Worklife

The correct address for my position is *Laboratory Technician* or *Technical Assistant* because I am responsible for looking after the technical details of keeping the lab in correct running order and am answerable to my boss...although she's beginning to call me *Laboratory Manager* as I am the only person who's keeping the lab in running order. Anyone who wants to use or remove things from the lab is answerable to me. The feeling of power that I might gain from being the Head of an area is circumvented by the knowledge that should something happen to/in the lab, I will be the scapegoat.

Apart from the heady first 3 weeks of my employment here, my second round of employment has been much more relaxed. My basic day consists of coming in at 9am, logging into the computer/msn and setting up my music for the day. I am pretty much the only person in this area so I need the music and msn to stop myself from going crazy out of isolation. (Text in red are things that don't occur every day but occur often enough that it must be considered)

9:15 - check and read online news, msg ppl on msn
10:00 - look at what tasks I set myself yesterday and prioritise their order
10:05 - check email and msn and maybe write a blog
10:30 - begin priority task 1
10:45 - change mp3 disk or go to morning tea (if i take morning tea, go immediately to 11:15 and ignore 13:05-13:30)
11:00 - check email and msn
11:15 - continue task 1
11:45 - realise that I can take lunch in 15 minutes
12:00 - finish task 1 and go to lunch
12:55 - return from lunch and check email
13:00 - contemplate task 2
13:05 - decide that I really want a sundae
13:07 - justify that since I didnt take morning tea, I am allowed an extra long lunch break
13:08 - walk to McDonald's
13:30 - return from Maccas
13:35 - check email
14:30 - finish task 2 and look for a reason to go visit another department
15:00 - return from the other dept and realise I've done little work all day
15:05 - check email and msn
15:10 - start task 3
15:30 - change mp3 disk
15:35 - contemplate taking afternoon tea and decide i've been too slack to have it
15:37 - play with the hula hoop
15:38 - give up and check email
15:40 - return to task 3
15:55 - complete task 3 and realise I need to contact someone about something
16:00 - go to reception/make phone calls/talk to IT guy
16:30 - begin task 4
16:45 - check email and msn and realise I have 15 minutes until hometime
16:55 - sweep lab if i'm feeling generous
16:57 - write task list for following day
16:59 - remove mp3 disk and log off
17:00 - visit my boss and discuss any further opinions on the lab
17:10 - go home

I'm aware this makes it look like they're paying me to check my email, but as I see it I'm making up for the incredibly stressful first 3 weeks of chemical handling. And anyway, my bosses seem to think I'm getting a lot done faster than they think it can be done. If they're happy with the way things are going, then I'm happy to have it continue like that.