Today’s experiment was to act like we actually live here: I went to work and Frank didn’t. Typical for the summer so it seemed normal. I didn’t even bring a travel mug of coffee because with a 15 minute commute, I wouldn’t have time to drink it. I got to the Bank and was issued my badge and parking credentials, filled out paperwork and then headed to my department where I proceeded to be scared witless by the number of people hinting that there were high expectations for what I could do now that I’m actually here.

Frank, on the other hand, had a more harrowing experience: dealing with the cable company. Yes, we signed up for Google Fiber; yes, we will have 1000 GB download speeds; and yes, it might take several months for our house to be wired. We can’t wait that long for basic internet and TV access so we made a deal with the devil and signed up for month-to-month basic cable and internet with the local evil empire, Time-Warner. After close to a dozen text, email, and phone reminders to repeatedly confirm the installation, the cable guy came by this morning and got our basic wiring sorted so we can at least watch the local news and compose blog posts using more than my thumbs.

I spent the day shaking hands, smiling, and trying to create secure passwords while my spouse tried desperately to finish putting together the storage furniture which we need to get rid of those last few boxes in the living room. Then there was the invitation to happy hour for me- not because of me but one doesn’t say no to margaritas with the boss, the boss’s boss, and the Bank president on one’s first day regardless of the reason.

Then a fabulous dinner out at a local establishment (Julian – fabulous!) to which we can, and did, walk. And now to collapse in exhaustion after our different but equally taxing “normal” day.