I don't have a lot of time this morning, but I wanted to let you know that I quit my job! Friday is my last day. WaHoo! I just can't take the commute any more. I seriously think I'd lose my shit if I knew I had to drive all that way to deal with people I'm tired of dealing with for any longer. Meanwhile, I'm looking for another job. I am going to a career fair tomorrow.
In an effor to meet people and hopefully change my career path, I'm gonna start volunteering at Image Film & Video. They are a nonprofit organization that runs the Atlanta Film Festival and OutOnFilm Festval, Atlanta's gay and lesbian film festival (which is 19 years old!). Check out these web sites OutOnFilm and Image Film and Video. I attended a salon they had last night which was great. I got to meet several people, including Image's new President/CEO Gabe Wardell and its new Festival Director Dan Krovich. They both seem like excellent men with a lot of plans for Image. I also met Garrin, the marketing director and Elizabeth the education program director. I will be doing volunteer work for both of them. Monday, October 30, Image is a having a "Local's Only" horror-film screening which sounds like it will be a lot of fun. The films that will be shown will only be done from local film makers. Anybody can come watch them, so I hope my Atlanta friends will come. Dress up!!
Okay, I will write more later but I have to go to work now. Ugh!! I know, it's almost over, but still.
It's almost Office Thursday!! WaHoo!!!!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Monday, October 2, 2006
Do Dodge Chargers deliver hot people?
I didn't go back to work today. I was tired and sore and I'm squeezing another day out of my fmla. I go back to my doctor tomorrow for my "release to work."
The reason I'm tired and sore is because I've had a pretty busy weekend. Sunday, I took my mother-in-law shopping for clothes. This doesn't sound very tiring but she suffered a stroke a few years ago and is in a wheelchair. So having to load and unload a wheelchair can be a little tiring, but dressing and undressing a person who has very limited mobility on her right side is downright exhausting.
She also has apraxia, which is basically a speech disorder. Her mind functions correctly (most of the time) so she knows what she wants to say but when she speaks, something completely different comes out of her mouth. She's just as surprised as we are to hear what she finally ends up saying. She can say some pretty funny stuff. For example, she looked at me the other day and said, "You can get some food for yourself?" After 20 minutes or so, we finally figured out she was asking when she was going to go shopping for clothes. She is taking a trip to see a friend and she is completely fixated on the trip, and dressing for it.
She lives downstairs from us in an in-law's suite apartment. She can use the phone and when she wants something from me or my husband, Mike, she calls us. She recently called me and left this message: "Hello, Walter, this is Michael. Uh, I mean, Michael this is Walter. Uh, I mean.....Nevermind." She spent so much energy trying to introduce herself in her message when chances were pretty good I could've probably guessed who was calling me. (Walter is her nephew, by the way.) She called Mike and told him "I can tell you the secrets of the children." She just wanted to know if he was going to have lunch with her. She often says the same phrase over and over again but it will have a different meaning each time. She has a good sense of humor about herself though and that counts for a lot! She's a good lady.
Then yesterday, Sunday, I spent the entire day on location of a short movie shoot. I was only an extra so it's nothing to get real excited about, but it was more experience. I waited for like three and a half hours though before I actually went into the scenes. The short takes place in a jazz bar, and there are a couple bad guys, a jazz singer and a guy who stumbles into a ongoing plot and creates confusion. It'll be neat to see the finished project. There was no pay, it was meals/copy and credit. Anyway, the name of the short is Jive. I'll let you know when I get a copy of it. It was fun once I started doing something. The people were very nice.
So, today I am looking for a new job. I saw an add for salespeople needed at Landmark Dodge. I have no sales experience and almost all of my work history involves healthcare management, but that's all I can find around my neighborhood right now. So, I called the Dodge guy and emailed him my resume. We'll see what happens. I think it's probably easier for a woman to sell a car to man than it is for a man anyway, right? I could just say something like, "Damn, you look HOT behind that wheel! Don't tell my husband I said that." That should be somewhat persuasive. Thoughts? Especially you guys out there.
It's Monday. Only three more days to a new episode of The Office! WaHoo!!
