#1323: Friday, December 5 - Four years on the job

Post 1323, Day 339 of 2014
- 1,435 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today completes four years working for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Senior Technician in Software Applications.

What a job. My first job ever outside of product and business cycles. The VA is a service group and they give away that service.

No pressure. Wow, what a concept!

While this job doesn't pay all that well (compared to what I was making, or could (theoretically) make in the Private Sector), but it is stress-free.

It doesn't hurt that the work environment is so weird - I am surrounded by people hard at work at things that have nothing to do with me, and nobody else from my department is in this city, let alone my office.

I don't do much, but when I do, I make sure it's in a way that gives the customer a positive feeling. So I get along with everybody I work with, even though the communication is only on the phone or via email.

I wasn't initially sure how much I would like this, and early on, the isolation did chafe a bit. Now? I embrace my solitude. I'm grateful for it. 

Four years gone. This is a great job. A great way to enjoy the downhill ride to retirement.

Exactly one year from today, I am eligible for a small pension, too.

And two months after that, I retire. 

Nice end to a long work career.

Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:             209.6 lbs

Previous Weight:            206.6 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:          + 3.0 lbs

Diet Comment

Yikes! I believe all three pounds gained came from dinner: I ate all the chili I made, which amounted to a pound of (organic, grass-fed) beef, a whole can of beans and a whole can of organic diced tomatoes. And cole slaw. And a Quest bar for dessert. That's a shit-load of foods, but I think the real culprit is with the beans - total bean consumption yesterday was over a pound! That's a lot of carbs, albeit in one of its healthiest forms. But look what happened! Up 3 pounds. Shit. I'm going to go very easy today, and watch myself on the weekend, and hope it (and more) is gone by my next update (Monday).

Food Log

Breakfast

Eggs scrambled with baby kale and spinach, peppers and onions, spicy tomato oil, and a side of bacon.

Lunch

Skipped.

Snack
A Quest bar. 

Dinner

Cole slaw and pepperoni and a Quest bar.

Snack
Celery with home-made mayonnaise and a Quest bar. 

Liquid Intake   
Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 96+ oz.

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