When I had the Job I Loved, I was sometimes asked to fill in for the receptionist in the gallery (or clean the owner's vacation rental or walk his dog or take his granddaughter to lunch, but whatever).
Though only for a day or so at a time, this was the Job I Loathed. I fell into administrative assistant-type jobs after college (I have a history degree and no I didn't want to teach, thank you very much) and never managed to get out of my rut. Well, except for fundraising, which is a whole 'nother circle of hell to me.
I really, really hate the administrative/receptionist thing. I'm also not fond of "the public." I promised myself I would never do this work ever again.
But my unemployment runs out in a month and, well, these are desperate times.
Job I Loved I could do while listening to podcasts like Bob Edwards Weekend and Fresh Air. All day. And I didn't have to talk to a single soul if I didn't want to. Ah, production work!
From this paradise they'd drag me up front where it was low light and gloomy and I had to try to please impatient customers who could drop more than I made in one year without thinking about it. And I had to look busy when, if you're filling in, there's not always a lot to do. Because if you weren't busy the owner might have you do things like pick clay out of the carpet fibers with a sharp knife, and well, no.
Anyway, they called me back to fill in for the receptionist this week, and I am because of course I need the money. But oh how I wish I were taking his granddaughter to lunch! They wouldn't call me in just for that though.
And I think I'm allergic to the gallery. Seriously. I worked a day a couple of weeks ago and the day after I thought I was getting a cold because my throat was scratchy and I had this annoying little cough. Then it went away.
Now I have it again.
Sigh. *cough*
Think of the Arizona desert fund....
Posted by: V | 03/04/2010 at 03:28 PM
Right! I should have put a picture of that at the top to motivate me.......
Posted by: Stacia | 03/05/2010 at 06:02 AM
I know that fundraising was a circle of hell for you and all, but seriously, you were really, REALLY good at it! I know you never want to do it again, but you are more wonderful with people than you've ever given yourself credit for.
That is all.
Posted by: Lindsey | 03/08/2010 at 08:36 PM