A Quill's Ink

Since time is money (and sleep) and money (and sleep) is time, I’m going to keep this post short and sweet about my first week at work because I am mentally exhausted. For those of you that know me all too well, you’ll find it ironic that I am starting my career as an inside sales representative in which my main duty is to urge clients to make decisions promptly. In my moments of weakness (and shame), my friends have helped me weigh decisions ranging from placing a meal order to assessing my level of tiredness in proportion to my willingness to go out. Why voice all of my concerns? I trust that they know me better than I know myself ha. In turn, I am learning to use a host of information to help perfect strangers reach a decision that will affect them much more than order’s remorse at a restaurant. I’m getting long-winded in explaining the irony in my job to you, but, basically, I hope to improve my ability to make prompt decisions about my own life. I’m not saying I don’t think independently because there are also times where friends have presented perfectly good options and, ultimately, I choose what I want to do. (Now I’m in the self-defense stage.) Before I throw myself further under the bus, I’ll just explain to you my first morning because it was pretty comical. 

Luckily, I live within a 1.5 mile radius of my work and the YMCA, both located downtown. This wasn’t strategic, but now this convenience is definitely a standard. Anyhow, I didn’t sleep the night before and I left the house 30 minutes early allowing for ample time to find the parking garage and saunter to the office. Well, we were required to bring our completed I-9s, W-4s and all that jazz. Naturally, I forgot my binder full of this vital paperwork because I was carrying my coffee, purse AND was disheveled by my first rain in Nashville (Self-defense #2: that day’s rainfall was record-setting). Of course it took me until I was on my way to realize I had forgotten this. SO, it was then 7:42 (training started at 8) by the time I left my house again, that time fully-equipped. I only started to wig out when I couldn’t find the correct parking garage we are supposed to park in for free as employees. (Self defense #3: the directions were wrong.) As my next alternative, I parked in a lot in which the attendants should have valeted my car and held my hand until I got to the sidewalk (AKA: it was urban parking=super $ hourly rates). Keep in mind that it’s raining. Unfamiliar with downtown and the location of that particular parking garage in relation to my building, I was wigging out because I was directionally turned around. However, I didn’t have time to stress about being lost, so I set out running down the street. Then, my umbrella did that dumb looking “trick” where it folds outward on you, leaving me high and [not] dry from the rain. Then, I was focused on not focusing on my soon-to-be wet dog appearance in the office because it was 7:53 at that point. After asking two random pedestrians where [insert address of my building] is, I took off sprinting. Long story short, I make it to the building to find my fellow trainees waiting calmly in the reception area to be told instructions. As you probably figured (if you know me), I am sweating, but, luckily, the rain disguised that to these strangers. Needless to say, it took me a WHILE to calm down. Once I finally did, we were seated in the training room and our trainer from the Dublin office is speaking. [Insert awesome accent.] All of the sudden, I got super anxious and nauseous. Reference: my post about Grady graduation and my near-fainting experience on stage. If I had to play doctor, I think this newfound unsteady feeling occurs at milestones in my life that signify big change. Fortunately I was fine after I introduced myself and the day proceeded comfortably, besides my hair constantly getting stuck in my “Hello, My Name Is:” nametag. We would call that a #postgradproblem on Twitter, but in the scheme of things, I shouldn’t complain. 

On a more positive note, I really like my co-workers I have met and am learning a TON. This was the first year I could’ve done without a Labor Day because the lack of a business day made for an accelerated training week - 5 days in 4! I can’t share much more with you and nor do you probably want to hear another dramatized anecdote, but I hope everyone has a great Friday. I know 5 PM will be an even HAPPIER HOUR for me :)

Once again, the weekend has left me in good spirits. In fact, I can even prolong it since I have a couple weeks left until I start the real J.O.B. Envious, anyone? On Friday, we went to Alex and Dwight’s apartment that’s been dubbed the “beach condo.” The white carpet, couch and trundle/day bed in the sunroom definitely do give it that warm coastal feel. At some point, I’ll have to get a picture from Alex of the cute throw pillows she made for the living room! Anyhow, Alex had some classmates and other friends over for a few glasses of “brain juice” before we went to Tin Roof. I wish I could take credit for coining the term, but Janie thought up this “juice” that Alex and her Vandy grad school classmates must have known about before we did (not to sell ourselves out). Ultimately, the night’s events didn’t hold a candle to Saturday’s shenanigans featuring: *Janie*, but it was still a fun night.

