Well things have turned around since my last post. I have a job again and things are looking pretty good. Its a pretty cool place. And not just because we have something called "Thirsty Thursdays" which is when we have drinks the last hour of the day. Usually margaritas. You could imagine my surprise when they put a cup on my desk and when I took a sniff, I smelled tequila. So at first I sipped slowly looking around wondering if someone made a (awesome) mistake. Someone noticed my aprehension and told me they like to do this every Thursday, when they can. It seems there are some people in the office that dont approve (one person in accounting) so they try to keep it on the down low. After that, they told me there is more downstairs if I wanted. Hmmmm. I started guzzling. I wasnt trying to get really drunk, but one of my golden rules is, "Never turn down free booze." Besides, if they notice you drinking alot they start asking, "are you sure you can drive?" and all that jazz so I dont get too crazy. (please note, I live 5 min away) Beyond that this place is cool because it reminds me of my old job in L.A. Everyone is really friendly. I have yet to really, really fit in but I know it will happen soon enough. I never liked people that start a new job and right away act like they have been there forever. It has always served me well to play the "new guy" role until people feel like I am one of them. Living so close to work is also a great advantage, especially when we get 3 feet of snow overnight.
But the trials that come when starting a new job still suck. Especially when your at the bottom of that totem pole. I wanted to work here because I can see opportunities for advancement, but thats not gonna happen anytime soon. For now, I have people explaining things to me that I have known for a long time. Telling me how to use a phone system. Do I know how to use Outlook? Have I ever shipped something thru FedEx? (HAHA) Do I know how to set up a printer? Have I ever done any filing? I always downplay what I know, because I also dont like people that act like they cant possibly be taught anything new. My resume should have told them everything about me, but they are not that critical about things. It doesnt bother me that much, just anxious about getting to a position where I have more responsibility. Right now I am the office manager/operator(receptionist)/and guy that does odd jobs around the office. I have taken a pay cut to be here, but I believe there is a future here. So now I have to get a second job again and try to make up for that loss.
You know there are alot of kids here in my girlfriends family that have recently left to college and some that will be going to college next year. I wish I could tell them how important it is for them to take their studies seriously because they do not want to struggle like I am. I know it could be worse for me, but for some people just what I am going through is an absolute mystery. They should strive to be more like my girlfriend, who is very successful and she loves what she does. She finished college in 4 years and had her Masters by the time she was 27 years old. I would imagine this being the goal of all college students but it takes lots of work and even more discipline. I hope these kids know what they are doing.
P.S. To goldstix_69, Ronnie is that you from work all those years back? I just want to be sure im remembering the right person. Senor AWOL?
