Posts Tagged ‘Greg Stevens’

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Slip Into Something

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Well today was my first day not working. Well not really my first day. It just wasn’t a good fit. I’m sure I made the right decision even though after I called and made that phone call, I wondered aloud, ‘What have I done?’

In retrospect I did the right thing. And I do have to thank Bill for standing beside me. I have a better grip on things now and won’t just take the first job offered to me, even if it is the only job offered to me. I spoke with Greg Stevens who might have some more side projects for me to do.

I spent a good part of the day, establishing and reestablishing contacts at various staffing agencies, as well as reconnecting with recruiters I’ve dealt with in the past. Bill and I had a good long discussion about the situation last night and when I asked for a hug a few times, he gladly gave one to me each time.

So it was back to the routine of wandering around Hoboken for a while today. I ran into Stine and Alexander on their way to the post office so I walked with them. Stine went inside the post office and I played with Alexander outside. He’s a lot of fun to be around and definitely bolstered my spirits.

And it was good to walk and talk with Stine as well. I even accompanied them to the park and watched Alexander play on various things and slides. It was fun for a while but it was also cold and a little wet from the overnight snow.

We all walked home and I carried Alexander up to the third floor. Stine invited me to come down and play guitar for Alexander later, which I may do after she gives me a call. I came home and continued the job search.

I also saw that I had a comment on the blog regarding last night’s entry, Path to Wisdom. It was from someone named Maurice from the Bala Cynwyd area of Pennsylvania, an organization called the Susquehanna Investment Group. At first I thought it was a joke from my friend Maurice, but he wouldn’t be so callous as to write something like that without remarking the sarcasm or humor involved.

“Seems really ungrateful and borderline delusional to spit in the faces of your employer after less than two days. Sounds like your last 7 months have made you lazy. I for one do not look forward to supporting you while your sucking on the government teat. What a class act ozed what a class act.”

It was strange and I responded that he doesn’t know the full story since I didn’t write the full story. And obviously Miss Thing doesn’t know much about unemployment benefits.

On another website that I visit, I found another comment which was heartening. Very supportive and understanding since this bloke named David went through something quite similar a while back. Just making the wrong decision and knowing it was the wrong decision almost immediately.

And David, like myself needed to get out of the job as soon as possible. He warned me about the pratfalls of beating oneself over the turn of events and I found his comments overall to be quite supportive.

“For many years I kicked myself, thinking that I should have stuck it out. Today I realize that in order to do any job well, I needed to be comfortable in it in order to be confident, and that this was not a situation that would induce either comfort or confidence. What you did by paying attention to what is right for you was wonderful.

Everybody can understand wanting to work and jumping at the chance to get back to work after a long period of unemployment, but unemployment does not make people damaged goods; your talents and skills are still there, ready to be utilized by the ‘right fit’. The right fit eventually came to me in a way that I never could have anticipated, and it is down the road for you, too, no doubt about it.”

So there you have it, comments from both ends of the spectrum. One basically calling me a leech and spitting in the face of my employer and the other recognizing that being confident and comfortable at a job does measure success at a job, and that I, like he did found ourselves in positions that afforded us neither confidence or comfort.

I know the right job is out there and I know I will find it.

Now I’m heading downstairs to play guitar for Alexander.

That went well though Stine enjoyed it more than Alexander who was busy showing me his Thomas the Tank Engine, when he wasn’t watching children’s videos in Danish on YouTube. Stine was making a chicken dinner, with scabby potatoes and home made cole slaw which she invited me to enjoy. So after running upstairs and dropping off the guitar we sat at the table and ate.

Stine and I split a small bottle of wine and we clinked glasses as well as clinking Alexander’s bottle of juice. The food was excellent, Stine being possibly the best cook who’s food I’ve ever eaten. After dinner I spent some time playing with Thomas the Tank Engine again and then watching Alexander destroy the train tracks like a 2 year old Godzilla.

When I left he blew kisses and gave me a hug while saying bye bye. A good day overall.

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Posted in the day after yesterday | 3 Comments »

Path to Wisdom

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Well today was day two. It didn’t go well. I did well but I was so terribly unhappy. The workload was more than I could handle. The area of phones I did well in, but overall I was feeling overwhelmed. I know, it’s only day two.

But I just kept finding more things that I didn’t like about the job. I was being thrown into the deep end so suddenly and found myself grasping at and gasping for air. I knew it wasn’t going to work out. I was on a 3 month probation and a much lower salary than I used to have.

