.....I'm employed!
I found this position on my own, not thru any of the 4 fucking agencies I'm using, who could only find me temp work.
I was asked to do a trial with this employer Thursday/Friday. And if we both felt we were a good fit, they'd make an offer. When I went into the interview, I was hired within minutes!Which is kind of nice. I'll get back to that in a minute.
They advised me the trail would be at a very small wage. So small, I'd make more on EI. Yup. The position would be at a few dollars more if hired permanently.
Went home, thought about it. Crunched the numbers, and freaked out completely on Elizabeth Singleton. What the hell was I thinking agreeing to those wages when I wouldn't take them from any of the agencies I was using. I couldn't pay my rent without a roommate, and I always calculate my finances without one. Blurred mind due to be frustrated about temping etc.
Half way thru my first day, we're just running thru the work load, my head spinning, I realize their wages are very unreasonable for the amount of experience required to do this work load. I did have a little leverage as this girl is leaving next Friday, and were advising people on the phone the position was already filled. I haven't even accepted the position yet. Finally getting a chance to talk to the owner/boss explaining my concerns etc. End result being that if they couldn't meet my wages, I couldn't work for them.
End of the day, they agreed, and I accepted.
It's different. It's a small family owned business, so things are little unprofessional as far as how things are managed. But the vibe is good.
After I receive my first official pay stub with my wages on it, will determine if I stay or not. They can say they'll pay me whatever, though until it's in my account at that amount... I'm not committed to the position.
*My pay schedule is every second Friday, which just blows my mind. :(
I'll have to adjust how I've managed my finances, my.whole.life.
*I'll be hourly, not salary?
*Benefits start after 3 months not 6, :), but have to pay a portion myself. :(
*No direct claims, have to pay out of pocket first. :(
*Have to rotate statutory holiday with my coworker to accept deliveries to the plant. Booo but it = double time. :).
*It's close to home. 30 mins each way. Not an hour. :)
*All lunches from the Deli and cheese purchases are free. :) Home made Italian everything.
*Dress code is casual.
I get along well with the girl who's position I'll be over seeing. Apparently she's difficult. Even the plant workers have walked by mentioning I"ll fit in if K likes me already. That's a plus.
I'm excited to have a work load without the micro managing. My work is my responsibility, and aside from my co worker and the accountant(off site), no one else is actually going to supervise my work. I learned a few accounting software programs yesterday. Ones, my old boss felt would be too difficult to show me. Thanks D. The longer I'm away from my old position the happier I'm finding myself. It was draining to beg for a work load, only to have every aspect of it micro-managed to death.
On a scale of 1 -10, understanding the job, and doing it, I'm told is sitting at a 7-8 on my second day. I thought it was lower, but they know the job better than I do at the moment.
The roommate and I have had a great week and a bit. Not sure what changed or if I need to still be on guard a little. But whatever is going on in his head that is allowing peace to exist in our house, I'm cool with it. I'm sure the other shoe will drop sooner or later.
Went for Lebanese food @ Nuba in Vancouver last night with Single & Picky. Good food, good company. A little expensive for what you get, but the food was divine. Never thought to use a rosewater/wine reduction in/on anything. It was bloody addictive. I'm sure we'll be back together and with other people. I would definitely suggest it as a place for a date. The staff are genuinely friendly, and although you're not rushed, the food comes out at a good pace.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Temping Isn't as Evil as I Though.
It's not.
If each assignment is only a couple weeks at a time and the assignments are frequent, I could..... get use to it. Great way to meet a lot people and tone in on different skills at the same time.
I'm currently temping for a company located inside the Birks Building in Vancouver.
I love, love, love the historic district of Vancouver. And to have the chance to get inside many buildings in the last couple weeks, that I otherwise wouldn't have, has been a treat!
My current assignment is available for a a permanent fill. However after one day there, I've pretty much decided I'll work the assignment and leave the permanent spot for someone else.
In 6 hours, I learned the position, faster and took on more than she was expecting . Easy and insanely busy! Love it!What I do not love, are the people's attitudes. I was met with a fake politeness from my immediate supervisor. As nice as she actually is, she'd make jaded comments like the following all day long:
"If you work out, you're probably a gluten for punishment like me."
