A guy called to ask a question about our snack at work today. The below post is as close to verbatim as I can get it. My responses weren't as curt in real life, but I found more importance in what he said so I edited them as such.
"Hello my darling. Can you hear me? My name is ____ and I am from Poland. Are you Polish miss?"
"No. I am not sir." I reply.
"Well, not everyone can be so lucky, but I'm sure you're lucky in other ways. I am calling about your (snack.) I am staying with a friend and the bag he has of your snack has just expired recently. Is it still safe to eat?"
(It's a dry food so I said that I assume so yes.)
"Goot. Goot. I am going to microwave it a beet to help it be fresh. I am an English Professor in Warsaw you know. Have been for 50 years. That means that if you know someone from Poland who speaks English they learned it from me! What is your name again?"
"Jessica."
"Jessica. Lovely name for a lovely girl. I'm sure a lovely, smart girl. Where are you located, Jessica?"
"Chicago."
"Are you scared?"
"No. Why would I be?"
"I have a friend who is from the South Side. They say lots of shootings and very cold."
"It is very cold, but I live up north. It's not so bad there."
"Well that's good. You be safe now. I am in California. There are lots of brown people. They all speak Spanish. Do you speak Spanish, Jessica?"
"Very little, Professor."
"You should speak Spanish. More and more your country is filling with brown people. It is your job as a people to be one with your other people. It builds unity you know? Lean Spanish. Even if you don't speak it often."
"I'll try, Professor."
"Good girl. I let you go now. Be safe you hear? Thank you for answering my questions and tell that president of yours to stop being so nosy. My country is my country. Yours is yours you know?"
"I understand, Professor."
"Be well my dear. I hope I meet you again!"
"You too, sir, and likewise!"
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
62. New Girl
Today is the last day of my current job and my boss has been actively working with a recruiter trying to fill my position. I've never been this closely involved this way so it has been an interesting experience. From what I get they're looking for something really specific, though it's all just hearsay.
So how do I feel? Neutral. I'm relieved to be shedding the 3 hours total commute and the consistent repetitive questions. I'm looking forward to the four days off in between now and the start of my new gig. I'm a mix between scared and excited for the future, but that's been the overall theme of this place since I've moved here.
The new girl probably won't read this, but if she does, here's some advice:
Working in customer service in the food industry will really put you face to face with humanity in a way that you probably never wanted to be in. The good parts are incredible, the bad parts are frivolous. Don't let it hang to heavily on your head at night.
Don't take anything inside these walls personally. Don't take anything personally for that matter.
So how do I feel? Neutral. I'm relieved to be shedding the 3 hours total commute and the consistent repetitive questions. I'm looking forward to the four days off in between now and the start of my new gig. I'm a mix between scared and excited for the future, but that's been the overall theme of this place since I've moved here.
The new girl probably won't read this, but if she does, here's some advice:
Working in customer service in the food industry will really put you face to face with humanity in a way that you probably never wanted to be in. The good parts are incredible, the bad parts are frivolous. Don't let it hang to heavily on your head at night.
Don't take anything inside these walls personally. Don't take anything personally for that matter.
61. Ash
For anyone who is keeping up, I am behind on posts. Some days I have no one to really write about, so I end up digging through my memory trying to come up with a story. It's essentially the writing version of looking in your packed closet and having nothing to wear. I apologize for the lack of quality of the next couple of posts.
Ash is aggressive, but to me it's lovely. With me being good friends with her husband for a while, she was a little skeptical of me so she opted to have us meet to quell her suspicions. We hit it off instantly.
She'd rather rock a man's jersey that's too big for her than something that's cut to her figure. She's gladly layer up for a stadium series hockey game without bitching about the cold. After knowing me for only a little bit, she is happy to roll up her sleeves and defend me. Due to a preexisting medical condition, she can't drink-so she's balls to the wall without booze.
Despite all this, she has this quiet softness. She's an incredible listener with a deep empathetic streak. When she goes in for a hug and tells you she loves you, it's not a social grace. She says what everyone else is thinking and doesn't fear the fall out, though she's well versed in holding it together.
For a souvenir of their trip to NYC, her husband opted to get me a Buffalo Sabers rubber duck, but she opted to get me a pocket knife with my name on it. You know, in case it comes in handy someday.
Ash is aggressive, but to me it's lovely. With me being good friends with her husband for a while, she was a little skeptical of me so she opted to have us meet to quell her suspicions. We hit it off instantly.
She'd rather rock a man's jersey that's too big for her than something that's cut to her figure. She's gladly layer up for a stadium series hockey game without bitching about the cold. After knowing me for only a little bit, she is happy to roll up her sleeves and defend me. Due to a preexisting medical condition, she can't drink-so she's balls to the wall without booze.