Greg Stevens advised me a few weeks ago not to take the first job offered to me but that is exactly what I did. I should have learned the lesson from McMann and Tate a few years ago, getting a job through a Craigslist advertisement isn’t the best method.

I know I could find something out there. I feel that way. One of the interviewers I met with couple of weeks ago told me when I told her about this job that I was definitely worth more than what these guys were paying me.

Am I disappointed? Yes. Have I disappointed other people? Yes. Perhaps even you reading this, feel some disappointment towards me. I just didn’t feel like it was a good fit. The people were generally nice but walking to the office felt like I was walking to the gallows.

Just such a feeling of melancholy. I know there is something else out there. But this wasn’t it. I shouldn’t have settled. That was a big mistake. I texted Greg Stevens this morning while waiting in reception at 8:30 for the woman who was training me.

I wrote, that I was still willing to be his assistant more than ever. I didn’t get a reply. On my half hour lunch break I was at wits end. I called up Bill who was home. His back and knees were messed up. He was reassuring and as supportive as ever.

I went through the rest of the days routine, eating bananas since that was all I had time to eat. The half hour lunch break allowed me to get to an ATM and the first machine wouldn’t read my card so I had to get online and try for another machine.

The whole time I was on the phone with Bill, who was searching my email for the phone number of the woman who interviewed me a few weeks ago. He got it and once I got off the phone with Bill, I called the woman and left a voice mail. She hasn’t gotten back to me yet, but I will try again tomorrow. And I will sign up with other staffing agencies.

I had to lie. I called up the company and left a voice mail saying I found a message when I got home and decided to take a job with better pay. I’m sure they would understand. They weren’t paying me that much and the workload promised to be more than I originally anticipated. In fact it didn’t even resemble the job that was listed on Craigslist.

“Office Business Center Operator in Manhattan seeks experienced bright self-starter to join our Front Desk team to greet guests, service incoming customer calls and existing customers in full service office centers. Must have strong PC skills & switchboard experience and be able to multitask. We offer competitive salary and a full package of benefits.”

I do have these qualities and can multitask but the competitive salary was not competitive at all. Even if I kept working there while looking for other jobs, the half hour lunch break would definitely hamstring my job search.

I feel I’ve done the right thing and moved while it was still early and while the company could still go with the number two person they had considered. I didn’t fill out any forms or paperwork so that shouldn’t leave me with any strings attached.

I know I can do better and I know I can get a better job. I think this is for the best. Sorry if you’re disappointed, but I am sure that this wasn’t the job for me. I think I know what I’m doing.

http://www.box.net/shared/z6yfzv7lrc

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Posted in Shed a tear | 5 Comments »

W*O*R*K*

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Well today was the day that I was looking forward to, anxious about and also dreading a little. Yes it was back to work for me. I guess it went well as I am expected in tomorrow. There are certainly things that I miss about not working.

No, don’t get me wrong, I do like to work, and I do like to get paid. But there is the whole staying up late, and waking up late that was nice. Last night I watched the Grammy’s which ran about a half hour long. Bill came home midway through and since the show ended later the 11:00 news and I kept thinking while watching the news that it wasn’t even 11:30 yet.

Bill asked what time I was going to bed and when I looked at the actual time, I saw it was close to midnight and therefore, time for me to go to bed. And I slept OK. Bill stayed up since he was off of work today.

I woke up at 6:30, the alarm clock waking up Bill before waking me up. I said I was sleeping 5 more minutes and hit the snooze button. I got up before the alarm went off again. Made coffee, cereal and jumped in the shower. That seemed familiar, eating breakfast before the sun was up.

I put on the gray pinstriped wool suit that I picked out last night, white shirt, tab collar and silver/gray checked tie, gray thick and thin over the calf socks and black cap toed shoes. By the time I hit the street, a little after 7:30, the sun was up and various worker drones were headed in the direction of their jobs.

I joined them, stopped by Mr. L’s to try to get my barber’s attention. He was awfully excited about me going on an interview last month. But this morning he was reading the paper and I didn’t have time to pop in and say hello.

I walked over to the Path train. No seats, just stood by the door. I was listening to Talking Heads, Fear of Music. It seemed most apt for some reason. Made it to the office building in a about 10 minutes, walking from the Path.

I was in before most anyone and found myself standing in the hall ringing a door bell. Someone eventually came out and asked if I needed help. I explained that I was there to start working there and sat in reception waiting for the receptionist who was going to train me.

She came in around 8:45. Immediately we went to work or she started showing me what it is that I will be doing. Such menial tasks. I know I should be grateful and I am, but I was an office manager at my last job, as well as an executive assistant.

