Amos Stevens
New Member
Well you could bring in lots of tips TD if you just go without the blouse that is too small 
Just trying to be of help
Just trying to be of help
Where's TD?
- Thread starter TDWoj
- Start date
Well, the job's over, and I survived! I did get a chair, so for the first three days, even though they were middling to really busy, my feet were okay - I didn't have to get up much. Yesterday, though, I was on my feet a lot because of all the last-minute people coming to the literature and souvenir shop - the runners getting the books were run off their feet, so I was up and down like a jack-in-the-box.
I was mainly worried about my feet; and, of course, being me, I was also worried about doing something I'd never done before. However, it turned out to be quite a lot of fun.
The convention was the International Alcoholics Anonymous Convention, and I didn't realise the irony of my working there until Thursday morning (the irony being, both my mother and stepmother were alcoholics, so that makes me a de facto member of Al-Anon, although I've never gone to any meetings!). I have to say, I have never met so many relentlessly cheerful and happy people in my life - it was exhausting!
Lots of people from around the world were there, and it was interesting talking to them, listening to their stories (and their accents!). It was fun trying to figure out, from their accents, where they all came from. The U.S., of course, has so many more regional accents. It was an education listening to the difference between those from the Deep South, for example, and those from farther north (but still considered "south"!).
I only saw one instance of unpleasantness, when a black man from Jamaica tried being friendly with a couple of ladies from Virginia, and was well and thoroughly rebuffed. The lady actually cringed when he shook hands with her.
Word got out amongst the Spanish-speaking people that someone with an obviously Catholic name was at the lit counter. They wouldn't deal with anyone else, despite my insistance that I "no hables espanol". I also had to put my small knowledge of French to use (I can understand it when I'm reading it, but don't understand it well when I hear it), and my even smaller knowledge of Polish. Had a weird disconnent at one point when some customers spoke to me in French but spoke to each other in Polish - my brain nearly fried trying to keep up!
Got a chance to say "thank you" in Japanese, though. The man I spoke to was that pleased I used the proper form!
Mind you, the long hours, and having to get up at the merciless hour of 5 a.m. to get there to start work at 7:30 completely screwed up my metabolism, and a couple of times I nearly passed out because of having suspend my usual routine for food, water and rest - not to mention trying to sleep in the blistering heat at night - AND had one of my circulating fans give up the ghost during the hottest night there was. Mercifully, it cooled off Thursday and Friday nights so I wasn't quite as bagged the last two mornings as I was the first two.
I think as an occasional stint to fill the coffers, this might not be a bad gig, although I hated missing my aikido classes (ended up missing three, since the training on Tuesday went on longer than it should have, and so I couldn't go to my class Tuesday night - or even pick up a class Thursday morning, since I had to be at the convention centre by 7:15 to sign in my timesheet). Pay isn't great, either, but it's better than nothing, plenty of which I have been getting far too often lately. I'm also limited to working downtown since there is no way for me to get to the International Centre out near the airport (especially if it's an early morning gig like this one was).
Next week (or more likely the week after) I am going to look into the possibility of getting work as a movie extra. One of the girls I was working with on this job was a movie extra, and she seemed to be getting called fairly frequently. Again, though, I'm just worried I'm going to be missing too many aikido classes since a "day" of work as an extra is usually about 12 hours (and can be as much as 24), but I have to balance that with being practical about my financial situation, too. It'll also cost about $100 to register with a talent agency, which I simply haven't got at the moment. I'm still looking into getting work as an actor in commercials, but that I have to think on, as well, since it means I have to take acting classes before an agent will even consider me for that.
On a side note, I found it quite exhilerating that even though I am still quite heavy, I am, in fact, smaller at this weight than I was when I was at this weight before. I think the aikido has done some serious toning, especially of my upper body, because I was able to wear a size 16 blouse quite comfortably, whereas before only sizes 18-20 would fit. Nifty! (And another reason why I don't want to miss any more aikido classes!)
-TD, wondering if she can afford going to the BB King concert this year
I was mainly worried about my feet; and, of course, being me, I was also worried about doing something I'd never done before. However, it turned out to be quite a lot of fun.
