Dear you,
I hope this reaches you in good health and spirits. Even though I've been busy with Days 1 and 2 of my new job, you've been on my mind. How do I make you feel appreciated while I dive head first into this paying gig? Do we need to set aside some alone time? Should I send flowers? Give you a massage at the end of your tough day?
Let's sleep on it and you let me know.
I've been smiling from the time I leave my hotel room until the moment I return, kick off my pumps and wrestle out of my nylons. I've consumed more calories in two days than I ate all of last week. I haven't stepped in a single surprise from a cat. The people I work for think I'm a cheerful chick who doesn't drink or hold strong opinions.
Let's not disabuse them of these notions. Yet.
Meanwhile, they're all very warm and welcoming which makes giving up my free-wheeling days alone a little easier. I've only texted Sophie a couple of times telling her how my tummy hurts or how I might die from a headache if she doesn't come pick me up and take me home. She's learned well from her mother. "You have to stay at work. Now stop bothering me while I'm in band."
Three more days of meetings. I think I'll survive. My feet, still wondering what happened to the smelly slippers, are in open revolt. My foundation garment may have infused some of its elastic into my DNA. I've broken my fingernail I always break when I'm staffing a meeting and, naturally, I snagged my pantyhose on the jagged nail.
I haven't worn any of my food yet, but I did forget to pack floss. I am a obsessive flosser so this is nearly tragic, but I shall soldier on. I think there's a CVS down the street if I can slip out for a few minutes...
And now it's late, so I better go because my alarm will be going off in no time.
Don't let the bed bugs bite,
Lisa
P.S. I really shouldn't have mentioned bed bugs.
I was thinking about you, Lisa, and hoping your first week was going well -- looks like it is, foundation elastic or not.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you!
(tell Sophie to hang in there -- you'll settle into things soon ;) )
Thanks, Sarah! I popped in at home for a bit and it appears that Sophie is surviving.
DeleteSo far, so good. Which is just great! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Lib! You're right - so far so good!
DeleteWelcome back to the land of the gainfully employed. A mixed blessing at best. I've always yearned to be welcomed to the land of the insanely rich lottery winners but no luck so far.
ReplyDeleteA mixed blessing is right, Bandobras. A winning lottery ticket would be nice even though I like my job.
DeleteI haven't stepped in a single surprise from a cat.
ReplyDeleteYou're just asking for it, aren't you?
;-)
I am asking it for it, thunder. Of course I came home for a little bit and found a surprise. SURPRISE!
DeleteWhat's the ratio of paying attention/goofing off on your phone in these meetings, 20/80?
ReplyDeleteRandal, me goof off? Not on a first or even second day. come to think of it, not on my third day either. But there's always tomorrow.
DeleteIs your hotel in a classy area like Buckhead or less classy like downtown. Hopefully not Bankhead!!
ReplyDeleteThe Hyatt Regency on Peachtree. Lipstick on a pig, if you know what I mean.
DeleteFunny to put on the "no comment hat" on all things religious/political/volatile. I have to do that at work too, except for a few known safe libs I can speak softly & freely with. Although I drew the line with "Fox news guy". He apparently just bought a new smart phone and decided he would go into common spaces & play Fox news on speaker as loud as he can. You did not have to sense the tension as co-workers said things like "Don't you have earphones?" or "turn that thing down", as the days went on people got more hostile with their comments "I don't want to listen to that" or "I don't want to have to ask you every day".
ReplyDeleteOthers just used earphones & could listen to whatever they want w/o bothering people.
I know that complaints were made to supervisors as it seemed Fox news guy was oblivious to the fact people were on the verge of reaching out & crushing his broadcast device. This guy had crossed the line.
It took a few weeks, but the offender finally got earphones & spared us having to listen to Fox news on our precious break time -some things are held sacred.
Still in my mind, that guy will eternally be the Fox news @##hole.
Fran, your co-worker sounds like a clod. The fact that he's listening to sucky content just makes it worse. I love listening to music when I work, but if it's going to bother anyone, it's off.
DeleteDidn't know you had to be sequestered. What are you some kind of government spy now?
ReplyDeleteIf the response is "I'd answer that, but then I'd have to kill you" we will surmise the top secret nature of your mission, I mean, new job.
Fran - Not a government spy or any other kind of spy, although that would be so much fun! But rest assured, it's an organization that I'm happy to be affiliated with. Think labor issues.
