restart

well, it seems like i'm working again! this time, though, i'm a java developer, which is a new experience as a full-time role. i mean, i've done development work as part of other jobs, and i've worked on development projects on a freelance basis from home (see earlier posts...) just never in an office, nine-to-five, with other developers. so, i'm getting on ok, although i've still not been paid, due to the vagaries of contract work and umbrella company/agency interaction, which is a pain. it's good to have a 'proper' job though, and i feel much more motivated that a few months ago, when i became disillusioned by internet-based freelance development contracting...

i'm living in greenock, outside glasgow, which is also different for me. i actually happen to be staying in halls of residence at the moment, since greenock isn't exactly a top tourist destination, and they seem to be the only form of temporary accomodations available. the students arrived two weeks ago now, so i'm surrounded by people half my age who seem to spend all their time drinking and smoking pot, stereotypes and cliches be damned! i hope i'll be moving into a proper flat soon, since my contract has several months to run yet.

a nice thing about my current digs is the view - i can look out onto and across the clyde, and the deep-water channel along which diverse ships steam most days. there is a container terminal slightly further down-river where cruise liners and container cargo vessels both dock; the occasional royal navy frigate or somesuch from HM naval base faslane are often visible (no submarines spotted yet); tugs and other workboats from clyde marine can be seen assisting larger boats; and the paddle steamer waverley stops regularly on her pleasure trips to rothesay and points west. i've been quite enjoying my forays into ship-spotting out of the window, particularly since there's not much else to do!

once i have a more permanant base, i think i'll start to feel more at home, since the halls are rather basic and uninviting. there's nothing worse than not wanting to go home at night, when home is a tiny room with a single bed and a desk, where i can't even smoke. that ought to change, like i said, in a week or so, when i move out. so, here's to working again, and getting myself sorted out with a flat and a kitten here on the west of scotland...

work,development,java,location,personal,ships