I'm gathering SMEs! SMEEEEEEEEEEs! That sounds dirty, but it's not. I'm talking about "Subject Matter Experts," part of the requirements-gathering process for the integrated web presence that I'm working on in my new job. And by the way? My new job rocks, with the exception of the closet I'm temporarily working out of (which wouldn't be so bad except that the air conditioning vent is RIGHT UNDER MY FEET and there's nowhere else to put my desk. I'm going to have to rethink skirts). Still, on a scale of one to spiff, everything is fairly spiffy.

Things that I have: new quad core computer? Check. Universal Principles of Design? Check. Dual 22" monitors? Check. Cool co-workers? Yes indeed. Upper management with vision and a strong commitment to students rather than budget line-items? OH YES.*

(Also, good communication of that vision between management and staff? Oh, how I've missed you. I promised myself not to turn bitter, because it was so good for so long, and those are the times I want to remember. But it's hard to watch something you built fall apart - and the things that others built, too - especially when you leave and discover that it indeed wasn't you, it's them, because it's hard not to doubt yourself, you know? But never you mind, Internet. It's probably none of your business anyway.)

My new computer doesn't have an on-board speaker. Isn't that odd?

* Which is interesting. Does career education have a place in academe, where the emphases (was) education rather than jobs? Discuss.