Beep....Beep....Beep...."What's that noise?" I wondered as I woke from my Benedryl-assisted slumber early this morning.
"Oh, it's the alarm clock," I thought. "That's right, I have to go to work."
Work...
Hmmm...what an odd concept.
Yes, after nearly two and a half months of unemployment, it was a bit of a rude awakening, to return begrudgingly or not, to the world of the working.
I dressed in my already laid-out outfit (remember, I'm geeky in that way), stopped at McDonald's for a McCafe iced coffee, drove over the I-4 viaduct (thanking my lucky stars I don't have to deal with I-4 traffic for this job since it's right here in Lake Mary), and walked up to the security desk after parking in the vast parking lot.
As soon as I signed in and got my trainee badge I stood around with the other dozen or so assembled trainees and the girl next to me started up a conversation.
I learned her name is Vivian and she's a single mother of a teen-aged boy just graduating from high school. She's done sales for years including nearby Convergys and Liberty Mutual. She interviewed at AIG but felt they were sleazy and chose to opt out. She's originally from upstate New York and has lived in Florida for 14 years but still finds summers oppressively hot. I would have learned more about her but we only had 8 hours.
Aside from her, everyone seems cool. Seriously, Vivian wasn't that bad, she's just one of those people who can strike up a conversation about herself with anyone.
Met a couple of folks who set off the gaydar: the coordinator of the training department, which they call "Employee Development" and another trainee in the class.
Overall, I gotta say, they seemed very organized at this company and the group seems fun and entertaining. I guess I'll be able to muster at least the next 8 weeks through training.
As far as afterwards, well, we got a walk-thru tour today. No humongous 6 foot high walled cubes to partition you from your coworkers; shoulder height only cubicle-ettes. Fine with me, I find the former a bit isolating anyway.
The biggest perk seems to be the "promised" average of $500 a month "incentive bonus" (ie. commission). Well see how this pans out.
Well, gotta figure out how long I'll need to sleep tonight to get ready for tomorrow's 5pm to 2am schedule.
Ugh!