PHOTODORK » Rant

Bad Attitude Gets You Nowhere

Photodork — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:11:29 +0000

I work in a call center. I realize this is not the best place to avoid bearing the brunt of customer complaints and frustrations, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Here’s the thing, I’ve been dealing with a lot of run around lately at school and with one of the hospitals that treated me last year. I have spent a lot of time in the last few weeks trying to square things up with various departments at UNC. It is an exercise in inanity, to be quite frank. However, I realize that this does not give me the right to be rude to the person who answers the phone, say the 7th time I call the Financial Aid office over the last two weeks. I also get that being sassy to this person is probably not going to produce the results I want.

Bank customers, apparently, have not made these same connections. I have dealt with several super snotty people as of late. Even before I worked in the call center, I wasn’t one to be rude to customer service people. I tend to be a pretty mellow gal, and I definitely fall under the passive-agressive category. It’s rare that I lose my cool. The old adage that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar is true. Since I started working in the call center, I’ve learned just how true. The thing is, I’ve figured out that I am the one with the power since I am the one with the ability to refund fees. If you yell at me I’m not going to do it. I’m just not. You might have the best reason in the world for overdrawing your account, but if you’re being a creep about it, I won’t budge. On the other hand, if your pleasant to me, I’ll go the extra mile for you. Sometimes it pays to have a good attitude. Be kind. Even if you don’t get what you want, you can feel good about the fact that you didn’t direct your anger at an innocent person. Just a thought.

Dairy Queen Disappointment

Photodork — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 21:02:03 +0000

I had developed a fondness of Dairy Queen’s Georgia Mud Fudge blizzards. Chocolate icecream with brownie pieces and pecans swirled in, what’s not to like? And I suppose I should explain that when I say fondness, I don’t mean that I had a dependency, but I seriously enjoyed them. A lot. But alas, there will be no more Georgia Mud Fudge treats for me, because stupid Dairy Queen has discontinued them, and without any forewarning. Dylan and I were supposed to go see Pirates of the Caribbean with my Mom and Bryan this weekend, and we arrived early because Dylan has a little bit of a promptness issue (if he doesn’t see the previews he gets upset). Also, I had to make sure there was time for me to get my special Dairy Queen snack and smuggle it into the theater. So, we wait in line at the Dairy Queen for what seemed like forever (but was actually only 3-5 minutes), and when we get up to the counter and order the girl working the register informs us that they don’t make the Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard anymore. Just like that. She was a little snotty about it, really. You’d think they would train their employees on how to break such devastating news to their customers in a kinder, more compassionate way. Plus, it was still listed on the menu. I think that they should have made it for me just on principle. Here’s what I really don’t understand: they have brownies on hand because of their Brownie Earthquake creation, they have pecans for other treats, so why can’t they mix them into chocolate icecream and continue to provide the best blizzard ever? Seriously, I’m irked.

My Body Hates Me

Photodork — Mon, 22 May 2006 16:29:09 +0000

That’s right…more strange health problems for me. My left leg started aching while I was in Boone, but I figured it was just a sore muscle. The weird part was that the pain and tension moved. It started at the top of my leg and then settled into my calf and knee. So…I decided it was better to be safe than sorry and went to visit my doctor. He sent me for an ultrasound, and miracle of miracles they found a rather large blood clot. It reaches from my hip to my ankle. I couldn’t have been more thrilled…especially when it became apparent that another hospital stay was in order. And we all know what hospital visits entail: needles. Always needles. I was able to leave after three days, but am still having bloodwork done on a regular basis and will be on blood thinners for at least six months. Super fantastic, eh?
I spent most of last week recuperating, although I was able to go to work for a little while on Thursday and Friday. And Friday was my birthday. I am now 24, and hoping this year will be better than the last. Bad things are supposed to happen in threes, so I am hoping that maybe I have completed the cycle. It has just become so frustrating. I feel like every time I start to get my life back in order and am adjusting to the requirements of my newly found health issues, something else comes along and I have to start back at square one. It also can make you super paranoid. Last night, I had a few mild twinges of pain in my right leg, and it totally freaked me out. The chances of getting another blood clot while on blood thinners is fairly minor, but I was completely afraid that I had formed another one. It’s irritating. I am trying to have a positive attitude and remember that everything happens for a reason, and that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but sometimes I feel really sad that all this had to happen.
C’est la vie, I suppose. I am due for a blood draw in 1/2 an hour and I am still in my pajamas, so I better get a move on. Happier posts later.

Casting Like a Pro

Photodork — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 03:34:23 +0000

That’s right…today was casting day, and I ruled it up. Okay, my instructor helped me with the torch a bit, but otherwise I was in control. It is quite the adrenaline rush. And, Dylan’s ring came out very nicely. The only problem is that it is a little big for him, which is baffling because the wax mold fit him snugly. I am slightly peeved, but will think of something to tweak it. Maybe Dylan could gain a few pounds…that would be the easiest way, I think.
I have yet another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and am not looking forward to it in the least. This is my fourth appointment this month and I have one next week as well. Ugh! I am so tired of medical crap. I know that isn’t the attitude to have…but I am allowed to feel fed up every now and again. On the bright side, my wounds are making pretty good progress. I have been using an algae-based stimulant to pack them and it seems to be working. I am hoping that they will be mostly healed in a few more weeks. Alright, I really hope that they will be healed when I wake up tomorrow, but I try to set realistic goals.
Well, I am going to go offer Dylan some icecream…I’ll make it a big bowl, and then his ring will fit sooner.