"We frown upon taking any time off, for things like doctor apts, or floater days etc"
"We have summer hours in July/August, I bet you've never known a company to do that?" (I informed her of the perks of my last position, having a compressed work week.all.year.long. ;-)
When asked/assuming the company takes good care of their staff as they've all been there a really long time, reply: "Ptff, no, not really. The benefits are good though"
I'm all for work hard/play hard attitude, I asked if the staff hang out together after work for drinks, or do other social things as a company etc, she replied with a look like I had three heads. There was my answer. Actually she did say, it happens, rarely, and it's more of a "Its checking out time, SEEE YA!"
On top of those responses, the office is like a million degrees and I'm sweating in all the wrong places!!!! So gross.
Ya, I'm not sure this is a company I want to work for. I don't want to be miserable. I know, I know, I'm unemployed and I shouldn't be choosy. Really? They fired the last temp of 5 weeks, cos she happened to mention she was THINKING about moving back to her country in roughly 5-6 years. They ended her position immediately, which brings us to today, enter me.
A little torn, cos I really dig the position, though, that is it. I'd like for the people I work with to be social within the company, and/or outside too. It keeps morale up, and helps productivity if you like the people you have to see for 90% of waking hours. Granted it's a small office of only 8 people in Vancouver, although the company is global.
Still..... not jazzed about trucking an hour into Vancouver to work with people who could care less about their associates one way or another.
Input.... GO!
If each assignment is only a couple weeks at a time and the assignments are frequent, I could..... get use to it. Great way to meet a lot people and tone in on different skills at the same time.
I'm currently temping for a company located inside the Birks Building in Vancouver.
I love, love, love the historic district of Vancouver. And to have the chance to get inside many buildings in the last couple weeks, that I otherwise wouldn't have, has been a treat!
My current assignment is available for a a permanent fill. However after one day there, I've pretty much decided I'll work the assignment and leave the permanent spot for someone else.
In 6 hours, I learned the position, faster and took on more than she was expecting . Easy and insanely busy! Love it!What I do not love, are the people's attitudes. I was met with a fake politeness from my immediate supervisor. As nice as she actually is, she'd make jaded comments like the following all day long:
"If you work out, you're probably a gluten for punishment like me."
"We frown upon taking any time off, for things like doctor apts, or floater days etc"
"We have summer hours in July/August, I bet you've never known a company to do that?" (I informed her of the perks of my last position, having a compressed work week.all.year.long. ;-)
When asked/assuming the company takes good care of their staff as they've all been there a really long time, reply: "Ptff, no, not really. The benefits are good though"
I'm all for work hard/play hard attitude, I asked if the staff hang out together after work for drinks, or do other social things as a company etc, she replied with a look like I had three heads. There was my answer. Actually she did say, it happens, rarely, and it's more of a "Its checking out time, SEEE YA!"
On top of those responses, the office is like a million degrees and I'm sweating in all the wrong places!!!! So gross.
Ya, I'm not sure this is a company I want to work for. I don't want to be miserable. I know, I know, I'm unemployed and I shouldn't be choosy. Really? They fired the last temp of 5 weeks, cos she happened to mention she was THINKING about moving back to her country in roughly 5-6 years. They ended her position immediately, which brings us to today, enter me.
A little torn, cos I really dig the position, though, that is it. I'd like for the people I work with to be social within the company, and/or outside too. It keeps morale up, and helps productivity if you like the people you have to see for 90% of waking hours. Granted it's a small office of only 8 people in Vancouver, although the company is global.
Still..... not jazzed about trucking an hour into Vancouver to work with people who could care less about their associates one way or another.
Input.... GO!
Thursday, 26 January 2012
I Fell in Love with East Vancouver Today.
I was in East Vancouver today, willingly. It’s not the most desirable areas the city has to offer, or so you’d think. The Strathcona neighbourhood, borders the DTES. (Downtown eastside) British Columbia’s oldest residential neighbourhood. It is bordered by Chinatown to the west, Clark Drive to the east, Burrard Inlet on the north, and Canadian National Railway and Great Northern Railway to the south.
Being so close to the DTES, you would never know you’re so close to the most dangerous part of the city in all of Canada after dark. The people, while sketchy looking, and smelling bad, only as a below the poverty line community can, there is beauty. Lots of it. People smile, and are warm, and kind.