The convention was the International Alcoholics Anonymous Convention, and I didn't realise the irony of my working there until Thursday morning (the irony being, both my mother and stepmother were alcoholics, so that makes me a de facto member of Al-Anon, although I've never gone to any meetings!). I have to say, I have never met so many relentlessly cheerful and happy people in my life - it was exhausting!
Lots of people from around the world were there, and it was interesting talking to them, listening to their stories (and their accents!). It was fun trying to figure out, from their accents, where they all came from. The U.S., of course, has so many more regional accents. It was an education listening to the difference between those from the Deep South, for example, and those from farther north (but still considered "south"!).
I only saw one instance of unpleasantness, when a black man from Jamaica tried being friendly with a couple of ladies from Virginia, and was well and thoroughly rebuffed. The lady actually cringed when he shook hands with her.
Word got out amongst the Spanish-speaking people that someone with an obviously Catholic name was at the lit counter. They wouldn't deal with anyone else, despite my insistance that I "no hables espanol". I also had to put my small knowledge of French to use (I can understand it when I'm reading it, but don't understand it well when I hear it), and my even smaller knowledge of Polish. Had a weird disconnent at one point when some customers spoke to me in French but spoke to each other in Polish - my brain nearly fried trying to keep up!
Got a chance to say "thank you" in Japanese, though. The man I spoke to was that pleased I used the proper form!
Mind you, the long hours, and having to get up at the merciless hour of 5 a.m. to get there to start work at 7:30 completely screwed up my metabolism, and a couple of times I nearly passed out because of having suspend my usual routine for food, water and rest - not to mention trying to sleep in the blistering heat at night - AND had one of my circulating fans give up the ghost during the hottest night there was. Mercifully, it cooled off Thursday and Friday nights so I wasn't quite as bagged the last two mornings as I was the first two.
I think as an occasional stint to fill the coffers, this might not be a bad gig, although I hated missing my aikido classes (ended up missing three, since the training on Tuesday went on longer than it should have, and so I couldn't go to my class Tuesday night - or even pick up a class Thursday morning, since I had to be at the convention centre by 7:15 to sign in my timesheet). Pay isn't great, either, but it's better than nothing, plenty of which I have been getting far too often lately. I'm also limited to working downtown since there is no way for me to get to the International Centre out near the airport (especially if it's an early morning gig like this one was).
Next week (or more likely the week after) I am going to look into the possibility of getting work as a movie extra. One of the girls I was working with on this job was a movie extra, and she seemed to be getting called fairly frequently. Again, though, I'm just worried I'm going to be missing too many aikido classes since a "day" of work as an extra is usually about 12 hours (and can be as much as 24), but I have to balance that with being practical about my financial situation, too. It'll also cost about $100 to register with a talent agency, which I simply haven't got at the moment. I'm still looking into getting work as an actor in commercials, but that I have to think on, as well, since it means I have to take acting classes before an agent will even consider me for that.
On a side note, I found it quite exhilerating that even though I am still quite heavy, I am, in fact, smaller at this weight than I was when I was at this weight before. I think the aikido has done some serious toning, especially of my upper body, because I was able to wear a size 16 blouse quite comfortably, whereas before only sizes 18-20 would fit. Nifty! (And another reason why I don't want to miss any more aikido classes!)
-TD, wondering if she can afford going to the BB King concert this year
Lollipop
Banned
TDWoj said:Well, the job's over, and I survived! I did get a chair, so for the first three days, even though they were middling to really busy, my feet were okay - I didn't have to get up much. Yesterday, though, I was on my feet a lot because of all the last-minute people coming to the literature and souvenir shop - the runners getting the books were run off their feet, so I was up and down like a jack-in-the-box.
I was mainly worried about my feet; and, of course, being me, I was also worried about doing something I'd never done before. However, it turned out to be quite a lot of fun.
The convention was the International Alcoholics Anonymous Convention, and I didn't realise the irony of my working there until Thursday morning (the irony being, both my mother and stepmother were alcoholics, so that makes me a de facto member of Al-Anon, although I've never gone to any meetings!). I have to say, I have never met so many relentlessly cheerful and happy people in my life - it was exhausting!
Lots of people from around the world were there, and it was interesting talking to them, listening to their stories (and their accents!). It was fun trying to figure out, from their accents, where they all came from. The U.S., of course, has so many more regional accents. It was an education listening to the difference between those from the Deep South, for example, and those from farther north (but still considered "south"!).