Here it seems I will be answering the phone and dealing with all sorts of people. The morning went by with me taking notes of most everything Barbara Ellen was talking about. Then came lunch and we’re only afforded a half hour.

That sucks.

Though I used to eat lunch at my desk in 20 minutes, never really going anywhere except running errands, I did have the option for a longer lunch when needed.

The afternoon came and I spent the last hour answering the phone with Barbara Ellen sitting close by to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes. It was an OK first day.

A step down for sure from previous jobs and a step up from unemployment. So I’m in a limbo of sorts I guess.

I keep hoping for a call from Greg Stevens, offering to take me on. I would work at the same salary I am making now, just to work with someone I know and like. But it was the first day, and I hopefully have many more days ahead.

One day under my belt or rather, braces.

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Posted in Shed a tear, Whats for lunch? | 2 Comments »

Ruby, My Dear

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Thank goodness it’s Friday. Been a while since I’ve written that. I’ve worked 4 days this week, and with 3 days last week I have a total of 24 hours under my belt. Already it’s more than an unemployment benefit.

Oddly enough, I’m not as tired as I’ve been the past couple of days. Pretty much awake. Last night was quiet mostly. Bill was off to see a rock and roll guitarist friend of his friend Tom, at the Bitter End. I was asked to go, but it was at 10:30 and I didn’t want to go.

If I couldn’t get it together to see Karen Kuhl last week with Alice Genese, I’m going to get it together to see somebody I don’t know? At the Bitter End? Oh I think not. I was more than content to stay home. Bill came home, then went out again which is more than I would do. Generally, once I’m home, I’m home.

I just watched TV and actually went to bed before midnight. It was something definitely out of the ordinary. Haven’t been to bed before midnight in months, at least not when I’ve been out of work. It was all good since I had to be at Greg Stevens office at 10:00 this morning.

I was out of bed before 8:00 this morning, got it together and was out headed to the bus stop at 9:00. It was 16 degrees out and I put on some thermal underwear under my blue jeans, thick socks, a long sleeved cotton shirt and a sweater on top of that. And a wool hat, my pea coat, gloves and work boots. Once again, affecting the longshoreman look.

Comfortable on the bus, reading the last issue of 2009 of the New Yorker and started on the January 4, 2010 issue. Nice to be in the same month and the same year. I’m catching up. Sat in the back of the bus where there’s more room and more comfortable.

On the bus my cellphone rings. It’s my old Rasta pal Jesse. He hasn’t heard from me in a while and was just checking in. At least that’s what I thought he was saying. With his patois and the noise of the bus I couldn’t really hear him so I told him I would call him back in 10 minutes when I was off the bus.

When a Rasta calls so early in the morning, I felt he couldn’t have good news. I thought, someone must have died. I hung out with a group of Rastas in the day with my friend Miriam and thought I was going to have to call her with bad news.

When I got off the bus I got back to Jesse, who like I initially heard, was just checking in. No bad news. He was wondering how I was doing. I said I was fine and would try to see him after I get through with my project today.

I hustled through Grand Central Station, using it as a short cut to get in from the cold. As I walked up Third Avenue, my phone rings. It’s 10:05 and it’s Greg Stevens wondering where I am. I was a block away and was in his office in 5 minutes.

Alex, an IT guy was there helping Greg with his computer. Or rather was setting Greg’s computer up, with Greg just standing there. Greg doesn’t know computers at all, in fact the other day I had to explain over the phone what a lap top was.

I set about unpacking the moving boxes and Greg made himself scarce. After an hour or so, Greg was en route to the Hamptons and Alex was done doing as much as he could. He’ll do more next week when the Los Angeles branch of Greg’s company is in, after being out this week.

I had a break and wandered over to Cohen’s Fashion Optical where I got my glasses a year or so ago. A few months ago, my glasses fell apart. One of the screws became loose and fell out rendering them useless.

I did my best, took a screw from an older pair of glasses and somehow, without wearing glasses was able to get a screw back in. But it wasn’t the right size screw and left my glasses a bit lopsided. So I went back to the store and explained what had happened and low and behold a few minutes later they fixed the glasses and they were as tight was they were 2 years ago.

Still a bit scratched even though I’ve used special cloths to clean them. While they were fixing the glasses they asked if there were any frames I would like to see and so I looked around. The woman behind the counter was helpful but came up short when I explained that I didn’t want any brand names on the side of my glasses.

