Waka Waka Waka

My Dear Princess and Dear Fellow,

Today was a busy day. 

I say that. My morning was nothing. I just sat around and watched tv. There were no new jobs and no news and no calls from agents. 

However, at 3.30 I had a Teams interview with Waka Kotahi, or the New Zealand Transport Authority, if you want their boring name. 

They seemed like nice people, although Ashish the BA threw me a STINKER of a question* and on looking it up afterward I think it was a trick question.

He also asked me a two-parter and I answered it backwards, part 2 first. I apologised for doing this and he said, "No, you were quite right to answer backwards," so well done me. 

Right afterwards, Anna the Agent called to ask how it went. I told her what I normally say, that I thought it went well. But who knows, really?

And then I had to RUN. 

Because I had an appointment at the sleep clinic at 6pm. And it takes about 90 minutes to get there and ANNA KEPT ME TALKING. 

I just made it in time and got on the train with relief. 

I was still catching my breath from running when Anna called back.

"How's your day going?" she asked.

I knew where this was going. Agents LOVE this part of their job. I played along.

"Really well Anna, thank you," I said.

"It's about to get a whole lot better!" she said. I could almost see her grin.

So. Yes. Answering questions backwards works. I got the job. 

"And they didn't see through the flannel!" I said. Anna just laughed.

So it's a six month contract but on a fully-funded programme that will probably run about 18. And you know me. I'll hopefully dig my way into Waka Kotahi like a TICK. Hopefully I'll be writing my leaving Waka Kotahi blip in 2027. 

Another wave of relief, this time much better than simply catching a train. I don't have a start date yet, but I'm guessing I will lose maybe 2 weeks pay at worst while unemployed. 

And now... FUNEMPLOYED! I get to enjoy it! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

I sent texts to Caro, to the FOBs, to Ellie, to Manda and Jefe. And got back hearts and congrats and all the things and got to luxuriate in happiness and relief as the train took me to Wellington.

At the sleep clinic they gave me the gizmo you see above. You crocodile-clip a sensor to your fingertip and it monitors your sleep.

Such as it was. Despite my happiness, I had real trouble getting to sleep. That bloody monitor - although not so bad - just irritated the EFF out of me and I laid awake for a good couple of hours before waking up at 4. 

But it's ok. It's better to be kept awake by a very small crocodile nibbling your finger, than by financial anxiety. 

And thank you for giving me words of encouragement and comfort too. Don't think kindness has been forgotten. I'm adding it to the good karma pile and it will be remembered.

S.

* Which is better, REST or SOAP api, and why do you think that? 

It turns out there is almost no difference, and as a BA you should not have an opinion anyway as it's a technical thing. I flannelled wildly and somehow got away with it.