In ur cafe eatin seared tuna on mashed celery root.

[flexagon]

My first day at Zillian was definitely smoother than heisenbug's; only about 60 people were starting, most of us engineers, so that may have helped. I had my backpack, my badge, my 17" macbook pro and my login all set up by 1:00 PM. Insert funny videos, lots of talks about Zillian culture, and gratuitous free food here. I have one t-shirt so far.

I'm thrilled and terrified to find that Zillian, which is famously secretive with the outside world, is extraordinarily transparent on the inside. I know things already that they really don't want me leaking to the media (or to you)... exciting things, too. It's a lot of trust to invest in a new hire, and I want to be worthy of it, so... sigh... I'll just have to learn to keep my mouth shut.

Most of what I'm not allowed to tell you is about the future. Some things I can tell you:

• My initial assignment is to work on Blogger.


• The first water I found on campus was infused with Thai purple basil and navel oranges. This is my new favorite drink.


• At the same cafeteria, at dinner, they had duck a l'orange, which I did not eat because that's just ridiculous. (I have no idea what was served at the other 15 cafes, or how many of those others serve real food.)

And everywhere there are massage chairs, large screens showing this and that, and cafes and mini-kitchens and brightly colored exercise balls and free shuttles. We are, of course, being put up in an apartment. It's hard to talk about Zillian without sounding like I'm bragging; but I'm not bragging and this is why. I don't feel remotely ENTITLED to all this crazy stuff. I'm just impressed, like you probably are!

Oh yeah, and also? I am totally confused and useless-feeling. There's a lot of tolerance for that around here. Part of this is because, at the scale of Zillian, most external tools just don't work. So a lot of things are home-rolled and there's a lot to learn.

Comments

[body-alchemy.livejournal.com]

It sounds like kindergarden for adults!

I guess I understand why, when I was working for shoe co., one of your fellow Zillianaires was so upset to wait an extra week for a pair of shoes. "But...I work for Zillian! We would not tell this delay. And...I know people! I'll tell someone how long this is taking! I work for Zillian and I need those shoes!"

Okay, I still don't. I think he was crazy.

[flexagon]

Zillianaires... heh. That guy was an asshole, not the general rule around here as far as I can tell. And also, obviously, totally breaking policy on not representing the company in an assholish fashion. :(

That is one thing I worry about... that some people do get used to this type of madness and start expecting it from the rest of the world, when in fact it's a very artificial (though awesome) environment.

[dr-alycat.livejournal.com]

holy smokes! that is so sweet! And you toootally deserve it.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Wow! All that sounds really exciting! You deserve all of this super coolness.

[belacane.livejournal.com]

and what is this zillian of which you speak?

[flexagon]

The most famous search company in the world; it has a colorful logo... its name is used as a verb.

If still confused, go to Blogger.com and see who owns it. ;)

[niralth.livejournal.com]

They ship you out to the mothership for training, eh? Sweet.

[flexagon]

Yeah, I should have mentioned to you that I'd be in the area. If you want to have lunch or something on Sunday, say the word, I am free.

[niralth.livejournal.com]

I thought I had already replied to this. Oops.

Are you thinking of lunch in Mountain View or SF?

[flexagon]

Crap, I let this slip, I'm sorry. I was waiting to see if I was free, and then I wasn't free... it would have had to be in MV anyway, which I know would have been a pretty long drive/commute for you even if it had worked out.

I wish I'd realized earlier that I'd be near your neighborhood. If my schedule is anything like heisenbug's I should be around a few times per year, so next time let's try to plan a little better. :) I would love to see you.

[niralth.livejournal.com]

Sounds great. Both of our locations are well served by the commuter train I take (car-free, baby) so future visits should be pretty easy to figure out.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

This is so freakin COOL! I sympathize about feeling confused and useless, because I'm still semi-there, but I'm sure soon enough you'll mostly see it as a kick-ass adventure more than anything else.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

Entitled may not be the right word but you've definitely earned it. I'm mostly impressed by the massages and powerbook (and software that undoubtedly comes with it).

[flexagon]

I dunno, you might not say it if you could see this place. I lied re the powerbook, though, apparently; it's only a 15" laptop... whups, looked big to me. :) You're allowed to be less impressed if you like.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

I'd still say it. Nahnahanahanahanahnah mine's bigger. ;-) Of course, the cost/sq in of screen was a lot less for you so...

BTW, my new phrase at work is "But, but, but Zillian has it!"

And would you get your ass on facebook biotch?! I wanna get my ass kicked at scrabble by you.