Transitions in a Small World

I have completed my week long training at 2K Games. Today was my first real day of work in QA Testing. My transition period is finally at an end. Quite a profound place to be at the moment...

It's exciting to be at the first steps of a new journey. Makes me hopeful for the future. I have some big plans for myself and I plan on bringing them to fruition.

Work was really good today. I was expecting to be given a few days to get used to my project, but apparently that wasn't what my lead had in mind. We jumped right into the fire and it was exhilarating. I like my team, I like my lead, they like me. We seem to be working well together.

I've already done some good work, my lead made sure to note that he noticed. Feels good to be appreciated and acknowledged for your efforts. I think I'm going to like it here.

Small World Anecdote:

So Friday was Lisha's birthday party. Due to its proximity to Halloween, she requested it be a costume party. I dressed as Walter Sobchak from the Big Lebowski, successfully.

Anyway, so I'm mingling, drinking, etc. Meeting all sorts of cool people and just basically being social among friends. At some point in the night I end up chilling out in a chair for a while, just to enjoy the night air. Anyway, nearby two ladies are in the midst of conversation and in my boredom I ended up eavesdropping. One of the ladies was facing toward me, she I recognized as Emerson's sister. The other had her back toward me and I couldn't see her face; although, something was familiar about her voice...

As I was contemplating where I'd heard her voice before, she turned her head to the side and I caught site of her profile. That's when the bells went off. My brain started shouting at me, telling me that I knew this person but not sure why.

So I turned to my memory, "Well, what've you got?"
Memory shrugs and says, "Uh... shit... we got nothing so far. But we're looking!"
"Splendid. Emotion, how about you? Got anything?"
"All we got is a sense of 'missing,' like she was there for a time, then left."
I blink. "..."
Emotion clears it's throat, "So... yeah."
"Okay. Thank you, Emotion."
"Sure, boss."

This goes on for a while, me stuck at a stalemate with who this person is. At which point I got up and had to ask her:

"Excuse me, who are you?"
"Hi! My name's Noelle." We shake hands. Memory takes over.
"I knew your name was Noelle!"
"Really? Weird. You look familiar too, what's your name?"
"Ophir." Recognition shows on her face.
"I knew your name was Ophir." It's not just me, perfect.
"Shit. This is going to drive me nuts. Where do I know you from?"
"I don't know. Where did you go to school?"
"Calabasas. You?"
"Oh, I didn't go here, I was in New York for High School."
Fuck. I've never been to New York.
"Fuck. I've never been to New York."
"Yeah, I've only been here for 5 years." 5 years!? Perfect! Now I have parameters! Memory, go!
"5 years, okay, that gives me something to work with."
"Haha, okay."
"Did you go to college or school while you were here?" Could be from school.
"No, sorry."
"No, that's good! 3/4 of the past 5 years for me was school and sleep, we just narrowed it down a bunch."

At that point, Memory came back with the answer and took over:
"Did you work while you were here?"
"Yes."
"Did you work at Tony Romas?" Her eyes go wide, a smile creeping on her face.
"Yes!"
"I worked with you at Tony Romas!" YES! SWEET HOLY JESUS YES!
"YES!"

We hug for a while and end up talking for a long time, catching up. Turns out she worked with me for several months in 2003. We were really chill and she ended up leaving because they wouldn't give her time to go to Bonaroo. I missed her. It was good to see her. What are the random odds she'd be at this party. Small world.