Despite all this, she has this quiet softness. She's an incredible listener with a deep empathetic streak. When she goes in for a hug and tells you she loves you, it's not a social grace. She says what everyone else is thinking and doesn't fear the fall out, though she's well versed in holding it together.
For a souvenir of their trip to NYC, her husband opted to get me a Buffalo Sabers rubber duck, but she opted to get me a pocket knife with my name on it. You know, in case it comes in handy someday.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
60. To the Nurse
The feeling of complete inundation happens quickly for me. A challenge is either over my head or underneath my feet upon first presentation. If it's at first over my head, I get nervous and cry out my anxiety. I'm serious about this. If I'm crying, it doesn't usually mean I'm sad. It means someone needs to temporarily be my adulthood and reason because it's just not happening otherwise. After this, I'm golden. My head's clear and I'm focused.
Today something medically freaked me out and I was instantly overwhelmed. I called my doctor to schedule an appointment for Thursday. Not feeling completely satisfied with my resolution (told you-reason, out the door) I called the nurse hotline at my doctor's office to see if I should come in sooner. I ended up crying-full on, can't speak coherent sentences crying to this poor nurse. When I collected myself, I apologized and thanked her for her expertise.
"Oh honey!" she said, "No need to apologize! I understand. Sometimes our bodies do crazy and random things for no reason. I tell you what, nurse's orders. Make sure when you get home from work, you make yourself a cup of tea, get a big hug if available, curl yourself under your covers and read a good book. It'll make you feel better."
I'm in bed before 9, curled under my covers with some mediocre writing. A few people from back home sent me virtual hugs. I have my water bottle and a High Life on my night stand. (My version of what she ordered.) She was right- I feel A LOT better.
Today something medically freaked me out and I was instantly overwhelmed. I called my doctor to schedule an appointment for Thursday. Not feeling completely satisfied with my resolution (told you-reason, out the door) I called the nurse hotline at my doctor's office to see if I should come in sooner. I ended up crying-full on, can't speak coherent sentences crying to this poor nurse. When I collected myself, I apologized and thanked her for her expertise.
"Oh honey!" she said, "No need to apologize! I understand. Sometimes our bodies do crazy and random things for no reason. I tell you what, nurse's orders. Make sure when you get home from work, you make yourself a cup of tea, get a big hug if available, curl yourself under your covers and read a good book. It'll make you feel better."
I'm in bed before 9, curled under my covers with some mediocre writing. A few people from back home sent me virtual hugs. I have my water bottle and a High Life on my night stand. (My version of what she ordered.) She was right- I feel A LOT better.
Monday, March 10, 2014
59. Hold On
Nadia took us to The Zebra Lounge because she knew the bartender. It's this quaint little piano bar tucked somewhere near Clark and Division. She looked more exotic than normal in contrast to mostly white people with gelled hair and Polos. I still have no idea who the pianist is, but he's their regular if that counts for anything. We stayed long enough for him to replay his set, twice.
By his intermission, the place is packed. We lucked out, arriving early, to anchor a spot right at the corner of the bar. The speakers are blaring your typical in-between music until a gem comes on- "Hold On" by Wilson Philips.
At first the opening notes are met with a loud cheer, followed by everyone singing along the second the words kick in. While we were all singing with the pianist originally, this one is different. Casual screamed conversation grew silent giving way to a full on rock out. Strangers are high-five-ing and singing to each other. People, once propped against the wall are jumping up and down. Drinks are being spilled but no one really cares.
When it's over, everyone get's back to their small groups like it never happened.
I have a penchant for the ridiculous, and a love for accidental humanity. I look at Nadia and tell her that it was the perfect moment. She takes a sip of her red wine, and with glowing, black lined eyes, she agrees.
By his intermission, the place is packed. We lucked out, arriving early, to anchor a spot right at the corner of the bar. The speakers are blaring your typical in-between music until a gem comes on- "Hold On" by Wilson Philips.
At first the opening notes are met with a loud cheer, followed by everyone singing along the second the words kick in. While we were all singing with the pianist originally, this one is different. Casual screamed conversation grew silent giving way to a full on rock out. Strangers are high-five-ing and singing to each other. People, once propped against the wall are jumping up and down. Drinks are being spilled but no one really cares.
When it's over, everyone get's back to their small groups like it never happened.
I have a penchant for the ridiculous, and a love for accidental humanity. I look at Nadia and tell her that it was the perfect moment. She takes a sip of her red wine, and with glowing, black lined eyes, she agrees.
58. Temporary Sidekick
I was running on Division when I passed by a little girl and her family. She looked about seven. Her hair was twirled in six pigtails on top of her head, with colored barrettes at the end. I smiled at her as I was approaching and she smiled back, revealing a grin with two teeth missing on different sides of her mouth.
Upon passing, I wave and she waves back. Excitedly, she runs with me for a few seconds before a man, I assume to be her father, calls her back. I turn around quickly and see her waving. I wave back.
