I have officially fallen in love with the internet. I have joined the ranks of web-info junkies and would happily sit in front of a computer, self-indulging and reading blogs for an entire work day. Unfortunately, my manager has decided on a "better" way for me to spend my time. I am now in charge of closing out pre-2010 service requests. Readers, if you have ever complained about having the worst job in the world, then you have just been usurped. I officially have the most insipid and banal job that requires opening and closing 4,721 (I'm going to spell this out for effect: FOUR THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE. Aka, a lot!) service requests. Not even The Smiths is getting me through the day. And we're talking Morrissey power! Isn't he supposed to like speak to your soul?!
I spent last weekend bouncing from fair to fair. I went to the Downtown Farmer's Market with my roommate, Elisa. She spent the majority of the time discussing her Chilean lover boy while I drifted from booth to booth sampling produce and dairy. My taste buds forced me to fork over money for some fresh ricotta cheese, Pepperhead jelly, and a bundle of strawberries. Ricotta gnocchi is on the menu for this week. That afternoon, the entire household rode our bikes to the Alberta Street Fair. I managed to resist the Italian Ice temptation, but gave in to the black bean garlic Aardvark sauce. Are you guys noticing a trend in my purchases? Handmade jewelry and classic books converted into journals obviously does not tickle my fancy....nor tummy. I spun the Bishops wheel and won a free haircut! Before I could collect my freebie cut coupon, I had to say 'sexy monkey' to the receptionist who hadn't been informed of the "secret code" and stared at me like I was asking for some sort of exotic African haircut. Ben, get your golden locks ready! Just a trim, I promise.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
8/19/2010
I am the Summer Survey Call Girl. KinderCare sends out surveys to all our enrolled parents and it's m
y job to get into contact/create service requests regarding concerns and feedback. I am now that person who sits in a cubicle and talks with my head set all day long. And strangely enough, it's not awful. In fact, it's like being in a soap opera. Today, I talked with a parent who was disgraced by KinderCare's ethics. And most specifically, how a staff member at one of our centers is having an affair with a married man. Her husband. Or another call about the center director threatening "to bat" a parent at an unaffiliated center. Dramarama. The flip side of this job is my coworkers. Yesterday my boss took the Customer Service Reps (there's three full-time and me) out for drinks and appetizers at the Thatch Tiki Bar. We ordered Mai Tais and the "Pu-pu Platter." My manager told an inappropriate joke about a spaceman and getting it on in a car. It was a strange night. And no worries readers: No drinking/driving for me. I rode the MAX home!
My new house has two major flaws: 1) Around the clock construction workers banging/pounding/waking me up at 7:00 am on Saturday. 2) The price. After reevaluating my finances, I've decided that I do not want to set aside the necessary amount to live in this house. It takes up more than half of my monthly income. So, looks like another move is on the way! To be fair, this isn't something that I had completely overlooked when first moving in. I honestly intended to foot the bill and stay put until winter. But, Dane's brother, Rene, is moving into town and they asked me to be their third roommate. And you all know, you can't say no to friends. So, it's looking like Oct 1 is my next move-in-date! And hopefully my last stop for a while. Stability here I come!
y job to get into contact/create service requests regarding concerns and feedback. I am now that person who sits in a cubicle and talks with my head set all day long. And strangely enough, it's not awful. In fact, it's like being in a soap opera. Today, I talked with a parent who was disgraced by KinderCare's ethics. And most specifically, how a staff member at one of our centers is having an affair with a married man. Her husband. Or another call about the center director threatening "to bat" a parent at an unaffiliated center. Dramarama. The flip side of this job is my coworkers. Yesterday my boss took the Customer Service Reps (there's three full-time and me) out for drinks and appetizers at the Thatch Tiki Bar. We ordered Mai Tais and the "Pu-pu Platter." My manager told an inappropriate joke about a spaceman and getting it on in a car. It was a strange night. And no worries readers: No drinking/driving for me. I rode the MAX home!My new house has two major flaws: 1) Around the clock construction workers banging/pounding/waking me up at 7:00 am on Saturday. 2) The price. After reevaluating my finances, I've decided that I do not want to set aside the necessary amount to live in this house. It takes up more than half of my monthly income. So, looks like another move is on the way! To be fair, this isn't something that I had completely overlooked when first moving in. I honestly intended to foot the bill and stay put until winter. But, Dane's brother, Rene, is moving into town and they asked me to be their third roommate. And you all know, you can't say no to friends. So, it's looking like Oct 1 is my next move-in-date! And hopefully my last stop for a while. Stability here I come!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
08/11/10
I started temp work at KinderCare Learning Center's Corporate office this week. I'm in the customer care department and have basically sat & observed how to answer/take incoming calls, respond to emails, and create service requests. Adam is my trainer and we talk about fantasy books and Firefly most of the time. Tomorrow though, it's my turn. I get to dive right into the job of Customer Care rep. After two days on the job I would like to tell everyone, be nicer to your call representatives.
On the note of jobs: Rejection, I believe, is synonymous with Katie Acker. If you haven't gathered from that poor-poor-me statement, I was not hired by Springbrook Software. According to them, I was their third choice and that I should be proud that out of hundreds of applicants I made it to the final round. Unfortunately, I would only have felt "proud" had some sort of prize been given out to the third runner up; like say a consolatory pity-check. Or maybe even a ribbon would have boosted the ole ego. Luckily, I have that Acker stubborn gene and have not given up on the search!
