So, my fears weren't completely unfounded on Saturday night--I got called out twice. It was a night of firsts: First call at bedtime, first home-on-the-2nd-floor call, first time pushing a stretcher up a dark hill of grass at midnight. Ahh, yes. That last part was more funny than anything, although you'd think that a NURSING HOME would install elevators large enough for a STRETCHER. Seriously. SERIOUSLY. That was the first call; the second call had me wondering what the polite/professional/non-violent method would have been to stop a cat from chewing on the removal equipment. I'd have thrown my own cat across the room, but I didn't think that would have gone over too well with the grieving family. So I smiled at the cat, non-chalantly scratched my leg so it would look up at me and distracted it until its owner realized it should be in the other room. Ahh, just another night on the job.
Anyway. So I got maybe 4 hours of sleep on Saturday night, then had to go act all professional at the funeral home on Sunday. But I got to sleep in this morning, I'm having a fantastic hair day, my makeup even looks good, and tomorrow's my day off. So I'm in much better spirits today! Except that I am reeeeally craving something cherry-flavored and the bookstore doesn't have anything remotely close, unless I picked all the red bears out of a bag of gummi bears. So I'm drinking grapefruit juice. Close enough, right?
So, anyway. I can't say I really have any deep thoughts going on with me today. I'm looking ahead at my August schedule and it seems moderately less hectic than my July schedule--although I have no doubt that things will come up to make it just as busy as the rest of my summer has been! My sister gets to Mason in a few weeks, and that should be fun. We'll get to take day trips and hang out and actually be sisters for the first time. Weird!
If I come up with something interesting to talk about, I'll add on later this evening. Otherwise, I plan on enjoying some adult beverages this evening (since I've been desiring one all weekend) and watching some movies and playing some video games. And, unless I find something more exciting to do tomorrow, I'll just be lazy for a day!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
On call, off-center
So here I sit, on call for another evening. I have such mixed feelings about being on call. When I submit my schedule for the next month, I feel generous and excited to say, "Sure, I'll be on call these 6 nights! I love that $40/hour work!" But then, when the on call night comes around, I'm stuck at home and annoyed. Not annoyed that I'm stuck at home--I don't have much else to do on weekends--but annoyed that I can't put it to the back of my mind and just relax!
I'm just on edge, waiting for the phone to ring. Once it rings and I put on my suit and head out, I'm somewhat more relaxed--it's just the waiting and not knowing. I suppose it's part of my personality in that I like knowing what to expect, and being on call defies all of that. I could get called 3 times or none; I could get called at 6 pm or 4 am. It could be someone who's died in a nursing home; it could be someone who's died at home. And the more I think about it, the more it drives me nuts!
So, anyway. I'm all in a tizzy because of that, and being in a tizzy makes me desire an adult beverage, which is totally off-limits when one is on call! Ack. I think I just need to learn to NOT be on call more than one night in a row, because the second night is what really drives me nuts. Either that, or I need to be a little more comfortable with uncertainty. I think that (ultimately), the latter is what I need to strive for, but lord knows that's been a goal for as long as I remember!
But I started this job at the funeral home with the very clear intent of getting out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and sometimes coming to terms with the fact that I have to do things I may not feel like doing! I don't always want to answer the phone at the funeral home or answer a family's tough question, but it's part of the job. I like to think that it's made me a little more confident and a little better equipped to handle unfamiliar territory.
That said, I'm going to dish up some ice cream (Rocky Road) and watch some mindless TV, then lay down in bed with a book and try to sleep! I'll have that drink tomorrow...
I'm just on edge, waiting for the phone to ring. Once it rings and I put on my suit and head out, I'm somewhat more relaxed--it's just the waiting and not knowing. I suppose it's part of my personality in that I like knowing what to expect, and being on call defies all of that. I could get called 3 times or none; I could get called at 6 pm or 4 am. It could be someone who's died in a nursing home; it could be someone who's died at home. And the more I think about it, the more it drives me nuts!
So, anyway. I'm all in a tizzy because of that, and being in a tizzy makes me desire an adult beverage, which is totally off-limits when one is on call! Ack. I think I just need to learn to NOT be on call more than one night in a row, because the second night is what really drives me nuts. Either that, or I need to be a little more comfortable with uncertainty. I think that (ultimately), the latter is what I need to strive for, but lord knows that's been a goal for as long as I remember!
But I started this job at the funeral home with the very clear intent of getting out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and sometimes coming to terms with the fact that I have to do things I may not feel like doing! I don't always want to answer the phone at the funeral home or answer a family's tough question, but it's part of the job. I like to think that it's made me a little more confident and a little better equipped to handle unfamiliar territory.
That said, I'm going to dish up some ice cream (Rocky Road) and watch some mindless TV, then lay down in bed with a book and try to sleep! I'll have that drink tomorrow...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Inefficiency.