While looking obviously lost, a very undesirable man approached me. Being raised in the city, you’re always a little on guard when someone walks towards you like this. Prepared for him to ask me for money on a remote road, robbing me if he felt the urge; he asked if I was lost, and offered his expertise on the area with a kind smile, then went about his way. Knocked my pretentious ass down a few notches.
I was only supposed to be in East Vancouver for a small project I was doing for a friend. After getting distracted by hidden gem after hidden gem tucked away in this decrepit little neighbourhood that the rest of the city has written off, I fell in love; with East Vancouver. There are ghosts f old houses with huge yards, you could tell once stood a strong neighbourhood. Where people had gardens cos they probably couldn’t afford to buy their fruit and veggies, cloth lines cos people knew how to conserve energy and money when you didn’t have any other choice. A concept the city is realizing again, and has lifted the bylaw against cloth lines and owning chickens. J You want your province to flurioush again and “go green”, then stop being such a prude and lift old bylaw bands you put in place cos you once thought they were an eyesore.
There is so much rich culture, history and not to mention the architect. Buildings that are colourful, charming and were probably once the boast of the town, when the milling, logging and railways were being built, now look like old forgotten movie sets. Now run down, barely standing, are sad reminders of an area that once flurioushed with love. You can tell this was, and still is a working town. Being less than a block off the Burrard Inlet, this industrial area still has a little shine in her with the Grouse Mountain so close; you could almost see the people doing the grind. Kidding, but you know you’re somewhere special when you take a moment to look around.
Vancouver is worldwide known for its diversity in cultures. We have the largest Sikh community in North America in Delta, next to India itself. We have Chinatown, and little Italy. There is so much, much more than that. Get off the bus, get out of your car, and walk around. Tucked away in-between those stores, and designated areas, there is a Latin, Turk, and Ethiopia communities. A nice change from what we consider to be the norm here.
After spending an hour of my head exploding at the Antique & Marketing warehouse on Franklen Street, practically under the port bridge to the longshoremen area, there is this store. Walked in, and fell.in.love. All the pieces are rustic and well over a few hundred years old. Some doors have been converted into tables. I found one, and will spend the $1595.00 is cost and put my own legs on it. It’s a must have. The staff was great, and non-pressuring. A hidden goldmine of amazing stuff; from buildings in our city that no longer exist, and some from the owner’s own travels. Anyone with a pretty penny to send on a one of a kind piece of furniture, this is a must. To think in the near future, my dinning room table will be a 160-year-old door with its hinges still on it. Companies certainly don’t make shit to last like that anymore. It will probably last another 160 years. Add some leather chairs, and whola, you have a piece that everyone will love.
Walking to the bus stop, I ended up in front of Latin Organic Coffee House on E.Hastings. Deciding to pop in and grab a latte for my ride home was by far the best thing I could have done all day. The gentleman behind the counter was a treat. Excited to have clientele. He went on to tell me his coffee would ruin me for all other coffee out there. Smiling to be polite, I thought, “sure it will”, cos every coffee house on the planet claims this. Not being a fan of Starbucks or Timmy’s, what did I have to lose? O.M.G. best damn latte ever! So much so, I went back in and bought a pound of their regular coffee, missing my bus in the process. Sold. I’m a coffee snob now.
Bothering Single & Picky at school with texts of excitement from my adventures, she was equally thrilled that I fell in love with it as she resides in the area. I’ll be spending more time down there on nice days for sure. As I hopped back on the bus, and then the train, entering the hub of the rat race, I became sad, at the views of what now seem cold starch neighbours of townhouses without yards, no kids playing in the streets, no mum and pop shops. The rest of the city seems….. Cold, lifeless, and poor from the riches of true communities and culture. It should be everywhere, not just little corners tucked away that people forgot about cos the government doesn’t think it’s worth preserving or mentioning.
Do yourself a favour, and get out of your car, get off the bus and walk around in a neighbour you’ve avoided treading into cos the media said you should. Be smart about it of course. Chances are I wouldn’t venture into the neighbour after dark without friends.
Being so close to the DTES, you would never know you’re so close to the most dangerous part of the city in all of Canada after dark. The people, while sketchy looking, and smelling bad, only as a below the poverty line community can, there is beauty. Lots of it. People smile, and are warm, and kind.
