It's Do or Cry

I don't know if I am completely nuts or what, but I turned down a work assignment for today. I even uttered the words "It's not worth it" to my temp agency. I regetted saying those words, because I don't want to come off as smug to the people who employ me, but there has to be a point when you say, my life is worth more than feeling miserable for FIFTY BUCKS.

This is a radical thought for me. Usually, I am such a survivalist I feel I have to put up with ANYTHING in order to make a penny. I can hear ALL my parents (and you know who you are) groaning at my sudden self-righteous indignation. Don't get me wrong--I don't feel I am ABOVE anyone or anything. It's just that I am 33 years old and I want to say for the fist time in my life, that my little itty bit of a life is worth something.

I got my worst-case scenario temp job on Tuesday. I was a fill-in receptionist at a major corporation. When I say 'fill-in'--I mean for SEVERAL receptionists. I was the floater that covered everybody's lunches and breaks. Here's something I'd like to say on behalf of receptionists ALL OVER THE WORLD: They are one of the MOST UNDERRATED office employees. They are expected to have all the answers, to be the face of the engine for the company, meaning they are the company's first impression to the outside world. They are often treated with little respect by both employees and by their visitors. What is taken for granted is that they know EVERYTHING. So, being a fill-in receptionist, with minimal to no training is a nightmare. You sit there, like a target, afraid that anyone will ask anything of you, because if you don't know something it is BAD. I came home crying and depressed feeling like I was five years old, because someone yelled at me that it was "appauling" that I was working for them.

Then they wanted me back yesterday.

So I went and there was more sweat, less tears, only a few more near-humiliations. Oh yeah, and a Russian guy named Alex who literally stared at me all day, groping me with his eyes, asking me with a smirk: "So, vhat ees your name?" Did I mention this is one of the lowest paying gigs I've ever gotten? Then they wanted me back for today. I said no.

I just figure, there has got to be SOMETHING, ANYTHING better than feeling that horrible to make fifty dollars. So this is my goal today--to make it up, to kick in the creative gears, and make myself some income. Tomorrow I go back to where I was before. It's only a couple of days of work, but the pay is SO MUCH BETTER and so is the environment. Also, I think it's time to start really shaking my resume infront of people's noses. I've got to find work--it's do or cry time. I'm too old to feel five years old at the hands of a stranger.

PS For something to make you laugh in absolute delight, check out my friend Kirstin's latest post of her son Griffin's costume for Halloween.