20 year wait

I finally took some calls this morning, shadowing. but it was just two. the caller said, after being transferred to me, was that he had been waiting 20 years to get the answer. I was advised to have him call the feds, he said he had already called them. I had to call him back as my partner lost the call when we were calling the resource line. he also asked for my badge number, I don't have one, and asked why there was no mention of the call being recorded. I said I am used to hearing this message 'ensure quality', and I started off by asking why it has taken this long to try to find an answer but he didn't say. I still need more exposure than this, as so far I have been on seven calls over three sessions. but it is a slow time of year, so we can't create calls, only handle the ones that we get.
we were on rotations, it also meant listening to calls in the basement as well as going over scenarios on independent study. I found answers for half of them, and the other half I expect to find on Friday.
   in the evening I did some karaoke, 'bullet with butterfly wings' by smashing pumpkins. a facebook friend mentioned it as one of the 3 favorite songs by this band. the posting started with a pumpkin image, but he said it had nothing to do with the band despite it being about music. this would be the record label owner. he said the other two favorites were from 'gish', an album I have but don't know as well as the later ones. I didn't see the typical binders full of karaoke selections but I was advised by another regular that I can just ask the karaoke jockey if he has it and he did. I liked what he had to say about training new people, I am here if you need me, but it is fine to make some mistakes. it reminds me of what I have said about being in training- I learn best when I am the one doing the work.

i am reborn

when I was taking the bus home tonight after work I saw a familiar face. it was the attorney, somebody I knew from riding when I had a different job. I did fairly well with saying within a short time what had happened in the past two years. there was mention of how I had bounced around at jobs but I think this one will stick, and how I had been to iowa for some family funerals. I said I am reborn, much like when I moved to Minnesota over a decade ago. because my life was only beginning then, and in many ways this is true again.
   in the first segment after lunch it was an open forum to air any issues about the training, and many of us did, saying we prefer more exposure to the actual work. then we reviewed some more recorded calls, leading to a better understanding of how we navigate the system. I found where the potluck section was, a small corner. there was a variety of chips and cookies, along with a bottle of apple juice from cub foods, although it was labeled as apple cider.
   in the evening I went to the performance venue, and was show closer. I saw a performer who said she hadn't been onstage in a year, I think it was somebody who had moved to California where she has family. I recall sharing a photo of them on facebook from a mic that was run by the resistable comic. the fireplace was on at this venue, since it is cold outside, and I liked warming my hands on it after the show was done. I spoke about it during my set, as it was straight back from where I was standing on the stage.

active participant

At work I enjoyed training more today, because we were active participants. a trainer had slips of paper we drew and each was a scenario we looked up in the system. they were based on actual calls and whoever drew them was the 'pilot' so it meant sitting up front at the computer there. in some cases i said 'you were looking in my direction' as to why i drew one. at lunch i said it reminded me of church, in terms of some things i liked more than others. i liked the hymns more than the scriptures for the same reason- as i liked being a more active participant. at the end of the day we had what appears to be the final accountability session, out of five. i haven't seen the value yet in this part of the training, and when it spoke of how one can help with getting certified i said i would look to more than jsut one person to help. especially when i haven't met most of my neighbors yet.
   riding the bus in the morning, I spoke with somebody in the back when they asked me about a store they saw. i said it would be opening next week. what i like is being able to find common ground with people i barely know. we all need the staples of life, food and clothing, and this is a good place to being. in the evening i voted after i got off work. i liked how it didn't take long, since the precinct was nearby and there was just three things on the ballot. city council, school board, and the trash referendum. then i went to perform, and i think i was the last one of the night. it was a back and forth with the show runner, who liked hearing about the karaoke stories. i did not order anything, usually i have a drink, but there was nobody there to take my order. so i went to get a box of popcorn at candyland after the show, where an employee told me some stories about the charlie brown statues. and i took a good look around the inside of the store, impressed with how they had some st paul saints popcorn tins.
  I know I am going to see all kinds of things due to riding the bus again for work. on the way home I saw a woman sitting on a bench near a bus stop and her face was bloody, and there was blood on the pavement as well. a man was next to her with a phone. I said 'this is something I can't un-see'.

choose your own adventure

most of the training today at work was lecture, in the basement. it was about property taxes. when it would often re-direct to another form, it reminded me of 'choose your own adventure'. at one point the main trainer stepped out and another one filled in for a few minutes. then when he returned he did most of the talking while sitting down. something about taking a drink and then feeling sick. a classmate was trying to make a joke when he returned from lunch about thinking he would be leaving early. but that is not the kind of thing that I would make jokes about.
    I performed at an alternate venue tonight. it was after seeing brawler at the comedy club, who offered cupcakes. they had oreo cookie crumbs on top, they tasted good. I did not see anyone I know where I ended up performing. I got annoyed when somebody was trying to tell a stale world war two joke. while at the venue I checked my voicemail, surprised to get 3 messages. but they were largely meaningless. first was a hang-up, second was a duplicate of an email, third was from a campaign as there is an election on Tuesday. but they've already sent me plenty of mail.
   I am getting used to taking the bus to and from work, once again. on the way home I saw some young men in the back with a bag of snack food from Walgreen- doritos, cheez-it crackers, and pop tarts. it reminds me of how I often get snack food there as well.