I think it's time to address my absolute biggest complaint about anyone and anything in the entire world: inefficiency.
If you ask me what my pet peeves are, I may narrow them down to things like "bad drivers" or "people who can't speak proper English," but what I am really trying to say is INEFFICIENCY.
I just cannot deal with it. If you are driving and need to make a left turn, and you are 4 lanes to the right, you are being inefficient. If you block an intersection because you are too selfish to wait for it to clear, that creates inefficiency. If you walk into a store and block an entire aisle because you don't know what you need or your children are running amok, that creates inefficiency. If you walk into a business and need something, but don't know what it's called or what it looks like, that is inefficiency.
Really and truly, I think much of my residual anger can be attributed to this. People who say, "Hey, I'll [call/come over/do something] at 5:00," who then do so at 6:30 are inefficient. I am not a stickler for punctuality--lord knows I am perpetually 5-10 minutes behind--but I always feel bad, because I know there is wasted time somewhere.
When I am given an assignment (at work or anywhere else), I will check and double check that what I am about to do is what I am supposed to do. This is not because I am incapable of following directions, but because I know that what people say and what they want are not always perfectly in sync. I know that *I* do not want to have to do something over again, so I want to make sure it gets done correctly the first time I do it. This is to prevent inefficiency.
As a result, it drives me absolutely insane when I see people who just don't have a clue. I understand that we all encounter new situations in our lives and that everyone is pretty constantly doing something new. I try to avoid being inefficient (or being perceived as inefficient), so I like to make sure I have an idea of what I'm doing before I jump into doing anything. If I am at Chipotle and someone comes in, gets in line in front of me, dilly-dallies around for a few minutes trying to figure out what they want, gets their burrito put together, then CHANGES THEIR MIND, it makes my hair hurt. Maybe you're new to this place, that's cool... but when there are 14 people behind you who know what they want, wasting our time (and their food) is not cool.
When people come into my library ("my" library) and say, "Well, I need this book... but I don't have the title or author. It's about education," I want to cry. Seriously. I cannot help, and you have just wasted your time AND mine asking me to pull a title out of thin air. The efficient thing to do would be to come to the library with at LEAST a title or author. At LEAST. Preferably both, but at least have one tangible piece of information.
If you pass the 6th grade, you should have a basic knowledge of the English language. Things like YOUR and YOU'RE should be radically different in your mind, and you should know when to use each one. You should stop saying things like, "I seen them things over there," and realize that your lack of grammar skills makes you look amazingly ignorant. Yes, I DO judge you based on your use of the English language. And if you consistently use poor grammar/spelling, I will assume you are inefficient and therefore a waste of my time! :o)
I don't know. Maybe I'm alone in feeling the way that I do. I'm generally a pretty laid-back person. For the most part, people can go about their lives any way they would like. But I just cannot stand inefficiency. I cannot even begin to imagine how much more smoothly the world would run if people could just get a grasp on what needs to be done (and the best way to do it) before they open their mouths or get in their cars.
And that's my thought of the day. :)
If you ask me what my pet peeves are, I may narrow them down to things like "bad drivers" or "people who can't speak proper English," but what I am really trying to say is INEFFICIENCY.
I just cannot deal with it. If you are driving and need to make a left turn, and you are 4 lanes to the right, you are being inefficient. If you block an intersection because you are too selfish to wait for it to clear, that creates inefficiency. If you walk into a store and block an entire aisle because you don't know what you need or your children are running amok, that creates inefficiency. If you walk into a business and need something, but don't know what it's called or what it looks like, that is inefficiency.
Really and truly, I think much of my residual anger can be attributed to this. People who say, "Hey, I'll [call/come over/do something] at 5:00," who then do so at 6:30 are inefficient. I am not a stickler for punctuality--lord knows I am perpetually 5-10 minutes behind--but I always feel bad, because I know there is wasted time somewhere.
When I am given an assignment (at work or anywhere else), I will check and double check that what I am about to do is what I am supposed to do. This is not because I am incapable of following directions, but because I know that what people say and what they want are not always perfectly in sync. I know that *I* do not want to have to do something over again, so I want to make sure it gets done correctly the first time I do it. This is to prevent inefficiency.
As a result, it drives me absolutely insane when I see people who just don't have a clue. I understand that we all encounter new situations in our lives and that everyone is pretty constantly doing something new. I try to avoid being inefficient (or being perceived as inefficient), so I like to make sure I have an idea of what I'm doing before I jump into doing anything. If I am at Chipotle and someone comes in, gets in line in front of me, dilly-dallies around for a few minutes trying to figure out what they want, gets their burrito put together, then CHANGES THEIR MIND, it makes my hair hurt. Maybe you're new to this place, that's cool... but when there are 14 people behind you who know what they want, wasting our time (and their food) is not cool.
