The era of the receptionist

You might have noticed that I haven't blogged in about two months. Yikes! Well, I've been doing that hermit crab imitation again. You know, hold up inside your home and pretend nothing else exists. I'm getting pretty good at it too! Since about March 20th or so, I've been temping as a receptionist at a very large commercial real estate agency. I sit at a desk for eight hours, typing, answering stupid questions on the phone, and watching MSNBC. After sitting for eight hours at a desk and listening to moronic subject matter (both the telephone and the television), the last thing I wanted to do was come home and sit at the computer and type.

The most I do on the computer after work is maybe check my email (not regularly), play some mindless game on the computer or race Mario Kart. I did watch many hours of not-so mind numbing television and finish my second knitting project (pictures to come). So, what has brought this hermit crab out of her shell you might ask. My job as a receptionist will come to a close on Friday! While I will miss the friends I've made at work (a very funny and witty group of women and men), I will not miss the tedium of being a temp receptionist. But I cannot completely hate the job. If it wasn't for this time answering phones and the like - I wouldn't have realized that I am so very ready to go back to school in the fall. I'm looking forward to working in my trade again, you kind of forget that you come from a different environment until you make some sort of comment about theatre/academia and you're looked at like your from outer space. (Apparently when discussing the musical The Lion King comments such as "I found that the character Timone's costume a blatant homage to Disney cartoons rather than keeping in the same stylization of the other characters." does not endear non theatre goers to join in on the fun).

I'm ready to go back and finish this damn degree! Even if it means working more temp jobs to do it. Hopefully the next assignment comes very soon and has as many interesting and goofy people who will keep me occupied!

A cat can save the day

If you think about it, a house cat has it made! Someone to take care of them, feed them, love them, hug them, clean up after them, etc. But Ares does a lot for me as well. Today was a blah kind of day. I wake up to three cell phone messages, none of which were the best. The first message was from a reference of mine telling me that he/she put my reference letter in the mail...yesterday. Unfortunately, the place has to have everything in their hot little hands tomorrow. The second phone call was from my temp agency calling about the job I did yesterday, the office manager couldn't find the key to the money drawer and wanted to know where I had put it. Gee, right where she told me to! The third message was from the temp agency again asking for me to call them back immediately for a job opportunity.

So today, before I had coffee (you know what, I got so busy I completely forgot to have coffee today!), I was returning phone calls. Luckily the place I'm applying at will take a faxed letter as long as the reference letter will be there shortly. I missed the job opportunity and I let the temp agency know that I had indeed put that blasted key right back where it belonged, I almost added, "Tell the nasty old bat to open her eyes!"

Well after all this, I was storming around the house and went into the bedroom and there was Ares sleeping on the bed. Curled up in a tight little ball. So of course I had to hug him! And I instantly started to feel better. Nothing like hugging a warm cat when you're upset, and its even more of a bonus when he purrs and tries to lick your tears!

The beginning of many...

I know. I haven't blogged in a very long time. Let's just say that I've been working through some things and the thought of writing, even for leisure, was just too difficult. In fact, I haven't even chatted with friends during this time either. I think I had to go into a hermit-like-state in order to work through stuff.

Ok, so here it goes. I have an eating disorder. I've kept this private for a number of reasons, mainly, I just couldn't deal with it. At first I thought if I said it out loud, that would be enough to admit to it. But I think keeping it to myself and not writing about it was just delaying the "recovery" process. So, there's that. I feel better now, and hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship between me and my keyboard...wait that didn't sound right, oh well.

Oh, and I quit my job!

Weird Al and other topics

So, I've rediscovered Weird Al Yankovic's parodies. I now have them on my Ipod, so when I'm browsing, checking email, etc., I have a play list of his songs that is over five hours long. I haven't listened to it straight through. Even I couldn't stand it for that long.

Anyway, it has been quite an adjustment to civilian life. For the first time in 22 years I'm not going to school. I almost had school-supply-shopping-withdrawal, if that can even be such a withdrawal. Work has its ups and downs. Ups - I like my job most days, except when people aren't thinking and when my boss hasn't forgotten something that had to be done for the next hour. And my legs look great from rushing around the kitchen! Downs - I'm not paid nearly enough for the job I have to do. So, I'm torn...I want to continue working here, but I feel really guilty for not being able to contribute more to bills and such at home. But then I think of trying to look for another job and I want to throw-up. And if I do find another job, I'll still have to train someone to take my place, and yikes - I'd feel guilty for leaving a new person in such a crazy position.

And even if I find a decent paying job and it has health insurance (don't even get me started!) it won't start for at least three months.

But, despite those small things like money and health insurance...I'm a lot happier than I've been in years. Go figure.

Bugs...yuck.