DeleteDowntown Atlanta? Oh, you poor soul. A job is nice, but. . . downtown Atlanta? Is the actual office going to be a in a better location? I hear downtown Atlanta and the first thing that comes to mind is that linear parking lot they laughingly refer to as the "downtown connector" and claim is a freeway.
ReplyDeleteHey, Nan. We're only in downtown ATL for the meetings. Our office is near the airport and the great part of that is that I can take the back roads all the way there.
DeleteHope you remembered to stash a coupon for that floss in your purse! So happy for you that the week is going well.
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot the floss coupon, MSB, but since I'm home, I'll grab some floss before I go back to the hotel.
DeleteThis sounds terrific! Pantyhose suck for everyone. Keep up the happy and keep your suitcases and contents off the floor. Bedbugs are no joke, lady.
ReplyDeleteOh, man! Lisa, Are you having to wear maternity tights? I remember those. Yikes.
DeleteI'm so creeped out by the idea of bed bugs. I was itching for the longest time last night.
I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO SO SO SO SO SO OOOOOOOOO much, Mel! xoxoxox
DeleteDo people still wear pantyhose? I thought skin was in. Of course, I live in Sin City, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteAveril - You know those horrible spider veins? Yeah, that's why I wear the pantyhose. I hate them - the veins and the nylons.
Deleteglad you are surviving...the floss may be an issue....but that is what lunch hours are for...overall the first 2 days sound delightful...esp not stepping in cat mess...smiles.
ReplyDeletethanks, Brian. The job is really delightful so far. I'm sure there will be many of "those" days, but it's nice to know the people for whom I'm working. I usually have to wait awhile before I actually meet the members.
DeleteYou say you're working in a hotel? Does the company pay for the fishnet stockings and exotic dancewear?
ReplyDeletesusan, you're giving away my secret! And yes, I have a nice per diem for, um, dancewear.
DeleteHow I love Sophie. "Mom stop bothering me while I'm in band!"
ReplyDeleteI hope your transition continues to go smoothly, and the relief to be working overshadows everything else you come across.
Love.
Thank you, Lyra. So far this transition has been quite smooth. Enjoyable mostly.
DeleteLaughter with my morning coffee. Thanks for that. So glad it's going well. And I love your banter with Sophie.
ReplyDeletePantyhose - there's a word I haven't heard in a long time. For once, I prefer the British expression - "tights" and "ladder" for run. As in I have a ladder in my tights. Hope the bedbugs don't run up that ladder. (sorry)
For some reason Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 is playing in my head right now too.
I love calling them tights and ladders, too. Funny you mentioned 9 to 5. I was just singing that this morning. After this week, 9 to 5 will seem like a dream!
DeleteOh Lisa - I think we are both going to be so happy with this next phase of our careers. I am thinking of you often!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I am so glad you're liking this new phase of your career. Doesn't it feel nice?
DeleteWas thinking of you. Glad you gave us a peek into your day.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid to put on a base garment. My head and calves might bulge like a stress relief toy.
Deb, you crack me up! I was kind of worried about the same squeeze effect.
DeleteHey, kiddo... Except for the pantyhose, it all sounds pretty great. I'm sure they're thrilled to have you. They certainly should be! Congrat on your successful first week. Hope they just keep getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteSophie -- you be proud of your mama!
Thanks, Jayne! I think it's safe to say that week one was a success.
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Maria.
DeleteHey, if you're looking for good places to eat in ATL, I can recommend a few.
ReplyDeleteWest Egg on Howell Miil Rd, DBA Barbecue in Virginia Highland, Front Page News (2 locations)5 Seasons.
I got more if you're interested
Thanks, Professor Chaos! I may need to be in touch with you in April. Looks like we might have another meeting in downtown ATL.
DeleteI came home from Chicago with three bite-like marks on my body... bed bugs, perhaps, but wimpy ones, I figure.
ReplyDeleteGlad the family is handling your absence OK. And that you're thriving. So, so, happy for you.
Pantyhose- wow. I don't hink I have worn those in 20 years. And if there were bed bugs you would know by now. Two days is a long time to be sheerful without a drink - hope you can keep that going! Hurray for employment.
ReplyDeleteI've been so excited for you all last week --- had to keep myself from emailing you to ask my million questions! I can't say I miss pantyhose. Were those things created by men?
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you! As for us, don't worry about us at all. We're just fine honey.
ReplyDelete