The reason I'm tired and sore is because I've had a pretty busy weekend. Sunday, I took my mother-in-law shopping for clothes. This doesn't sound very tiring but she suffered a stroke a few years ago and is in a wheelchair. So having to load and unload a wheelchair can be a little tiring, but dressing and undressing a person who has very limited mobility on her right side is downright exhausting.
She also has apraxia, which is basically a speech disorder. Her mind functions correctly (most of the time) so she knows what she wants to say but when she speaks, something completely different comes out of her mouth. She's just as surprised as we are to hear what she finally ends up saying. She can say some pretty funny stuff. For example, she looked at me the other day and said, "You can get some food for yourself?" After 20 minutes or so, we finally figured out she was asking when she was going to go shopping for clothes. She is taking a trip to see a friend and she is completely fixated on the trip, and dressing for it.
She lives downstairs from us in an in-law's suite apartment. She can use the phone and when she wants something from me or my husband, Mike, she calls us. She recently called me and left this message: "Hello, Walter, this is Michael. Uh, I mean, Michael this is Walter. Uh, I mean.....Nevermind." She spent so much energy trying to introduce herself in her message when chances were pretty good I could've probably guessed who was calling me. (Walter is her nephew, by the way.) She called Mike and told him "I can tell you the secrets of the children." She just wanted to know if he was going to have lunch with her. She often says the same phrase over and over again but it will have a different meaning each time. She has a good sense of humor about herself though and that counts for a lot! She's a good lady.
Then yesterday, Sunday, I spent the entire day on location of a short movie shoot. I was only an extra so it's nothing to get real excited about, but it was more experience. I waited for like three and a half hours though before I actually went into the scenes. The short takes place in a jazz bar, and there are a couple bad guys, a jazz singer and a guy who stumbles into a ongoing plot and creates confusion. It'll be neat to see the finished project. There was no pay, it was meals/copy and credit. Anyway, the name of the short is Jive. I'll let you know when I get a copy of it. It was fun once I started doing something. The people were very nice.
So, today I am looking for a new job. I saw an add for salespeople needed at Landmark Dodge. I have no sales experience and almost all of my work history involves healthcare management, but that's all I can find around my neighborhood right now. So, I called the Dodge guy and emailed him my resume. We'll see what happens. I think it's probably easier for a woman to sell a car to man than it is for a man anyway, right? I could just say something like, "Damn, you look HOT behind that wheel! Don't tell my husband I said that." That should be somewhat persuasive. Thoughts? Especially you guys out there.
It's Monday. Only three more days to a new episode of The Office! WaHoo!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
I'm having my own lttle pity party.....
This morning I was part of a little short video that was being made for a church, to promote their singles group. There were three women and three men and we met at a local tavern at 7:00am to shoot the film. We had to dress like we were going out for a night on the town. We did scenes that had men coming on to women and the women were disgusted and bored. The shoot lasted until 10:30am. Since I have never been on a set before this was pretty neat. Even though there's nothing very romantic about being in a short church film it was neat just to see how everything was done.
Now, for my pity party......having been out of work since mid July for back surgery, I am seriously dreading (which is really much too weak a word) having to return to work on Oct 2. I really need a new job! I live in Monroe and I work in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital--it's 49 miles one way. In Atlanta traffic it usually takes me close to two hours to get to work and another two to get home--three and half to four hours each day spent commuting amounts to a part-time job, around 20 hours per week. My job is okay, I manage doctors' offices and some hospital programs, but I'm tired. I'm tired of doctors doing whatever they want to do, making my job harder because I'm responsible for their compliance. I'm tired of dealing with staff issues (sick babies, flat tires, or whatever other reason they can't come to work). I'm tired of feeling unappreciated and unsupported by my bosses. And, the idea of driving two hours to deal with all of that really depresses me.
I'm in my last year of MBA school and I plan on seeing that through but I have no idea what I want to do with it. There's really nothing around Monroe. The next closest towns (Loganville, Snellville, Athens) don't have that many opportunities either. I really don't want to stay in healthcare but I don't really know what else I can do. Ugh!!!!! I wish I were rich and didn't have to work. And, I don't think stuffing envelopes, buying/selling property or cold calling are legitimate "work-at-home" businesses. I seriously would rather have another major surgery than return to work. That's sad. I'm sad. I want Thursday to come because of the season premiere of The Office, but I don't want it to come because it's one more day closer to October 2. Ugh!!!! This totally sucks!!
