Work

I started work at the beginning of the month.  It was very low key starting an academic job in July, particularly in Ireland.  There are no summer classes, so the place is VERY quiet.

Preparations for the start of work went well.  First, I went to school, chatted with the department head, and figured out which office would be mine.  The offices are pretty similar, but I opted for the one with relatively more light and more modern furniture.  As that office isn’t available until August, I’m spending July in an office with furniture from the 1970s.  Plus, the office has lots of old papers and books, as the previous occupant died a couple of years ago (not in the office, literally).

I was even pleased that I could order my computer in the last week of June.  That way, I would have my PC shortly after starting work.  Despite warnings about atrocious customer service, I went with Dell because my last 3 (if not more) work computers were from Dell.  The computer arrived later that week, but the monitor was delayed.

Alas, the monitor still hasn’t arrived.  I borrowed another monitor, but the PC didn’t work with that monitor.  Dell, as I was warned, has provided no help on the monitor’s location.  Apparently one was shipped long ago, but it never arrived on campus.  Another monitor was due to arrive last week, but it still hasn’t.  If needed, I’ll use the monitor left behind in the office I’ll inherit in August.  Ugh!  So I’ve been lugging my “netbook” to work every day, focusing on teaching / referee reports rather than research.

I have plenty of teaching work.  A schedule change has me teaching two classes in the fall / autumn semester.  One of the classes is a new prep – a non-majors class with 300+ students and no textbook.  Although the previous professors shared their notes, I’ll probably make a bunch of changes (I’m just that way).  Fortunately, the other class is one I’ve taught in the U.S. a couple of times, and my U.S. syllabus is quite similar to the one taught last year.

I’ve gradually been meeting colleagues (I knew a few people before arriving), and they’re quite nice.  So I’m hopeful about the job, at least once my PC arrives!