abandoned air conditioner

I had to do laundry today, and walking between home and the laundromat while waiting for it to finish I saw an abandoned air conditioning unit next to a dumpster. I got a picture of it, and one big reason why was seeing the brand name on it- maytag. this was my dad's company. I am not sure where these units were made. but not necessarily in the same town as the laundry equipment. I know I could bring a book to read, but I like the walking for exercise.
   the day started with me taking the rental car back, after going to the gas station first so I could return it with a full tank. there was a wait to take the bus home after returning, since it is sunday. I was one of five when the bus left the stop I boarded. I passed by a TV and a pro football game was on, it was the 'London game', Texans-jaguars.
   after I got back from doing laundry, it was time for lunch. I had the Vikings-chiefs game on, it was halftime, tied 10-10. but I was tired and fell asleep, and missed much of the second half, the Vikings lost 26-23. I shut it off because I needed to get other things done, such as checking email, before watching 'the simpsons'. it was about bart and lisa freeing zoo animals, and jane Goodall was a guest star. then I did a long walk around the neighborhood, as usual it was helpful to clear my mind. it meant making a list when I got back, with the things I needed to get done. I did the dishes, and got more comedy souvenirs into a binder.

hillstrom art, gustavus adolphus

i drove to st. peter today to see an art exhibit at the college, gustavus Adolphus. it was about art from the depression era, the 1930s. one of them was on the TV show 'cheers'. I liked how they alternated on the wall between paintings and photography. there was mention of grant wood, the painter of 'American gothic', but none of his paintings were there. I stopped at the godfather's pizza to have the lunch buffet before I went to see the art. I considered going to new ulm as well, to pick up some postcards, but scrapped it- not enough time. I bought three postcards at a souvenir shop at the college, in the same building where the art was found. it appeared to be the student union. this made it hard to find at first. I checked the directory, couldn't find it under the gallery name. it was under 'art buildings' and then I found it under another name. there was a football game happening when I arrived, the home team was up 21-0, playing Carleton, but I did not see any of the game. I drove down for a different reason. I looked around at the gallery for two hours and then drove home.
    I made it back in time to get a sandwich at a gas station, then do the other thing on my list- see a play at Roseville high school. it was an adaptation of 'working' by studs terkel. I liked the people telling their stories more than the musical numbers. no complaint about the price of admission either, I paid for a general admission seat, five dollars, but an employee encouraged me to move up just before it started so I did. after that I checked email when I got home. then after the local news it was on to sing some karaoke. I did two songs, 'evil woman' by ELO, and 'team' by lorde. I think I have a fan now, from the booth near the karaoke jockey. I was friended on facebook and I was requested to be an escort on getting home, a short walk to a nearby complex. I liked the chance to chat up who I was escorting.

pumpkin spice cereal

I went to Walgreen for my weekly order after work. one of the things I picked up was pumpkin spice cereal, Kellogg's frosted mini wheats. it was not on sale, although it was in the seasonal aisle with many other things discounted since it is now after Halloween. not a big deal though. it tasted good when I had some after getting home. of course I picked up a paper as well, so I have the movie times for the weekend. I picked up 6 pieces of candy, 2 of them reese's peanut butter and the other 4 were Russell stover. and I had to get some string cheese. the cereal serves as the replacement for the normal single serving of mini-donuts.
   at work we had a team building event at the end of the day, about communication. it made sense since we will be on the phones with taxpayers. this also led to re-arranging the tables in the training room in the basement. I went to HR to ask for information on the first break about the short term disability coverage, and four flyers were given. I was also told they were in the new hire orientation packet, so on another break I checked them and returned the three I already had. the first day was a blur and I pulled those out. so hopefully I will find the time soon to look at them. although I really like walking during lunchtime, and today was no different.
   in the evening I read some from a book, a graphic novel adaption of 'working' by studs terkel. I wanted to get primed for seeing the play this weekend. I meant finding it in one of my bookcases first, but I guessed well so it didn't take long. then after the news was done I went to sing some karaoke. I did two songs tonight, a light crowd, and the karaoke jockey encouraged me to do a second one for this reason. it was 'owner of a lonely heart' by yes, and 'welcome to the black parade' by my chemical romance.