Now that it’s Tuesday evening, I have officially had two first days with my new company. I really need to come up with a nickname so I can talk about ’em without giving too much away, like I did with Ye Olde Publishing Company. Let’s see…they have been providing telephone, cable, and internet services to rural communities across South Dakota for over 100 years.
CenturyCo it is.
Two first days because Monday I drove to corporate HQ in Wall for orientation, and today was my first day in the Rapid City office.
The drive to Wall was beautiful but damn cold. I’d been a little worried about the roads after our weekend snowstorm, but the interstate was clear the entire 55 miles. I gave myself an extra half hour just in case, which meant I got to watch the sun rise over the snow-covered plains. It was simply breathtaking.
And also, cold AF. It was below zero pretty much the entire way. I have never been so thankful for heated seats! They’re a game-changer.
Because I left so early and the roads were fine, I ended up with half an hour to kill before it was time to report to CenturyCo. Naturally, I stopped at Wall Drug to grab a donut. The benefit of getting there one minute after they opened on a bitterly cold morning in the offseason? The place was deserted.
Orientation was swell. When I walked into the conference room, there was a pile of gifts waiting for me, including a backpack, lunch bag, and company laptop. These guys really know how to make you feel welcome! The HR generalist spent five hours with me, going over all the new hire paperwork. This included a 79-page employee manual and a series of videos covering accidents in the workplace, blood-borne pathogens, and—my favorite—sexual harassment. Only because it was so badly acted. The look of disgust on the nerdy dude’s face when the hot chick came onto him next to the water cooler (plot twist!) was priceless. And unrealistic, because really? She repulses you?! They also bought me lunch (Subway…because it’s Wall, population 876, and what else is there?). We finished up at 1:30 and I was home an hour later, free for the afternoon.
It was weird walking into the Rapid City office this morning, because I had never actually seen it thanks to these strange COVID times and a virtual interview. First time I’ve ever started a job without setting foot on the premises. Fortunately, it’s pretty nice. I was introduced around and shown to my office, which pretty much blew me away. Not only is it private and nicely appointed, but it’s even got a view! I’ve spent most of my career working in cavernous open office spaces, which just suck. Note to business owners: nobody likes working in an open office. They’re noisy and distracting. I’m feeling very spoiled now.
Two monitors + a laptop/docking station + a workstation that you can raise or lower with the push of a button to turn into a standing desk? Pinch me.
Only don’t, because that’s sexual harassment and against corporate policy.
About the only negative thing I can find—and this is a stretch—is that I’m forced to work with a PC. I’m a Mac guy through and through; it’s all I’ve worked with since 2012, save for a brief stint with PSI in Rapid City. No big deal really, except it took me 10 minutes and a couple of Google searches just to figure out how to insert a freakin’ em dash into a document. I know the Apple shortcut by heart, but of course that doesn’t work on a PC.
Other than that, it was a good first day. Lots of action happening at CenturyCo. The state of South Dakota announced a program called K-12 Connect that uses CARES funds to supply free internet to qualifying families with school-age children to help ensure they can complete their schooling this year. Great idea, and we have about 2,400 families in our service area who will benefit, so things are going to be hoppin’ in the next few weeks as our service techs hit the road.
They welcomed me with a socially distanced lunch from Olive Garden, too. We all sat in the main office and got to know each other. The marketing department is small—there are five total, including me—but I really like my team. We all clicked during the interview, and I feel very comfortable with them.
I told Tara walking into the office almost felt like coming home. I think that’s a very good sign!
Mark My Words 
That does sound like a good day. Except for the PC. Ew.
You get the best pictures!
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I have a pretty good camera on my phone. Shout out to the Google Pixel 3®!
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Wow. Such a great impression on your first day. That’s wonderful. So… your office looks lived in already. Did you do all that set up and paper stacking yourself? Your strife with learning to use a PC reminds me of me dealing with the new WP block system. And you laughed at my pain! Mwahaha! Revenge is mine!!
Actually, no, I had nothing to do with your computer situation. I hope you figure things out soon. Also, Olive Garden sounds way better than Subway. I sure hope Wall Drug survives this pandemic. I wonder what it was like later in the day.