While looking obviously lost, a very undesirable man approached me. Being raised in the city, you’re always a little on guard when someone walks towards you like this. Prepared for him to ask me for money on a remote road, robbing me if he felt the urge; he asked if I was lost, and offered his expertise on the area with a kind smile, then went about his way. Knocked my pretentious ass down a few notches.
I was only supposed to be in East Vancouver for a small project I was doing for a friend. After getting distracted by hidden gem after hidden gem tucked away in this decrepit little neighbourhood that the rest of the city has written off, I fell in love; with East Vancouver. There are ghosts f old houses with huge yards, you could tell once stood a strong neighbourhood. Where people had gardens cos they probably couldn’t afford to buy their fruit and veggies, cloth lines cos people knew how to conserve energy and money when you didn’t have any other choice. A concept the city is realizing again, and has lifted the bylaw against cloth lines and owning chickens. J You want your province to flurioush again and “go green”, then stop being such a prude and lift old bylaw bands you put in place cos you once thought they were an eyesore.
There is so much rich culture, history and not to mention the architect. Buildings that are colourful, charming and were probably once the boast of the town, when the milling, logging and railways were being built, now look like old forgotten movie sets. Now run down, barely standing, are sad reminders of an area that once flurioushed with love. You can tell this was, and still is a working town. Being less than a block off the Burrard Inlet, this industrial area still has a little shine in her with the Grouse Mountain so close; you could almost see the people doing the grind. Kidding, but you know you’re somewhere special when you take a moment to look around.
Vancouver is worldwide known for its diversity in cultures. We have the largest Sikh community in North America in Delta, next to India itself. We have Chinatown, and little Italy. There is so much, much more than that. Get off the bus, get out of your car, and walk around. Tucked away in-between those stores, and designated areas, there is a Latin, Turk, and Ethiopia communities. A nice change from what we consider to be the norm here.
After spending an hour of my head exploding at the Antique & Marketing warehouse on Franklen Street, practically under the port bridge to the longshoremen area, there is this store. Walked in, and fell.in.love. All the pieces are rustic and well over a few hundred years old. Some doors have been converted into tables. I found one, and will spend the $1595.00 is cost and put my own legs on it. It’s a must have. The staff was great, and non-pressuring. A hidden goldmine of amazing stuff; from buildings in our city that no longer exist, and some from the owner’s own travels. Anyone with a pretty penny to send on a one of a kind piece of furniture, this is a must. To think in the near future, my dinning room table will be a 160-year-old door with its hinges still on it. Companies certainly don’t make shit to last like that anymore. It will probably last another 160 years. Add some leather chairs, and whola, you have a piece that everyone will love.
Walking to the bus stop, I ended up in front of Latin Organic Coffee House on E.Hastings. Deciding to pop in and grab a latte for my ride home was by far the best thing I could have done all day. The gentleman behind the counter was a treat. Excited to have clientele. He went on to tell me his coffee would ruin me for all other coffee out there. Smiling to be polite, I thought, “sure it will”, cos every coffee house on the planet claims this. Not being a fan of Starbucks or Timmy’s, what did I have to lose? O.M.G. best damn latte ever! So much so, I went back in and bought a pound of their regular coffee, missing my bus in the process. Sold. I’m a coffee snob now.
Bothering Single & Picky at school with texts of excitement from my adventures, she was equally thrilled that I fell in love with it as she resides in the area. I’ll be spending more time down there on nice days for sure. As I hopped back on the bus, and then the train, entering the hub of the rat race, I became sad, at the views of what now seem cold starch neighbours of townhouses without yards, no kids playing in the streets, no mum and pop shops. The rest of the city seems….. Cold, lifeless, and poor from the riches of true communities and culture. It should be everywhere, not just little corners tucked away that people forgot about cos the government doesn’t think it’s worth preserving or mentioning.
Do yourself a favour, and get out of your car, get off the bus and walk around in a neighbour you’ve avoided treading into cos the media said you should. Be smart about it of course. Chances are I wouldn’t venture into the neighbour after dark without friends.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Small Update & Accutane Update
First of all. I TOOK MY LAST ACCUTANE PILL TODAY! Boo-yah!
I'm under a tremendous amount of stress these days. My face broke out two weeks ago and still hasn't healed. I have a derm apt this coming Tuesday to confirm I'm done. Maybe one more month, but gawd I hope not. A proper update on the Accutane will follow soon.