I only saw one instance of unpleasantness, when a black man from Jamaica tried being friendly with a couple of ladies from Virginia, and was well and thoroughly rebuffed. The lady actually cringed when he shook hands with her.
Word got out amongst the Spanish-speaking people that someone with an obviously Catholic name was at the lit counter. They wouldn't deal with anyone else, despite my insistance that I "no hables espanol". I also had to put my small knowledge of French to use (I can understand it when I'm reading it, but don't understand it well when I hear it), and my even smaller knowledge of Polish. Had a weird disconnent at one point when some customers spoke to me in French but spoke to each other in Polish - my brain nearly fried trying to keep up!
Got a chance to say "thank you" in Japanese, though. The man I spoke to was that pleased I used the proper form!
Mind you, the long hours, and having to get up at the merciless hour of 5 a.m. to get there to start work at 7:30 completely screwed up my metabolism, and a couple of times I nearly passed out because of having suspend my usual routine for food, water and rest - not to mention trying to sleep in the blistering heat at night - AND had one of my circulating fans give up the ghost during the hottest night there was. Mercifully, it cooled off Thursday and Friday nights so I wasn't quite as bagged the last two mornings as I was the first two.
I think as an occasional stint to fill the coffers, this might not be a bad gig, although I hated missing my aikido classes (ended up missing three, since the training on Tuesday went on longer than it should have, and so I couldn't go to my class Tuesday night - or even pick up a class Thursday morning, since I had to be at the convention centre by 7:15 to sign in my timesheet). Pay isn't great, either, but it's better than nothing, plenty of which I have been getting far too often lately. I'm also limited to working downtown since there is no way for me to get to the International Centre out near the airport (especially if it's an early morning gig like this one was).
Next week (or more likely the week after) I am going to look into the possibility of getting work as a movie extra. One of the girls I was working with on this job was a movie extra, and she seemed to be getting called fairly frequently. Again, though, I'm just worried I'm going to be missing too many aikido classes since a "day" of work as an extra is usually about 12 hours (and can be as much as 24), but I have to balance that with being practical about my financial situation, too. It'll also cost about $100 to register with a talent agency, which I simply haven't got at the moment. I'm still looking into getting work as an actor in commercials, but that I have to think on, as well, since it means I have to take acting classes before an agent will even consider me for that.
On a side note, I found it quite exhilerating that even though I am still quite heavy, I am, in fact, smaller at this weight than I was when I was at this weight before. I think the aikido has done some serious toning, especially of my upper body, because I was able to wear a size 16 blouse quite comfortably, whereas before only sizes 18-20 would fit. Nifty! (And another reason why I don't want to miss any more aikido classes!)
-TD, wondering if she can afford going to the BB King concert this year
That is true TD, when I worked out regularly, I got in clothes that I couldn't when I just dieted and would weigh the same!! The guys at the gym said just about what you did about the toning!!!
Glad you got through your job!! Maybe something else will pop up!!!
My accent is not really deep south, but it is southern!!
GlimmerMan
Huge Member
Storm - can you fit a false ceiling?
GlimmerMan
Huge Member
Hahaha... sorry to **** up your thread, TD, but I just saw Storm's post about being a pro decorator - something which I had forgotten.
I enjoyed your story. Keep up the good work.
GMan
I enjoyed your story. Keep up the good work.
GMan
GlimmerMan said:
Ah, don't worry about ****ing up my thread. I have tapped Storm to redecorate my place, as long as he doesn't hire Amos as a painting contractor! Some day, I'll have enough money to get this place finished....
-TD, muttering awful imprecations under her breath at having to continue to look at those awful pink walls until the bank account gets some action
So I took a few moments today while I was eating lunch to pop On Deadly Ground into the computer, and I couldn't help but think that Steven looks like a great big banana in those yellow overalls, and my, wouldn't I like to peel it off and get at what's underneath...
Okay. 'Nuff of that now. Must get back to work.
I love bananas.
-TD, working in a room where the heat is rising, and not entirely due to the climactic, um, climate conditions
Okay. 'Nuff of that now. Must get back to work.
I love bananas.
-TD, working in a room where the heat is rising, and not entirely due to the climactic, um, climate conditions
GlimmerMan
Huge Member
And you censored my post... 
