First day of work, along with 2nd day were interesting. I've not had any work to do yet due to paperwork and other problems. I'm earning a paycheck, which is the important thing to me. Once I actually *get* working, they will work me 6 and 7 day weeks, so I'm not worried about them getting their value out of me.

I went back to work with an old employer that was bought by another company. They just finished integrating their human resources systems together, so I am the first hire under the 'new' system, which has had a few growing pains apparently.

The job has pros and cons, like any job. The biggest pro is the fact that I work from home. The biggest con is seemingly endless paperwork and red tape sometimes.

I work in IT, and basically, company policy dictates they can't create my network account until I have an employee #. They had to re-write my welcome letter, and it wasn't done til 30 minutes after close of business Monday. So, at that point, they requested my network account.

The guy who 'builds' my laptop can't finish it til he has my credentials, because all the software for the VPN has to be installed and customized, along with my e-mail, etc. Then, they have to ship the whole works to me.

Yesterday afternoon, the laptop arrived in Michigan, and the guy could configure it, *if* he had my network logon information, which isn't available yet. It's expected today. Once he's done, they will ship it to me and it takes a couple days to arrive. So, if it gets done today, I should have it on Friday. If there's a delay, it'd be Monday at the earliest - and next Thursday is Thanksgiving and next Friday is a paid holiday - so I imagine it'll really be more than another week til I'm fully in the swing of things.

So, I've mentioned cons, but the pro for me has to be that I can spend my lunch hour everyday working on whatever project I'm working on. When I worked in an office, if I'd drive home for work, I'd spend 15-20 minutes driving home, eat, then have to turn around and go back to work.

I did go for a drive for work yesterday, though. I had to drive to Indianapolis (about an hour on the road each way) so someone who worked in a company office could verify the sources for my I-9 form - the one that says I'm allowed to work in the US. They had to actually see my drivers license and birth certificate in person. But, since I had nothing else to do, not a big deal.

Regarding the seaming of decals - I've yet to do my first decal job! I hired out both my Creatures. And frankly, while the guys who did them both did good jobs, I found a few things where I told myself that I would like to do them differently - so I don't think I'm going to hire anymore out. I'll have some work to do to this one, there are some spots that need attention. One is a scuff on the decal by the left front leg. Luckily, it's all in the black. That shouldn't be too bad to touch up. Another area is also all black and will be hidden by the backbox hinges when the backbox is folded up (in playing position), so the only time you'd have a chance to see it is in transport or storage.

I've done a ton of research in cabinet restoration, and the thing that seems to prove true regardless of who you ask - the prep work is the most important. Doesn't matter if you use the wet method or the dry method, the prep work is still most important. Fixing all the nicks, filling dings, scratches, divots etc. Making that nice smooth surface so imperfections don't show through the decal.

I'm worried about potentially damaging a $200-300 set of stickers, but I have to remember that I'm paying more for the labor than the stickers. If I were to unfortunately damage one side of the game, I could buy another set and still be money ahead versus hiring someone. I was terrified to do my own board work for awhile, and now do it - and I had to learn that and mess up a few boards in the process.

You do, after all, have to break a few eggs to make a cake.