**My face broke out.
Was it all for nothing? Or simply stress related?
**I can't find full time work that pays enough to pay my rent and bills WITHOUT a roommate.
**The roommate and I are not getting along at all.
He took a low blow tonight. I called him out on it, via text (don't judge us, it's easier this way). We're getting into the thick of things and he's decided that we no longer need to speak to each other, ever. He'll pay his rent and stay in his room.
Okay, so not cool. I need us to be getting along and being civil with each other if you're living here. I can't have someone living in my home that hates me, and thinks being verbally abusive is funny. Like I said, we're working on some details at the moment, but it's not looking good. We've even argued about the way I look for work. Apparently I'm a dumb-ass and should search the black hole in my head that I call a brain....I'm not allowed to be a bitch while under stress (yes I did a shitty thing to him 3 weeks ago) but he's allowed to be verbally abusive (he thinks it's funny to goat me) and hold a grudge.
I am never going to have a normal roommate situation am I? Sure all people living together have rough spots, but this went from 95% okay to -15 disgusted by my existence in a blink of an eye. At least it seems that way. As I'm writing this, he's stopped replying to messages, but keeps sending his own. Sigh.
Until these last 3 weeks, I would praise him as a roommate. But having someone hate me in my home. It's a little steeper than I think I can manage right now. Three weeks ago, we were good. We were friends. Now.... Gaawwwd. Once I'm employed again, we'll revisit how we get along. I can't be the only one making the effort to fix this.
**I'm lonely.
I'm in desperate need of some male affection. not sex, just love and protection.
**I temped at a gaming company this past week.
Sooo mind numbingly dull. My ONLY responsibility was to answer the phones,and they only rang maybe 2 dozen times in 5 days. Although the staff more than made up for it. Besides, making some money while the time passes and looking for work is better than losing money while doing nothing.
**I've run away a million times with the "what ifs".
Over things that haven't happened yet. made myself vomit. :-( You can say, it will all work out, all you want, but what if it doesn't? Shouldn't I be preparing for that particular "what if?" I like to know where my next paycheck is coming from. The stability of routine in a 9-5 M-F job. I don't have that, I'm left alone with my thoughts, and boredom. Not a good combination.
That's all I have for you right now. I have to go cry. Again. Oh my gawd, the crying. I handle stress a different way every time. I don't believe I can control how my body reacts. This time, it's crying and vomiting. Fun times I tell ya.
I'm under a tremendous amount of stress these days. My face broke out two weeks ago and still hasn't healed. I have a derm apt this coming Tuesday to confirm I'm done. Maybe one more month, but gawd I hope not. A proper update on the Accutane will follow soon.
**My face broke out.
Was it all for nothing? Or simply stress related?
**I can't find full time work that pays enough to pay my rent and bills WITHOUT a roommate.
**The roommate and I are not getting along at all.
He took a low blow tonight. I called him out on it, via text (don't judge us, it's easier this way). We're getting into the thick of things and he's decided that we no longer need to speak to each other, ever. He'll pay his rent and stay in his room.
Okay, so not cool. I need us to be getting along and being civil with each other if you're living here. I can't have someone living in my home that hates me, and thinks being verbally abusive is funny. Like I said, we're working on some details at the moment, but it's not looking good. We've even argued about the way I look for work. Apparently I'm a dumb-ass and should search the black hole in my head that I call a brain....I'm not allowed to be a bitch while under stress (yes I did a shitty thing to him 3 weeks ago) but he's allowed to be verbally abusive (he thinks it's funny to goat me) and hold a grudge.
I am never going to have a normal roommate situation am I? Sure all people living together have rough spots, but this went from 95% okay to -15 disgusted by my existence in a blink of an eye. At least it seems that way. As I'm writing this, he's stopped replying to messages, but keeps sending his own. Sigh.
Until these last 3 weeks, I would praise him as a roommate. But having someone hate me in my home. It's a little steeper than I think I can manage right now. Three weeks ago, we were good. We were friends. Now.... Gaawwwd. Once I'm employed again, we'll revisit how we get along. I can't be the only one making the effort to fix this.
**I'm lonely.
I'm in desperate need of some male affection. not sex, just love and protection.
