Don't Know Nothing

Two humanities degrees, two continents, too large student debt, zero corporate experience.

[knownada-blog]

Day 98 This is the view from my seat in a rickety old bus speeding at 85mph up the New Jersey Turnpike toward Port Authority in New York City. After a weekend of house- and cat-sitting, I (reverse) commuted from Brooklyn to my office in New Jersey by bus. It's a bit taxing, and I'm sure it'd take some getting used to, but I think I could handle this four days a week. Besides, riding buses like this reminds me of traveling in England, especially when I traveled to and from the airports. Even more so when it's cold and rainy! This driver is just crazy. Not only is he weaving in and out of traffic, but cruising by an accident with a car flipped over left him undeterred. His unflappable lead foot may actually get me to my lease signing on time. Or at least, not too late. That is, unless he careens us over the edge of a bridge doing 90mph first!

[knownada-blog]

Day 98

After some serious waiting, we found out: THE APARTMENT IS OURS! Oh, and I guess some work stuff happened, too. But who cares? I'm moving soon! Weeeee!

[knownada-blog]

Day 97

Today was another day marked only by it's continued Pregnant Coworker's (Justified) Pleasant Impatience With Others and coworker bickering and in-fighting. That and me be nervous about getting approved for an apartment...!

[knownada-blog]

Day 96 After evenly dividing my time between job work and apartment hunting (mostly making and answering phone calls), I'm on my way into Brooklyn to see three places. I actually managed to work a full eight hours despite the split and my leaving early because there was another early start today. Hopefully we'll find our new apartment tonight!

[knownada-blog]

Day 96

Today was a marathon. Well, kind of. I could absolutely see a longer day full of more work and deprived of more sleep, but for now, it feels like a marathon. As a result if NJ Transit's issues, my girlfriend had to take the bus. So I had to get up with her, an hour and a half before normal, so I could take her to the bus depot by my office. What it boils down to is this: up at 6, out at 7, leave work at 630pm to pick her up. A long day when you're short on sleep. I can't help but think that I wouldn't mind a 12-hour day if I slept a normal amount the night before OR was busy working something I actually care about (or at the very least is engaging or challenging).

[knownada-blog]

Day 95

So the fighting, bickering, arguing, squabbling, quarreling, quibbling and feuding continued today. One of my coworkers typically acts as a mediator when this all happens, but she'll be on maternity leave soon. It's going to get very scary around here reaaaaaal soon...

[knownada-blog]

Day 94 New drawing up in anticipation of Hurricane Irene's arrival. Bring it on, Irene! (Or don't. Either way.)

[knownada-blog]

Day 93

What is it about being locked in a poorly-ventilated, artificially-lit, condensed space that makes people fight? Lately it seems that there is more hatred and impatience than compassion and cooperation in my office. It's become a standard deal to avoid sitting with certain parties at lunch because it will inevitably evolve into a 45-minute hatefest. And really, when you're sitting 7 feet away from people who do that all day, why would you want that during your break time? I've worked in offices where people resented/disliked/bitterly hated their superiors, but not so much coworkers, and never as much as some of my current coworkers. What's curious is that my company prides itself on cooperation, teamwork, and effective management of professional relationship as a driver for success. Doesn't seem to be driving these people anywhere but into a ditch. Can't we all just get along?

[knownada-blog]

Day 92

This video has been terrorizing/delighting everyone in the office lately. It's difficult to walk down a hallway or by a cubicle without anyone humming or singing the tune.

Eat them up, YUM!

[knownada-blog]

Day 91

Here's a quick overview: Free pizza for all employees because there was a 'Lunch and Learn' event today. Unfortunately for some, the 'learning' occurred in two groups, an AM and a PM, offsite. As a result, half of the employees chose from about 15 pizzas, while the other half chose from about 3. I was in the former, bwahahahaaaa! Earthquake! Felt it, laughed about it, felt guilty and insensitive for wanting to feel it again. Staying late again, every day this week. Lots to do!

[knownada-blog]

Day 90

My pregnant co-worker was hilarious all day. Maybe being pregnant makes you funnier...

[knownada-blog]

Day 89 New art up!

[knownada-blog]

Day 88

Aaaaaand I'm just about ready to sleep forever. Getting up early (+earlier than normal) and not being able to fall asleep makes for a looooOOoOooOoong day at work. ESPECIALLY when you don't consume caffeine.

After about six months of quitting caffeine as an incentive to move out (I can consume it once I move out, basically), I cannot wait to eat chocolate and drink espresso and tea and coffee again. A summer without homemade iced coffee is very painful, ohhh yes.

Hopefully it's not too far away!

[knownada-blog]

Day 87

Today we had a baby shower for a coworker. I made a card for the men in our area to sign, but made it extra manly by making it extra crappy. It reads: "You are having a baby." Inside: "So here is a card." Think "It is you birthday" from The Office. She liked it.

[knownada-blog]

Day 86

Day 2 back in the office after a week-long vacation. Way too much AC and fluorescent lighting happening right now. Gimme a week and I'll probably be excited to be at work again...

[knownada-blog]

Day 85 My first day back in the office after a week of vacation, and I left early to view an apartment in New York. After high-pressure comments like 'this neighborhood is hot, guys,' and 'this place is a great deal, guys,' we respectfully declined. It's just not worth dealing with people who are kind and friendly one minute and manipulating you the next. I understand that many brokers are like that, but there are just so many apartments and unless it's a great fit, I will say no. Plus, we waited outside the building for 20 minutes because he didn't have the keys and buzzed everyone in the building. To repair the damage to our souls, my girlfriend and I stopped at Xi'an Famous Foods, my new home, for lots an lots of spicy, meaty, noodle goodness. This resulted in the mess shown above.

[knownada-blog]

Day 84 New drawing up, and I'm outta here early today. Heading up to NYC (driving this time) to see Joshua Bell perform at the Mostly Mozart festival at Lincoln Center. After that, it's a week at the beach. A. Week. At. The. Beach. Ahhh I can't wait! Off to try and beat the traffic into New York!