Marginalized

Denver has just gotten through it's first big snow storm of the season. Yes, it's March 27 and we got our first significant snowfall. I feel a bit funny complaining about this, and I certainly wasn't complaining yesterday afternoon when I got a snow day, but now that the fun is over, I'm ready for spring back.

Yesterday when we were sent home management of my branch of a huge corporation dangled the carrot of a possible snow day today as well. That didn't pan out - the roads were still sketchy this morning, but the sun has been out most of the day and I think things are starting to clear up. I was pretty disappointed to say the least when I hadn't received my snow day email by 7:00 am this morning, which started me off in a poor mood, but it really hasn't gotten better through the course of the day and here's why. It's on days like this that the marginalization I feel in my job is shoved in my face. The large corporation I work for has two kinds of people - those who make the money, and those who support. I'm in the supporting role, and as such the corporation as a whole puts very little value in my work. There's absolutely no support for training or enhancement, whenever there are cuts or sacrifices to be made its the support that takes the brunt of it, I'm not even afforded business cards, and I'm expected to do as I'm asked, and even endure verbal abuse with a smile on my face. This is the short list. The reason this so hits me on quiet days like today is that the people I work for, the people I support, can't be bothered to come into work when the roads are bad. They won't put their lives at risk, or wasted their time on congested roads to come in, but I'm expected to do so, and with a smile on my face. It so bothers me that my time and my safety is not as valued as theirs and it reminds me that my employer views me a second class citizen.

I'm not. I wish I had enough balls to stand up for myself and fight for a little respect. This economy and the fear of layoffs that have come every 2-3 months is what's keeping me from speaking out. Even writing that out there makes me a bit ill. I have a dream that one day I'll be my own boss. Until then I guess I'll learn how not to treat people.

Thank you ST for this St. Paddy's Day Fun!

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A Good Practical Joke

So which one of you was it? Who thought it would be funny to add my email address to the Crocs promotional mailing list? Whoever it was- I am in awe of your sense of funny. It really was hilarious - I remember some other similar pranks in college. Just hope I don't find out it was you because signing people up for email lists of products that they loathe is just a bit to easy.

The Crocs company however - not as funny. I have now asked three times to be taken off of their emailing list and I still keep getting them. I think I've been pretty patient. I mean I haven't been terribly insulting in my emails. For instance, I did not tell them that I use their product as part of a screening process for whether I'll date a guy or not. I did not tell them exactly how much I loathe how the Crocs look and I how I really think that they should be relegated to gardening and nowhere else. I did however say that while I don't like their product I respect their right to produce it and I wish they would respect my right to not get their emails. It's too bad Crocs couldn't get this right, it could maybe have raised them the tiniest way in my world, but now because of their bad customer service they've dropped even further from what was already pretty low.

Example

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Best Weekend Ever!

Oh my goodness. I can not tell you what a wonderful long weekend I had celebrating Sheralee's birthday. Sheralee and about 25 of her closest friends and family went up to Estes to celebrate her birthday. The house we stayed in was beautiful, the weather was unbelievable and the best time was had by all. Why you ask? There are so many reasons - topping my list includes spending hours in the hot tub looking out at the mountains or the stars depending on time of day, beautiful conversations had all around, walking in the snow, and at the same time being outside and comfortable in a tank top in January. There are so many reasons this weekend was great, but when I look back I think I will remember the fact that so many people who didn't know each other well came together and had beautiful times honoring someone they love very much. Happy birthday Sheralee. I hope you have fond memories of this for years to come.

Two Small Steps

I experimented tonight and it worked. I feel so successful!

First I tried cooking a Moroccan Stew (link) that I'd seen on one of the cooking blogs I read. I was reminded how much I hate chopping and peeling butternut squash and how I need a good knife. Once that was over with I really enjoyed this meal! I substituted quinoa for the cous cous to stay away from the gluten, but it was very delicious.

Then I tried making a little side table to sit a light on in my reading nook (pictured above). Sheralee and I went to a bunch of thrift stores this weekend and I was keeping a look out for a small side table and found nothing. I found a bunch of other stuff, but not the side table I was looking for. Then this morning I saw this link on Apartment Therapy. I have bunches of old magazines sitting around my apartment and four of them made a fun table for now! Of course now I'm not reading. I'm watching television and writing on my blog, but I have an entire stack of books to read sitting next to that chair. You will see a couple thrift store finds in this picture though - the old school upholstered pillows on the chair and two old Jesus pictures on the wall. Now Jesus can watch me read - I think he's really going to enjoy reading over my shoulder.

New Years Resolutions

It's now a full 7 days into the New Year, and I'm finally starting to nail down my resolutions for this year. I typically pay more attention to looking back and looking forward around my birthday, but I can never resist a good opportunity for reflection. In fact, I should think about a resolution that cuts back on reflection, I am so often caught up in it.

Instead, I believe I have come to my definitive list of resolutions for 2009, here they are:

1 - Keep going on the health kick I've been swept up in since the summer. I feel so much better when I stay on the plan, plus it's helped me lose a bit of weight.
2 - Pay attention to my creative side. So many people have asked me what this means and it's vague because, well because it is. I know that I'm healthier when I'm doing something creative and so I'd like to find a niche or a passion. Right now I'm leaning toward cooking, but we'll have to see.
3 - Go to the dentist.
4 - Get a passport.

I've already started on number 3 and called to set up an appointment. I haven't been so great at the other 3, but I have the whole rest of the year right?