Hey, all; Happy Friday-

 

Hope this Friday finds everyone well, and that my fellow Americados had a good and safe 4th. (and all my internationacados had a…great Thursday!) Mine had a few too many grass stains and ‘skeeters for my taste, but, at least my cousin in-law’s backyard cooking was good, as always.

I can’t speak for all of you, but I personally don’t have a whole lot to rant about this week. And why is that, I hear you ask? Well, put simply, my wage-babies, it’s because I’m awesome. No, really; I am. Don’t look at me like tha–look, just shut up, okay? It’s true. Okay, fine;  at least, it’s true, right now.

For the past month, for reasons known only to myself and gods with names long-forgotten by the collective memory of man, I have been the most productive and efficient at my job that I’ve been in probably well-over a year. Most free moments I have, I find myself wanting to get as much work done as possible so as to leave time to, get this, do a different kind of work, later. And when I’m done with that, I find myself thinking of ways I might be able to devote my energies to help making my place of business more efficient. Even better, my boss has noticed my efforts and has made time to come and praise me for my efforts! Yep, it’s times like this, I can contentedly take a step back, get a full view of my situation, and just have one thought come to mind:

Help.

Everyone, I don’t know if you know this about me or not but, I hate my job. I mean really hate it. I hate every delayed train, and every overcrowded bus and every over-stressed bus driver.

I hate every over-booked day with no cancellations, every late appointment, and every infuriating complaint from an applicant that they continue to spew at me while even admitting that they know I had nothing to do with it.

I hate the shitty acoustics in my office that make it impossible to deal with anyone with a hearing problem, or really, anyone who wasn’t born and raised in Carlsbad Caverns. I hate the fact that the toilet paper dispenser in the men’s handicapped stall has been broken for two months because our boss’ boss hasn’t taken the time to find a cost-effective contractor.

I hate that, despite my efficiency, I know that I’ll never advance in the organization, because the only place to go from where I am is my boss’ job; and there’s no amount of money, benefits or sexual favors you could offer to get me to take that job.

I hate every soul-sucking, stressful, going-through-the-motions, depressing, nano-angstrom of my job. And, perhaps worst of all, I hate the fact that, as much as I complain, I’m also really, really good at what I do; and thus, can’t bring myself to stop caring, completely.

Okay, I guess I was wrong. I did have something to rant about.

Such is our topic this week, and the question I pose to you all; beyond “has Big Wheel finally snapped?”  Do you, or have you ever found yourself in similar straits: working your utmost, sometimes happily so, in spite of yourself?

Of course, if you don’t feel like feeding into my existential breakdown, or you just need to get something else off your chest, that’s what we’re here for, so you just go right ahead; I’ll just be over here at my desk thinking of new and efficient ways the new hires can format their reports for maximum clarity and readability, and streamlining our fire evacuation procedures.

As ever, have a safe and productive rest of the day, safe trip home, and a great weekend. And remember: If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well; if it’s not, and you’re anything like me, you’re probably still doing it, anyway.