Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Catching Up

I mentioned recently that I am timidly cautiously exploring some job opportunities. I'm still working on that... we'll see how it goes. I am working towards working from home, but it will be a slow (and hopefully steady) process. I am far to obsessive and cautious to dive into it too quickly, I want to make sure it is a steady and viable income before I make the move. I had assumed/planned that I would stay at the college until that time, but I am considering otherwise now.

I am increasingly unhappy at the college, for a few different reasons: I really miss Kim being there. Hardly anyone that I knew through her even talks to me anymore - even when I pass them in the hall. I rarely have opportunity to see our mutual friends - most of my contact was on my way to her office b/c they are mostly in her old building, or on the way to it. My boss (not my direct supervisor, but the head boss) is increasingly hostile towards me and difficult to work with... she really makes my job miserable. Add to all that, with the state budget crisis, my hours have been cut. While Kim and I are both enjoying the extra free time that gives us, it makes my income so low as to hardly be worth it. All those together spurred me to start exploring my options a bit. And as I did, a very odd thing happened... I found myself becoming *excited* at the prospect of such a major change and energized by my prospects. That was such a novel thing for me, but the buzz has stayed.

I went on my first interview, and I feel like it went really well. I was on my game, I presented myself well, I felt encouraged at the way I handled it. All in all it was a good thing. I haven't heard back yet - she was still taking interviews through this week. I won't be taking the job, if it is offered, for several reasons; but the interview felt like a success and it was a great start to getting my feet wet.

I have another interview lined up for the first week in November. I am feeling excited about it, but a bit nervous. This job was definitely a reach position for me, so though I feel my chances are slim, I am encouraged that I even managed to pull out an interview. If, by some off chance, I am offered this position, I would definitely take it.

Other than the job front, not much going on lately. We've been traveling quite a bit - day trips mostly - but nothing new there. I love that Kim is as into fun and adventure as I am. I love being on the go. After Kim gets back from her business trip on Friday, I think we may check out a pumpkin fest on Saturday during the day. Saturday night we have another meeting at our church with the Welcoming Congregation group. Our turn to present is coming up in 2.5 weeks. That will be fun. Right after church on Sunday, we will be staying to have pizza lunch with the youth while volunteering on a project they are working on. I'm looking forward to that too.

My biological clock is ticking like a nanosecond alarm clock on speed these days. No, I don't have any real news on that front... just thought I'd share anyway.

I'm thinking of writing a coming out letter to my grandparents. Even typing that sounds drama-filled and bizarre. It also feels slightly redundant, but important to do anyway. *sigh* Maybe I'll go into it more in a future post.

Ok, I think that's it for now!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I. Really. Hate. Change.

So, what on earth made me apply for four separate jobs this afternoon, and already agree to interview at one of them... tomorrow afternoon!?

Good hell.

I think I've lost my mind.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

I like this kid.

So this is the first week back to school at East Jesus Community College. As I am sure you all can imagine, I love the first week back b/c of the huge influx of rude, stupid, crazy people. I have a particular dislike for the first week of classes b/c I have to be a greeter for students and new faculty. I have to stand near the entrance of my building and tell the lost where to go. (Yes, it a huge temptation to tell them where I really want them to go.) The traffic ebbs and flows as classes get started and end. I noticed this one kid come during a particular busy time and just sort of look around. I asked if he needed help finding something, and he said he was just hanging out waiting for his girlfriend to get out of class. I loved his shirt... "I don't like people." After the busyness died down for that round, we had this conversation...

Me: *looking obviously at his shirt with a grin* Me either.

Student: *quick as a wink* Sucks to be you then, huh... with a job like that?

Me: *laughs* Tell me about it!

Student: *laughs*

Ahhh, it had been a really stressful morning. I really needed that bit of comic relief. And seriously, he had perfect timing with his retort.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Ummm, ok...

Background: I've put together "how-to" guides for the stupid fucks instructors who can't seem to figure out the more basic tasks that come with their jobs. I recently mailed out this semesters newsletter and mentioned, as I do every semester, that I have these how-to guides available for anyone who would like them.

Here is the email conversation I have had today with one such stupid fuck instructor.

Courtney,

I received the newsletter in the mail today. (Yada yada about what she found most helpful, in an attempt to win a gas card - bribery!) I would appreciate having all of the how-to guides sent to me. You can mail them if you want (yada yada home address), but I would prefer you email them to me, if you have an electronic version, because I don't want to wait for them to come in the mail. (Emphasis mine - it's important.)

