Small Talk Versus Being Friendly Versus Being Creepy

When I was younger, I hated small talk. It took a lot of effort and seemed like such a waste of time. Plus, I got really anxious about what to say. My mother was an absolute pro at small talk. I would look on in awe as she chatted with complete strangers in stores. Sometimes, I didn't know they were strangers. I'd ask, "How did you know that lady?" My mom would reply, "Oh she was buying cantaloupe next to me." Such a talent and mystery!

Lots of time, medication and therapy later, I'm pretty good at small talk. Not at my mother's level of expertise but at least I find it enjoyable. In fact, I like it so much, I start looking for ways to talk to strangers. If I can, I start with a compliment or a question. Sometimes it is just an exchange of bemused smirks on the T over teenage idiocy.

This looking for small talk topics can edge into the vaguely inappropriate stalker territory. Yesterday I noticed a lady on the T uses the same notepad system I use for lists and remembering stuff. Since I was noticing, I caught a recipe listed out that looked interesting. So, did I A) use that to broach a stranger convo or B) did I pre-rehearse how that convo would sound out loud and decided not to say anything because hello CREEPY STALKER! Also, this morning I noticed a woman who has awesome hair at the length I want mine and with awesome color. Did I say anything? Pick option B. If you start going down the creepy small talk path, it is a slippery slope.

Unrequited Love

Is it possible to love a job so much that it can magically transform from temp to perm? Yup, I am in heaven right now. I love my commute, my manager, and co-workers. I look forward going to work every morning. I even like that work blocks a lot of websites like blogger and facebook! It's less distracting. Happily, my assignment has been extended a week into May. I understand the work I'm doing and how it impacts the big picture so even the most mundane monotonous cutting and pasting doesn't irk me. I am not perfect at work even though I like my duties. However, my manager is very clear and understanding about the work. He understands that we are going blind from processing so much data so our attention to detail isn't tip top.

The longer I work here, the more I realize that my old job was a horrible fit for me. I feel more confident and at home at this current job after 3 weeks than my old job after 6 months. So, getting fired was the best outcome (even though I think the whole reasoning and process was absolute BS). A job that is a good fit isn't something you dread going to. A good job doesn't make you so anxious about making mistakes and getting confused that you need crying breaks in the bathroom. A good job does not have managers declaring certain work is below them because of their pay grade (that is almost an exact quote from a meeting I attended). So, now I am going to enjoy this job, keep learning, and cling onto this happiness because after May 7, I am back looking for a job.

Lost Texting April 13

My brother and I text each other while watching "Lost". Here is last night's exchange

Brother (9:12) - Shit!
Me (9:18) - Ditto. I like her.
Me (9:23) - Ooh connections!
Brother (9:26) - Yay hugo!
Me (9:27) - Splodey
Brother (9:28) - Title of this ep? SPLODERS
Me (9:35) - Crazies know truth
Brother (9:36) - Hell yeah
Me (9:40) - Sun & jin!
Brother (9:40) - Finally! I like people trusting hugo
Me (9:49) - Yes!
Brother (9:51) - Desmond is a better off island locke. He gets people to believe.
Me (9:52) - Oo cool paralel.
Me (9:57) - Shit!
Brother (9:58) - Shit
Me (10:02) - Hollee crap.
Brother (10:02) - Damn. Near death exp trigger? Or murder attempt?

Current Events Affecting The Little Guy (Gal)

I lost my job at the end of January. I got the prerequisite packet of COBRA continuation of benefits info. Even with Federal Assistance, there was no way that I would have been able to afford COBRA. My parents had offered to help with health insurance but I wanted to be able to afford it on my own.

So, I learned that my PCP accepts Network Health. I checked them out and they looked affordable and amazing. So I applied. It has been 3 months and am I insured? Nope! Network Health is partnered with MassHealth so I had to apply with them first and that is where my application was lost in a black hole. Every time I call, I am told to call in a week. I can't get any straight answers and my application has already taken 3 months. If it takes any longer, I would owe a tax penalty on next year's filing.

Fed up yesterday after my millionth "Oh just call next week." phone call, I decided to swallow my pride, accept my parents help, and get real health insurance. I've had to see a doctor for months but I've held it off for MassHealth. Guess what else happened this past week? This. I read about the ruling in the paper and had no idea how it would impact health insurers in this state.

The impact is that I can't get any rate quotes. The only company still providing rate quotes is Blue Cross. So I decided to swallow the huge deductible and apply. Harvard Pilgrim was the absolute rudest insurer I called so I was really happy that I got to say, "Okay, I'll just go with Blue Cross." before I hung up. I have been 100% pro Universal Health care all my life. But my recent experiences with MassHealth has instilled distrust in government run programs. On the up side, I'll finally be able to see my doctor next month to check my thyroid. I might have Hashimoto's syndrome.

The Viggo Mortensen Effect

Sometimes a guy looks 100% better when he hasn't showered or shaved for days. Clean them up and slap nice clothes on, they look completely ridiculous. I have named this phenomenon The Viggo Mortensen Effect. See above and who cannot disagree with me? Strider is 100 times hotter than King Aragorn.

Last week, I realized another actor suffers from the same effect. See below. Granted, I kinda skewed the results by comparing shirtless to shirt ans scarf. Any other nominations for this Effect?

How Are These Safe?

I have been seeing this commercial a lot on TV and quite frankly the shoes look like a scam. Their literature claims that they work because the shoes make walking inefficient so you have to work harder to walk (like a normal human being). First off, the way the sole is shaped, it pitches your foot forward. How is that okay for your knees, hips and back? Secondly, the soles are so darn thick that rolling your foot sideways would be easier and more damaging. Finally, you don't need to spend $100 on shoes to shape your buns and thighs.

Several years ago, I went to a Good Feet store for help with my feet. I am flat-footed and tend to roll out. I walked away with shoe inserts that cost a pretty penny and wound up giving me a bone spur in my spine. So, now I'm still flat-footed with rolling feet and wicked sciata on rainy days. Score!

I Have a Job - Kinda...

This week I started a 4 week contract job at a Boston hospital. It's budget time so I'm going Excel crazy collecting data, updating formulas and formatting in Excel 2007. All my old handy shortcuts and menu options are gone damn it! Thank goodness, I can customize my own toolbar - eat it "ribbon"!

I knew I would love this job ever since my interview with the hiring manager. He is a hoot and a half. Most of the interview was him telling me management horror stories with the moral of the stories being "they got fired." Also, we got to geek out about Excel. One plus I learned about Excel 2007 is that the whole 6900 line limit is gone. That? Impressed me. Actually working in Excel 2007? Not so much.

My first day (yesterday) was a fire hose of information. Luckily, my manager saw me going cross-eyed and told me to go grab coffee at Dunks. Yes, he is an awesome manager! There is one other person in the department. He's a recent grad who really knows his stuff and is incredibly helpful. Between the both of us, we got a ton of work done on the first day assembling the budget report package. Plus, there is a checklist on a share drive - another testament to the manager's awesomeness. Give me a checklist and a job, you'll have a happy girl.

Oh yeah, ironically, on my first week of temployment, the unemployment office approved my claim and paid me a month's worth of benefits! It is going to be so nice to be swimming in money... Yeah, yeah, I am paying off credit cards and socking away savings - Mr. and Mrs. Buzzkill. But a couple new pairs of shoes wouldn't hurt, right?

Hair Timeline