When people come into my library ("my" library) and say, "Well, I need this book... but I don't have the title or author. It's about education," I want to cry. Seriously. I cannot help, and you have just wasted your time AND mine asking me to pull a title out of thin air. The efficient thing to do would be to come to the library with at LEAST a title or author. At LEAST. Preferably both, but at least have one tangible piece of information.
If you pass the 6th grade, you should have a basic knowledge of the English language. Things like YOUR and YOU'RE should be radically different in your mind, and you should know when to use each one. You should stop saying things like, "I seen them things over there," and realize that your lack of grammar skills makes you look amazingly ignorant. Yes, I DO judge you based on your use of the English language. And if you consistently use poor grammar/spelling, I will assume you are inefficient and therefore a waste of my time! :o)
I don't know. Maybe I'm alone in feeling the way that I do. I'm generally a pretty laid-back person. For the most part, people can go about their lives any way they would like. But I just cannot stand inefficiency. I cannot even begin to imagine how much more smoothly the world would run if people could just get a grasp on what needs to be done (and the best way to do it) before they open their mouths or get in their cars.
And that's my thought of the day. :)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hamburgers and yard sales
So I'm sitting here in front of the computer, trying desperately to come up with a specific topic of discussion for this entry. But, to be honest, I have a million things to talk about and nothing important to talk about all at the same time. So I'll just write until I get a more interesting interruption!
This weekend was the hamburger festival up in Ohio. It was pretty neat--although you really can only eat so many burgers before you start to get queasy at the sight of them, so it wasn't as much of an all-day event as I'd thought! Perhaps if the band had been better, it would have been more fun to just sit and enjoy. But it was HOT. The burgers were fantastic, though! Even the Elvis burger was worth the experience... a burger with bacon, banana jam, and peanut butter. The flavor experience was bizarre, but at least I can say I tried it!
I had the somewhat sad task of going through my grandma's house, trying to find anything and everything that I wanted to take with me so that it wouldn't get sold. How in the world do you do that? For 29+ years, that's been the place I go every time there's a holiday, special occasion, or a free Sunday. (Granted, the visits have been fewer and far between since going away to college, but the idea remains the same.) Everything I looked at is just so ingrained in my mind that I can't imagine it not existing in the place where it is now for the rest of my life. I don't know a Christmas not spent in the living room there. I have NO idea what to expect from Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! It will certainly take some adjusting. Anyway.
As I wandered through the rooms, I pulled out toys I used to play with, wall hangings I associate with my grandparents, anything I thought I could take with me that would have some meaning or use to me. If I could, I'd take everything... but I already have WAY too much stuff! It appears that I'm getting a whole bedroom set, plus a couch, some bookshelves, a record player, and some tables, so it's not like it's all going away. But it will be reallllly weird to have in my apartment the furniture from the bedroom that I slept in as a young girl visiting my grandparents. It will be neat--don't get me wrong--but it will still be pretty weird.
I also tried to take a handful of things that were very distinctly Papa's. I took one of his hats, a few of his flannel shirts, some pajamas, a tie, and a couple things from his desk that I remember being there when the computer was a Commodore 64 and I was 6 years old. It's not like there's any danger of me ever forgetting him, but it felt sad and weird to have to take things of his just so that some stranger wouldn't get them. Then it makes me wonder about all the stuff *I* buy at yard sales or flea markets and what the story is behind THOSE owners and... ack. Damn historical curiosity (or historical OCD, however you want to see it).
Anyhow! So that was my weekend. I also saw Dark Knight. It was nice to see my husband (Mr. Bale) again. He's so handsome. Yes, that's it. Handsome. That's the proper way to say it! :)
Annnnd now it's back to work. I have no real time off in the forseeable future. I really need to start finding things to do with my weekend evenings so I don't go crazy! It's bad enough that I work most every Saturday and Sunday, but then I don't even get to go do anything fun afterwards! Maybe I should stop being on call AND working from 5pm Friday to 5pm Sunday. That might help...
This weekend was the hamburger festival up in Ohio. It was pretty neat--although you really can only eat so many burgers before you start to get queasy at the sight of them, so it wasn't as much of an all-day event as I'd thought! Perhaps if the band had been better, it would have been more fun to just sit and enjoy. But it was HOT. The burgers were fantastic, though! Even the Elvis burger was worth the experience... a burger with bacon, banana jam, and peanut butter. The flavor experience was bizarre, but at least I can say I tried it!
I had the somewhat sad task of going through my grandma's house, trying to find anything and everything that I wanted to take with me so that it wouldn't get sold. How in the world do you do that? For 29+ years, that's been the place I go every time there's a holiday, special occasion, or a free Sunday. (Granted, the visits have been fewer and far between since going away to college, but the idea remains the same.) Everything I looked at is just so ingrained in my mind that I can't imagine it not existing in the place where it is now for the rest of my life. I don't know a Christmas not spent in the living room there. I have NO idea what to expect from Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! It will certainly take some adjusting. Anyway.