No branding for me, thanks. I left the store with coupons for a free eye exam and a 20% discount on my next frames.

I did some more work at Greg’s office and submitted my hours. Also decided to send an email to a recruiter that I was in contact with a few months ago. Cathy Cline.

Cathy was the recruiter who was disappointed in me when I went behind her back and contacted the employer since I thought Cathy was bullshitting me.

She called me the next day and chewed me out, mentioning that she knew how hard it was out there to get a job, even her son was unemployed. Presumably still unemployed since his mother wasn’t getting him a job. I did try to remain in contact with her, wishing her a happy holiday and also mentioning that I was still looking for a job.

She never responded to me.

I sent an email that was written like it was a form letter, thanking her for all that she had done for me and that I had a new job that I would be starting next week and should I need staffing, and I would be in the position to choose staffers (a lie) I would keep her in mind.

Almost immediately she responded. Not to reply in kind to any holiday greetings, or any encouraging words regards to job searches. Just congratulations. I had to laugh.

I left Greg’s office around 3:00 leaving it looking like an office rather than a collection of moving boxes. On my way out, I talked with Eric who was sitting at the front desk. He works for a company called Regal which rents out office suites to small companies that can’t afford expensive Manhattan office rents, which is where Greg Stevens is now located.

I told him I had a friend who was starting a job with a company called Executive Suites, one of their competitors. Eric said he’d rather work at Executive Suites. I asked him why and he said he was the only guy in an office surrounded by women and their drama. He also didn’t like the artwork on the walls of the office. I didn’t think it was so bad. A Hopper print in the kitchen area, a Miro print in the hallway.

I guess I’ll find out about Executive Suites on Monday, when I start.

Back out in the cold I walked my old route to the Path train. Now I’m home, feet are still cold despite wearing socks and slippers, and waiting for Bill to come home.

It was a good day overall.

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Posted in Whats for lunch? | 3 Comments »

In The Flesh

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Thursday. Woke up when the alarm clock went off. Looked out the window and it looked foggy which was odd. Shuffled around the apartment then I wondered why I was up so early and went back to bed for another 45 minutes.

When I woke up again it was a full blown snow storm. That was a drag. I had to rally myself for the interview scheduled for 10:30. Thought about canceling the interview since I already had a job scheduled to start, but I got it together and headed out. It wasn’t too bad, just a wet sticky snow.

I forgot my umbrella and just trudged onwards towards the Path train. I was wearing a wide brimmed hat so that definitely helped with the snow. Got a seat on the train and got off at Ninth Street. It had stopped snowing in the city and the sidewalks weren’t slippery at all, just wet.

I was about 20 minutes early for the interview so I just stood outside and talked to Bill on the phone for a while. The place where I interviewed is diagonally across the street from Wolff Olins. I thought about stopping by then I thought again and asked why would I do that.

I headed upstairs to the the 10th floor at 225 Varick Street. Dismal building, even more dismal office where I waited. So this company would hire me and send me out to wherever or whatever company would require my services.

I sat and read the New Yorker from last month. Finally Tim McSorley cam out and got me, leading me into his office. He offered me a water or coffee and I politely refused. He went and got his own water, leaving me to sit there. His office was shambles, wires all over the floor. I guess it was an improvement, other people were in cubicles outside on the floor.

Nice guy though, a lot more pleasant than he was on the phone. Tim McSorley doesn’t give good phone. The interview didn’t last long since most of the questions were done over the phone.

I was out of there in about 20 minutes and headed over to a newsstand to see if they had Uncut magazine. Apparently it’s unavailable in the tri-state area. I walked over to the West 4th Street subway station and waited for the E train uptown to Lexington Avenue.

Made my way into the office, Greg Stevens wasn’t around. He was in earlier but I guess he went to the racquet club. I got his things together and waited for the movers. I did go out to pick up some lunch and got a phone call from the girl who works for Vivek.

Apparently the building management didn’t know Greg Stevens was moving out today even though I set the whole thing up last week. The left a message for Vivek and he called them. He was intentionally left out of the loop by yours truly and almost messed up all the plans I made.

I called the building manager reminding her that I called her yesterday but she was out. She mentioned that we wouldn’t need to reserve the freight elevator since there wasn’t that much to move. I got that taken care of and shortly after that, the movers came and packed things up, putting chairs under blankets and onto dollies.

Goodbye 800 Third Avenue.

I met them a little further up Third Avenue and they moved everything in with skill and speed. Greg was soon off to lunch with his brother but before he left he asked me about how much I was going to get at the new job, leaving me to believe that he was ‘fishing’, perhaps to hire me as his assistant. It would be nice to work for him, after all that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 3 years.

