I’ve been doing some work on the side for EADS, the place where I did my Masters Thesis. It’s not that I really want to, or that I need the money (it’s not very good; in fact, I haven’t work for such little money since I was probably 19 or so). I think its because I feel wasn’t really happy with the way I left the simulator project that I had programmed; I felt like it was unfinished and I don’t like to leave “loose ends” like that if I can help it.

So, I agreed at the end of my thesis term to help out one of my colleagues there, since he was due to pick up where I left off. And I know that NOBODY likes to pick up where someone else left off when it comes to coding.

Now here I am, going back to a place that I didn’t like in the first place, doing something I didn’t particularly care for (but was interested enough in it to do my thesis on it), and for really bad pay. Why?

I guess it’s for three reasons: I don’t like leaving things “undone”, since it reflects badly on me. Secondly, I wanted to help out my colleague. And third (and least important) is so that in the future, I can use this as a reference; therefore, I want it to be a good one.

But what makes it even worse is when I get the feeling that THEY think they’re doing me a favor by having me there. That’s the part that irks me. I would personally not care to go there again; getting the attitude that I’m being done a favor is… well… annoying. So, instead of spending the next several weeks (until the end of February) there as a part time employee, I’m going to finish this thing as soon as possible (maybe next month sometime) so that I don’t need to go back.

Interesting note: Germans, for the most part, are real big on following (and not questioning) the “rules”. As a chronic rule-breaker (my first instinct, however unhealthy, is to circumvent the rules) it is sometimes good for me; but more often than not, it reveals a trait that I think is a little rediculous. Just because rules are made doesn’t mean that they are good, or even beneficial; I leave it up to my own judgement to decide if I want to follow what any particular “rules” dictate. Most of the time it’s a good idea, but not always. Blind following of the rules keeps the sheep safe – but a corrupt guide can easily lead them off the edge of a cliff if it’s convenient for him.