As I wandered through the rooms, I pulled out toys I used to play with, wall hangings I associate with my grandparents, anything I thought I could take with me that would have some meaning or use to me. If I could, I'd take everything... but I already have WAY too much stuff! It appears that I'm getting a whole bedroom set, plus a couch, some bookshelves, a record player, and some tables, so it's not like it's all going away. But it will be reallllly weird to have in my apartment the furniture from the bedroom that I slept in as a young girl visiting my grandparents. It will be neat--don't get me wrong--but it will still be pretty weird.
I also tried to take a handful of things that were very distinctly Papa's. I took one of his hats, a few of his flannel shirts, some pajamas, a tie, and a couple things from his desk that I remember being there when the computer was a Commodore 64 and I was 6 years old. It's not like there's any danger of me ever forgetting him, but it felt sad and weird to have to take things of his just so that some stranger wouldn't get them. Then it makes me wonder about all the stuff *I* buy at yard sales or flea markets and what the story is behind THOSE owners and... ack. Damn historical curiosity (or historical OCD, however you want to see it).
Anyhow! So that was my weekend. I also saw Dark Knight. It was nice to see my husband (Mr. Bale) again. He's so handsome. Yes, that's it. Handsome. That's the proper way to say it! :)
Annnnd now it's back to work. I have no real time off in the forseeable future. I really need to start finding things to do with my weekend evenings so I don't go crazy! It's bad enough that I work most every Saturday and Sunday, but then I don't even get to go do anything fun afterwards! Maybe I should stop being on call AND working from 5pm Friday to 5pm Sunday. That might help...
Friday, July 18, 2008
The ghost of (Christmas?) present...
Ghosts are an interesting topic of conversation. Some people do not believe for one moment that they actually exist, and assume that all people who DO believe in them are psychotic or demonic. Some people believe that they can see ghosts, talk with ghosts, photograph ghosts, and bottle ghosties up and sell them on e-bay.
I'm somewhere in between. I have seen evidence of their existence, but I have yet to actually see one. I've sensed them (mainly at battlefields or other historic sites), but I haven't really been scared of them. And then there's this theory floating around that I have a personal ghost.
According to Alex, my personal ghost is friendly but quiet and looks sort of like Mr. Clean. I have no knowledge of either his looks or his personality, but I do know one thing about him: He turns off orange lights. Seriously. If I am walking through a parking lot or driving down a freeway and there is an orange street light, it will turn off. I used to think this was weird; now I am just used to it. I cannot begin to count how many times I've been responsible for a parking lot light going out. It's very bizarre. And fitting, if you know anything about me and my love of the color orange. I'm not sure WHY he does this. I don't know if it's a warning or a greeting or a pat on the back. But I invite any of you to come take a walk with me sometime and keep an eye out for those disappearing orange lights!
I'm somewhere in between. I have seen evidence of their existence, but I have yet to actually see one. I've sensed them (mainly at battlefields or other historic sites), but I haven't really been scared of them. And then there's this theory floating around that I have a personal ghost.
According to Alex, my personal ghost is friendly but quiet and looks sort of like Mr. Clean. I have no knowledge of either his looks or his personality, but I do know one thing about him: He turns off orange lights. Seriously. If I am walking through a parking lot or driving down a freeway and there is an orange street light, it will turn off. I used to think this was weird; now I am just used to it. I cannot begin to count how many times I've been responsible for a parking lot light going out. It's very bizarre. And fitting, if you know anything about me and my love of the color orange. I'm not sure WHY he does this. I don't know if it's a warning or a greeting or a pat on the back. But I invite any of you to come take a walk with me sometime and keep an eye out for those disappearing orange lights!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
I spent a good part of this weekend thinking about communication. It was World War II weekend at my old job, and I was working as the (volunteer) military coordinator. I'd spent a few months communicating with participants through e-mail, and Friday began the test of just how WELL I'd communicated with them.
Really and truly, for the most part, all of the participants and I seemed to have been on the same page. But the communication between me and my (former) co-workers was a little off. I don't know if it was just that the dynamic had changed in the 7 months since I'd worked there or what, but I found myself amazed that I was ever able to get anything done at all in my 3 years there.
First of all, I'd ask someone to do something, and it had to get passed to 2 or 3 other people before it got done. It was like a game of telephone sometimes--I'd ask for a cooler of ice and someone would come up to me with a box of pens or something. Other times I would ask and just get radio silence. By the end of Saturday, I thought my legs were going to fall off from all of the back-and-forth I had to do when nobody else would answer a call.
