Pages

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

From somewhere in downtown Atlanta

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.

48 comments:

  1. I was thinking about you, Lisa, and hoping your first week was going well -- looks like it is, foundation elastic or not.

    I'm so happy for you!

    (tell Sophie to hang in there -- you'll settle into things soon ;) )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sarah! I popped in at home for a bit and it appears that Sophie is surviving.

      Delete
  2. So far, so good. Which is just great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A mixed blessing is right, Bandobras. A winning lottery ticket would be nice even though I like my job.

      Delete
  4. I haven't stepped in a single surprise from a cat.

    You're just asking for it, aren't you?

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am asking it for it, thunder. Of course I came home for a little bit and found a surprise. SURPRISE!

      Delete
  5. What's the ratio of paying attention/goofing off on your phone in these meetings, 20/80?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Randal, 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.

      Delete
  6. Is your hotel in a classy area like Buckhead or less classy like downtown. Hopefully not Bankhead!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Hyatt Regency on Peachtree. Lipstick on a pig, if you know what I mean.

      Delete
  7. Funny 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".
    Others 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete
  8. Didn't know you had to be sequestered. What are you some kind of government spy now?
    If 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete
  9. Downtown 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, 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.

      Delete
  10. Hope you remembered to stash a coupon for that floss in your purse! So happy for you that the week is going well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally forgot the floss coupon, MSB, but since I'm home, I'll grab some floss before I go back to the hotel.

      Delete
  11. This sounds terrific! Pantyhose suck for everyone. Keep up the happy and keep your suitcases and contents off the floor. Bedbugs are no joke, lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, man! Lisa, Are you having to wear maternity tights? I remember those. Yikes.

      I'm so creeped out by the idea of bed bugs. I was itching for the longest time last night.

      Delete
  12. I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you SO SO SO SO SO SO OOOOOOOOO much, Mel! xoxoxox

      Delete
  13. Do people still wear pantyhose? I thought skin was in. Of course, I live in Sin City, so there's that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Averil - You know those horrible spider veins? Yeah, that's why I wear the pantyhose. I hate them - the veins and the nylons.

      Delete
  14. glad 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, 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.

      Delete
  15. You say you're working in a hotel? Does the company pay for the fishnet stockings and exotic dancewear?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. susan, you're giving away my secret! And yes, I have a nice per diem for, um, dancewear.

      Delete
  16. How I love Sophie. "Mom stop bothering me while I'm in band!"
    I hope your transition continues to go smoothly, and the relief to be working overshadows everything else you come across.
    Love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lyra. So far this transition has been quite smooth. Enjoyable mostly.

      Delete
  17. Laughter with my morning coffee. Thanks for that. So glad it's going well. And I love your banter with Sophie.

    Pantyhose - 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  18. Oh Lisa - I think we are both going to be so happy with this next phase of our careers. I am thinking of you often!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, I am so glad you're liking this new phase of your career. Doesn't it feel nice?

      Delete
  19. Was thinking of you. Glad you gave us a peek into your day.

    I'm afraid to put on a base garment. My head and calves might bulge like a stress relief toy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, you crack me up! I was kind of worried about the same squeeze effect.

      Delete
  20. Hey, 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.

    Sophie -- you be proud of your mama!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jayne! I think it's safe to say that week one was a success.

      Delete
  21. Hey, if you're looking for good places to eat in ATL, I can recommend a few.
    West Egg on Howell Miil Rd, DBA Barbecue in Virginia Highland, Front Page News (2 locations)5 Seasons.

    I got more if you're interested

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Professor Chaos! I may need to be in touch with you in April. Looks like we might have another meeting in downtown ATL.

      Delete
  22. I came home from Chicago with three bite-like marks on my body... bed bugs, perhaps, but wimpy ones, I figure.

    Glad the family is handling your absence OK. And that you're thriving. So, so, happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'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?

    ReplyDelete
  25. So excited for you! As for us, don't worry about us at all. We're just fine honey.

    ReplyDelete

And then you say....

(Comments submitted four or more days after a post is published won't appear immediately. They go into comment moderation to cut down on spam.)