Miss Personality

Photodork — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:13:56 +0000

This weekend was wacky. Just full to the brim with happenings, which unfortunately didn’t leave much time for it to be relaxing. It all started on Friday, when Dylan lost his job rather unexpectedly. The company that he was working for decided that his position was not generating enough income, so they are basically absorbing it into someone else’s job. That person is getting tricked…but at least they still have a job, I guess. Dylan kind of got the short end of the stick because he was the last person hired, etc. It was a bum deal.
So, while I was in FoCo lending moral support, distraction and helping Dylan pack up his office, I applied at Anne Taylor Loft. You have to fill out a pretty standard application as well as take an online assessment, which is basically a personality profile. The best part is, I failed it. Seriously. I don’t really know how, but they called and told me I didn’t score high enough to be considered for employment in their store. Heh. Ironically, they were pretty rude about it, which made it even better. I mean, I’ll admit I felt a little flawed for awhile…who wouldn’t after failing a personality test? But now I find it down right funny.

Still Around

Photodork — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 23:17:21 +0000

Well, it has been quite awhile, hasn’t it? I really have no super good excuse, so I’ll just blame Amanda. Honestly though, things have just been incredibly, irritatingly busy. I remember thinking life would slow down once I graduated from college, but that didn’t really happen. Of course, I did go back to school, so maybe that’s the problem. Dumb education.
There is still a lot going on, but I thought I would renew my effort to be a good little blogger and update my site. Dylan has become quite the computer nerd and has said that he will help me make my page sweeter…so we’ll see. I’d like a new banner, Beda’s eyes look a little hazy in the current photo.
I am about half way through the Spring semester…and am ready to be finished. I only took three classes, trying to give myself a lighter load after last semester’s health problems. I still ended up with a pretty decent workload…and ran into some more fun health problems a few weeks ago. I am pretty tired of my body at this point. I realize it is probably sick of itself too, but still it seems to be one thing after another. I had some weird inner ear virus at the beginning of the year, which made me super dizzy for about two weeks. Then I spent about three weeks battling whatever general colds were going around, and I’ve spent the last two and half weeks dealing with something called drug rashes. These are very itchy, painful, bruise-like things that develop fairly rapidly when your body decides to reject the medication you are on for another medical condition. In short, they suck. Don’t get them. Especially if you are a wuss like me. At some point you’d think I’d just get used to needles and blood…but not yet.
On a more happy and less whiny note, Dylan is making me a clown costume. I am pretty excited about it, even though I really have no clown skills as of yet. I have tried juggling and unicycling before and had a little success, but I will need a lot of practice. I am also supposed to learn about balloon animals. He is cutting out the pattern for my overalls right now, I picked out some fun material this morning, so I am anxious to see them.
I also think I may have found a place to sell my felted purses. I am really hoping so, since I can’t seem to find a job, and a little income would be nice. I keep applying places…but nobody calls me back. It’s pretty discouraging…plus, I’m so awesome, you think someone might realize this. Alas…the job search persists.
I suppose that is enough of a rambling update for now. I have not done a lick of homework during my break, and I am slightly behind due to my brush with the plague. Stupid projects. Oh well…I will try hard to be a better blogger. Of course, I think I’ve said that before. This time for real.

Stupid Pills and Big Words

Photodork — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 03:44:36 +0000

So…it has been awhile. Mostly because the blogging program started asking for a username and password before allowing me to post. I hate to admit that I didn’t know these two pieces of info…but I didn’t so oh well.
I am very frustrated with my medication right now. Mostly because I cannot, and I mean CANNOT, remember to take the dumb pills. I am supposed to take 3 pills 4 times a day. Sounds easy eh? You’d think so. I am supposing that I should take them about 4 hours apart. That just makes sense in my head, but I am not kidding you, I forget at least one dose everyday. It is just ridiculous. I have decided to start taking them at particular times each day and hoping that I will just become accustomed to taking them at those times and it will become automatic. Sooo…if you see me or are talking to me at 9,1,5 or 9 please ask me if I’ve taken me pills, because I’m like a kindergartener that needs reminding.
School is hard. There are lots of big words in the articles I am reading and I need to buy a dictionary. It is on my list for this weekend. The other grad students make me look like a slacker, and I’m generally a pretty good student. Maybe it’s because I am not really a grad student. And by that I mean I have not gone through the process of applying and being accepted to grad school. I am just taking grad level courses because I am paying for them, so I might as well get my dad’s money worth. At least that is what I figure. So I am trying. I guess it wouldn’t kill me to kick it up a notch. Darn overachieving creeps.
And speaking of kicking it up a notch, I am going to go think about all my homework. Now that I have been informed of my username and password you should be hearing a bit more from me.