I can't tell you what a shock it felt like to be rooted in the same place for such a long time surrounded by the same people. What's that about? Robinson Crusoe didn't choose to be shipwrecked did he.
I survived, although by Monday I was rather convinced my sorry ass would be canned before the end of the week, reminding me of a former friend who landed a job in public relations only to quit on the first morning after she was asked to do some filing and another friend who went running out of her first teaching job, foaming at the mouth at the end of the first week, and never returned.
Journalists have a lot of transferable qualities, as I like to tell former LA Times star writers who now wait tables. But realizing we are right back at the bottom of the food chain again, fighting for mutant pieces of plankton isn't one of them. It's hard to realize we can no longer pick up the phone to the mayor of wherever and put the fear of God into them by talking about backhanders.
"Don't you know I have four Pulitzers" cuts little ice in the private sector as someone is asking you to shove 400 business cards into pocket books.
It's not all bad. I have my own office for the first time in my life. I even succeeded in setting up the printer.
My boss' favorite saying is "Little by little" which a semi diplomatic way of saying I am slow.
Today I learned the most important lesson of office life that employees are afraid to ask; namely where the toilet paper is stored.
I am happy that I have survived a week without going crazy. The woman I was throwing Styrofoam peanuts at in the middle of the Interstate during the soggy morning commute deserved it. She cut me up.
Anyway, what I thought might be the most depressing day of the year so far was saved by an amazing sunset that took my eyes away from the ugliness of the houses and the lumpen school, the play equipment rusting in the cold and the whine of kids.
Maybe things are getting back on track. Little by little.
TODAY'S PIECE OF OBSCURE TRIVIA
1 - Styrofoam peanuts feature prominently in which famous American novel?
Beautiful sunset photos, David. That would certainly put a good ending on a bad day for me. Congratulations and good luck on your new job. It always takes a little while to get settled in at a new place. Having your own office is definitely a plus. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteaw thanks Daisy - yes don't always take the time to check out and photograph the sunset.
DeleteGlad to hear you survived your first week. Awesome sunset, the sign that all will work out!
ReplyDeletewell you never know your luck Yolanda - thanks
DeleteThose are heart-lifting (yet simultaneously heart-squeezing) photos, David. Congrats/sorry about the new gig.
ReplyDeletethanks Mina - yes you picked up on the contradictory thing going on.
DeleteIt might be good, you have your own office. Now, do as my father: work the minimum in your private office, read a lot to pass the time, befriend the artistic oddball of the place and wait till retirement.
ReplyDeleteOh lord Starla - always nice to be in the same category as someone's dad :) - could use some artistic oddballs in my place.
DeleteSpectacular pictures, David. Styrofoam peanuts? I haven't a clue.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Thanks Robyn - Bonfire of the Vanities.
DeleteYour own office! I am beyond impressed. Should I be?
ReplyDeleteno Deborah - you must have sold out to the corporate world of marketing :)
DeleteFab pictures. Haunting and dramatic. The pictures, not going to work. Though....
DeleteI believe if used wisely plastic business cards will leads to lot of benefits...
ReplyDeleteAwesome Pictures Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteDiscount card Printing