing is? I'm getting paid about 4 times what I've been used to (student govt benefits)for the last couple years. Actually being able to afford whatever, whenever is pretty cool. Another good thing is, they have multiple offices in every major city in Australia, so I can transfer whenever in training.
So yeah, that's me. "Agent B"...far cry from the cooking, but the first thing to make me feel worthwhile in a long time. Amazing what a half decent workplace can do.

PART 3: Random
...I really like the band "Panzer AG" Anyone into NIN, white zombie, Manson, static x, or good, varied rock with tech influence, you should check it out. Listening to the album "your world is burning" right now. Good stuff.

Favourite new snack - Nori seaweed snacks, wasabi flavoured (from yamagataya) Totally low in fat, and great to just munch on here'n there. So tasty...well, I guess, it is for me. I'm totally addicted to these things. Totally.

...I've said it before, I'll say it again. For cooking, drinking straight, or mixed, Stones green ginger wine is the SHIT, the shit, THE SHIT!

No time! I've hardly watched any movies or played any game since I started this job...I think I'll have to manage my time a little better. I'm SO not used to this.

Got a haircut yesterday.

Finally picking up F.E.A.R tommorow.

Going out (finally) for the girls birthday thing on friday....shit, that's tommorow...thursday here now.
City, movie (hot fuzz, yiz-eah!), fleamarkets, chinatown and the night/street open markets there, weed aplenty, and hangin' out. Lunch, dinner, whole afternoon/night type deal.

Might pick up BORAT on dvd.

...Eh, not a lot going on...
There you go, an insight into the life of the phalanx.



So, what it is, folks? whassup on your end?