Dr.RD: Well, what did you learn on your first paying gig in 4 years?
Y: I learned that I have just as much right to be downtown as anyone else, and that getting There And Back Again is easier than I thought.
Except for the change machine. The change machine should be shot at dawn and replaced with a real person. I plan to get MY OWN change elsewhere from now on, if at all possible.
Dr.RD: Did you have any trouble with the job you were given?
Y: No. I surprised the socks off my introverted self and enjoyed all the hub- bub and personal interaction. I think it was because I knew exactly what was expected of me, AND I have great empathy for people who are in an unfamiliar place, doing unfamiliar things. So answering the question, “Where do I get my badge if I registered on-line?” 500 times, never flustered ME, as I knew that they were nervous and confused, which is just the way I feel in a place as intimidating as that one when you first go in.
Dr. RD: Were there any other things that surprised you ?
Y: Yes. I was surprised how witty I allowed myself to be. It helped keep my own jittery nerves manageable, along with the nervousness of the people in line. I had a portion of their pass that I had to tear off and keep to scan and occasionally I told them I needed that part because I traded them in for cookies later in the day. (One person thought I was serious, but everyone else laughed) And of the hundreds of people I saw and helped, not ONE was rude to me! That was a very pleasant surprise.
Dr. RD: What did you learn about your working environment ?
Y: That the highest paid person there, is not necessarily the most competent person there. . .So there ! I also learned that it is BEST to work with someone who wants to work. It makes the day go by a LOT faster when you are busy. I plan to avoid the clock-watchers whenever I can. They make me crazy.
Dr. RD: What did you miss about not being home all day ?
Y: My Robbie.
Dr. RD: What was your favorite moment during the week?
Y: On the third day, a nice older man came back to our booth and handed me a pen he had been given in the exposition hall. He remembered hearing us say that we only had one pen between us and he wanted to give us another one. Wasn’t that sweet?
Dr. RD: What was your least favorite moment?
Y: Saying goodbye to E. She was so much fun to work with, I am going to miss her. We even hugged at the train station when she went on to the bus stop. Besides that, there goes my chance at making a lot of money managing her kissing booth. . .
Dr. RD: Will you go out there again?
Y: Yes, but I hope to keep it to three days a week if possible. Four was a bit of a stretch for me. I hope I have as good an experience next time. I admit that a few sour jobs in a row would be hard to overcome with my limited track record. But I am willing to give it a shot.
Dr. RD: Pass the soap, would you please?
Y: Sure.