We passed the time until the Titans game Saturday by walking (and rubber-necking- the act of swiveling your head around to gawk at glamorous things) through the Belle Meade neighborhood. Janie and I are thinking of being roomies for life (with husbands and kids) and living in a beautiful home near the Percy Warner Park one day :) After our brisk walk, we went to Thai Phooket on Woodland, right across the Cumberland River. I’ll forewarn you: the exterior of the restaurant is enough to steer you away from the place, but culinary heaven awaits inside the trailor. I ordered the Pad Thai and wanted seconds after the last bite melted in my mouth. Janie’s Drunken noodles were delectable and tasted predominantly like basil and smashed chilies. Sam, who came to town to support his cousin, Matt Hasselbeck, at the game, ordered some assortment of veggies and fried rice that looked tasty. Minus the decor and dim lighting midafternoon, the place is a TEN and costs less than that, too.

After piddling around some more, we geared up to go to the Titans game at LP field - my first professional football outing! My excuse: the Commonwealth of KY doesn’t have any pro teams…and we like it that way. #CARDS. When I wasn’t eyeballing the Titans cheerleaders and their ridiculous cheers, I was actually watching the game. Sam’s cousin had some good throws and the punter recovered his own blocked punt all while the crowd was gnawing on turkey legs -> real good American stuff. In all honesty, the real highlight of the game was the half-time show featuring a pee wee football team running plays 10 yards from the end zone. While running sideways to face the roaring crowd, one little guy made it all the way to the 3-yard line until he got blindsighted by a kid who had a bigger bowl of Wheaties for breakfast. And, by blindsighted, I mean he got MAULED and was even carried off the field by his coach. It didn’t feel right watching this kid get hurt for our entertainment, but maybe he’ll learn to focus on the field next time. (He ended up healthy.) After the game, I got to meet the Hasselbecks with Sam - such a sweet family! Their three children are A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E and sure do have a “cool dad!” As I said, the rest of the night was spent laughing at Janie who was entertaining a customer of hers at the bar (not in the job description). For her sanity, I won’t share much more, but I’ll keep you posted as to when she mails the “Save the Date” cards ;)

Today was spent dining at SATCO and working at Cantina for a few hours - nothing too blogworthy. I’m now going to bed hoping I won’t have nightmares of Lady Gaga’s alter ego that made an appearance at the VMAs tonight. Someone should check her for multiple personality disorder. Anyhow, happy Monday to all you misses and misters!

1. Customers always come first…and they’ll have you know that.

2. Per every 2 compliments, you get 6 complaints/requests.

3. Note to diners: always cancel a large reservation if you’re not going to make it.

4. The hours are unusual and unpredictable —> your pay is unpredictable.

5. Learn to love obnoxious drinkers and large parties (ie: increased gratuity).

6. You get to witness and eavesdrop on some blind/first dates.

7. Rarely does someone want to wait on a table with children (i.e. kid’s menu).

Giving yourself the perfect manicure. Random acts of kindness. When you wake up seconds before your alarm goes off. Seeing elderly couples on dates. Snail mail. Getting the purple gumball from the machine. Taking off heels. The express lane at the grocery. When your hair air dries well. A steady breeze. Using the last of your milk the day it expires. Showering after being at the pool. Stocked bookshelves. A full fridge. Learning something can be washed and not dry cleaned. Getting in line before it gets too long. When your ride arrives to pick you up. Meeting the mail delivery woman. Unexpectedly getting a sale. Board games. A sunroof. Falling asleep right away. Checking off my to-do list items. Waking up to a text. Confirmation e-mails. Skipping commercials when you DVR. When your food arrives at the table. Ticket stubs. The perfect parallel park job. Peeling an orange in one piece. Smell of an old book. Wearing something for the first time. Old T-shirts.  Clever one-liners. Rounded ice cubes. An infectious laugh. A generous glass of red wine. Getting dropped off while the other person parks. A full tank of gas. When onions make you cry. Finding money in an old purse. Scratch-and-sniff perfumes in magazines. Tops or dresses with pockets. When someone e-mails you back right away. Good phone conversations.