This past weekend: I dominated at bowling (does it really count when all the opponents are drinking?...and my score was only a 102?), said a sad, sappy goodbye to Shiv, had girls day with Lizzy and Morgan consisting of outlet mall shopping followed by cosmos and a Sex and the City double feature, had two squatters bunking on my floor, ate tater tots, and received a stick magic wand that Ben made me on his boy camping trip. Expecto Patronum!!
On the note of jobs: Rejection, I believe, is synonymous with Katie Acker. If you haven't gathered from that poor-poor-me statement, I was not hired by Springbrook Software. According to them, I was their third choice and that I should be proud that out of hundreds of applicants I made it to the final round. Unfortunately, I would only have felt "proud" had some sort of prize been given out to the third runner up; like say a consolatory pity-check. Or maybe even a ribbon would have boosted the ole ego. Luckily, I have that Acker stubborn gene and have not given up on the search!
This past weekend: I dominated at bowling (does it really count when all the opponents are drinking?...and my score was only a 102?), said a sad, sappy goodbye to Shiv, had girls day with Lizzy and Morgan consisting of outlet mall shopping followed by cosmos and a Sex and the City double feature, had two squatters bunking on my floor, ate tater tots, and received a stick magic wand that Ben made me on his boy camping trip. Expecto Patronum!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
08/04/10
I feel like I'm in a commercial. I just walked every corner of my house with my laptop scouring for free internet. No luck in any of the bathrooms, the kitchen, on the piano, the kitchen table, nor the front porch. Oohhh, but I am a master hunter and have found Portland Experimental Sculpture wifi outside on my back steps! Doesn't matter that it's cloudy and nippy and the construction workers next door keep giving me awkward glances while making a banging and pounding racket. Because of my stolen goods, it's a great day to be outside internet surfing! And, real internet coming shortly.
Friday night was Frææænch date night. I put on a twirling dress and Ben took me out to Chez Machin (thank you Groupon). The food was tantalizingly delicious(I've always wanted to describe a food as "tantalizing." I sound like a critic.) and my stomach was oh-so satisfied. I ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu in honor of Aaron (and may I say, way better than the frozen food kind, but I do miss Cordon Blehhh nights with you) and Ben got the Boeuf Bourguignon/puff pastry delight! Pop insisted that I order an appetizer of french fries and ketchup, but I was not ready to handle the infamous French 'tude and ordered their specialty, French Onion Soup, instead. After our glutinous dinner, we drank wine and watched Le Mépris. It was the perfect French date night.
My weekend was spent packing/hauling/moving/unpacking boxes and large furniture. My house is grown-up style and perfect. My backyard o
pens up to a spiral walking bridge that leads to a park. I anticipate many lazy reading days and picnics. Once I find my camera, I'll post pictures.
The job interview was intense. Springbrook Software is located in the Pink Lady, the tallest building in Portland. I stood outside looking up for a while trying to find my nerves. It was intimidating and towering. The interview was held in the conference room. Me vs the interviewers. It lasted 45 minutes and my palms were sweating, but it was fantastic! I told a few humorous anecdotes, got a couple of laughs; impressed with my questions; said all the right things. Next step is narrowing down to two candidates and having a final interview. I should find out today/tomorrow if I'm a chosen one. So keep those fingers crossed!
Yesterday, I went to a matinee. This is the first time I've ever been to the movies by myself. It wasn't at all depressing. I feel like day time lonely movie watching is perfectly agreeable.
Nate is in Seattle, Stephen is in town visiting, and Jason is moving to Portland. Apparently now is the time to see the NW. Perhaps is has something to do with the 75 degree weather we're having?
Friday night was Frææænch date night. I put on a twirling dress and Ben took me out to Chez Machin (thank you Groupon). The food was tantalizingly delicious(I've always wanted to describe a food as "tantalizing." I sound like a critic.) and my stomach was oh-so satisfied. I ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu in honor of Aaron (and may I say, way better than the frozen food kind, but I do miss Cordon Blehhh nights with you) and Ben got the Boeuf Bourguignon/puff pastry delight! Pop insisted that I order an appetizer of french fries and ketchup, but I was not ready to handle the infamous French 'tude and ordered their specialty, French Onion Soup, instead. After our glutinous dinner, we drank wine and watched Le Mépris. It was the perfect French date night.
My weekend was spent packing/hauling/moving/unpacking boxes and large furniture. My house is grown-up style and perfect. My backyard o
pens up to a spiral walking bridge that leads to a park. I anticipate many lazy reading days and picnics. Once I find my camera, I'll post pictures.The job interview was intense. Springbrook Software is located in the Pink Lady, the tallest building in Portland. I stood outside looking up for a while trying to find my nerves. It was intimidating and towering. The interview was held in the conference room. Me vs the interviewers. It lasted 45 minutes and my palms were sweating, but it was fantastic! I told a few humorous anecdotes, got a couple of laughs; impressed with my questions; said all the right things. Next step is narrowing down to two candidates and having a final interview. I should find out today/tomorrow if I'm a chosen one. So keep those fingers crossed!
Yesterday, I went to a matinee. This is the first time I've ever been to the movies by myself. It wasn't at all depressing. I feel like day time lonely movie watching is perfectly agreeable.
Nate is in Seattle, Stephen is in town visiting, and Jason is moving to Portland. Apparently now is the time to see the NW. Perhaps is has something to do with the 75 degree weather we're having?
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