And recognition for how quickly I read and commented on this post. Give it up, yo!
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The desk and cabinets are full of paperwork from my predecessor, so…YES! That’s my handy, dandy way of reorganizing everything.
I’m too worried about Wall Drug. We stopped by a month ago and couldn’t find a parking spot they were so packed. And that was after Labor Day. They’ll be just fine!
GREAT JOB on the quick response, by the way!! Now is probably not the time to tell you I’m thinking of doing a post every day in November. 🙂
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Groan! Every day in November? Didn’t you pull that sh*t on me last year too?
😉
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Wow.
And again, wow. From cubicle to private office with window? You really are coming up in the world. ( note for future office pics, if you don’t want people to know the real name of your company, block it out on your photos. 😉)
And one more wow, minus four in those wide open plains in October? Wow.
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I’m the guy who linked to Ye Olde Publishing Company’s actual website, so clearly, I’m not too concerned with privacy! 🙂
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You’re a braver soul than I. The thought of one of my readers showing up on my doorstep makes me shudder.
😉
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Makes me shudder, too. With ANTICIPATION. Ha!
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Sure. It is all so pretty and and pleasant, until the snow comes and buries your 55 mile drive. Then the ice, and the sliding, and the car in the ditch on a lonely desolate road.
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The 55-mile drive was only for orientation. My normal commute is 10 minutes…with nary a lonely, desolate road!
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Very impressive. I like that you like where you’ve landed, despite the hokey sexual harassment video. Your office is nice indeed. And I’m not at all jealous of your multiple computer screen set-up. Ok, I am…
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I hardly know what to do with all those monitors. I’d be happy with just the laptop!
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Simply breathtaking indeed, Mark! Wow….gorgeous photographs! I am totally blown away by the temps. you’re experiencing at this time, while we’re still in the mid-70’s!?!
“This included a 79-page employee manual and a series of videos covering accidents in the workplace, blood-borne pathogens, and—my favorite—sexual harassment.”
OMG yes, don’t you just LOVE watching all those orientation videos? I had to do the same thing last month and I actually almost dozed off because I was bored to death. And yes, I agree, sooooo poorly acted! 🙂
Your new workspace looks faaaaaaaaabulous! Happy to read that you had a good first day. Congrats, my friend!
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Thank you, Ron! The weather has already warmed back up, and next Tuesday, it’s going to be pushing 70º! Pretty crazy, huh?
Enjoy the rest of your week, buddy!
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A successful first two days! That office is borderline swanky compared to what most folks have these days! My reading comprehension is stellar, so let me just say I’m glad you found something close to home. Lol.
But you forgot to mention what kind of donut you consumed!
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Ha! Glad you’re able to read clearly. 🙂
Vanilla frosted cake donut. Simple but delicious. The donuts at Wall Drug are almost as legendary as their ice water!
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Nice to get the update, Mark. I like the attempt at nickname and then not. Glad to hear no issues commuting to your orientation. Wow! The view! I did not know there was a real store called “Wall Drug.” First impressions are still a big deal, and I would say, great first impressions. Huge WOW on the office! The laptop docking station is intriguing. I will investigate further for myself. Now, I am all excited about your new job.
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Wall Drug is an institution! Their billboards are famous, and located all over the world. It’s one of the coolest stores I’ve ever seen. Words don’t do it justice.
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When I manage to visit the States again, I will definitely check out Wall Drug. 😊
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Congrats on the new job! Especially in these rather exciting times…and it sounds like yours will be super needed now. Good luck 😀
(Also…heated seats??)
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“Rather exciting times” indeed, ha. Thank you! And, yes…those heated seats are a godsend!
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Good for you! Sweet office! Glad you feel right at home. I maybe needed to read this happy post 🙂
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I’m happy to spread a little joy into your life!
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Nice office – I love wraparound desks! Please tell me part of your orientation included a lesson in how to pick up heavy items. I don’t think I’ve ever had a job where they didn’t train me how to pick up a box correctly (bend at the knees, by the way – not the back).
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Oh, of course that was in the safety video. I also learned I must never stand on an office chair to change a lightbulb. Scintillating stuff…
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