But then there are more personal levels of communication. I actually felt infinitely more comfortable this weekend since I was there as a volunteer. I didn't have to worry about putting on a super professional front for everyone--certainly I maintained some professional tones, but it almost put me on the same level as everyone else there (as far as reenactors went, anyway). My conversations with my old supervisor were more relaxed, as well, since I didn't have to screen every single thing that came out of my mouth.
I also had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the guys and just talking with him for... I don't even know how long it was. At least 3 hours, I think (though it felt more like 20 minutes when it was all over). I haven't just been able to sit and just talk with someone like that for a really long time. Everyone's always too busy to just relax. I think we'd all be a little calmer and more grounded if we had conversations like that as often as possible.
Lastly, as I was at work today, I was noticing how some people talk to the non-native English speakers. I usually try to consciously use more common words to explain a (somewhat) complicated process. I don't just give them instructions as quickly and as detailed as I would some other people. Not because I think less of them, but because (as many of you know), my biggest pet peeve is INEFFICIENCY. I absolutely hate when anyone has to do anything more than once when the repeat could have been avoided somehow. So I figure that if I tell someone something in a more straightforward manner the first time through, then I will avoid having to go over it again and again shortly thereafter. So, yes... there are times in which I may sound a little repetitive or questioning, but I want to make sure people get the information they need exactly how they need it so that everyone involved has to spend less time getting things done.
(Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one who thinks this way!)
Anyway, those were the more serious thoughts running through my head this weekend. I had more fun than I've had in a long time--despite my near-stroke after the (intensely) illegal fireworks display and police visit from overhead. But we're trying not to think about that, just as we try not to think of the zombies too often. Right? Right.
:o)
Really and truly, for the most part, all of the participants and I seemed to have been on the same page. But the communication between me and my (former) co-workers was a little off. I don't know if it was just that the dynamic had changed in the 7 months since I'd worked there or what, but I found myself amazed that I was ever able to get anything done at all in my 3 years there.
First of all, I'd ask someone to do something, and it had to get passed to 2 or 3 other people before it got done. It was like a game of telephone sometimes--I'd ask for a cooler of ice and someone would come up to me with a box of pens or something. Other times I would ask and just get radio silence. By the end of Saturday, I thought my legs were going to fall off from all of the back-and-forth I had to do when nobody else would answer a call.
But then there are more personal levels of communication. I actually felt infinitely more comfortable this weekend since I was there as a volunteer. I didn't have to worry about putting on a super professional front for everyone--certainly I maintained some professional tones, but it almost put me on the same level as everyone else there (as far as reenactors went, anyway). My conversations with my old supervisor were more relaxed, as well, since I didn't have to screen every single thing that came out of my mouth.
I also had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the guys and just talking with him for... I don't even know how long it was. At least 3 hours, I think (though it felt more like 20 minutes when it was all over). I haven't just been able to sit and just talk with someone like that for a really long time. Everyone's always too busy to just relax. I think we'd all be a little calmer and more grounded if we had conversations like that as often as possible.
Lastly, as I was at work today, I was noticing how some people talk to the non-native English speakers. I usually try to consciously use more common words to explain a (somewhat) complicated process. I don't just give them instructions as quickly and as detailed as I would some other people. Not because I think less of them, but because (as many of you know), my biggest pet peeve is INEFFICIENCY. I absolutely hate when anyone has to do anything more than once when the repeat could have been avoided somehow. So I figure that if I tell someone something in a more straightforward manner the first time through, then I will avoid having to go over it again and again shortly thereafter. So, yes... there are times in which I may sound a little repetitive or questioning, but I want to make sure people get the information they need exactly how they need it so that everyone involved has to spend less time getting things done.
(Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one who thinks this way!)
Anyway, those were the more serious thoughts running through my head this weekend. I had more fun than I've had in a long time--despite my near-stroke after the (intensely) illegal fireworks display and police visit from overhead. But we're trying not to think about that, just as we try not to think of the zombies too often. Right? Right.
:o)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The approach of World War II...
So, I've got quite a weekend coming up. After working 9-5 on Thursday, I'm on call at the funeral home on Thursday night. I get to sleep in Friday, then it's back out to Sully to check in reenactors for WWII weekend. Then... it's WWII weekend! Yes, even though I no longer work for Sully, I have stayed on as the volunteer military coordinator for my WWII weekend. It was my creation, and not only was I not ready to let it go yet, I didn't trust anyone else with my program! Ha!
Seriously, it should be a fun weekend. I'll have fewer responsibilities, leaving me more room for fun. And just as I have to say, "teapots and candles," about work stresses, I will have to say, "This is not my job and I'm not getting paid for this," if the event starts to stress me out. I'm pretty excited. I get to go during the day and come home at night and not have to sleep in the scary basement. That alone is enough for me! Not to mention (and this is the best part), I get paid by my library job to be at Sully! Yes, indeed. I get 2 full days of community service every year, meaning that I can take 16 hours off of work to do community service, and I get paid as if I'd been at work. This is awesome.
