Pics from new job, etc.

Rico · October 31, 2009, 08:47:51 AM

I snapped a couple pics using my phone this past week at and around the new job. One is looking out into the lab area from my office. The other two show Charlotte. One is in downtown Charlotte and the other is just outside of town that turns into cornfields and farms very quickly just a few blocks out of town. I'll try and take more the next few weeks and post them up here.

Feathers · October 31, 2009, 09:07:27 AM

You have an office? Lucky you!

Looks interesting but then part of that is a simply US/UK comparison I think.

billybob476 · October 31, 2009, 09:15:18 AM

Looks like you could do some interesting Halloween experiments in your office.

It's alive...it's alive!

You could be Dr. Rickenstein.

Rico · October 31, 2009, 09:36:01 AM

Quote from: Feathers on October 31, 2009, 09:07:27 AM
You have an office? Lucky you!

Looks interesting but then part of that is a simply US/UK comparison I think.

Well, let's just say I share a narrow closet with some equipment. But it does have a desk in it. Not sure I could even unblock the door to close it.

Bromptonboy · October 31, 2009, 01:59:28 PM

Hey, at least you are not a pod-thrall....
;)

CMOHamm · November 02, 2009, 04:19:46 AM

Looks like a nice drive to work Rico. Definitely beats mine. Toronto rush hour and all of the office buildings really makes you feel closed in. I think that a nice drive into work really sets the rest of your day. Congrats!

Rico · November 02, 2009, 05:17:18 AM

I used to drive down to Detroit every day so I've had plenty of city driving. Currently I drive up her on Monday morning and the hotel is like 1-2 miles from the job. So once I'm up here for the week it's really easy getting to work.

Feathers · November 02, 2009, 05:41:21 AM

Was the hotel your choice or a sweetner from the employer? I'm also interested to know if it's cheaper than a 1.5hr(?) drive twice a day.

(When we move I will have a 1 to 1.5 hr drive each way depending on traffic and congestion around Gatwick Airport)

billybob476 · November 02, 2009, 05:49:09 AM

Quote from: CMOHamm on November 02, 2009, 04:19:46 AM
Looks like a nice drive to work Rico. Definitely beats mine. Toronto rush hour and all of the office buildings really makes you feel closed in. I think that a nice drive into work really sets the rest of your day. Congrats!

I guess the subway/Go Train is out of the question?

X · November 02, 2009, 05:49:59 AM

Quote from: Feathers on November 02, 2009, 05:41:21 AM
Was the hotel your choice or a sweetner from the employer? I'm also interested to know if it's cheaper than a 1.5hr(?) drive twice a day.

(When we move I will have a 1 to 1.5 hr drive each way depending on traffic and congestion around Gatwick Airport)

I was wondering the same thing! An hour and a half commute seems kind of easy to me! I had a job that was about 70 miles from my house in Texas and the commute was about that.

Rico · November 02, 2009, 07:01:53 AM

I won't drive 3+ hours a day - in my view that's just too much. Keep in mind that when bad weather hits that number can easily double - or more. Also, the gas cost and miles on my car. It's more like 81 miles one way - I rechecked it this morning. That would be about 162 daily. My car gets about 24 mpg, so that's about 6.75 gallons of gas per day and at current pricing here (2.80 x 6.75 = $18.90) gas cost daily (or about $100 a week or $400 a month just in fuel). Anyway, just my view on things.

jedijeff · November 02, 2009, 07:12:34 AM

I would expect once full on Winter hits, there would be times when conditions would be so bad that either you would not be able to go to work, or you would have to stay in town. When I used to go into the office, my commute was usually 30 to 45 minutes each way, but my City is small compared to the ones in the US. Double that and throw in variables like weather or even road work or traffic congestion and I can see where your decision to stay close is made.

Feathers · November 02, 2009, 07:19:28 AM

That makes sense. My prospective 1hr (to 1.5hr) drive is just to get 30 miles from home. We get more traffic congestion but I was making more assumptions from the time than I realised.

That distance would be like driving to the mother in-law and back every day - a no-no for all sorts of reasons ;)

X · November 02, 2009, 07:22:33 AM

Quote from: Rico on November 02, 2009, 07:01:53 AM
I won't drive 3+ hours a day - in my view that's just too much. Keep in mind that when bad weather hits that number can easily double - or more. Also, the gas cost and miles on my car. It's more like 81 miles one way - I rechecked it this morning. That would be about 162 daily. My car gets about 24 mpg, so that's about 6.75 gallons of gas per day and at current pricing here (2.80 x 6.75 = $18.90) gas cost daily (or about $100 a week or $400 a month just in fuel). Anyway, just my view on things.

I can understand the time factor, but I'm just used to long commutes and 3+ hours doesn't seem like much to me for a round trip (I think it's because I'm from Texas and there is a lot of ground to cover). As for the gas factor, is the price of gas more than hotel and food for the week?

Rico · November 02, 2009, 07:28:47 AM

If I didn't drive in snow for months during the year I would agree with you pretty much. I'm not paying for the hotel and food for this first month - so that isn't an issue. You also have to always consider what is your time worth to you. Hours spent in a car every day is not a good situation, again in my opinion. I've had hour long drives for many, many years and it's about my limit.