Category: work Page 5 of 10

One Good Reason to Get a New Job

On July 22, 2010

In just a few weeks I will be leaving my current job for a new one. One little benefit is getting paid out for all of the vacation I have accrued. All six weeks of it. You read right: six weeks. Well thank goodness! For the past many many many weeks (okay, several months) my shower has been busted and Wonder Boy and I have been getting by using his. It’s not too much hassle, but we can tell his doesn’t have a very long shelf life either. (Many thanks prior home owners!) Today the toilet in my bathroom, the showerless one, busted. And I mean busted good.

And so now we sort of have to tackle the project because it’s just getting plain old ridiculous. But with a little vacation pay out, not so rough. Dual flush toilets, here we come!

A Change of Scenery

By Kate

On July 22, 2010

In work

As of today I can officially announce a big life change for me: new job! After 10 years of working at a the same place, I’m mixing it up a bit. I was fearful of three major hurdles:

Telling my primary boss. But he was so gracious and nice about it that I shouldn’t have been anxious.
Telling my bosses boss who I have basically reported to for all 10 years and really like as a person. He too was really great about it. I little more anxious about the loss of me as an employee (due to my awesomeness) but still great about it.
Telling the people on the team I work on.

I have worked for the past several years with about 9 of the greatest people. We all have completely inappropriate senses of humor and share things at our meetings that would make HR blow a gasket. I can truly say the best part of every work week is our team meeting. How strange is that?

When I told the team I was going I saw some teary eyes but people were really happy for me, all the more indication that it is a great team and one I will really miss.

Fogging up the fishbowl

By Kate

On November 20, 2009

In travel, work

This week I found myself in New York, testing the limits of my cool, an quality of which is not as boundary-less as it might first seem. I was fortunate enough to attend the Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit: A tribute to Tim Burton. One quick glance to the guest list where I spotted my boyfriend Johnny Depp and I knew the event would be golden and I would be required to look hot.

And even after the event, I stand by that reasoning. But Johnny Depp was only one celebrity among the many who showed up to support Tim Burton and MOMA and they were definitely outnumbered by the throngs of cool people who came to see and be seen.

It was strange to have Patti Smith and later the Olsen twins walk by me. I felt like I was suddenly transported into an issue of Star magazine. I am not familiar with the life of celebrities. They are people who create art I love and on whom I can have crushes and read about and comment on. I think now I have a new emotion to pull from when I look on upon them: pity.

The benefit at MOMA was put on by Johnny Depp. And yet, the only way he could pass through the crowds to go outside for a smoke was if escorted by security. Helena Bonham Carter was bored and lonely. The Olsen twins looked petrified to walk through the throngs of people. Is that what a night out is for celebrities? Work? Being gawked at and thrust into uncomfortable situations?

And don’t get me wrong. This new awareness of how hard things must be for them, even with their bags of money, didn’t stop my from standing at the bottom of a stairwell where I knew folks has to pass through to go from the VIP area to the exit. I stood, gawked and delighted in the list of people I saw. But I felt guilty about it. And it has made me say only nice things about everyone I saw (not that I could possibly have anything bad to say about my boyfriend).

And maybe brag a little about walking inches from the Sexiest Man Alive.

Not really that weird

By Kate

On October 29, 2009

In family / friends, work

I work on the web. Reality is, I love doing that. While I may never learn how the parts of an engine fit together to make a car run, I want to understand everything I can about the moving parts of web sites. I like being able to make things appear online, having them rank well in search engines and influencing people simply by what I post.

I look for new jobs sometimes. I’m pretty open about that. It’s important to me that I know my options and what I have to be accomplishing to remain competitive. Occasionally I will see a position that tempts me, but I know I don’t want to stray too far from the internet. (Except for gift wrapping. Internet, if you know anybody hiring for a gift wrapper, you let me know!)

One part of my job that I have particularly enjoyed has been working with interns. I like teaching them the intricacies of web sites. I love teaching them knew skills and watching as everything starts to click.

My baby brother (not exactly a baby at almost 25) called me last night about a web site project he and his friend are interested in. They want to schedule a meeting with me so I can review their plan and see what’s realistic. I love it! Of all of my siblings, my brother is the most like me. I’m excited to work with him and teach him what I know so that this new site, with it’s ridiculous but hilarious concept, will be successful.

I wonder if I could find a position as a gift wrapper / teacher of smart-ass web site making???

Posing a Question for the Internet Savvy

By Kate

On March 27, 2009

In work

I have recently been charged with creating a Facebook page for my place of work. I did this in partnership with one other woman. Easily done.

Now that the page is made, neither of us will become “friends” with the company.

Is that weird? What do you think? Do you call out your place of work online? Am I being a paranoid freak? Maybe.

But heck, I won’t even friend my mom on facebook. Why would I want my employer having that much access?!?