In other "things to do," I've got to get my apartment cleaned up and cleared out. I have TOO MUCH STUFF! I don't mind giving away some of it, but there are many things that I'd like to get some money for. The problem is--as you may remember--I work 6 days a week. When I'm actually AT home, I'm not really in the mood to organize and clean. I guess I should do a little at a time, but the motivation just isn't always there.
That said, I think I'm off for the night. Time to cook a late dinner, watch a little TV, and head to bed!
Seriously, it should be a fun weekend. I'll have fewer responsibilities, leaving me more room for fun. And just as I have to say, "teapots and candles," about work stresses, I will have to say, "This is not my job and I'm not getting paid for this," if the event starts to stress me out. I'm pretty excited. I get to go during the day and come home at night and not have to sleep in the scary basement. That alone is enough for me! Not to mention (and this is the best part), I get paid by my library job to be at Sully! Yes, indeed. I get 2 full days of community service every year, meaning that I can take 16 hours off of work to do community service, and I get paid as if I'd been at work. This is awesome.
In other "things to do," I've got to get my apartment cleaned up and cleared out. I have TOO MUCH STUFF! I don't mind giving away some of it, but there are many things that I'd like to get some money for. The problem is--as you may remember--I work 6 days a week. When I'm actually AT home, I'm not really in the mood to organize and clean. I guess I should do a little at a time, but the motivation just isn't always there.
That said, I think I'm off for the night. Time to cook a late dinner, watch a little TV, and head to bed!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Well, excuuuuuuse me.
Someone on a message board that I frequent started a thread asking, "What is the rudest thing anyone has ever said to you?" Reading the responses got me thinking, because everyone's definition of "rude" seems to be different. Some people listed comments that were clearly more mean/spiteful than simply lacking in decorum. Others listed things that were said in honesty, but were taken the wrong way or were said in a less-than-tactful manner.
Having encountered my fair share of rude and obnoxious people at jobs and even online, I gave it some thought. I think rudeness is more than just a lack of judgment, but slightly less than intentional meanness. I think rudeness comes primarily from a sense of entitlement; it comes from the idea that you don't care (and may not even be aware) that what you're doing or saying affects anyone else adversely; you just need to do or say it because you feel like it.
The problem is that we all have different levels of being insulted. Some people think it's rude to say one thing that others think it's rude not to say that thing at all. We all have to walk a fine line between honesty and tact, and I'm sure we all fall off that line one way or another.
I remember a situation from my World Market days. I was working the register, and a lady came in and handed me a list of wines (and other things) that she wanted to buy. I looked at her and said, "Can I help you?" She said, "Yes, I need these things, please." I said, "Our wine manager is back in the wine section right now, and she can help you find each one of these items better than anyone else in the store." The lady sighed, rolled her eyes, stared at me and said, "That is why you are on THAT side of the counter and I am on THIS side of the counter. Go do your job and bring those items to me. Now."
You know, I could understand the attitude if this was a fancy, high-end store with personal shoppers and stuff, but this was World Market. We had carts and baskets. Those indicate, "Go get it yourself." Not to say you cannot ask for help, but asking for help is entirely different from demanding that someone else do your work for you. Not only did she demand that I do those things for her, but she clearly looked down her nose at me (literally and figuratively) by indicating that my presence behind the counter made me a lower human being than she was. Needless to say, I did not help her. I don't remember if she walked out or finally got the things herself, but I do remember that rude and snotty attitude she had.
Anyway, that's just a thought of the day. I'm remembering a friendship that ended last year as a result of the other person's rudeness and overinflated sense of being right all the time. The friendship ended when I received an absolutely scathing e-mail, listing all of my (apparently fatal) flaws as a friend. Interestingly enough, the proper response to that e-mail would have gone something like this:
"Hello, pot. This is kettle. You called?"
I haven't decided if I regret NOT sending that one-liner or not. I didn't want to stoop to that level; at the same time, it would have been nice to send that message. I find myself often trying to combat rudeness with rudeness. I find comfort in the fact, however, that it is generally sarcasm and intentional rudeness that I dish out as a response to someone else being rude to me. Maybe that makes me no better than that person, but I'm a believer that people ought to be able to take what they dish. Or get out of the kitchen. And stop mixing your metaphors, for goodness sake.
Having encountered my fair share of rude and obnoxious people at jobs and even online, I gave it some thought. I think rudeness is more than just a lack of judgment, but slightly less than intentional meanness. I think rudeness comes primarily from a sense of entitlement; it comes from the idea that you don't care (and may not even be aware) that what you're doing or saying affects anyone else adversely; you just need to do or say it because you feel like it.
