Back Into It

Phew, what a week so far! It’s been a bit stormy in New York the last few days, but thankfully I escaped relatively unscathed. I hadn’t done too much to prepare for the storm, and unlike my neighbors, did not purchase thirty pounds of meat and a dozen loaves of bread to sustain myself. Instead, I made pie, went to the library, and downloaded the new Taylor Swift album. Could I have been any more ready?!

However, my preparations were short-lived, because I had to trek into work on Monday anyway! But just a few hours later we were all sent home, so I  high-tailed it back to the comfort of my toasty abode, excited for the free afternoon! But in a little less than two hours, I had cleaned my kitchen, color-coded my earring box, organized my coat closet, polished off some apple crisp and finished my library book. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO HANDLE FREE TIME.

Unsurprisingly, when we were called in on Tuesday to cover the storm, I was excited! It’s not like I’m an advocate for disaster, but I love “being in the trenches” with the people I work with. It’s always amazing to see how quickly people can get things done with a looming deadline and copious amounts of free coffee! All the running around and frantic organizing,  with scripts flying and phones ringing reminds me of what I love about journalism. Plus, the congenial patting of backs at the end of the night is always nice!

This particular story came right after another huge project I was working on, so it’s basically been a continuous three weeks of controlled chaos, which is apparently my preferred work environment! Between travelling, some writing opportunities and the growing distance between me and the weeds of boredom, this whole month has ended up being like a giant reset button for my work psyche! …The Taylor Swift CD has also definitely helped.  (I cannot tell a lie!)

Sunday (No) Funday

I haven’t had to work on the weekend in a while, and let me tell you, it’s been grand! I feel like I’ve paid my dues enough with my previous jobs, where I worked every single weekend and holiday for a solid year. Sure, there are people who have worked every weekend for twenty years, and I feel bad for them. Because working on the weekend is one of the most depressing things you can do with your life. The office is empty and dark, and you can’t avoid the constant online-updates of people apple picking or brunching or hanging out in the park and generally having way more fun than you!

I love my weekends now, because I appreciate the break. But when I was in college, I wasn’t such a huge fan, because everyone just slept right through them! I, on the other hand, was incapable of sleeping past 10 am, and would spend the weekend waiting around for someone to go to a museum with me! But now that I don’t have as much free time during the week (and more awake friends) weekends are so lovely! And knowing the type of week I have coming up, I was looking forward to a relaxing one, but as usual, work had other plans! I worked all day on Sunday, and stayed later than I do on a normal weeknight!

Obviously, this was not my initial plan. I had planned to come in for a few hours to get a head start on things. I didn’t expect to see anyone, or talk to anyone, which is why I basically wore my pajamas and no make-up. This alone should have been a sure-fire sign that I would be interacting with someone other than my computer mouse, and sure enough, not even five minutes after sitting down, I ran into my boss! The rest of the afternoon just involved me hiding from her and trying to get my work done as quickly as possible while avoiding the urge to go to Sephora and use all their makeup samples. But before I could even do that, I saw three other people I knew! Where was the office quiet I had dreaded just hours before?!

When I finally left last night, it was under the cloak of darkness–both of the night and from the shirt I put over my head so no one else could see me! I’ve never been more excited for a Sunday to end!

So Close…Yet O So Far

For two nights in a row, I’ve attempted to leave work, only to get roped back in as I’m walking out the door! Well, the first night, I was actually out the door and half-way up the street, after leaving a little early to meet up with some friends. Out of habit,  I checked my email one last time before descending the stairs to the subway, and wouldn’t you know! There was an urgent message for an assignment that needed to be done that very night! For a full minute, I contemplated continuing down the stairs, before my conscience dragged me back up and back to work. When I got back to my desk, it felt like I had never left! Hmm, I wonder why…

Then last night, after a much more pleasant day, I slung my purse over my shoulder and was making my way down the hallway when my desk phone rang. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to sneak off that easily, I answered it, plopped back into my office chair, and settled in for a few more hours of office duty!

Obviously I don’t have a problem working late–I do it more often than not! But when you have it in your head that you’re leaving, and then someone else more important than you has it in their head that you’re staying, it makes those final hours drag!  Especially after the week I’ve had, I was looking forward to getting as far away from this place as possible, but as usual, work had other ideas! As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours, and this week has been a torrential thunderstorm!

But fortunately, the end is near!  Tonight, I have a bus ticket out of this city and up to New England for a weekend filled with relaxation, plaid, and some sisterly bonding. It’s just what I need…as long as I can get out of here on time! I should start applying the camouflage now if I have any hope of making that bus! Wonder if anyone will notice if I cover my face with an accordion file…seems like a fail-safe route to me!

Well, So Much For That

Let’s all recall just a few short days ago, when I was riding on Cloud Nine after successfully booking a much-needed interview. Let us also recall how that same cloud transported me through a pleasant business trip, dropping me off on a pillowy puff of work contentedness. Well yesterday, that fluffy cloud became a two-ton rock, plummeting me to the deep depths of panic, irritation, and snippiness. My entire day involved damage control–begging, bitching, and battling my way through every task. By the end of the day, I had given up on working and settled on banging my head on my desk until I was escorted out and put in a cab!

