The Trade Show

I had my temp start today.  Oh, what's that? You're so important that you have a temp? haha, apparently!  

I'm actually off to Florida on Sunday to work our annual trade show.  And yes, this weekend is Memorial Day and yes, I will be working when I should be having a nice long weekend.  I'll also be working around 80 hours next week within 5 days.  Why do I do it you ask?  Because it's a sweet ass paycheck.  I get paid 40 hours of overtime, and I come back home and get 2 comp days.  Many of you might even be jealous of me that I get to go Florida.

Don't be.

While it's 88 degrees, hot and humid, I'll be wearing jeans (and possibly long sleeves) as I freeze my ass off in the cold a/c in the hotel.  I work long hours, starting as early as 6am and going until 11pm.  I don't get to enjoy the sun.  The group of us does make it a point to have a hot tub party before turning in for the night, so I do get outside, just not turning prime tanning hours.

 So why do I do it? Events are sort of my thing.  Being a party planner is my dream job.  I love the behind the scenes of running an event.  People will go there and see 100 amazing center pieces, and while being locked in a hotel room making them for 4 hours sucks, I love being able to brag that "oh those? oh yeah, I put those together."   Think about it, you get paid to set the atmosphere to allow people to have a good time.  How many weddings have you been to where you left and talked about the DJ, the food, the favors.  All of them? Exactly.   While working a trade show isn't exactly the same thing it's something.  And it's better than going to the trade show and having to stand in one of those booths talking to people about nonsense.  I just make sure everything looks pretty and people are fed. 

Anywho, I had a whole reason for bringing up my temp but I think that will have to wait until tomorrow.  So we'll just say that this blog was to inform all my blovers that I will be MIA next week, but hopefully I will come back with fun blogs.  If this year's trade show is anything like past years, it's gonna get cray cray.

Haha, not really.  I'll be delirious and wanting to be home the entire time, but hey, at least I won't be answering phones :)

The Nephew (and no, not mine!)

Sorry I've been slacking on blogging lately.  Work has been nuts and full of drama lately.  I have a ton of things I could and should have blogged about (and maybe I still will) but I decided going out every night last week would be more fun.  Luckily for you guys, I'm back and hopefully being a hermit this week, so that means lots of blogs for you!

And off we go!

This morning a boy named James walked into the lobby.  Cocky-I-have-a-"Beiber hair cut"- and-I'm- smirking-James.  I immediately dislike him.  He comes up to my desk and states, he's James.  

Um... ok.  I'm Ruby.

He looks at me like I have 5 heads and says he needs to see Stef, the girl in HR.  Okayyy, whatever, dude.  I give her a call and she informs me he's a temp, and he's here for paperwork.  She'll be out in a minute.  Ok, cool.

She comes out, collects him and his ridiculous smirk, and makes a gesture with her hand that she's going to call me.  oooOOOOOooo, what could this be about!? Please don't tell me Stef thinks this 12 year old is cute!

NOPE. 

WRONG.

James is apparently a big deal.  He's the CEO's nephew (aha, that cocky attitude makes sense now.) She was calling because she was freaking out because he was here and Jim hadn't made his employee security pass and OH-EM-GEE, this probably just looks OH SO TERRIBLE!  I assure her that James will be fine and not to worry.  I try to joke about the situation, I mean really, who cares.  He's the guy's nephew, that doesn't mean much to me...  Only, Stef was serious and started acting all HR-ish towards me.  If I saw Jim, I had to tell him about the pass situation, and to contact Stef immediately.

This gets me thinking.  What makes this kid so freaking important?  Just because he's a nephew of a big wig, why should we bend over backwards and give him special attention? Hardly no one gets their pass on their first day - and it's super impressive when Jim actually has it ready for their start date. 

Why does he get a temp job handed to him?  I only know it was handed to him because I've never seen him come in for an interview.  Why is he walking around like he owns the place?  It's not like it's his dad that's the CEO. How young is this guy?  Do I really have to be extra nice to a high school boy?

And more importantly, why isn't it standard that we have these passes ready when new people start?  Why do we only spaz out when it's "someone important?"  What determines what makes someone important.  I mean, let's face it, I'm sort of a big deal and I don't see people freaking out about having everything perfect for me... ;)

At the end of the day, James swung by the desk to see if we had his pass.  Stef had it, but he didn't seem concerned with actually getting it and said he'd stop by her desk tomorrow and grab it.  He thanked me for my help and told me to have a nice day.

Damn you kid, after everything, the smirk, theterrible hair cut, you're a nice guy.  Guess I have to be nice to him now...