The problem is that we all have different levels of being insulted. Some people think it's rude to say one thing that others think it's rude not to say that thing at all. We all have to walk a fine line between honesty and tact, and I'm sure we all fall off that line one way or another.
I remember a situation from my World Market days. I was working the register, and a lady came in and handed me a list of wines (and other things) that she wanted to buy. I looked at her and said, "Can I help you?" She said, "Yes, I need these things, please." I said, "Our wine manager is back in the wine section right now, and she can help you find each one of these items better than anyone else in the store." The lady sighed, rolled her eyes, stared at me and said, "That is why you are on THAT side of the counter and I am on THIS side of the counter. Go do your job and bring those items to me. Now."
You know, I could understand the attitude if this was a fancy, high-end store with personal shoppers and stuff, but this was World Market. We had carts and baskets. Those indicate, "Go get it yourself." Not to say you cannot ask for help, but asking for help is entirely different from demanding that someone else do your work for you. Not only did she demand that I do those things for her, but she clearly looked down her nose at me (literally and figuratively) by indicating that my presence behind the counter made me a lower human being than she was. Needless to say, I did not help her. I don't remember if she walked out or finally got the things herself, but I do remember that rude and snotty attitude she had.
Anyway, that's just a thought of the day. I'm remembering a friendship that ended last year as a result of the other person's rudeness and overinflated sense of being right all the time. The friendship ended when I received an absolutely scathing e-mail, listing all of my (apparently fatal) flaws as a friend. Interestingly enough, the proper response to that e-mail would have gone something like this:
"Hello, pot. This is kettle. You called?"
I haven't decided if I regret NOT sending that one-liner or not. I didn't want to stoop to that level; at the same time, it would have been nice to send that message. I find myself often trying to combat rudeness with rudeness. I find comfort in the fact, however, that it is generally sarcasm and intentional rudeness that I dish out as a response to someone else being rude to me. Maybe that makes me no better than that person, but I'm a believer that people ought to be able to take what they dish. Or get out of the kitchen. And stop mixing your metaphors, for goodness sake.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Back to blogging... I think.
I kind of gave up the whole blogging thing once the 6-day workweek took over and I no longer had time to do new stuff every single day. I was thinking about it today, and I thought that perhaps I should just keep a regular blog anyway. I have this thought once every few months. Then I make blog posts for a week and stop again.
I don't know why it seems like such a chore! I LOVE going back to my old blogs and reading about the things that I thought and did on any given day. And I love reading other people's blogs. But I'm apparently kind of sucky at keeping with it.
I gave it some thought and was trying to figure out how to blog. Do I put it on Myspace? No, because not everyone who would read this has Myspace. Do I add to my xanga (that I haven't touched in 3 years)? Maybe. But a 3-year gap seems like a huge space of time to just pick things back up. Plus, all of that one was written at my old apartment, and the last entry in my old apartment cutoff just seems appropriate. But my blog about doing new things also seems a little weird to add onto, since it was started for one purpose that I am no longer upholding. At the same time, I'd hate to take up valuable space on teh interwebz just to start yet ANOTHER blog that I may or may not keep up with. But blogging without a set purpose is so different that I just HAD to create a new blog. So here we are. My apologies to cyberspace for taking up more... space.
That said, life is just a crazy mess these days. I'm working 6 days a week (5 at the library, 1 at the funeral home), not to mention the few nights a month I'm on call at the funeral home. In a way, the on-calls are nice--good money, they don't happen that often, and it's an interesting part of the experience. The bad parts are when I can't sleep for fear that the phone will ring. The even worse parts are when the phone DOES ring at 3 am and I have to put on a suit and look and act professional. It can be exhausting. But the pay is good. Did I mention that already? I already made a car payment's worth of calls this month. In a way, I also feel a little more accepted by everyone who works there. It's like they take me more seriously or something. I know that sounds weird, but I think they all think of me as the quiet girl who comes in now and then and doesn't know anything. But, somehow, going out and picking these people up makes me more funeral-y... or something. I don't know!
Beyond that, life at the library is alright. The summer schedule feels awkward. Last month, it was 4 days a week working 8.5 hours and one day working 6 hours. This month, we're back to all 8-hour days, but some of them are 9-5. That's good because I LIKE getting home early, but bad because I have to be up when the clock says 7. Boo. The job itself isn't anything to complain about. No, it's not history, but it's academic (which is infinitely more than I can say for retail), and it's very flexible. I get more sleep, which puts me in a better mood, and that does wonders for my overall attitude!
This isn't to say I don't scour the internet once a week for a good history job. But I haven't found one yet that's worth applying for. I'm not going to be a Visitor Services Assistant at the American Indian museum. Even if it is a Smithsonian museum, I don't want to fight my way downtown 5 days a week just to get to a job I know I wouldn't be happy doing. However, if a job opened at the American History Museum that had something to do with artifacts, presidents, or presidential artifacts? I wouldn't care what kind of trouble I had to go through to get downtown for that!
