The New Jerusalem

Today, May 17, 2010, was my first day alone in my new job. What a ride this last month has been! I lost my job, of course, and thought I was going to be one of the unemployed millions for a while. I was almost looking forward to it, when fate...ah fate!...stepped in.
There was a lady at my office who had worked closely with me on some situations, so I was somewhat familiar with her job. It just so happened that I saw the job posting after she announced her imminent retirement, and applied for the job. I went to the interview and was pretty sure that I had the job. I was right. They offered it to me, and I accepted. Meanwhile, I was offered an interview at another location. I started my new job on Monday, and interviewed for the other job on Tuesday. I just KNEW I had that job! Turns out, though, I'm not "fast-paced" enough for them, so they turned me down. Just as well, I think. Later on, they might decide I'm too something else for the job, or not enough of another thing for the job. So, I threw myself into learning the new one that I already had. After all, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, isn't that what they say? Let me tell you...it's true! Two jobs hanging out there was not good for anyone involved, and I was glad when it was all over.
So, I learned what I could, got lots of phone numbers to call in case I run into anything crazy, and started my new position this morning. I spent most of the day arranging things in the office. My friend pranked me this morning by calling and pretending to be a client who was very upset with me. I hung up on her. It was hilarious when I found out it was her. Good to have friends. She WILL be watching her back from now own. =)
Thing is, I now have a nice big office, with a big window through which I watched the rain pour down all day. I didn't have to leave my friends. I know the job, and I know I can do it.
The whole day, I kept looking around almost in disbelief. Over and over in my head, the theme song to "Working Girl" kept playing. The movie that, many years ago, made me want to get back out into the working world. The movie where when you have the guts to keep trying for something, and fail, and try again, finally it all comes out good in the end. I am a working girl, and I finally made it to that office!
"Let the river run, let all the dreamers wake the nation, Come, the New Jerusalem" -Carly Simon

Wake Up!

I do not like to go to bed

Because I know it means

A struggle for this sleepyhead

To awaken from my dreams.

So now I've made a system

For waking up. You see,

Each night before I go to bed

I set my clock for three.

At three o'clock the buzzer sounds

I stumble 'cross the floor.

Yawning, cussing, with a frown

I set the clock for four.

Four o'clock comes all too soon.

I barely am alive.

I look outside and see the moon!

And set the clock for five.

At five o'clock I realize

That I'm in quite a fix.

I lie in bed and dream sweet dreams.

I've set the clock for six.

At six o'clock another system

Starts to come to light.

A snooze bar placed atop my clock

Helps extend my night.

So every ten minutes for an hour or so

I slap my clock around.

I'm sure the neighbors are awake

From all that buzzing sound!

I finally wake at seven fifteen

Not ready to face the day

But I am up and out the door.

I'm actually on my way!

So, if you hate mornings, like I do,

You might give this a try.

What works for me might work for you.

But wait -- I cannot lie!

I must admit, reluctantly,

A secret I have kept.

Every day I'm late for work

Because I overslept.

kbozell 5/19/04