The Abusive Relationship

I feel like my job is like being in an abusive relationship.  Everything is fine, dare I say everything is going well, and BAM, I'm punched in the face, walking around the office with a black eye, telling everyone everything is fine and actually, it's my fault.  

Fuck.

Friday was a reeeallly good day.  Like, I left work a half an hour late, and I was smiling.  That's major.  

I ended up in a meeting with BossBoss, and while stuck in her office watching her write an email and take phone calls, something must had triggered in her to pay attention to me. (maybe she saw me yawning??) And that's when we got talking.  We talked, I complained, she listened.  We planned, we strategized, we got serious.  What I'm doing is not the job of a receptionist.  She understood my complaints, and vocalized how much she appreciates me and how proud of me she is.  I stepped up to a challenge and I nailed it.  Good things were coming my way.

Shut up, I'm not even kidding.  Those were HER words. Well, maybe not that last part, but I have a feeling that good things are coming my way.

So, how could my high be ruined?  Oh easily, today is Monday.  3 days after we talked.

A couple days before my meeting (I think it was Wednesday, maybe Thursdsay), I sat in on a meeting with NG and BossBoss.  I was there mostly for morale support, and my God, she needed it.  Bossboss tore her apart.  (Someone got fired and bossboss was having a "rough" day because of it, so therefore, she took it out on NG.  Sucky, but that's unfortunately how she works.  VERY annoying.)  Anywho, I got thrown into it too when Bossboss scolded both of us about slacking on making visitor badges for guests.  I admit, I never make them.  I hate doing it, I don't know how to spell people's names so I just skip that part.  

Next time there's a huge meeting going on that's going to include non-company attendees I'm to ask the creator of the meeting to send the guest list.  That way reception has it, we can print the names out before hand, blah blah blah.  And that's probably exactly when I tuned out.  

So today, there was a huge meeting with people from outside the office.  Guess who didn't get a guest list.  Guess who totally forgot.  Guess who got yelled at by Bossboss.  

Me.

 

"Didn't we just talk about this?  Didn't you say you were going to get the lists?  WHY didn't you"

Um... I dunno.  I forgot?  Meh.   NG tells me not to worry about it, but Bossboss is right.  I did say I was going to do that, so technically I'm at fault.

This always happens at work.  Whenever I feel good about something and my "relationship" is going well, my "boyfriend" knocks me around and I'm stuck sulking with a black eye.  I'm obviously not trying to joke around about abusive relationships, but I honestly can see how one can get stuck in a relationship like that. It's good, it's bad, it's good, it's bad.  You deal with it.  I know tomorrow everything will be fine, and I'll probably see Bossboss and she'll be nice and act like nothing happened.

How many times am I going to knocked down before I leave?  Why do I believe in Bossboss when she promises me new things? And to top it off, my carpal tunnel is killing me from writing this blog! MEH!!! hahahaha, this girl is off to bed!

Happy Birthday To Me!

You read that correct, Happy Birthday to ME!!!  And while I expect nothing from my boss or co-workers, I had to admit I was really shocked when NG came in today carrying a humongous box and then screamed "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!!!!!!"  I didn't know if I was more surprised that I didn't pee my pants, or the fact that NG got me a present.  And not just a present, a freaking awesome present.  The girl I secretly complain about apparently thinks the world of me.  And honestly, who doesn't?!?  (wait, don't answer that!)

Check out my goodies below:

 

Wine - check.

2 types of cheese - check, check!

Triscuits - uhhh YUP

French bread - YUP!

All put together in a make shift "Easter basket" because the real basket broke and that's all she had in her car - LOVE IT!

It took tremendous will power to not eat everything (and more importantly, lots of strength not to drink the wine).  I never expect anything when at work, and this kind gesture definitely melted a little ice that's been sitting around for a while.  I keep saying it over and over again, but it's totally true.  It really is the little things in life that can make someone feel special.

Granted, presents always make me feel special and I'll take any that I get!  Even if it's not my birthday (it was last week).... but hey, NG doesn't need to know that, right?  ;)

Going Green

My company has slowly been trying to be more "green". Over the years they've been doing small things like switching out paper cups for mugs and having recycled napkins instead of brand name products.

At first I thought I was going to be complaining about how annoying it is to have "green" napkins and paper towels in the office.  You can barely use them without them falling apart, or even just getting them off the paper towel dispenser is an issue.  I mean, what good does it do to have a napkin that shred to pieces because you're taking it off the roll!?!