Now, for my pity party......having been out of work since mid July for back surgery, I am seriously dreading (which is really much too weak a word) having to return to work on Oct 2. I really need a new job! I live in Monroe and I work in Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital--it's 49 miles one way. In Atlanta traffic it usually takes me close to two hours to get to work and another two to get home--three and half to four hours each day spent commuting amounts to a part-time job, around 20 hours per week. My job is okay, I manage doctors' offices and some hospital programs, but I'm tired. I'm tired of doctors doing whatever they want to do, making my job harder because I'm responsible for their compliance. I'm tired of dealing with staff issues (sick babies, flat tires, or whatever other reason they can't come to work). I'm tired of feeling unappreciated and unsupported by my bosses. And, the idea of driving two hours to deal with all of that really depresses me.
I'm in my last year of MBA school and I plan on seeing that through but I have no idea what I want to do with it. There's really nothing around Monroe. The next closest towns (Loganville, Snellville, Athens) don't have that many opportunities either. I really don't want to stay in healthcare but I don't really know what else I can do. Ugh!!!!! I wish I were rich and didn't have to work. And, I don't think stuffing envelopes, buying/selling property or cold calling are legitimate "work-at-home" businesses. I seriously would rather have another major surgery than return to work. That's sad. I'm sad. I want Thursday to come because of the season premiere of The Office, but I don't want it to come because it's one more day closer to October 2. Ugh!!!! This totally sucks!!
Friday, September 15, 2006
My very first audition ever!!!!!!!
Hey, y'all.
Yesterday, I had my very first audition ever! I read for a part, Leah, in an indie movie titled "God is dead." Leah is not a main character in the movie but she does have a respectable presence. Plus, since I'm just now starting this acting thing, I'm no where near ready to try for an advanced role. I was SOOOO nervous! I tried to hide my nervousness--I don't know how well I pulled it off though. It was also very exciting.
I studied the sides (script) for Leah's part for a few days prior to the read. I had imagined that a conversation had already been going on when Leah begins speaking, so I began the scene with a little "can you believe this" laugh. I also felt like the other character that Leah was talking to (Leigh) wasn't really paying that close of attention to what Leah was saying, so I kinda didn't acknowledge Leigh's comments between the first couple of lines. I also felt like Leah should be a little underplayed--not a lot of emotion, but enough to show that she has character but it's gonna take a lot more to get it to come out.
Anyway, I walked into the room and there was the casting director and two other men sitting behind a table. The table had a monitor on it and both men had clip boards and other stuff. I brought in a headshot of myself, but it was homemade because I haven't had a professional headshot taken yet. I will be getting one though. The casting director took a photograph of me anyway (I didn't smile--why, I have no idea--I don't know what the hell's wrong with me). I also do not have a professional acting resume, so I wrote the casting director a little letter explaining that I was new to acting and just attached my regular resume to the letter. (I know, I'm such a dork.) There was a camera in the room and I had to look into the camera and state my name and the part for which I was reading. I started the reading and the casting director read the part of Leigh. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes.
I have no idea what they thought of me. They said that they will have callbacks on Sunday. So, I guess I will find out today if they would like for me to come back in read again. If I don't get a call back at least I can say that I gave it shot. Plus, the film will need extras and so forth, so I might still have a chance of being in it--just not as Leah. That would still give me something to start my acting resume. I don't really know exactly what casting directors look for in a reading. I don't know if I gave them what they were looking for. I don't know if my interpretation of Leah was right or not. I don't even know if it matters. If anyone can shed some light on this for me I'd greatly appreciate it.
I do plan on taking acting classes and some improv classes too. That is also bound to help me. In any case, I had a great time and I plan on auditioning for roles as often as they come available. Wish me success!
Hugs!
--Paula
Yesterday, I had my very first audition ever! I read for a part, Leah, in an indie movie titled "God is dead." Leah is not a main character in the movie but she does have a respectable presence. Plus, since I'm just now starting this acting thing, I'm no where near ready to try for an advanced role. I was SOOOO nervous! I tried to hide my nervousness--I don't know how well I pulled it off though. It was also very exciting.
