There is a ghost reflection of the phone in the window glass. Appears pink, and — yes — two lenses.
There’s a challenge for image processing folk: somewhere in there is a portrait of @afre 
Got a clunky Lenovo screen after a month of using HP. The problem with the HPs was that they were randomly blurry. Couldn’t find the reason. Guessing it may have to do with them having a lower native resolution compared to the laptop. Something, something about surfaces; viz., from the discussion from the smart folks on HDR, pixels, etc. They were making me blind, tired and crazy.
Anyway, the Lenovo was super heavy to carry home (the weight of my dog’s kibble bag) under the weight of its nice ergonomic arm and the digging of its hard plastic handle. I looked up the price and it isn’t much more expensive from my budget panel ($60 more, granted a decade newer). Still much cheaper than the Dells @paperdigits or was it @patdavid recommended.
The mouse has also been giving me muscular, nerve and tendon issues; but apparently, it would take a while to get, so I may decide to buy it myself. I will still go through the process of applying for a better one because I want the employer to log the health and safety needs of its staff.
The most interesting part of this job so far, and due to the COVID-19 times we are in, is that I get to meet so many members of the staff. Maybe it is the litany of issues to troubleshoot, me being the new guy on whom to dump responsibility, or the fact that I am a communicator; I got to meet all the essential members up and down the org chart. I also met people who happened to drop by or cross paths, who don’t belong to our division but I happened to have need for consultation. Lucky me. I guess it is a good thing for the proverbial networking. People may still be negotiating my role but they know my name now, good or ill first impressions aside.
Indeed, my role is still being negotiated. The title is research but it is really a timekeeping and admin role but really a design one but really an IT support one, and on it goes. Again, it is good to have so much exposure and work.
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I am coming into this thread a little late but just wanted to say congratulations! 
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How is the lab Pat??
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Doing top secret work no doubt.
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@priort It’s been pretty awesome, really.
There are some things that I find a little… odd… coming from a business-oriented background. (processes, chain of command, goals, planning, etc.)
I’m working on getting some of the weather stations back up and running that have been down for a while: https://arcos.disl.org/.
A bunch of neat internal stuff going on and even a few around possible image processing and batch processing requirements. I suppose I should either write some new topics on stuff I have to hack at - who knows if it might prove useful to someone in the future. 
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Thanks for the update…sounds like you are pretty happy overall with your decision……enjoy….
For some reason your email response included your signature line and some other extraneous stuff. I’ve edited your post to remove this information in case you didn’t want it visible.
Thanks Pat…its usually on for email replies but I usually reply in the forum not email…thanks though…
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Work, life and other detours?
Well, I’m still working, just by the skin of my teeth thanks to union rep getting me a redeployed role on medical grounds. Although I think I may be for the chop next year following major restructuring. However at least I’m OK job wise for the moment.
Health wise, I’ve still no answers! Last time I was supposed to see neurologist in July, but that turned out to be a 5 minute phone call instead, where he said he wanted to see me inperson, but it’ll be another 3 to 40 months at least before I get an appointment. However with the rise of covid cases in my area, my local hospitals are suspending all non critical outpatient clinics & tests. 
I have sort of lost my mojo for photography at the minute. While I have rejoined my local photography club, it’s not the same as it’ll be another year with club meetings held over zoom, rather than in person, especially since the hall we used to use for our club meetings is a covid testing site. Although one benefit is the club has been able to have guest speakers from further afield. Health wise, I’m not really able for trips up distant hills with heavy photography gear! And I haven’t used my Lee filter set in over a year… I’m not going to sell it yet though!
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A bit of an update from my end. I have been getting major strain and muscle issues from work equipment. Since I have been set up with new monitors and I started using my own mouse, it has been better but the damage has already been done. I am not receiving any benefits, sick days, etc., so it is going to be hard to endure.
I won’t have to fear the chopping block like @Brian_Innes (Hope it doesn’t come to that Brian!) because my contract only lasts for 5 months. If I can find a job after with the City — great! If not, then it is like the chopping block, since I doubt it will be easy to find one elsewhere due to my disabilities and still not-convincing resume. The challenge with finding a permanent job with the City would be the fact that the number of competitors is doubled this (and likely next) year. At least, that is what I heard from a recent meeting.
Anyway, best of luck to all in transition and on the journey for one reason or another!
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There are a lot of ways to make it. A relative of mine made it in the oil industry by, when they called, just showing up and not being drunk. Now, he’s the chief engineer for their product (drilling tools) development, without a single degree in engineering.
Really, simple integrity and reliability will often shine brighter than a lot of qualifications…
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thank you @afre I’m not overly worried, what will be, will be. Although it would be good to know what I’m dealing with health wise though.
To do: job application for an IT position in the same unit as I am temping…? TBD
Very true. Trouble is the very definition of integrity and reliability can vary, often encumbered by prejudice or antiquated management expectations.
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Just do it. Nothing may come of it. c’est la vie. But you’ll do other things as well. Resumes to other places. Gossip with other gig workers. Create possibilities for yourself. Don’t know if cities in the Far North are anything like New York City, but my conversion from gig to full time civil service was about eighteen months and took a couple of civil service exams, so putting your paper in at the IT department there may go exceedingly slow.
Good luck!
I still don’t know what these civil service exams you speak of are. I know that some job applications involve tests (but it is all a mystery because none of the postings tell me to expect one, so there is no way of anticipating or preparing for one).
Indeed, I should apply broadly, as I have done in the previous round. Although my job is okay, I am gaining workplace experience and meeting more people than all of my other trainee cohorts, it is so non-specific that it won’t work very well on my resume. That and I have only had 6 weeks; my immediate supervisor says she won’t give me a reference until I am done this short term job. Third, the job that I will be applying for in the next 3 days won’t have the internal advantage since she already advertised it everywhere online. These three facts are working against me. Nevertheless, I will give it a go. Not sure if I know tech stuff and I love helping people solve problems past muster. 
You do, just go for it.
Nope, I didn’t make the minimum requirements for this one or a science one (and I am in science). HR gate keeping, tant pis. 2 noes out of 8 applications so far. 10 more to submit… what fun!
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Well last week i sent a few polite but sternly worded emails to my local government politicians, expressing my concern that neurology patients are facing.
A few exchanges later, including the politicians contacting the CEO of my NHS sector, I recieved an apology from the NHS Patient Relations Service team, along with a promise of an appointment with my neurologist in a few weeks!
So fingers crossed this actually happens!
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