I wouldn't normally do this, put in a note about something more inconsequential than what I usually write about; however, it just struck me as funny and odd.
I went to a meeting tonight (community consulation, I'll spare you the details, boring stuff) after which I decided to stop by the 24-hour grocery store in my neighbourhood. There I ran into a friend of mine from the writers' workshop, a fellow of the tall, dark and handsome type for which I seem to have a prediliction. I've known him for years; longer, in fact, than he's been with his girlfriend (about 15 years with her, 18 years with me). I will confess to, at one point, being completely smitten by him, but nothing ever came of it, and I have since wrestled the "smitten" down to "just good friends".
The girlfriend and I have never got along. I think she sees me as some kind of a threat, though at the time when he met her, she was far better looking than I, and appealed to his manly nature, having the qualities of being sweet and helpless and adorable, qualities one would never in a million years associate with me.
Anyway, he spotted me in the store, approached, and we hugged. He hadn't seen me in more than a month, and I guess the weight loss was more obvious after a long absence. "You look great!" sez he to me. Somewhat indelicately, I thought, with Girlfriend right there, though I loved getting the compliment. Beamed, I did. We chatted for a while.
Girlfriend studiously ignored me. I studiously ignored girlfriend, after my initial, cheery, "Hi, Karen!" met with a stony silence.
He and she departed, I scurried around getting my groceries, and then we ran into each other again in the line-up.
My friend and I continued to chat. Girlfriend continued to ignore me.
I recall being horribly jealous and upset that he chose her over me, although I knew that I was no prize in the "pretty" department back then (nor am I now). That he's stuck with her for 15 years is a testament to his affection for her, and I figured the better woman won.
However, I can't help having this little-devil-voice inside of me crow that time has not been kind to her, and though she is five years younger than I, she looks about 10 years older now.... I know, I know! Meow!
I'll never be drop-dead gorgeous, I'll never turn men's heads, I'll never be sweet and helpless and adorable, but, oh, it was so nice having a man telling me I looked great!
I went to a meeting tonight (community consulation, I'll spare you the details, boring stuff) after which I decided to stop by the 24-hour grocery store in my neighbourhood. There I ran into a friend of mine from the writers' workshop, a fellow of the tall, dark and handsome type for which I seem to have a prediliction. I've known him for years; longer, in fact, than he's been with his girlfriend (about 15 years with her, 18 years with me). I will confess to, at one point, being completely smitten by him, but nothing ever came of it, and I have since wrestled the "smitten" down to "just good friends".
The girlfriend and I have never got along. I think she sees me as some kind of a threat, though at the time when he met her, she was far better looking than I, and appealed to his manly nature, having the qualities of being sweet and helpless and adorable, qualities one would never in a million years associate with me.
Anyway, he spotted me in the store, approached, and we hugged. He hadn't seen me in more than a month, and I guess the weight loss was more obvious after a long absence. "You look great!" sez he to me. Somewhat indelicately, I thought, with Girlfriend right there, though I loved getting the compliment. Beamed, I did. We chatted for a while.
Girlfriend studiously ignored me. I studiously ignored girlfriend, after my initial, cheery, "Hi, Karen!" met with a stony silence.
He and she departed, I scurried around getting my groceries, and then we ran into each other again in the line-up.
My friend and I continued to chat. Girlfriend continued to ignore me.
I recall being horribly jealous and upset that he chose her over me, although I knew that I was no prize in the "pretty" department back then (nor am I now). That he's stuck with her for 15 years is a testament to his affection for her, and I figured the better woman won.
However, I can't help having this little-devil-voice inside of me crow that time has not been kind to her, and though she is five years younger than I, she looks about 10 years older now.... I know, I know! Meow!
I'll never be drop-dead gorgeous, I'll never turn men's heads, I'll never be sweet and helpless and adorable, but, oh, it was so nice having a man telling me I looked great!
GlimmerMan
Huge Member
Cool story, TD. I'm sure you look fine. People tell me I look great all the time - it gets boring after a while.
Amos Stevens
New Member
You look great TD
You look great TD
and you deserve all the compliments & more
You look great TD
and you deserve all the compliments & more
GlimmerMan said:Cool story, TD. I'm sure you look fine. People tell me I look great all the time - it gets boring after a while.
