-
An Unexpected Ego Boost
I was at home, sound asleep, when I got a phone call from my boss the other day. She was calling to let me know that StoryCorps was trying to track me down. I was intrigued. Why on earth would StoryCorps be contacting me? For those who are unfamiliar with this amazing organization, I’ll quote…
-
Hell Hath its Benefits
When I listen to my coworkers complain about this job, I have to inwardly giggle. They think this job is bad. They think they’re being mistreated. For 13 years I was in a horrible job situation. I worked graveyard shifts and got a one dollar raise every 6 years, and they tried to find ways…
-
My Own Personal Garden Song
After pulling up stakes and moving 3000 miles across country to a place where I know no one, essentially starting over at age 50, I spent a lot of time beating myself up because upon arrival I didn’t instantly have it all figured out. I don’t know what I was thinking. Was everything supposed to…
-
Follow Your Dreams?
I was thinking about this on the drive to work today. In America, we tend to encourage people to pursue their dreams, but what if everybody did that? This country would be full of rock stars and football heroes and presidents. I suppose that wouldn’t be a bad thing entirely, but the competition would get…
-
An Appeal to All Supervisors
I’m sure the very people who most need to read this are the very ones who won’t, but nevertheless I have to try. If I manage to influence just one person to change for even one hour, then I’ve done something great. Supervisors wield more power than they realize. Often employees spend more time with…
-
Wax On, Wax Off
When I work on the new South Park Drawbridge here in Seattle, one of my duties is to wash the tower windows inside and out once a month. Given that the building looks similar to an air traffic control tower and has large windows all around its perimeter, this not a trifling endeavor. But needless…
-
Post Nubila Phoebus
It’s been one helluva year! I’ve had the highest highs and the lowest lows. It reminds me of the time when I was 12 years old and we went to the beach. I made the mistake of turning my back on the ocean. The next thing I knew I was being tossed and spun around…
-
It Came Without Ribbons
‘Twas an odd Christmas indeed for me this year in this land of total strangers. I didn’t deck the halls with boughs of holly. I didn’t string lights. I didn’t attend parties or wrap gifts. I left no cookies out for Santa as I knew that this year he’d pass on by. It’s hard to…
-
New, but Not.
I find myself having to strike a strange balance at this new job. I have 13 years of experience opening drawbridges, so as they say, this ain’t my first rodeo. But on the other hand there are subtle differences in policies and procedures at this new place, so there’s definitely plenty to learn. Of course…
-
Work Friendships
At every job I’ve held for any length of time, I’ve made some pretty intense friendships. I suppose when you find yourself hunkered down in the same foxhole you tend to develop a bond of sorts. Comrades in arms. At least that has always been my experience. Whenever I’ve left a job, I’ve attempted to…