Adjusting

You know something's happened when that 80 mile drive from Austin starts to feel so familiar that you know that there's a Target at that exit that's coming up and you know there's a Shell station in two miles. How exactly does memory work? Why is there room for marginal information, like where the Whataburgers are, but it loses track of numerous passwords (Forgot your password? I'm one of the steady customers for those features).

There's the moment, usually around New Braunfels, when I can't get KUT anymore and I make the switch to KSTX, 89.1. During news hours, it's the same with different traffic and a different weather person (but mostly the same weather). At all other hours, this station must be one of NPR's best customers, playing news and talkie programs I have never heard or heard of. It's weird to hear Fresh Air or This American Life at night. Don't these people know these clear-headed shows belong to the daytime? Nighttime is for music, entertainment.

While I'm kvetching, what is with these garish rust-colored overpasses with arches and columns in bas-relief -- are they trying to evoke the Spanish Colonial era? A nice idea but a tacky execution. And with Texas in bas-relief, just like in Austin, but here it's filled in with that sick brick color. Tasteless.

OK, let's find things to celebrate in the built environment. How about the Riverwalk? They have expanded it and aren't stopping. Last week my colleagues met for dinner at Paesano's on the Riverwalk - the last place I'd choose to go (the Riverwalk, not Paesano's, which has other locations). But we had folks from Baltimore visiting who'd never been so, of course, you have to go. The weather was perfect, even into the evening, and sitting on the river was fun. OK, grudging acknowledgement that it's worth doing. It's impossible not to be charmed by it.

El H-E-B

So many differences between Austin and San Antonio, though there is the one constant: HEB. If it's the dominant player in Austin, it's the only game in San Antonio, though I understand there are a few Fiestas sprinkled around town. The volume that zips through these big, big stores is mind-boggling. How do you keep up the logistics to keep those shelves stocked - and replenished every night. That's why they're open 24 hrs - they have to restock the shelves anyway.

Did I mention that my office is in an HEB shopping center (we'll upgrade the description from strip center)? And that it's actually really nice? It's one of the more Central Market-style HEBs, with spacious aisles and sedate signage. Lots of those higher end foodstuffs like wine and cheese and dozens of olive oil choices. And a full wall of Kosher foods - not a mere aisle but the whole back wall of the store. And in that restrained signage, too.

Yes, it's a Jewish neighborhood. Across the street is the JCC, which I have joined. It's got a good vibe - not as elegant as the Dell Center but bustling and featuring some amenities missing in Austin, such as an endless, swim-in-place pool (can't wait to try it out), tennis courts, and a community theater, currently showing Last Nights of Ballyhoo. Life is certainly convenient: HEB and the J all within lunch hour walking distance of my desk. And word is that the retail pad currently under construction next door will be a Starbucks, just the thing to shake off afternoon nap-time longing.

On to the office

First day: finding the cubby (a nice spot with view outside), adjusting the chair (comfortable), figuring out how to dock the computer. Meeting folks from the earlier cohorts (we were hired and trained in three groups over three months), so no one dates from prior to August 2011. Getting the security badge that lets you get back in after going to the bathroom - a critical item.

But no time to sit and get organized because, lucky me, I actually have work to do, beginning with all day meetings on Monday and Tuesday to kick off a project. My teammates from Baltimore (seasoned company veterans with less than five years combined service - pretty standard) are both in San Antonio to participate in the meeting. It's pretty much like every other kick-off meeting, though the company has specific protocols. 

Strangely, I'm the only one from any of these recent cohorts who has any instructional design experience or who has worked with subject matter experts (SMEs). Curious. But all have a variety of advanced degrees and teaching experience at a range of levels. Many refugees from the K12 classroom - just like my graduate program. 

So, the day goes quickly. And then I'm a commuter back to my little suite on I-10.