Surviving a tough year

This is a sobering post. I wish I could say all is well, but that isn't my nature. When beginning a new job with new promise just north of Atlanta, I thought this is finally it. Now, I can begin a career. And what a beginning it was.

I drove up a narrow stretch of road to a majestic, post-modern facility. A few long, glass doors were directly in front of me. Inside, an affable, attractive young receptionist calls for the President of the company. He arrives.

We sat down for about 20 minutes, knowing I delivered another one of those great first impressions. Everything he said sold me. "We're laid back, have a family-like environment,..." He even offered to let me try the job out for two weeks and decide whether or not this is for me. Pass. I'll take the job and finally, I'm on salary. He even offered to cover my expenses which included staying in a hotel for two weeks. How great it was.

I trained under an older, wirey flamboyant guy who had been with the company for several years. He made everything look routine. No problems. He did forewarn me that "you have to prioritize what you do around here. You'll feel overwhelmed if you don't." O.k. Point well taken.

Kenny slightly resembles Morgan Freeman's voice except he's quite a bit shorter in staure and frankly, mentality to go along with it. After a week, I felt somewhat confident to take over. I knew to this point every one seemed tolerant I was new there. Boy, I was sorely naive.

The days went by and with them, the stress increased. It became unbearable. My heart raced at night. Sleep became difficult. How much more demands will be added tomorrow.

This will continue with some more lighthearted moments shared. In short, I went from an executive-type position to incoming receptionist with my time at this place waning in the balance. Santa knows I need high heels now. Besides, I'm much prettier than the one they've got now. Remember what Richard Pryor did in The Toy?

Everything I oppose exists at this company. I might've stated this before, but your average company thinks and acts like a psychopath. A 2004 documentary, The Corporation, sheds light on this ugly truth. Take the entity and look at it as an individual. That's what it is. It has a callous disregard for any human compassion and emotion.

The health care reform bill is a step in the right direction. I'm disappointed some other progressives don't look at this as historic. Other major pieces of legislation took years to finally cover everyone. I look at this in the same light.