She totally made my day. I hope I made hers too.
Upon passing, I wave and she waves back. Excitedly, she runs with me for a few seconds before a man, I assume to be her father, calls her back. I turn around quickly and see her waving. I wave back.
She totally made my day. I hope I made hers too.
Friday, March 7, 2014
57. Tom
This story has a back story..
One of my favorite things to do is to talk hockey with older fans. You know, people that have seen the many incarnations of the NHL, that were old enough to be drunk watching Bobby Orr at the old Garden but young enough to not have them feel it too hard in the morning.
My first Chicago experience was in 2011 on vacation. Upon arrival, I dropped off my stuff at my hostel and headed out to find a bar because desperately needed a drink. I found this hole in the wall basement pub somewhere in Lincoln Park, where the only people there were the surly old man bartender and the surly old men patrons. I was 24, by myself, wearing this little floral frock. Within 10 minutes I was talking sports with the men at the bar. Within a hour, the place filled up and I was friends with everyone there. (Mostly all middle aged people.) I texted my dad to let him know that Chicago is heaven and I was never leaving. Two years later, I moved here. 9 months after, it's finally starting to feel like the place I fell in love with.
At any rate, I am finishing up my last full week at my current job to move onto a new opportunity. (Terrifying in its own right, but that's another story for another blog.) With most of my customers being incredibly cranky this week, I'm more convinced I'm making the right choice. Today however, the customers have been golden. I spent a half hour on the phone with two of them just talking. One of them was Tom. What started as him placing an order and then asking where the office is located for small talk, turned into a conversation about hockey.
As you are likely well aware, I am a passionate Bruins fan. I don't get the chance to talk about the NHL much because most of my friends here aren't into sports at all. (That's not a complaint by any means, its just the way it turned out.) While I'm still close with my hockey crew back east, there is something wonderful about talking to someone who's seen generations of players take the ice. It's also great to have a conversation with someone who knows your sport, but comes from a different allegiance.
Tom is a Carolina Hurricanes season ticket holder and has been for at least 10 years. We talked about everything from the recent cup wins, to a time when helmets weren't required. Most importantly, we spoke in length about why we love the game so much. That's the thing with old timers, they don't care your gender or how long you're been watching the game. They don't care about your fantasy team stats or who's on the back of your jersey. They just love the game, and will talk to anyone about it- even people who aren't listening.
It was good to listen, and I ate up every word. As we hung up he said to me,
"OK Miss, well you have a great weekend and don't be too salty to Blackhawks fans. They don't know any better!"
I'll try not to be, Tom, but I guarantee nothing..
One of my favorite things to do is to talk hockey with older fans. You know, people that have seen the many incarnations of the NHL, that were old enough to be drunk watching Bobby Orr at the old Garden but young enough to not have them feel it too hard in the morning.
My first Chicago experience was in 2011 on vacation. Upon arrival, I dropped off my stuff at my hostel and headed out to find a bar because desperately needed a drink. I found this hole in the wall basement pub somewhere in Lincoln Park, where the only people there were the surly old man bartender and the surly old men patrons. I was 24, by myself, wearing this little floral frock. Within 10 minutes I was talking sports with the men at the bar. Within a hour, the place filled up and I was friends with everyone there. (Mostly all middle aged people.) I texted my dad to let him know that Chicago is heaven and I was never leaving. Two years later, I moved here. 9 months after, it's finally starting to feel like the place I fell in love with.
At any rate, I am finishing up my last full week at my current job to move onto a new opportunity. (Terrifying in its own right, but that's another story for another blog.) With most of my customers being incredibly cranky this week, I'm more convinced I'm making the right choice. Today however, the customers have been golden. I spent a half hour on the phone with two of them just talking. One of them was Tom. What started as him placing an order and then asking where the office is located for small talk, turned into a conversation about hockey.
As you are likely well aware, I am a passionate Bruins fan. I don't get the chance to talk about the NHL much because most of my friends here aren't into sports at all. (That's not a complaint by any means, its just the way it turned out.) While I'm still close with my hockey crew back east, there is something wonderful about talking to someone who's seen generations of players take the ice. It's also great to have a conversation with someone who knows your sport, but comes from a different allegiance.
Tom is a Carolina Hurricanes season ticket holder and has been for at least 10 years. We talked about everything from the recent cup wins, to a time when helmets weren't required. Most importantly, we spoke in length about why we love the game so much. That's the thing with old timers, they don't care your gender or how long you're been watching the game. They don't care about your fantasy team stats or who's on the back of your jersey. They just love the game, and will talk to anyone about it- even people who aren't listening.
It was good to listen, and I ate up every word. As we hung up he said to me,
"OK Miss, well you have a great weekend and don't be too salty to Blackhawks fans. They don't know any better!"
I'll try not to be, Tom, but I guarantee nothing..
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