An Exciting Day


Wednesday, October 19th:  It was a big day in my household.  My son drove to school for the first time.  Even more important, I didn't have a nervous breakdown over it.

One of the reasons I didn't have an anxiety attack was because I was not at home.  Wednesday is office day.  So while he was still lounging in bed (due to standardized testing he didn't have to be at school until after nine), I was walking down to the bus stop.  Walking quickly because I am always afraid I will miss the bus (even though I give myself a 5 minute buffer) and because it was COLD this morning.  There was FROST on some lawns and I was warming a relatively warm jacket, but not completely appropriate for the morning.  Why?  Because I knew it was going to warm up and by the time I got home and headed UP HILL to the house, I wouldn't need a jacket.  (I'd have to stuff it in my tote bag along with my laptop, purse, lunch box and other assorted crap that I feel compelled to carry.)

You all know how I feel about going into the office once a week.  I'm not thrilled.  I don't see the point.  However, today was amazingly different!

First off, I was NOT the first person on the floor.  My co-worker beat me in by a few minutes. Of course she just walks up from the parking garage and I have to walk from the station.  Today, I tried to take it slower because I figured there was no rush.  It was nice NOT to be the first person AND to have all the lights on when I came in.  (Although I do kind of like when it I'm just working by the light of the window.  I used to do that all the time in our old office.  Back then I was sitting directly next to a big window with a great view, so who needed overheads?)

Secondly, I asked and found out where I can get supplies.  I have never gotten so excited over office supplies before and I'm not sure why I was this time?  Maybe because without a pair of scissors and a tape dispenser I just don't feel "whole?"  I didn't ask for much because I honestly don't need a lot.  The scissors, tape, a few binder clips (which to be honest were not for work, but for the bag of Chex Mix that I brought in to snack on) and a notebook are all that I needed.  (Maybe I should have asked for a pens too?  I have one that I brought in from the "old" and that's really all that I need.)  The person in charge of supplies is incredibly nice.  I was acting like a little kid on Christmas morning and he was Santa.  I swear I'm going to get him a red hat and suit because he is the man!  It's the little things, right?

However, as they say in the commercials, "but wait there's more."  Corporate fleece jackets were available.  Do I really need another fleece?  (Especially as I have my company one from 2020?)  Heck yes!  If they are giving them out, I'm taking.  I've never felt that I (or my company/division) was really a part of the group, so if they are giving away swag, I am taking it!  Of course, I'm leaving my company fleece and travel coffee mug here to make my mark, but...

Finally, there are people here today.  People that I don't know.  I'd have to say that there are at least 20 people on this floor.  Maybe there are even 30!  I realize that is really not that many on a floor that can hold over a hundred (I'm guessing), but this is a BIG change.  I was actually in the ladies room with someone who I'd never seen before.  Work stations two rows behind me have people in them.  (Not a lot of people, but people.)  The area way behind me (up against what I consider to be the "back" wall) must have a least one person working because the lights are on in that area.  There MAY actually be people working on the other side of the floor.  There is actual noise and not just the sound of cold air (yes, STILL cold air) being blown out of the air ducts.  Who are they?  Where did they come from?  Why are they here?  Are they just here on Wednesdays or do they come in other days?  Will I see them again?  And WHY are people from floor 3 coming up to the floor 4 kitchen?  Do we have better snacks?  (FYI:  You have to pay for them and yes, I have wondered how I could go about taking them without paying.  Are there really cameras watching every area?  How much is that pack of M&Ms?)

This doesn't make coming to work any less stressful, but it DOES make it more interesting.  If I have to be here, it might as well be interesting.  I'd say I'll find out more next week, but I'm taking the day off.  My son and several other students (probably about 2 dozen) are participating in the first ever cabaret evening at the school and there was no way I could commute back and forth and be there in time, so...

Let's see if the first Wednesday in November brings as much excitement.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have Taken America Back

Image
Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...
Read more

It's Not About Starbucks (or is it)?

Image
  About a block and a half from my home in a major intersection.  At the southeast corner (which is nearest to me), is an empty building.  Back in 1995 it was a Bank of NY (I remember this because they didn't shovel/de-ice their parking lot well and my husband fell and broke his ankle one Monday morning.  I recall this clearly because we were not yet married and it was the first day of a new job for me.  I had gotten on the bus to work and he was catching a later one; only he never got there.  Instead he ended up laying on the ground until an employee came to open up the bank.  Then he had them call an ambulance AND my mother who took control of the situation until I arrived home that night blissfully unaware of what had happened that day.)  It eventually became a Chase Bank; the second one in my small little town.  It eventually closed.  I'm not sure when but it's been empty for quite a long time.  (I do know that it was open in 20...
Read more

As Is

Image
  Today I want to discuss what I think it is a relatively simple concept, but may be difficult for some, even an attorney who might have once, over a decade ago won a  prestigious award  for young lawyers .  That term is "AS IS." As you may know, I volunteer in a thrift shop.  Everything we sell, from all the donations we receive, is "as is."  The items are not brand new.  They are not perfect.  That doesn't mean they aren't any good or worth something. They are sold "as is."  Buyers should go in knowing that. (After all you are shopping in a thrift shop!)  In some cases, particularly when we are offering higher end products, we will actually write on the price tag, "as is." Such is the case of two designer purses that I purchased from there this summer.  (I'm a purse-aholic!  Don't look in my closet.)  They were reasonably priced (especially when you consider the name brand), but each had an "as is" clearly marked o...
Read more