Thursday, August 02, 2007

Recklessness and Reflection

Lois Lane hasn't always been a good role model for young feminists. The old Lois had pretty much subordinated herself to the dominant patriarchal paradigm, probably because she lacked the intellectual capacity for rational thought. In fact, she was so incredibly stupid that Superman had to save her from destruction every 30 days. In this issue, she's trying to convince Superman to marry her by proving that she is too dumb to live.

If I were Superman, I'd be thinking: "You know, this Disappearing Machine might just be the best thing since bottled shampoo. As soon as the old ball-and-chain vanishes I can get on with the serious business of world-saving. And whoring."

My new boss has the reckless spirit of the original, vapor-locked Lois. Newbie had to go to court today to address her reckless nature- she was nailed doing 70 in a 35 this spring.

"You'll probably get a fine and driving school," I opined.

"But I just finished driving school", she replied. Sure enough, she has a history of reckless driving. She had just finished her sentence from the last ticket when she got nailed with the new one.
Straight outta remedial wheel school and back into reckless abandon...she has what one might charitably refer to as a "slow learning curve." It's my bad luck to have to try to train her to do complex tasks in a short period of time. It's not going well, so I was glad she had to leave for court.
Her lawyer told her she might get ten days in jail as well as fines and possibly even lose her license.
I personally think that chronic reckless drivers should be severely punished, much in the way that drunk drivers are. If your driving habits pose a hazard to people who aren't you, you shouldn't drive. Anyway, she got a restricted (work, doctor etc) license for five years.

I was sorta hoping she'd get ten days just so I wouldn't have to fix any more of her mistakes.

I have reached my limit. I'm going to disappear, but, unlike Lois, it's not going to kill me- it's going to improve me. One day, probably tomorrow, I am going to vanish from the chair I have been occupying for nearly two years and I won't be seen again.

Not in the office anyway. I hope to be seen on blog more often. After a week, I really miss being able to read my fave blogs and sites. I can't even get to email. It sucks.
Right now I don't have a desk or workstation at all, so I imagine I am not going to linger long.
I did get a couple decent-sounding job tips from sympathetic co-workers and one outside friend. I have been 'enhancing' my resume in anticipation of applying to said positions and feel confident that I'll do fine. My years with community radio and the Firm have left me pretty well connected, job-wise. I didn't know that until I asked around, but I am. It's a nice feeling, for a change.
I need a change.
I don't feel like speaking to the Firm or the Company anymore.
I can't do the dead man walking dance and I'm afraid I'm going to do something mean and ugly, and despite the thrill I'd get, I really don't need any more weight to carry.
I need to lighten up. I need to get out.

I'm gonna go *poof* and they will be on their own.

I'm gonna get a better job, take some time off and just plain relax for a change.
Not necessarily in that order.

Until I read the news...

8 comments:

Romeo Morningwood said...

Well there it 'tiz!

This Dilbertian saga has a few twists left that you need to watch unfold. Good things come to those who wait.

Or do you hear an old Beatle refrain rattling upstairs...

"Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time"

AngelConradie said...

well, serves them bloody right!
i've had a coupla hectic weeks and i've so missed you! i don't think i have ever blogged this seldom!
i completely agree with you bout the license thing- at least over there its enforced... we don't have enough cops to watch everyone and the ones who do are corrupt!
okay okay, i'm generalising... but its not good...
i do hope to see more of you!

the rube said...

like d'argo's dying words to chrichton......GO BIG

screw the old job, go big and bask in the glory of fulfilling job. (lots of paid vacation and sick leave)

yellowdoggranny said...

you should get your shit together...stand at the door ...yell..adios mother fuckers..and vamoose..i would have already told someone to get fucked and out of there..good luck my friend...you can always come to west..ha...

Craig D said...

Go poof, says I!

Otherwise, you'll find yourself going cubicle-to-cubicle with a urine-filled squirt-gun while shrieking old TV Theme Songs at the top of your lungs.

And why ruin a perfectly good squirt-gun?

Inside our hands, outside our hearts said...

Sounds like you need to breathe. Pardon me though for making that assumption. Maybe you have made yourself seem like you will do the work and it does not matter if they give you the credit. Hrd workers often take on all the work and in doing so become so busy that everyone just expects them to do everything and then are just ignored.

Now I do not know you, nor your life and I could be making a complete ass of myself but its just a thought from a stranger.. sent with a smile.

Allan said...

HE- It's over. I won.

A- I haven't been able to think and that makes it hard to write. Looking up now, though! See ya soon!
x
a

Rube- I had to google that...I thought it was a literary ref and I was embarrassed to not 'get' it...I wanna see that show now!

JS- It ended exactly how I wanted- with me smelling like roses and them covered in shit.
Damn, but I feel good!

CD- I drink so much coffee I AM a urine-filled squirt gun! (Well, some vinegar too...)
I killed them with courtesy, kindness and professionalism.

In-
Nope, you are correct. I needed to get out from the middle and step back, breathe, think...after calm reflection, I'm really glad it happened. I needed a kick in the ass. I had become complacent, and that is never good.
Thanks for the thoughts and the visit, always glad to see new 'faces'!

CS said...

Im not sure I'd have it in me to train a new person as I was leaving. And I also think that here is no essential difference between driving recklessly while intoxicated and driving recklessly while stone cold sober. If you are putting others at risk, you need to be off the road.