I used to look at those people in the movies working for the top secret organisations and think…wow. They must have pretty amazing jobs. Sure, it’s probably high-pressure and long hours, but they know they’re the best of the best. Places like MI6, UNIT, S.H.I.E.L.D…they’re always dealing with high-level threats. Makes sense that they’d only get the best people, and then they’d probably pay them pretty well too.

Then I started working for what’s kind of a real life equivalent. That’s when I realised that there still needs to be a fair amount of maintenance going on in those places, and someone has to do it. I bet MI6 still has a guy who has to roll in with his aluminium ute canopies, having his under tray draws, Melbourne fabricators can work something like that out I’m sure. My place isn’t quite so heavy on the security (or rather we have…other ways…ah, never mind) but it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I think the phrase goes ‘never meet your heroes’. It’s the same basic principle with working in a place you really admire. Sure, you might jump for a chance to work in the Avengers Mansion, but that really just means you’ll be cleaning out the toilets, and those look the same in every single normal mansion.

I’m trying not to complain, because it’s still a dynamic and interesting workplace. Better than your average corporate place. You end up learning a lot, you work with some interesting people and all your equipment is provided. I got my aluminium toolbox from a Melbourne place that does the best ones I’ve ever seen, and my workplace paid for everything. So maybe the big, mystery places have their definite advantages, perhaps, probably. However, they do come with downsides. Long commute, labyrinthine halls…ghosts. Yeah, they get on my nerves. Still, roomy workspace. Draw systems aren’t checked a million times a day. Can’t complain, in the end.