Today was supposed to be the day that I go into work later, but alas it was not meant to be. My boss called at 10:40 asking if I can open at 11:00. She was ill, and being that we are a food establishment, that is highly frowned upon. There are only three of us trained to open, and two who have keys to the shop. Thus, yours truly had to go in earlier than originally intended.

My boss has been sick on a Friday before. It could be in part of the partaking of drink and song at Karaoke night at a local pizza joint. Hmmm, was this the case again? Alas, I don't know, and I'm trying not to get to pissy about it.

Anyway, to the bug situation. Apparently we have gnat infestation that coincides with the spider infestation. The gnats are everywhere! We have looked everywhere and have become so anal about cleaning, that it can't possibly food particles that are left out. And those gnatscan get into anything! I swear, I think they can teleport through plastic wrap. I found seven under the plastic wrap of some bread dough I had placed out to defrost! I'm just glad they weren't actually stuck in the bread dough, rather they just kind of hovered above the loaves, I really wouldn't have liked to through out the dough because of some dead bodies.

The bug man, or hunk man as I like to refer to him, came and rescued us from the vicious gnats and spiders. However, in his destruction of the horrid creatures, he discovered a nest of crickets in a drain. Our mighty defender once again triumphed and dispatched the offenders quickly!

Alas, my story ends on a happy note. Just when I'm completely fed up with my job, my boss informs me that I am getting a raise. Not bad for 1 month on the job! I can say without hesitating that I do not believe my future lies in kitchen management (the next foodnetwork star, maybe), I think I'll be able to return to my PhD work after all...just not quite yet.

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I have blogged! Well, my new job has me working an average of 12 hour days, so by the time I get home, I'm exhausted. But hey, at least all this time on my feet is making my legs and butt look good! See there's a bright side to everything.

I just went to the ATHE conference in New Orleans, and I must say I enjoyed the conference and the city. The conference had highs and lows, high point--I remember why I do theatre, low point---I remember why I'm taking a break.

The ex and I had part of our honeymoon in New Orleans. The cruise we were on stopped in the Big Easy for the day. We didn't see much, just the French Quarter and the river walk. Well, the conference coincided with what would have been the fifth wedding anniversary. Well, during my free time on that day, I went to the same places we had gone and reclaimed them for myself and created new memories. I'm not erasing the old ones, but I'm acknowledging the past and embracing the present. (Wow, that sounds really corny, but you get my drift.) Anyway, life is too short to stay angry. If you spend your time angry, you'll miss all the good things life has to offer. Carpe Diem! (Ok, I just had the song "Seize the Day" from Newsies pop in my head, definitely time to call it a night when your blog triggers a theme song!

The fastest dishwasher on the face of the planet...

So today was my first day at work. I got to sanitize all of the new kitchen hardware. The dishwasher, is an industrial strength dishwasher. From beginning to end, 1 minute flat! If I had one like that at home, I wouldn't have any dirty dishes sitting around ever again. Yeah, but sure would take up a good portion of space.

Before I could run all of the hardware through the dishwasher, I had to remove all the little stickers off the stuff first. Now, I know I am new to this business, but wouldn't it make sense for a restaurant supply company NOT to put sticky labels on the items they know have to be sterilized? Makes sense to me...but hey what do I know.

Finally moved in, now to get on with life.

I have finally finished moving into my honey's place. Now "our" place, but that will take some getting used to on both our parts. Ares is testing his boundaries every step of the way. Just when I think he might have kicked using the furniture as a scratching post, he goes and does it on another piece of furniture that hasn't been covered with the sticky pads or no scratch spray. Today he has been in his carrier for a total of three times. From 5 to 7, then again from 8:30 to 9 and 9:30 to 10. He is now sound asleep. Just like with any animal, he'll adjust. If he doesn't then I guess Ares and I will move again. (Like I'd ever get rid of my cat!) :) But I don't think there will be any need to worry. The boys and I will just have to learn a new routine and figure out each others' boundaries. I know for sure that if Ares is in his carrier too much, it will have the adverse effect and instead of behaving he'll act up even more.

My job starts tonight. I was called this morning by my boss saying she needs help setting things up. So for the next two days I'll be setting up a kitchen. There's a good chance I'll be kitchen manager by the end of August. I have a chef's coat and everything. I'm looking forward to the change of pace.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is on our list Saturday. Only we're going to see it at the IMAX up in Detroit. The last scene is in 3-D. Not too much longer and the seventh book comes out! I'm going to try to improve my knitting so that I can get the Harry Potter knit book and make my stepsister a House scarf for Christmas. I think she's a Ravenclaw if I'm not mistaken. Someday I'll tackle Dobby's socks, but that might still be a long way off. Oh, dear...if I start talking about the different stitches in knitting somebody smack me!