Yesterday was not all good times. It was mostly working on my video, finding out that I couldn't save it to a DVD. I drove to the Fellowship to show it to the Sunday Service Committee, but they didn't have time to watch it. The sound quality is not good, it is too long and I need to re-shoot a lot of scenes, USING THE TRIPOD!

We did go out to dinner at Farm 255 for my birthday and then to a play. Well, the show was The Spell of Sleeping Beauty, featuring children. It was certainly entertaining. The Captain and Vanessa enjoyed it.

Yesterday morning I arrived at the office to find the night staff person had locked the keys in a storeroom, so I could not get in. I had brought my own chair, so sat in it in the hall, read all the bulletin boards and talked to Shawn while waiting for Alison to arrive (an hour?) with keys. It was fine. I also brought my own mug and some music from the car to put on the computer (priorities--you don't expect me to work without tunes, do you?). As far as work, I don't know that I did that much, but did have some conversations with Alison, who suggested that my job might be full time if I wanted and that we would discuss what things I wanted to help her with. We'll see.

Then I spent an hour working on the books at ALPS. Then I came home and edited my video, which I am supposed to show at the SSC retreat today. It will not be done, but I can show it. (I bought some DVDs to burn).

Captain and Vanessa had a great time at the UUFA. It was Games Night. He played Trivial Pursuit; she won two games of Scrabble.

more beans

At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I am going to complain about some things at my new job. This does not mean I am not happy to be there. I was freezing cold, sneezing and practically shivering. The director apparently did not know which themostat controlled our offices. When I spoke to the previous AD briefly on the phone, she told me where it was. Then I had to find someone with a key to open it and she needed batteries to fix it. Hopefully it will be better today.

The chair was uncomfortable and rocky, so I am bringing one from home (the one that was replaced when Ray got me this nice new one for my birthday). The computer is set up on the desk--I have seen this in lots of offices. How can you spend a lot of time on a computer whose keyboard is too high? You will have back problems. I don't think they have changed any furniture; perhaps she was not constantly on the computer? The director's is the same way. The keyboard should be at a height you can comfortably reach with your elbows bent less than 90 degrees. Raising the chair can help sometimes, but you should still have your feet touch the floor. I am not sure how I can advocate for different furniture. It is a "nice" older desk, with a matching file cabinet.

The third complaint is pretty mild and easy to change--no music on the computer. Actually, there are a few songs from groups I have not heard of (except the Shins, which was way too loud for work). I will bring in the CDs I have in the car and put them on. Most of the time I won't be listening to music, while the director and the PR Americorps volunteer are right next door.

Do you remember what it's like to start a new job? Fun and exciting to be shown around and given keys and meet people...but you feel out of place and ignorant. Everyone else is coming and going, doing what they are supposed to. Every now and then, they bring you a piece of paper and say, "I don't know what Jane did with these..." And you think, there doesn't seem to be that much to do. I don't know how she kept busy for 5 hours a day...but I know that won't be a problem after a while. People ask you questions you can't answer.

However, I have already written myself my first paycheck and can't wait to start making ends meet!

After work, I came home and worked a little on my video before going to my next-to-last class. I discovered that I should have used a remote mike to tape Karen at UUFA. The sound is not loud enough to use, which is too bad. She really said everything well. I will have her talk into my headset (thaks, Molli), which I have been using for my voiceovers, and re-record everything. I'm not sure how I am going to get that done before Saturday morning! Going to work is taking up some of my free time!

cabbages, broccoli, lettuce, Chinese cabbage

I was pretty happy all day yesterday to have a job! Ray and I played racquetball pretty early and then Janna and I cooked all day. We did this about a year and a half ago, when we were both unemployed and she found out she had a job. So, the next time one of us needs work, we just have to schedule a cooking day! It's very fun and of course, we now have 5 meals in the freezer. The beginning of the day is chopping vegetables (I cut up 6 onions, for instance, and peeled a lot of carrots) and we are having a great time. About 4 hours later, we are really tired and having to rest more often, but happy with the way the dishes are progressing: coq au vin, chicken cacciatore, soup, burritos, chicken pot pie...I found it on the web then; it's from Woman's Day. I can't imagine doing it alone, but it's fun with a friend who likes to cook.