Today I was gathering my crappy recycled cardboard bowl and recycled plastic spoon when I decided that I was going to put bananas slices on my cereal.  I grabbed a recycled plastic knife and recycled cardboard plate and headed back to my desk.  I attempted to remove the banana peel, but apparently I'm too much of a spaz and couldn't do that so I decided I'd just cut the banana peel and then I'd be able to peel it manually.  Then this happened, and please, don't laugh at me too much:

What the F just happened?  I mean, I know I'm insanely strong from going to the gym all the time ;) but seriously, there's NO WAY a BANANA PEEL should be able to destroy a knife!!  I'm all for going green and saving/protecting our planet, but I don't understand how it benefits anyone when something like this happens  

To top it off, since I was at the desk and unable to get up since it was early and NG wasn't in yet, I had to cut up my banana with this demented knife.  I'm sure that look totally normal. ;)

Happy Administration Professional Day!

 I came into work and saw my desk covered in tulips. 

That's right, today is Administration Professional Day!  Is this the year that my company and boss remember the holiday and actually acknowledge me with all the rest of the admins in the office?? 

Nope.

None of these tulips were for me.  For the 5th year in a row, HR didn't send me flowers.  Fail.

I don't know what worse - them forgetting AGAIN, or that I know every year I will never receive flowers on a day that was originated to celebrate receptionist.  

After complaning to my sister, a HUGE bouquet came into the office.  As I was about to stab a fork in my eye at how annoyed I was that  every admin except me was getting flowers, the florist said the msot wonderful words.  "These are for Ruby"

Now check out THAT bouquet, look how it towers over all those other lame-o tulips.  My sister is awesome and I immediately thanked her.  NG was jealous, and that even made it a little sweeter ;)

Today was also the day that BossBoss had asked me to schedule a meeting with all the other admins for our quarterly "get together to talk about whatever" meeting.  Knowing that BossBoss had no idea what today was, I went ahead and ordered a fancy smancy lunch for us.  We're talking sandwiches, fruit salad, cole slaw, chips and cookies. The downside was that it did create more work for me but as I was setting everything up, I noticed a box at the bottom the bag.

They added a free lunch for me because today is Admin Professional Day.  That's right, my caterer remembered and cared when my own boss didn't!!  Check out the goodies below - chicken salad sandwich, trail mix, a red velvet cupcake and an apple. 

The best part of the free lunch - this little note they left for me.  (And check out my nails! gotta love pinterest for the idea!!)

It's silly how a simple thing like a coaster saying "We appreciate you!" can mean so much, but it's nice that people actually remembered.  To my sister and now favorite catering company, THANK YOU.  You made me feel special on "my" day.

And a special shout out to Joseph - an avid reader, a Happy Administrative Professional Day to you as well.  I was going to write back to your comment, but I thought a shout out would be better.m Thank you for reading my silly little blog, and I'm glad I can bring you some sunshine.  :)

The Eyeroll

Lately, NG has noticed that I roll my eyes a lot.  And by a lot I mean with every caller and guest.  I can't even help it, I don't even know I'm doing it anymore.  But honestly, how can you not roll your eyes when you encounter situations like this?

"Hi, I was just wondering if it was ok that I parked in the spot that's reserved for 30 minutes or less."

"Well are you going to be here longer than 30 minutes?"

"Yes, my meeting is scheduled for 1.5 hours."

"Then, NO, it's not ok.  You need to move your car"

Seriously?  Do I *really* need to tell people that they need to move their vehicles?  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.  I have to tell people to leave voice mails when they call me back to tell me that they reached a voice mail.   I have to tell people they can't park in permit only parking spots when they tell me they don't have a permit.  I have to tell people this is not their doctor's office when I answer the phone stating the company's name.

I almost feel like this is some cruel joke.  Am I secretly being recorded for America's Funniest Home Videos? (and if I am, I better win and get all that money).  Am I being punked? (and if I am can it not be by Bieber, thanks.)  Lately I've been relieved that NG has been coming in early because that means I can leave the lobby earlier and get away from this torture. 

That is, until I realize that it doesn't matter if its a caller, visitor or fellow employees.  We're all dumb.  Case and point.

Really?  

1. Do we really need a SIGN to tell people to put their dishes in the dishwasher?

2. Do people see that sign and just ignore it?

3. Those mugs are on the cleaner side... so they had to have rinsed them out and used soap.  You were SOCLOSE to finishing the job!

I'm rolling my eyes as I type this because it's frustrating how dumb people are.  My birthday is this weekend and I have a feeling that the drinks will not only be flowing to celebrate me me me, but for making it through another week where the only terrible thing I do is my signature eye roll.

You're welcome ;)