Yesterday, I logged off of my computer ... I gathered my belongings ... and I walked out of my building for the last time. I spent half of my life working with the same people ... and now there's just ... nothing. I know that I'm feeling sorry for myself ... in this economy, there are so many people just like me ... who were downsized or laid off. And I'm fortunate to have a nice severance package ... and I'll apply for unemployment on Monday.
In the meantime, I'm in a bit of a funk ... but it will pass. Tomorrow is another day, as Scarlett would tell us. So ... just for today, I'm going to sit in my snowman pajamas ... watch terrible movies ... drink my peach tea ... and look at my flowers. Because honestly? Those flowers are the only good thing that came out of this week.
1. In The Spectacular Now, the main character is good at making everybody laugh. What social skill do you bring to a large party? - I don't go to parties very often ... but I think I'm good in groups? I like to tell stories ... I love making people laugh. The only thing that comes to mind at the moment is the night a group of us went to dinner after my friend's visitation. We sat at this restaurant ... we were all telling stories and laughing so hard. The staff let us stay past closing ... it's a good memory. That group ... those people ... I think that night we were such a comfort to one another. Anyhow the answer ... I think my skill is talking ... getting people to laugh.
2. In The Way Way Back, one character was supposedly there when, at the local water park, one person passed another on the huge water slide. What amazing or strange feat that everyone supposedly knows about did someone pull off in your area (or at your school)? - Well, I'm not sure it fits ... but let's go with this. You know that riot that Guns N' Roses started in St. Louis? When Axl threw his mic down and left the stage ... and people started ripping seats up ... and somebody lit the sound board on fire? I was there for that. I was sitting way up on the grass hill ... fascinated by it all. I'd never seen a riot before. And because we were sitting up on this hill, you could see dozens upon dozens flashing lights on the police cars headed to the amphitheater from both directions. It was awesome ... I was pissed my friends made me leave. Although in retrospect, of course you leave when shit starts being set on fire.
3. In Austenland, the main character spends a week in a large Victorian-era house designed for fans of Jane Austen. In what book’s setting would you love to spend a week immersed? - Oh this one is so easy ... Harry Potter. Who wouldn't want to go to Diagon Alley or to Hogsmeade? I would love more than anything to go to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios with Stoney! I want to go in the winter. I'd like to go when it's kind of chilly? I want to wear a comfy sweatshirt ... and a t-shirt under it ... and in my imagination it's a little brisk so it won't be so bad walking around. I want to walk through the castle and eat breakfast at Three Broomsticks. Oh and wands! I want to get wands!! There are two problems with this plan. Number one? My mother has forbidden me to cross the state line into Florida. Georgia is fine ... the Carolina's are fine ... but Florida has been banned. Number two, since the stroke, I can't ride rides anymore ... and Universal is crazy expensive. So basically I'd be paying all that money just to walk around and look at things. It's completely unrealistic. But ... if I win the lottery? Oh yeah ... I am so buying us butter beer!
4. In The Heat, two main characters at first have great difficulty getting along personally, but they work unusually well together professionally. With whom have you had huge personal differences while still doing excellent work? - My team leader, who passed away several years ago, had almost no social skills. He was brilliant when it came to computers. He had something like five degrees, two of which were master's. Yet in spite of all that brilliance, on a personal level he was particularly unpleasant to be around ... arrogant and rude and unfriendly. Somehow ... I can't explain it ... we worked spectacularly together. Our styles complimented each other perfectly. People always came to me with their issues ... and he helped me with things I couldn't handle alone. I got to go out and help people and be social ... he got to stay in his office and, for the most part, be left alone. We butted heads ... at one point I snapped and called him an insufferable asshole. But aside from the occasional squabble, we were a hell of a team.
5. In We’re the Millers, a marijuana-dealer and a reluctant stripper pose as husband and wife in order to complete a job. If you had to do the same for an undetermined length of time, who could pose as your Platonic life partner? - I take it by platonic life partner you mean we can't choose boyfriends/girlfriends. Hmmmm ... if I had to recreate the scenario in the Millers? My platonic life partner would be First Wife. She's sweet and funny and kind ... but she's also a hell of a cook. If I'm gonna be stuck in an RV with somebody? I'm picking someone who can make us yeast rolls!
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reason
I was working for
You better not try and stand in my way
Cause I'm walkin', out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't working here no more
Johnny Paycheck -
Take This Job and Shove It
Sorry about the job :( I hope there is something bigger and better around the corner for you!
ReplyDeleteYou and Stoney need to go to Universal. I went with my family in the summer of 2012 and it was fantastic. You would benefit from skipping the Forbidden Journey ride...it's intense (lots of jerking) and can cause motion sickness. But the Butterbeer gets two thumbs up!