I spent an hour at work, learning to do payroll. It seems very easy. Of course it is not all wonderful. I have a tiny, windowless office, right next to the director's. she was sticking her head in every minute to say something and then, "OK, I won't interrupt any more, I promise." We'll see.

Then potluck and choir rehearsal and home to bed.

oregano

I got a job! OMG! yay!!

Racquetball in the morning, then grocery shopping with Janna for our cook-a-thon today. Then she and I and Ray went out to lunch because we were hungry. We had to wait a few minutes for them to open at 11:30.

I worked on my video in the afternoon (with a cable Ray borrowed). It is just like the movies; most of what I taped ends up on the "cutting room floor."

Around 5:00, the phone rang and it was Allison from the Homeless Shelter. She said she was tired from all the interviews and I was by far the most qualified! She had talked to Courtney and Mary Kelley and they had said I would be great, so would I accept the job? I said, I had a couple questions first, like what would they pay me? She said they were offering $14 and I said that was too low. She checked and called me back offering $15. Not a lot, but a nice gesture. And she was very excited about us working together and I am too. No benefits, no paid leave, annual review. I start tonight...they are doing payroll and I am going to watch. Then I will work 8-1 Monday-Friday...starting tomorrow!!! I am so happy--I have already planned how I will spend all my money.

Woo-hoo!

first snapdragon

I woke up a little before 5:30, from a dream where I was in a city (New York, but no place I recognized) trying to figure out how to get to the train I needed...I was feeling panicked--maybe it's the videos I have to get done? maybe it's the incredibly humid weather that means our windows are closed and it's hot in our room?

Yesterday was a very good Memorial Day. I went early to meet Karen and filmed for about an hour. I can't wait to get the Firewire cable I need to transfer the footage to the computer. But first I have to submit a one-page proposal to the professor (due today). And then I have to make a 60 second "free topic" video. I am planning to do something about energy-efficieant building (using footage of my house). Yesterday, I started by vacuuming the house. I had some blank storyboards all day, but didn't put anything down.

I did a very little work outside when it wasn't raining much. We played a game of Oh Hell and I won--Ray and I were tied for several hands, but he didn't make his bid the last time and I did. The Captain admitted though that he helped me win.

We had supper at Memorial Park with a lot of UU's--the sun stayed out long enough to make it pleasant. It was kind of crowded and we didn't really visit a lot with anyone, but I guess it's fun to have a group to be part of on the holiday. The Captain has started referring to himself as a UU (as in we're UU's) and I think I am touched. It was never my intention to convert them. Jackie P. is a quiet woman, maybe a little younger than me, maybe older. She is apparently a raptor expert volunteer and showed us up close first a peregrine falcon (remember how you used to read it, Amelia?) and then a barn owl, and talked about them. Peregrine falcons can go as fast as 200 mph when diving for prey! It was fun to be at Memorial Park Zoo again after so many years, but I missed having young children to be amazed with.

baby peach tree with baby peaches

We planted this a few months ago and it had the baby peaches on it already. I don't know how well they will do. I am supposed to remove most of them, so the rest will do okay. Many have fallen off, but I haven't quite gotten the nerve to remove more.

Yesterday the choir sang "Wanting Memories" by Ysaye Barnwell. The words start: "I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty of the world through my own eyes. (repeat). You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms. You said you'd comfort me at times like these...and now I need you...And you are gone." It is a beautiful song. Jenny tried to sing it with us, but she just couldn't stop crying. Her mother died a year ago. I caught Karen S. after the service and asked her about helping with the video and she said yes. I am so excited! We are meeting at the Fellowship at 9 to make a training video for volunteers who want to be welcomers. We will shoot a lot of footage and that will be my final project! yay! and it could be useful to others!