**I temped at a gaming company this past week.
Sooo mind numbingly dull. My ONLY responsibility was to answer the phones,and they only rang maybe 2 dozen times in 5 days. Although the staff more than made up for it. Besides, making some money while the time passes and looking for work is better than losing money while doing nothing.
**I've run away a million times with the "what ifs".
Over things that haven't happened yet. made myself vomit. :-( You can say, it will all work out, all you want, but what if it doesn't? Shouldn't I be preparing for that particular "what if?" I like to know where my next paycheck is coming from. The stability of routine in a 9-5 M-F job. I don't have that, I'm left alone with my thoughts, and boredom. Not a good combination.
That's all I have for you right now. I have to go cry. Again. Oh my gawd, the crying. I handle stress a different way every time. I don't believe I can control how my body reacts. This time, it's crying and vomiting. Fun times I tell ya.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Temping
I'm temping this week at a gaming company in the lower mainland. I didn't think it was actually possible to do less than my last job. Seriously.
The pay is good, and hours suck and to sit there and stare at my computer screen and email people IF the phone decides to ring, is mind numbingly dull. However, the people, they're great!
It's only a week.
In other news.....
I dropped one of the employment agencies I was signed on with. I've been trying to make contact with the woman who is managing me as their client, since Jan 3rd!!
No return calls or emails. I sent off an unhappy email that I did not think they were working in my best interest etc. Her reply..... That she felt with my job skills, that I could prove to be unemployable and would probably have a difficult time finding suitable employment.
W.T.F!? Wow.
I forwarded this email to her boss, with more words expressing my disappointment with this particular agent. I've received what seemed to be a sincere letter of apology and their plan of action to handle this agent. I still dropped them. There is nothing that can reverse that kind of sour taste.
But great. It's mid Jan and I'm still unemployed. I can only lower my wage bracket so much before needing a roommate as opposed to getting ahead by having one.
I'm seriously surprised at the qualifications employers are asking for, for a dollar or two over minimum wage. Insanity I tell ya! Crazy.
Discouraged, is an understatement at this point. The what if's are becoming a reality. What if I don't find a job? What if I have to move? What if, what if, what if?
This would explain why with a week left (count 4 days left) on the Accutane, my face looks worse than we started this whole process. Needless to say, I'm making an appointment with my Derm. Maybe do another month at my own cost. :( An expense I really can't afford, but I don't want all this to be for nothing.
Let's see...what else?
The roommate and I are getting along for the moment. We're treading lightly, but at least we're talking to each other, no longer grunting defensive tones at each other.
I've been reading your blogs lately, though haven't commented on much.
What have you all been up too?
The pay is good, and hours suck and to sit there and stare at my computer screen and email people IF the phone decides to ring, is mind numbingly dull. However, the people, they're great!
It's only a week.
In other news.....
I dropped one of the employment agencies I was signed on with. I've been trying to make contact with the woman who is managing me as their client, since Jan 3rd!!
No return calls or emails. I sent off an unhappy email that I did not think they were working in my best interest etc. Her reply..... That she felt with my job skills, that I could prove to be unemployable and would probably have a difficult time finding suitable employment.
W.T.F!? Wow.
I forwarded this email to her boss, with more words expressing my disappointment with this particular agent. I've received what seemed to be a sincere letter of apology and their plan of action to handle this agent. I still dropped them. There is nothing that can reverse that kind of sour taste.
But great. It's mid Jan and I'm still unemployed. I can only lower my wage bracket so much before needing a roommate as opposed to getting ahead by having one.
I'm seriously surprised at the qualifications employers are asking for, for a dollar or two over minimum wage. Insanity I tell ya! Crazy.
Discouraged, is an understatement at this point. The what if's are becoming a reality. What if I don't find a job? What if I have to move? What if, what if, what if?
This would explain why with a week left (count 4 days left) on the Accutane, my face looks worse than we started this whole process. Needless to say, I'm making an appointment with my Derm. Maybe do another month at my own cost. :( An expense I really can't afford, but I don't want all this to be for nothing.
Let's see...what else?
The roommate and I are getting along for the moment. We're treading lightly, but at least we're talking to each other, no longer grunting defensive tones at each other.
I've been reading your blogs lately, though haven't commented on much.
What have you all been up too?
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