I studied the sides (script) for Leah's part for a few days prior to the read. I had imagined that a conversation had already been going on when Leah begins speaking, so I began the scene with a little "can you believe this" laugh. I also felt like the other character that Leah was talking to (Leigh) wasn't really paying that close of attention to what Leah was saying, so I kinda didn't acknowledge Leigh's comments between the first couple of lines. I also felt like Leah should be a little underplayed--not a lot of emotion, but enough to show that she has character but it's gonna take a lot more to get it to come out.
Anyway, I walked into the room and there was the casting director and two other men sitting behind a table. The table had a monitor on it and both men had clip boards and other stuff. I brought in a headshot of myself, but it was homemade because I haven't had a professional headshot taken yet. I will be getting one though. The casting director took a photograph of me anyway (I didn't smile--why, I have no idea--I don't know what the hell's wrong with me). I also do not have a professional acting resume, so I wrote the casting director a little letter explaining that I was new to acting and just attached my regular resume to the letter. (I know, I'm such a dork.) There was a camera in the room and I had to look into the camera and state my name and the part for which I was reading. I started the reading and the casting director read the part of Leigh. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes.
I have no idea what they thought of me. They said that they will have callbacks on Sunday. So, I guess I will find out today if they would like for me to come back in read again. If I don't get a call back at least I can say that I gave it shot. Plus, the film will need extras and so forth, so I might still have a chance of being in it--just not as Leah. That would still give me something to start my acting resume. I don't really know exactly what casting directors look for in a reading. I don't know if I gave them what they were looking for. I don't know if my interpretation of Leah was right or not. I don't even know if it matters. If anyone can shed some light on this for me I'd greatly appreciate it.
I do plan on taking acting classes and some improv classes too. That is also bound to help me. In any case, I had a great time and I plan on auditioning for roles as often as they come available. Wish me success!
Hugs!
--Paula
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Customer Service
I've known a lot of people in my life that seem to mellow with age. Things that used to bother them hardly phase them anymore; and they've become much more patient. But I haven't. I'm just the opposite. I'm thinking something must be wrong with me because my patience has actually decreased and I get upset when dealing with rude people like cashiers, telephone support people, salespeople, coworkers, etc.. I have a big problem with the current behavioral standards in businesses.
Recently, I needed to by a watch battery. I went to the local Wal-mart (which I hate Wal-Mart but it's the closest store to my house) with watch in hand in search of a battery. The batteries are kept in the jewelry department and finding someone to help you there is always difficult. I finally spotted two employees stocking marked-down fashion jewelry, laughing hard and heavy with each other. I interrupted their inane banter and asked them to please help me open my watch and remove the battery so I could replace it with a new one. The teenagers looked at me as though I had just asked them to paint my house but one reluctantly stopped stocking and walked toward me. She asked me if I bought the watch there, at Wal-Mart. I told her that I had not, but I know the battery size is universal and it should be a commonly stocked model.
The "sales associate" quickly informed me that she could not help me since I didn't buy the watch there. She was dismissing me and walking back over to her friend at the same time. She told me that they were not allowed to open the watch since I didn't by it from them. I asked her if I could use the tool to pry open the back thereby relieving her of any responsibility of damage to my watch. She again proudly expressed the fact that it is against Wal-Mart's policy to open, or allow anyone to open a watch that was not purchased from that store. She began talking to her friend and I left.
I was so upset. This was such a minor thing--a watch battery. I had even told the girl that I would sign a paper stating that I wouldn't her or Wal-Mart responsible if something happens to my watch if she or I opened it. The blatent and proud refusal to help me with such a small thing was really unnecessary. It was ridiculous.
I drove to CVS drug store and presented them with the same scenario except it played completely different with the sales associate there verses the sales associate at Wal-Mart. The CVS employee took my watch and headed behind the counter to get his tools. He easily popped open the back of my watch and removed the battery. He replaced the battery and reassembled the watch. The watch did not work. The CVS employee was puzzled and he immediately opened another battery and placed it in the watch. Even after trying the second battery, my watch still did not work. He told me that the battery must not be the problem, since he tried two new batteries. He then told me he would not charge me for the batteries, even though he opened them. Needing a watch, I asked him if CVS sold watches and he showed me to their watch selection. I purchased a new watch for about $20 and then bought a couple of other items I needed, bringing my total purchase to $34. I left CVS feeling satisfied that I had a working watch and received excellent customer service.