Ah, I can't compete with a fine, upstanding fellow like you. I'm sure you're much prettier than I, if that mugshot is anything to go by!
I'm going through one of my weird spells where depression is lurking close by, and threatens to take over. I get this way when I don't have work, and can't find any.
I was looking into taking some courses - one, an acting course which would be the first step towards getting work in commercials. Another, a screenwriting course that might put my unused skills in writing to good use. Both, of course, cost money, which I don't have at the moment. Even signing up with a talent agency to do background (extra) work in local productions would still cost me upwards of $100 (not to mention the 15% the agency would get if I got any work).
The screenwriting course would also force me to give up one of my aikido classes for 14 weeks - the only nights available are Monday (which would also force me to give up my writers' workshop), Tuesday (open hand followed by weapons) or Thursday (basic open hand and advanced open hand).
I need a big, meaty job right about now, not this chicken-**** small change stuff I've been getting. And coming to terms with having to give something up in order to get something else is hard for me to do, because of all the things I've already given up to be practical. That's why I'm resisting this - because I also don't know if anything will come of taking the screenwriting course. (Fortunately, the follow-up course is on Wednesday, but I have only about a month to decide to take the 1st course, if I want to take it in the fall semester and the follow up course in the winter semester.)
Decisions, decisions. And you can bet TD will make the wrong one (going on her previous track record).
I was looking into taking some courses - one, an acting course which would be the first step towards getting work in commercials. Another, a screenwriting course that might put my unused skills in writing to good use. Both, of course, cost money, which I don't have at the moment. Even signing up with a talent agency to do background (extra) work in local productions would still cost me upwards of $100 (not to mention the 15% the agency would get if I got any work).
The screenwriting course would also force me to give up one of my aikido classes for 14 weeks - the only nights available are Monday (which would also force me to give up my writers' workshop), Tuesday (open hand followed by weapons) or Thursday (basic open hand and advanced open hand).
I need a big, meaty job right about now, not this chicken-**** small change stuff I've been getting. And coming to terms with having to give something up in order to get something else is hard for me to do, because of all the things I've already given up to be practical. That's why I'm resisting this - because I also don't know if anything will come of taking the screenwriting course. (Fortunately, the follow-up course is on Wednesday, but I have only about a month to decide to take the 1st course, if I want to take it in the fall semester and the follow up course in the winter semester.)
Decisions, decisions. And you can bet TD will make the wrong one (going on her previous track record).
Amos Stevens
New Member
YOu could put pieces of paper in a hat TD with your choices on them & pick one
Well, I don't know about that.
I just spent the last two hours perusing over a thousand job postings on Human Resources Development on the federal government site. Aside from ruining my eyesight, it turned out to be a waste of time.
There were two jobs in my field, neither of which I was qualified for.
I went through the whole list rather than a specific search because there might have been other jobs I could do. Well, there were - only, the ones where I didn't need specific experience required that I be on my feet 8 hours at a stretch (which I can't physically do without crippling myself for the next couple of days), or paid so low as to be barely worth even applying for (I need a certain minimum per month to cover my expenses, and most of these barely cleared half that, fulltime). Or required shift-work, and I already have problems with my sleep cycles and being rested enough to actually do a good day's work.
The others required qualifications I didn't have and can't get (or can't get quickly), like being fully bilingual, for example.
I should have been a plumber. Gaaahhhhhh.....
I just spent the last two hours perusing over a thousand job postings on Human Resources Development on the federal government site. Aside from ruining my eyesight, it turned out to be a waste of time.
There were two jobs in my field, neither of which I was qualified for.
I went through the whole list rather than a specific search because there might have been other jobs I could do. Well, there were - only, the ones where I didn't need specific experience required that I be on my feet 8 hours at a stretch (which I can't physically do without crippling myself for the next couple of days), or paid so low as to be barely worth even applying for (I need a certain minimum per month to cover my expenses, and most of these barely cleared half that, fulltime). Or required shift-work, and I already have problems with my sleep cycles and being rested enough to actually do a good day's work.
The others required qualifications I didn't have and can't get (or can't get quickly), like being fully bilingual, for example.
I should have been a plumber. Gaaahhhhhh.....
Amos Stevens
New Member
Hmmm why not a dr or a lawyer TD? Gotta think for the big bucks
Good luck with the job search
Good luck with the job search