But that all remains to be seen. I might bring it up again tomorrow when I help Greg Stevens unpack his office.

It was a busy day for sure and I am pretty tired. Feel like falling asleep now, at 6:30, but if I did I know I would be up at 11:00 and unable to fall asleep again. So I will stay awake. I know in a little while I will get my second wind.

JD Salinger is dead. I never read The Catcher in the Rye, because I didn’t have to. Most everyone had to read it in high school, but not me. And when I heard that that was the book John Lennon’s killer was reading at the time of the murder, I never wanted to read it, ever.

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Add It Up

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

It’s now a Wednesday. Last night was quiet. Just watched TV. Bill came home from seeing his mother. He’s making a point to do that at least once a week. He’s also seeing his cousin and her family at that time so it works out well for everyone.

I was home, a bit tired, after getting ready with Greg Stevens on his move. Not hard work but the trucking back and forth wore me down. I watched TV, O & RM. Bill came home in time for Rachel. I had enough news at that point but Bill wanted to watch it so we did.

Then at 10:00 I put on the Heroes episode from Monday night. Still lacking in luster. And of course, the last minute or two was cut off. Sort of like, ‘And the murderer is…’ Stay tuned for the Jay Leno Show! It’s happened so often that it’s become a joke around here.

Bill was busy getting some things ready for his friend Rome Neal’s one man show about Thelonious Monk called Monk. I’ve seen it a few times. Bill has been Rome’s trusted stage manager for the show for a long time, but the next show is in Rochester and Bill can’t make it so he’s been transferring things to CD’s so Rome can take them on the road.

After the 11:00 news I put on a recording of Scrubs: Med School. It takes place after the original show with Turk and Dr. Cox as well as Bob Kelso and the Todd reprising their roles. JD & Eliot have made appearances before. It’s OK. Not totally in love with it, but then I haven’t been following it much. Bill didn’t know anything about it so it was a kick for him.

He went to bed after that, wearing the sleep apnea mask which was great. A nice night of sleep. Of course there was the weird dream involving an old friend of my Simon Paterson. He was a special friend. Had many late nights with him.

A strange relationship though. Haven’t seen him in years and I don’t think he’s seen me in years either. At one point in the dream he produces some powdery packets and offers them to me like back in the old days, but in the dream I was saying that I don’t do that sort of thing and that the glasses he was wearing made him look like Bobby Womack.

It was a dream that probably had references to another friend, no not that type of friend, just another party person from the McSwells days. I ran into him, known as Midday since that’s when he usually got out of bed.

We were both waiting for the bus and comparing our lives. He’s been married for 10 years, me and Bill will have been together for 10 years in September. He used to party in much the same way I did and just like me, he doesn’t anymore. That conversation probably popped into the dream.

This morning I was up and started making the coffee when the phone rang. It was Brenda from back in the Wanker Banker days. She saw via one of the social networks that I’m on that I have a job and asked how it was going. Surprisingly I was able to answer her questions coherently without any coffee.

She was at her job and couldn’t talk much so we ended the call with me promising to call her back, which I haven’t yet. Had some breakfast when the phone rang again, this time it was a follow up call after the phone interview from the other day.

Tomorrow I have a face to face interview. This time with some guy named Tom. It’s at 10:30 so after that in a suit & tie I will supervise Greg Stevens move. I of course got worked up about the interview. I always think that I have the job.

Then I realized that I do have a job lined up and if the interview doesn’t go well, well I still have that job on Monday. Saw Stine and Alexander on the way to the park. Walked them over and played with Alexander for a few minutes.

Stine looked great and Alexander was the boy wonder, climbing over everything and ignoring me. I did get a high five and when I left I said Bye Bye. Stine couldn’t get him to do the same but when I was 20 feet away I heard a Bye Bye. Then at 30 feet, then at 50 feet. Each time I turned around and saw Stine laughing as I waved back.

Spoke to Bill about the interview tomorrow, me making a big deal out of it. Spoke to my brother Brian which was really good. His eldest daughter is looking at college. Yikes! By the time I made it to Greg Stevens office he was off at the Racquetball Club.

I don’t think he plays racquetball though, just the gym and sauna. I packed some boxed and got other things ready for the move.

Spoke to Bill again and told him I realized I was making too big a deal out of the interview. Now I’m home, watching the Simpsons ‘Mr Scorpio!’ and that’s about it.

Rest in peace, Howard Zinn.

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