Signed,
Annoying
Instructor

Dear Annoying Instructor,

I have attached the "how-to" guides you requested. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Thanks,
Courtney

COURTNEY,

I HAVE YOUR EMAIL BUT I AM NOT GOING TO OPEN THE ATTACHMENTS BECAUSE I AM ON DIAL UP AND MY COMPUTER SAYS IT WILL TAKE OVER 2 HOURS TO DOWNLOAD THEM!!! DO YOU SEE HOW UNACCEPTABLE THIS IS?!? YOU REALLY NEED TO REALIZE THAT NOT ALL OF AMERICA HAS FAST INTERNET AT HOME YET!! I SAID THAT YOU COULD MAIL THEM TO ME. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO EMAIL THEM. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. IT IS KIND OF POINTLESS TO HAVE HOW-TO GUIDES IF NO ONE CAN GET ACCESS TO THEM. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS MESS.

Signed,
Annoying Instructor


Hello! Rude, much? Can we say overreaction?? Sheesh. Is it any wonder I really hate my job some days. FTR, the newsletter did mention that these were full color, multi-page guides. AND this particular instructor has always emailed me from her full-time job before, where she does have high-speed internet. But all that aside, do we still need to be so rude? Good grief. That was this morning... I haven't responded yet. I don't think I can be polite. *eye roll*

Friday, August 15, 2008

I hate phones. # 3,279

*phone rings*
Me: East Jesus Community College, Division from Hell, this is Courtney. How may I help you?

Dumb-ass Student: *garble, garble, crackle, garble*?

Me: *fucking cell phones* I'm sorry. Could you repeat your question?

DaS: I'm trying to order my books for class online, and the link-thingie to get to the bookstore isn't working.

Me: Ok, hold on just a moment. *tries link and it works perfectly and quickly* Ma'am? The link seems to be functioning properly. Can you tell me what page you are getting a link from?

DaS: It is a direct link that I have saved in my favorites thingie.

Me: Hmmm. Well, ok, let's try going through a different way, just in case your link is expired or something. We can get there through the current students page on the main website. So, first go the EJCC home page. Do you have that web address?

DaS: Well, I can't do that right now, b/c I don't have internet access.

Me: *crickets* ... *stunned silent*

DaS: Uh, hello?

Me: Um. Sorry. You, um, don't have internet access right now?

DaS: Yeah, our phones and internet and everything are down.

Me: So, uhm, do you think that might be the problem with the link to the bookstore?

DaS: I wouldn't think so. I mean, I have it saved in my favorites and everything. Do you need internet to go to a page you have saved?

Me: Uh. Yeah, I think so.

DaS: Well, that stinks! Shouldn't the online bookstore be accesible to everyone, whether they have internet or not?!
~
Me: *crickets*
~
Me:
Would you like me to transfer you to the bookstore, so you can talk to them?

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I hate phones.

*phone rings at work*

Me: "Division Office", this is Courtney. How may I help you?

Caller: Hi, is this Dean M.?

Me: Uhhh. No. This is Courtney.

Caller: Oh, you're not Dr. M.?

Me: No. This is Courtney. May I help you?

Caller: Well, can I talk to Dr. M.?

Me: No, she is away on vacation until next week. Is there anything I can assist you with?

Caller: So I can't talk to her?

Me: Nooo, sir. She is out of the office. Would you like to leave a message?

Caller: No, not really. I'd prefer to actually speak with her.

Me: She. isn't. here. today. She will be back next week. You may call back then, or I can take a message to have her call you.

Caller: I don't mind waiting. Can you just put me on hold?

Me: Sure, why not?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

L: Is that hold light for me?

Me: Nope. It's for Dr. M.

L: But I heard you tell them she wasn't here.

Me: Yep. But he wanted to wait.

L: Long wait. *snicker*

Me: Yep. *rolls eyes*

L: You just gonna leave it like that?

Me: I haven't decided yet.

L: LOL

Thursday, July 3, 2008

My Jerry Springer life

So I'm at work, and an adjunct, who appears to be of Indian descent (that is a relevant observation), comes by the office and asks my supervisor if she can use her master key to let him into his locked classroom. While he waited the couple of minutes for her to finish a phone call, we chatted casually... the weather, the holiday, that sort of thing. Finally she is ready and they head off down the hall, out of site, but not yet out of earshot.

Adjunct: I noticed the other woman's last name was. She doesn't look Indian...?

*darn! Now, they're out of earshot!!*

Couple of minutes later...

Supervisor Linda to me: He asked me about your name.

Me: *snickering* I heard.

Linda: LOL! I wasn't sure how to respond...

Me: Me either! I was really glad he asked you instead of me. *snickering*

Linda: LOL!! Well...

Me: Yeah... just imagine trying to explain, it's *not* my name. It is my wife's ex-husbands name.

Linda: Yeah... tough one that. hahaha