Ah, well. For now, I'll enjoy my mornings to sleep in. Even if it means dealing with people getting graduate degrees who do not yet know how to use a computer or who do not know how to do research. Oh, and dealing with crazy people who come into the library and manage to pick up one of the monthly schedules EVERY TIME they come in. Or people who get stressed and angry over having to pay to print. Or whatever. As I used to say in my World Market days, "Teapots and candles, teapots and candles." That was my mantra--no matter how awful a customer made me feel, I could NOT let it get to me. I was selling teapots and candles, which (as you may or may not know) are not the be-all, end-all of life. This is not to say that I never got stressed out, but there is no way that I can let the crazy people get to me, or I'll never know what to do when I encounter a REAL stressful situation.
Anyway, I've babbled on enough. If I keep going, I'll have nothing to write about for the rest of... well, for whenever I write in the future. I cannot promise every day. There may be weeks that I cannot promise a weekly entry! But I shall do my best, for anyone who cares to read (even if it's just me).
:o)
I don't know why it seems like such a chore! I LOVE going back to my old blogs and reading about the things that I thought and did on any given day. And I love reading other people's blogs. But I'm apparently kind of sucky at keeping with it.
I gave it some thought and was trying to figure out how to blog. Do I put it on Myspace? No, because not everyone who would read this has Myspace. Do I add to my xanga (that I haven't touched in 3 years)? Maybe. But a 3-year gap seems like a huge space of time to just pick things back up. Plus, all of that one was written at my old apartment, and the last entry in my old apartment cutoff just seems appropriate. But my blog about doing new things also seems a little weird to add onto, since it was started for one purpose that I am no longer upholding. At the same time, I'd hate to take up valuable space on teh interwebz just to start yet ANOTHER blog that I may or may not keep up with. But blogging without a set purpose is so different that I just HAD to create a new blog. So here we are. My apologies to cyberspace for taking up more... space.
That said, life is just a crazy mess these days. I'm working 6 days a week (5 at the library, 1 at the funeral home), not to mention the few nights a month I'm on call at the funeral home. In a way, the on-calls are nice--good money, they don't happen that often, and it's an interesting part of the experience. The bad parts are when I can't sleep for fear that the phone will ring. The even worse parts are when the phone DOES ring at 3 am and I have to put on a suit and look and act professional. It can be exhausting. But the pay is good. Did I mention that already? I already made a car payment's worth of calls this month. In a way, I also feel a little more accepted by everyone who works there. It's like they take me more seriously or something. I know that sounds weird, but I think they all think of me as the quiet girl who comes in now and then and doesn't know anything. But, somehow, going out and picking these people up makes me more funeral-y... or something. I don't know!
Beyond that, life at the library is alright. The summer schedule feels awkward. Last month, it was 4 days a week working 8.5 hours and one day working 6 hours. This month, we're back to all 8-hour days, but some of them are 9-5. That's good because I LIKE getting home early, but bad because I have to be up when the clock says 7. Boo. The job itself isn't anything to complain about. No, it's not history, but it's academic (which is infinitely more than I can say for retail), and it's very flexible. I get more sleep, which puts me in a better mood, and that does wonders for my overall attitude!
This isn't to say I don't scour the internet once a week for a good history job. But I haven't found one yet that's worth applying for. I'm not going to be a Visitor Services Assistant at the American Indian museum. Even if it is a Smithsonian museum, I don't want to fight my way downtown 5 days a week just to get to a job I know I wouldn't be happy doing. However, if a job opened at the American History Museum that had something to do with artifacts, presidents, or presidential artifacts? I wouldn't care what kind of trouble I had to go through to get downtown for that!
Ah, well. For now, I'll enjoy my mornings to sleep in. Even if it means dealing with people getting graduate degrees who do not yet know how to use a computer or who do not know how to do research. Oh, and dealing with crazy people who come into the library and manage to pick up one of the monthly schedules EVERY TIME they come in. Or people who get stressed and angry over having to pay to print. Or whatever. As I used to say in my World Market days, "Teapots and candles, teapots and candles." That was my mantra--no matter how awful a customer made me feel, I could NOT let it get to me. I was selling teapots and candles, which (as you may or may not know) are not the be-all, end-all of life. This is not to say that I never got stressed out, but there is no way that I can let the crazy people get to me, or I'll never know what to do when I encounter a REAL stressful situation.
Anyway, I've babbled on enough. If I keep going, I'll have nothing to write about for the rest of... well, for whenever I write in the future. I cannot promise every day. There may be weeks that I cannot promise a weekly entry! But I shall do my best, for anyone who cares to read (even if it's just me).
:o)
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