Could Be Worse.....MUCH WORSE!

So everyone is probably (or not probably) wondering that was up with day 1 on the new job.

This is going to be a fairly easy job. Just as I was told at the first interview, I get to meet diplomats and high ranking officals as they exit the aircraft and wisk them through Customs and Immigration. I also get to meet consular officers, US government officals, and military officers and hand them special passes that allow them one time access to sterile areas (beyond security checkpoints) so that they can meet other important people at the gate.

When not on VIP detail, I get to do other stuff. Like reports. And I also get to answer phones. Consular offices call in and request VIP services for their people. Parking passes, gate passes, escorted access, and so on. There is also a fax machine that someone has to watch, but the machine is in someone elses office.

Oh yea, I almost forgot. I have an office. Well, more like a cubical. But still - there is a chair that only my ass will use, a desk that only I will use, a computer that I can use, and so on. Today was like Christmas in August, I got to stock up on supplies. I got pens and pencils and highlighters and correction tape and a stapler and a tape dispenser and all sorts of nifty things. I still need a large desk calendar, but I will get one. They are also going to order me a name plate I can post at the entrance of my office. And I will also get business cards, with the county logo and the airport logo.

I mentioned something about reports. I have to do them. I will get 10 or 20 countries that I have to keep updated reports on. That sounds like a lot huh? Well, as it turns out someone else does all the work for me. All I have to do is go on the internet, print out some stuff (my office has a cool laser printer), staple it together, and drop it in my file system. You can work along with me, most if not all of the information I need to keep updated can be found at The CIA World Factbook site. You can google "world factbook", or just CLICK HERE to get to the site. None of this information is secret or anything, in fact it is a great resource if you want to know basic information about someplace.

The department I work for is a small one, and according to the other people working there the manager in charge is not into micro-management. You are expected to get stuff done, but nobody will be standing behind you to watch you work. So as long as I do not forget to meet people at the gate or info desk, keep my reports updated, and put assignments in the master "things to do" book (these come from the phone or the fax machine), and show up on time I will be fine. I can do all those things.

Now, if I can only get off this "stay up till 2 AM" thing and adjust to normal people hours.....