The Life of a Temp

I knew it was going to happen at some point, but...I've gotten comfortable here. Filing at a workers' comp insurance agency isn't the most thrilling job I've ever had, but I like the people, I like the location, I've made a little home for myself in this cubicle. I was even thinking of putting up pictures. Then Robert, the same up-there guy who asked if I'd be interested in a permanent job, came to tell me that my position would be wrapping up today, didn't the agency call me and let me know? No, they didn't. Now my decisions are being forced--should I take back what I said about not being interested in a permanent job here? Should I apply and then consider the options later? Should I wait until I find out what my next assignment will be, and whether I like it? I feel as though I've lost my footing, and I don't know where to go from here. Not to mention the fact that if I don't start a new job for a few days, I'll be losing a lot of pay that I really need. I really like being a temp, but I really like security, too. Perhaps there's no pleasing me. Perhaps there's a plan at work here that I don't understand. But I don't much like the rug being pulled out from beneath me.

Affection

Becky and I were talking yesterday about affection and relationships and things, and I thought that, since she doesn't yet have a blog, I would share some musings on the subject in mine. For the benefit of all you nonexistent readers out there.
The basic theory is that if someone likes you and shows you affection, you are either more likely to like them back, or you'll like them more than you did before. So, if someone is very fond of you, it's hard for you to actually dislike them. But if someone seems indifferent, or you don't know their level of fondness for you, then you're more likely to think they don't like you, and so you are less fond of them. It's sort of fascinating. Think about your friends--I bet it's true for you, too.
I've been thinking about it this morning, and decided that this is the same principle that flirting is based on. Also charm. It's a little bit disturbing to think myself so emotionally gullible or fallible, but it's the honest truth--the few faces that light up when I come in a room are often the ones I'm most looking forward to seeing.
In the end, everybody wants to be loved. Love me, do.

Star Trek

My last comment has led me to think about the upcoming finale of Enterprise. According to the TV Guide and my often sketchy memory, once Enterprise goes off the air it will be the first time in many years that there hasn't been new Star Trek out there for consumption. Which saddens me, more because I wasn't thrilled with Enterprise than because of some sort of record or tradition of being on the air. I'm most partial to DS9, and of course that's been in reruns for some years. I hated Voyager at first, I can't really remember why...I came to like it, in the end, but it wasn't as big a deal. Then there was Enterprise, which I watched once and got tired of. It seems I'm just very fond of the gritty DS9 sort of atmosphere, and the cheerful optimism of the original series was too present in Enterprise. Not that I have anything against TOS. Speaking of which, the fourth movie is the best film ever. I should add it to my list of favorite movies.
You know what I'd really like to see Trek do? A tv series of the comic book I loved for a while, Starfleet Academy. Something totally different from what they've done. But maybe that's just me. So sound off, Trek fans, let me know that people are actually reading this blog. Though I doubt anybody is, at this point. Except Becky. Hello, Becky!

Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad....

What a day, and it's only noon. I guess it's not the worst day I've ever had, but right now that doesn't seem to matter so much. Once again, money is the bane of my existence--I forgot about the gas bill. I wrote a check, and it was paid, but I forgot that it was going to happen, and completely miscalculated my spending money.... Which I could have fixed, had I checked my balance sooner. But no. So, last night I realized that I had $3 to my name and the check I wrote for our phone bill still hadn't gone through. So, I got some money owed, intending to deposit it today to cover the check. You can guess what happened. It already went through, and was posted this morning. So once again, I've been slapped with an insane insufficient funds fee. Why do I always forget the gas bill?

Perhaps that's the only thing that's really gone wrong with the day. Except for the fact that neither Amtrak nor Greyhound can get me to Vermont and back for a wedding without me having to stay overnight there. I'm okay with sleeping on the train, or even the bus, I really am. But apparently neither mode of transportation wants me to do that. So there goes an effort to save some money, of which I already have so little....

Let's all be like Star Trek and get rid of money. *sighs* Except sometimes, like when I'm free to spend it, I like it so much......

Let's Have Cake and Candles

If you read this blog, have a piece of cake, and pretend to blow out a candle. It's Becky's birthday! Which means that she's 23, and my birthday is fast approaching! Hooray for spring.

Wait 'till you see what I got you..... *grins*
In case you want my input, here are my suggestions for exciting birthday dinner:
Alma de Cuba
Byblos
exciting Indian place you found

While we're on the subject, places I might like to go for my birthday dinner:
Buca di Beppo
any nice Chinese buffet
Gullifty's (and sit outside!)

Birthdays are an interesting phenomenon. I'm glad you're having one. I hope it's lovely, even though you have to work and it's not a day we can stay up late. I love you!

Working Life

Working, for me, is mainly about goofing off and getting paid. I do what they tell me, but I do it slow, and I blog in between. Like right now!
There's a new claims assistant working in my little area, a few cubicles away. I'm sure she's sweet, but she has this weird running walk that she displays as she goes past my cubicle about a thousand times a day. I started counting after lunch--she passed me 28 times in approximately three hours. Maybe that doesn't sound like a lot to you, but it seemed like it to me.
Other fun things to do at work when there's a computer at your disposal:
www.msn.com/games
www.keenspot.org (I recommend Sinfest, Friendly Hostility, and Wapsi Square)

Anyway, today was sort of long. Even with the flurry of gossip in the afternoon surrounding our new Pontiff. But the woman who works in the little food shop in the lobby smiled at me both times I was there today. Most of the time she smiles in the morning but doesn't seem to recognize me in the afternoon, I don't know exactly why. Maybe her days are even longer and more boring than mine. Not that I hate it. I'm still considering applying for a permanent job here. Which would, from the looks of things around me, be more stressful than boring. But also more money. Decisions are hard.

White Smoke

I don't think I'm ready for Benedict XVI. I haven't quite gotten over the fact that John Paul, my Pope for my entire life, won't continue to always be Il Papa. Maybe Benedict will be wonderful. I hope so. But on my birthday I'll always be thinking of John Paul, and how I never sent him a card, and remembering lifting Becky piggy-back to get a better glimpse of him at the Christmas morning address. Welcome, Benedict...maybe I'll see you again, John Paul.

Biblical Towns

What is it with Pennsylvania and Biblical geography town names? I never noticed it growing up, it just seemed sort of normal, but ever since Becky was so amused by the phenomenon I've begun to take notice. There's my hometown, Bethlehem, and then there's Nazareth, Emmaus, and Egypt. Now, just a few minutes ago, I filed a piece of mail that came fron Lebanon, PA. I bet there are others, too. I suspect that, at least around Bethlehem, it has to do with all the Moravians who originally settled there. Food for thought. If you know any more Biblical name towns, in PA or elsewhere, say so. Just for my edification. *chuckles*

A Bloggy Beginning

All right...I've given in. In all honesty, I think the blog is an interesting phenomenon. But today I've been prompted to actually start one of my own, mostly because my job is so brainless that I do a lot of philosophical thinking at work. So, here I am, writing a first entry instead of sorting paid medical bills to be filed. *laughs*

A note to friends and acquaintances: If you're reading this, hello! If you're not reading this...then you're not reading this, and any hello's would be lost in the infinite universe of the internet. So I won't say hello to you.

A note to strangers: I think it's a bit annoying to speak in a diary as if people reading it don't know what I'm talking about. So, you're welcome to peruse. I'll let identities and references remain a mystery for you to unravel.

Perhaps I should return to my work for a while. I'll be back when I need a break again!