Category Archives: WTF

I And I

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Once again it’s been an up and down, over and out kinda day. Despite Hyman Gross and Hyman Gross 30 years younger, aka Harpy insisting that I remain positive I am thisclose to cutting my losses.

The recruiter’s assistant sent an email from the company that was interested in me, asking for a W2 and a check stub, for what I thought was proof that the company I used to work for existed.

From the big company- “Also, I will need John to provide me with either W2’s or pay stubs for Bio-IB LLC for the years (04/2006 – 07/2009) he worked there.” I found a W2 form from 2009 and a pay stub from 2008.

I gave the forms to Bill so he could scan them and send them off for me, as well as the Fair Credit Reporting Act Form. He scanned all the papers but it wasn’t enough. I can’t find the other W2 forms, probably shredded.

With Bill’s help, I found the phone number of the former bookkeeper from the last job and spoke to her on the phone. The bookkeeper and I always got along fine and was willing to help, but it turns out that she doesn’t have the W2 forms, nor does she have access to them since Vivek and his partner in finance are notoriously horrible with keeping records.

She did offer to send me a letter with her company letterhead stating the fact that I did work for the bio-technology firm from the years I stated on the resume. I doubt that would be enough since I could have asked Harpy who was a bookkeeper for sometime way back when to write a letter.

So as I write this I feel the job opportunity is slipping through my fingers. Oddly enough I am fine with it. I am tired of all this fuss, and tired of being stressed with the fact that I would be leaving the cigar shop at the height of their busiest season. And at least I still have a job.

Today would have been the day to give my two weeks notice, and despite the recruiters telling me that is what I should do, I am quite glad that I didn’t. Next week being a three day work week for most people, means not much work will be done.

Even if I did find the paperwork, with the background checks involved, nothing would be done until November 29 at best, way too short for two weeks notice. I did what I could, and almost landed a job. But things being what they are, and out of my control, out of my hands it really doesn’t seem likely.

I don’t think it’s negativity, I think it’s being realistic. I think it would be best for now to stay where I am and stick to the first plan, to hang in there and start looking anew in January. At the very least, I still have a job and should do my best to keep it.

I don’t need this additional aggravation, though it does make for something to write about, something to make loins moist in Bala Cynwyd. Fuck the Susquehanna Investment Group.

And once again I really have to thank Bill for being so supportive and understanding.

Bill with mouth guard being supportive

I’m Moving On

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Well here I am on a Wednesday night. It’s getting chilly out. Lot’s of rain last night, it’s what I fell asleep to. I had an interview scheduled for this morning at 9:30, so that meant Bill making sure I was relatively coherent before he left.

I left the apartment a little after 8:00. I am not one to be late and will leave early and arrive early so as not to be tardy. I was able to flag down a bus that was a block past my stop and the bus driver was gracious enough to let me on board as I thanked her profusely.

A walk through Bryant Park like I used to do when I was working with Greg Stevens at 800 Third Avenue. I was early when I got to 44th Street and Lexington Avenue and waited outside the building for 20 minutes before heading in at 9:15 for my 9:30 interview.

The interview went well. The interviewer was Jill and she reminded me of Miriam Molloy and Nancy Gerstern, two women who had the same composure as Jill. Jill talked and talked as she walked me through the offices, after taking an elevator and then 2 flights of marble steps.

We sat and I listened to Jill go on about the job and what my duties would be. I felt like I had the job already and when the time came I asked a question which Jill promptly answered and continued talking about what duties I would have while I worked with a team.

I sat there and listened as Jill talked, thinking about how sweaty my t-shirt was, if it was going to rain outside when I left. It was an hour long interview just like yesterday. I was soon back on the street, an hour to kill before I headed back to the cigar shop.

I called the recruiter and let her know that I think it went well. She was happy to hear that and I was happy to tell her. I called up Bill and told him that it went well, then I headed into the cigar shop after walking around through midtown.

It was Don and Calvin today. Marcus flitting about somewhere. Apparently there was a cigar event going on tonight, scotch in the cigar shop, steaks at a nearby restaurant then back to the cigar shop for more scotch and cigars.

After being in the cigar shop for about 45 minutes, I got a phone call from the recruiter, congratulating me on landing the position. I was happy that I did but soon felt guilty. Don is leaving the cigar shop, his last day is Saturday, and now I am going to give notice, right before the busy holiday season.

Yeah, I’ve been unhappy working at the cigar shop, but these guys were good enough to take me in. And I lost about an inch around my waist and I intend to keep it like that. I’m basically not looking forward to facing their disappointment.

There is the fact that it’s a Monday through Friday job, and it basically pays a lot more than what I am making now. I don’t think telling Marcus and Calvin the truth will suffice so something else will have to be said. Bill is thrilled though and his happiness is encouraging to me.

I will tell Marcus and Calvin something on Friday.

Oh and Martini Basher came in before I came in, still hurt by my writing a few lines about his crap reggae CD. He can dish it out, but obviously he can’t take it. Punk ass.