Scratch That, Reverse It
2003-06-24, 11:28 p.m.

So that happened.

As you'll recall, I was bitching about not getting a call on Friday about the Prestige job. Turns out it was because the guy who told me that he'd call on Friday either way, shouldn't have done so. The Regional Manager has the final say, and, thus, I received a call yesterday for yet another interview with him. Through Officespeak, he told me that basically I was the guy for the job, unless one of the other interviewees managed to perform a Miracle right there in his office. And we're not just talking water-to-wine here, although I think most of the staff would have appreciated it. What was cool about the interview was that he seemed really dismayed that someone such as my self should have to resort to an entry-level position like this with my experience. Hey, it's my own fault that I didn't finish college. But rather than assume that I'd jump ship as soon as I found a better offer (yeah, that'll happen soon), he kept hinting that there's "room for growth in the company." That's Officespeak for, "you won't necessarily be sitting at a data entry terminal forever." I guess I'm okay with that, though this isn't exactly where I'd like to spend the rest of my working days. But then again, where else is there? My dream of being a cartoon voiceover artist may just be a dream, after all.

So a few hours later at home, I get the call and the job's mine. Thank goodness, I managed to take a $5/hour pay cut (relative to my last job) for monkey work. But at least I don't feel like a complete loser anymore.

So my first day was today. Remaining true to my Curse of Trial By Fire, nearly everything went wrong, including doing all sorts of jobs that wouldn�t normally be done by me, and having the person that I'm replacing leave in the middle of the day and not come back. I've learned to embrace this Curse, though, as it usually means that the worst has gotten out of the way at the beginning. It's also a great way to learn quickly. But it sure is a pain in the ass. I can't tell you how many times I've started something new, be it a job or otherwise, and heard, "It's usually not like this, I swear."

I came home this evening (the job hours are 12p-8p, not great but not horrible) to the chaos of mine and neighbor's children destroying the backyard with water. Not exactly a calming environment. I was whacked out from a difficult first day at work and this only made my mood worse. Which, in turn, made everyone else's mood worse. Which made my mood worse. Ah, the simple joys of family sometimes. I decided to take myself out of the loop for a bit and sit outside and settle my brain. I don't think that H (my wife) took kindly to the gesture, it it did manage to snap the tension. Sometimes you just have to step away, for the sake of everyone's sanity. I think that part of it is everyone trying to adjust to the new time situation. For A year and a month, I was Mr. Mom, making dinner, cleaning up the house, doing laundry, etc. Everyone (including myself) managed to sink into that and be too comfortable with it. Adjustment sucks. I'm going to miss being Mr. Mom, thankless a job as it is. I have real empathy now for stay-at-home-moms and the amount of work that goes into supporting a family home. It sucks, especially when you're trying not to get into it cos you're looking for a job that'll take you away from it at a moment's notice. Sigh. Adjustment sucks.

There's a spider living in the corner of the ceiling above my computer. He's been ther for almost two weeks (that I've noticed). He sits there in the center of his corner-web, waiting for a meal. I generally like spiders, as long as they don't get in my face or in my way. They've got their job to do, and I'm cool with that. I'm thinking of naming him, but what I don't know. Wait, I'll take a picture of him. Okay, now uploading... there. Mind you, it's a blown-up shot - he's actually about the size of a 50-cent piece, legs included. Feel free to pass on name options.

-- End Transmission --