The CVS experience is an example of excellent customer service compared to the service at Wal-Mart. Even though I might shop at Wal-Mart on occasion (if I desperately need something quickly at home), my customer service experience with Wal-Mart has greatly reduced my desire to shop there. I will stop at CVS and/or Publix if I need something on my way home in order to avoid having to deliberately go to Wal-Mart. Why are Wal-Marts policies geared to not providing the customer with great customer service? Why arent employees focused on providing customers with superior service? Why are customers viewed as thorns in most employees sides? I think the older I get, them more I value my money. Why give my money to companies that just look at customers and their requests as a liability?
I think the ridiculousness of people and policies truly disturb me and that's why my patience is descreasing. I don't like the fact that I have to deal with stupid people and/or their policies. We design the way things operate and behave, right? Do we really have to make things harder than they should be?
Recently, I needed to by a watch battery. I went to the local Wal-mart (which I hate Wal-Mart but it's the closest store to my house) with watch in hand in search of a battery. The batteries are kept in the jewelry department and finding someone to help you there is always difficult. I finally spotted two employees stocking marked-down fashion jewelry, laughing hard and heavy with each other. I interrupted their inane banter and asked them to please help me open my watch and remove the battery so I could replace it with a new one. The teenagers looked at me as though I had just asked them to paint my house but one reluctantly stopped stocking and walked toward me. She asked me if I bought the watch there, at Wal-Mart. I told her that I had not, but I know the battery size is universal and it should be a commonly stocked model.
The "sales associate" quickly informed me that she could not help me since I didn't buy the watch there. She was dismissing me and walking back over to her friend at the same time. She told me that they were not allowed to open the watch since I didn't by it from them. I asked her if I could use the tool to pry open the back thereby relieving her of any responsibility of damage to my watch. She again proudly expressed the fact that it is against Wal-Mart's policy to open, or allow anyone to open a watch that was not purchased from that store. She began talking to her friend and I left.
I was so upset. This was such a minor thing--a watch battery. I had even told the girl that I would sign a paper stating that I wouldn't her or Wal-Mart responsible if something happens to my watch if she or I opened it. The blatent and proud refusal to help me with such a small thing was really unnecessary. It was ridiculous.
I drove to CVS drug store and presented them with the same scenario except it played completely different with the sales associate there verses the sales associate at Wal-Mart. The CVS employee took my watch and headed behind the counter to get his tools. He easily popped open the back of my watch and removed the battery. He replaced the battery and reassembled the watch. The watch did not work. The CVS employee was puzzled and he immediately opened another battery and placed it in the watch. Even after trying the second battery, my watch still did not work. He told me that the battery must not be the problem, since he tried two new batteries. He then told me he would not charge me for the batteries, even though he opened them. Needing a watch, I asked him if CVS sold watches and he showed me to their watch selection. I purchased a new watch for about $20 and then bought a couple of other items I needed, bringing my total purchase to $34. I left CVS feeling satisfied that I had a working watch and received excellent customer service.
The CVS experience is an example of excellent customer service compared to the service at Wal-Mart. Even though I might shop at Wal-Mart on occasion (if I desperately need something quickly at home), my customer service experience with Wal-Mart has greatly reduced my desire to shop there. I will stop at CVS and/or Publix if I need something on my way home in order to avoid having to deliberately go to Wal-Mart. Why are Wal-Marts policies geared to not providing the customer with great customer service? Why arent employees focused on providing customers with superior service? Why are customers viewed as thorns in most employees sides? I think the older I get, them more I value my money. Why give my money to companies that just look at customers and their requests as a liability?
I think the ridiculousness of people and policies truly disturb me and that's why my patience is descreasing. I don't like the fact that I have to deal with stupid people and/or their policies. We design the way things operate and behave, right? Do we really have to make things harder than they should be?
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