With the change in jobs, I have now moved from the University end of the Yonge-University subway line to the Yonge end. It may simply be that this side of the subway is much busier, but the raw number of attractive women is significantly higher than on the other side. I don't think it is simply volume that explains this. More likely, all the glamorous jobs - that is, the type of jobs that attract good looking young women onto a career track - are on this side. All I know is that I sat in the food court yesterday morning for 15 minutes, and in the two minutes that I looked up from my book I spotted roughly one female every 10 seconds who could pose a threat to my marriage vows if she took it upon herself to do so.

Life is good.

Busy day. Day one at my new job, learning a ton of new computer stuff - some familiar (Lotus Notes, Word), some not (umm, well, customized tricks in both Lotus Notes and Word). The phone system is fantastic, and I can even have the "24" ring tone. The main thing is that I actually received some training, compared to my previous job, where I was dumped at a desk and set loose. Another half day tomorrow, then off to the races.

The girls started their new school today also. Brittany quickly slipped in with a group of three girls who she calls her friends. Nicole's adjustment has been a bit more traumatic, with one little girl taking her under her wing. We always knew it would be harder for her since she left behind some good friends at her old school, while Brittany's old friends started abandoning her last year for more insular culture- and faith-based socialization. I also registered them at their new dance school, seeing Nicole's old partner in the process. Like Nicole, she lost two upper front teeth over the summer.

Finally, Maxine landed a half-day position at the school where she works, which will really add to our bottom line. Add this to her lunchroom supervisor job, and with any luck she'll be able to cover the cost of the car we plan to buy in the new year - after I finish my G2. Good times ahead.

Here's the (slightly edited) text of an email that I sent to everyone at my old firm just before shutting down my computer on Friday. It seemed cheezy at the time, and moreso now, but my wife thought it was really nice and it just felt good to do it. I even believe most of what I wrote, which is a bonus:

To all lawyers and staff:

Those of you who don't know me are free to stop reading right here. Forthe rest of you, should you dare to continue, I want to say thank you.It is not without some measure of sadness that I leave you today. I don't have to tell you that this is a great law firm - that is public knowledge. But what isn't so widely known is what a great place this is to work. Sure, it has wrinkles and bumps - every place does. But there seems a belief at [insert law firm name here] that we are all important, from the most senior lawyer to the newest I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing-yet hire. (For whoever that person is, this comment is not directed at you - we've all been there!) I have always felt valued and appreciated here - and that is measured not just by the numbers on my paycheque, but in the many daily considerations that make you happy to come to work. As word has circulated about my pending departure, the response has been nothing but supportive, and for that I am appreciative. I won't single anyone out here lest I pull a Hilary Swank, but I leave knowing that not one of you will go unmissed to some degree, and how often can we say that about a job. I hope that whatever tiny part I have played in your life or career during my time here has been a positive one, and know that I will see many of you again as we travel through the Toronto legal community. I wish all of you the very best in the future.

Now, back to our regular scheduled programming . . .

Of course, now that I never post, it makes sense that people are landing on my site. At least, they are according to Site Meter, and why would I doubt them. But now, it's time to get back to it. Tomorrow is a day full of firsts, and it seems apropos to resurrect this space to review and discuss. Consider it my dialogue with myself, with an invitation extended to anyone who wishes to join in. Let's see where it goes.

First, I am starting a new job. Friday past was my last day at a 30-lawyer firm; Monday is my first day at a 110-lawyer office of a 300ish-lawyer firm. My old place had 1.5 floors, this place has four in Toronto alone. The old firm was in a 20-storey building; the new one has 68 floors, and is either the tallest or second-tallest office tower in Metro. The old firm did insurance law, the new one does almost every type of law I can imagine, including real estate, tax, securities, aboriginal, entertainment, family - you get the picture. I'll still be a law clerk doing insurance defence, but working on a much broader array of files compared to being something of a specialist at the old place. Plus, I'll be working again for my favorite lawyer from the old firm, who left a few months ago and then recruited me to her new place. All in all, very exciting.

Second, my daughters are both starting a new school, moving from the public system to the Catholic. We initially put them in public for geographic convenience, but with Brittany having to change schools anyway, and an evolving sense that we needed to give them some sort of religious training, the time was ripe. We started going to church this summer, including my first trip to confession in some 25 years. As you can expect, I stuck to the high (or low points), and told the priest exactly that. Amazingly, the place did not get struck by lightning, and my penance was more than reasonable. I think he was just pleased to see someone returning to the Church instead of abandoning it. The girls have checked out the school and met the principal, and are very excited.

Finally, our dance school closed without warning less than two weeks ago, and we have been scrambling ever since to find a new home for my dancing daughters. We have located a school we like - not as convenient location wise, but with really young energetic teachers, a truckload of trophies, and a price I can live with - but it won't be final until I start my new job and clarify my "official" work hours. (In law, there is no such thing as a nine-to-five job.) Ever since word came, there have been hours spent on phone and email between the many abandoned parents as we shared information and discussed alternatives. In the end, we were turned on to this school by my daughter Nicole's duet partner's parents, even though most of the other kids seem to be migrating to another school that is actually closer to our home. Regardless, this feels like the best fit for us, where the girls can find out how good they can be and, more importantly, how good they want to be and how hard they are willing to work to get there.

Anyway, it feels like I'll have lots to write about this year, and I'll have the hours sitting in the dance school waiting room to do it.

The World of George is back. I hope you'll find it worth your time to stop by.