From the start, the day was doomed. I woke up late, and walked into work at the exact time my boss was heading down the hall. BUSTED! Then, after settling at my desk, I got a phone call from my beloved interviewee, who informed me they were cancelling. WHAT? That sent off a two-hour flurry of phone calls attempting to convince them to stay on board. Between begging, getting pissed, and then begging some more, I got them to stay! RELIEF! But then I had to change their flights and travel arrangements! STRESSFUL! By 3 pm, I was already fantasizing about the cupcake I would be treating myself to after work…followed by a hefty glass of wine!

Unfortunately, relief has yet to come. Last night, after stepping in a puddle and getting stranded on the subway for an hour because of an incident at my stop, I buried myself under the covers to hide from imminent doom! At 9 pm, I called it a night and prayed that my dreams would take me back to the lovely cloud I had so recently been floating on. No such luck! This morning, I was awoken with the news that my interview never even got on the plane last night! Almost immediately, I felt a wave of panic wash over me. That was then followed by supreme annoyance and the desire to punch something.  I think I should forgo that cupcake and head straight for the sheet cake! Or maybe a boxing lesson will do the trick–I’ll pound that negativity out if it’s the last thing I do!

Au Revoir, Apprehension

Last week was a much-needed pick-me-up on the job front! I headed down to Atlanta, Georgia for a few days for a project I’m working on, and it ended up being an unexpected blast! I came back with refreshed confidence and a newly discovered love of hotel room service! I also somehow managed to not a.) dent the rental car while parallel parking and b.) speak in a fake-Southern accent, so all-in-all, I’d say it was a success!

This trip couldn’t have come at a better time, since all summer and most of September had passed with very little on my plate. How I WISH I was the kind of person who relishes in down time, but alas, all slow days lead to are racing thoughts on what I’m doing with my life and whether or not I should move to France. I was just feeling flat and uninspired when October rolled around, and was hoping this trip would get me out of my funk.

…Which it did! The trip was a perfect combination of the things I love about my job: getting to work with great people, challenging myself with new skills, and staying in really nice hotels I didn’t have to pay for! Kidding, (although the hotel was pretty swank!) but it was nice to feel excited about my work again!

Talk about an attitude adjustment! I got into work this morning fresh and focused, ready to tackle the day! Sometimes, it just takes a little shake up to settle my errant and erratic thoughts…I guess my garret et garçon à Paris will have to wait!

A Divine Intervention

This day has been cray-zeeeee! Everything seemed to be coming to a head all at once today: travel needed to be booked, interviews needed to be discovered, AstroTurf needed to be purchased….yea, it’s been that kind of day. This morning, it felt like I was going around in circles without getting much done! But after a late lunch and a brisk walk around the building to clear my head, the stars began to align and things started coming together!

I’m an ace when it comes to the more organizational aspects of my job, but one of the most nerve-wracking things is trying to book someone for an interview. My own nerves paired with the pressure of deadlines make me approach every phone call with a combination of desperation to get it done, and the fear that I won’t.  Today, I was getting dangerously close to throwing in the towel and throwing myself weeping onto the feet of the producer I was working with, but thankfully a divine intervention occurred, saving me from a hellish level of embarrassment!

Yes, like the heavens parting with a ray of sunshine slicing through the clouds, my office phone rang with an unexpected phone call!  Magically, this person had all the elements for my missing interview! I quickly shared the news while genuflecting down the hallway…it was a religious experience. But all joking aside, it’s amazing what happens in the moments when you feel like you’re up against a wall! My sigh of relief has propelled me through the rest of my day, as I’ve attempted to find places that rent director’s chairs in the middle-of-no-where Georgia! Jesus…take it away!

A Year Has Passed

This is a rather momentous day for me, in that it’s my official one-year anniversary at my job! Yes, this time last year, I finally rid myself of the loathed “freelance” title and somehow managed to secure a spot as a full-time staffer. Gone were the angst-filled car rides and anxiety-laden conversations about “Where is my life going?” Actually…I still have that conversation everyday. Well, at least I can see a certified shrink about it with my company health benefits!

When I think about the sheer level of emotions I had before I got this job, it’s amazing I was able to get through the day without melting into a pile of neuroses and tears! The uncertainty of whether I would have a job or have to look for another one left me in a constant state of distress! Every decision I made seemed monumental, and led to many sleepless nights. By the middle of September, I was convinced I would never get rid of my eye bags or my throbbing ulcer!

But in the year that I’ve been working here full-time, it’s amazing to see the warm wave of stability that has washed over my life! Sure, I’m still filled with thoughts….so many thoughts. Life thoughts, work thoughts, hair thoughts, lunch thoughts…this brain refuses to quit! But without the weight of my over-dramatic world resting on my shoulders, life has gotten easier and I’m so much more carefree! I should celebrate by hugging my boss and getting a cupcake! …Maybe I’ll just stick with that last part if I’m invested in staying here until year two!