Sick day

Sick day
Current mood: sick

I dislike being sick.

Part of it is knowing that it's out of my hands, part of it is knowing I should do more to stay healthy.

It felt like I was getting to the end of whatever *this* is... the coughing, runny nose, no voice bullshit I've had for what feels like forever.

And then, last night while we were driving back from Twin Falls, it started. Hot. Cold. Chills. Sweats. I just wanted to die. When we got back, I had Scott drop me off instead of heading to the ranch. I managed to get changed into my sleep clothes and collapsed into bed.

But instead of sleeping, I tossed and turned all night. Hot. Cold. Covers off, covers on. I think I was able to sleep for a solid hour. But after that, I was awake almost every 15 minutes. What made it worse is I was supposed to be at work at 4:45 in the a.m. Needless to say, when the alarm went off at 3:30, I hit snooze three times before calling the sick line. I tossed and turned some more before passing out until about noon.

I'm all for sending this cold, or whatever it is, someplace else. I'm done with it, I'm tired of feeling like this. If you know someone you'd like to get sick, let me know and I'll do what I can to infect them.

Until then, I'll be thinking healthy thoughts and doing what I can to get this crap outta my system.

Day 5, XYZ, Inc.

The Good:
Made it to the weekend. Listened to some calls. Met some other Mac Geeks.

The Bad:
Tired as all hell, still a little under the weather (fucking cough, please go away. really, go live somewhere else)

The Ugly:
Monday and Tuesday, I report to work at 4:45 a.m. Mandatory OT is mandatory when you're a government contractor. Gah.

But hey. I do get a weekend. It should be a decent one. I can sleep in... until like, 9... >_<

P.S. Was once again reminded why I'm glad I'm not at Corporation X. I'm probably going to have more co-workers joining us at XYZ, Inc. It'll be a frickin reunion.

Day 4, XYZ, Inc.

First day back after being sick.

Right off the bat, we get a quiz on material from the beginning of the week.

I missed two, which was better than one of the other guys who hasn't missed any time.

Then we moved on to taking practice calls. I knew how the beginning of my call was supposed to go. That part went great. Some of the stuff in the middle... definite room for improvement. But no dead air, no "um, ah, err" kinda shit. For not having taken a call with these tools, I rocked it.

Then we worked on our scripts. Nailed it. Time and again. With my voice dying. We took more practice calls from our instructor. A few minor hiccups, but still better than the boys.

We took lunch, then we took practice calls from the class next door. I took three. They tried to make each one harder than the last, but they couldn't shake me. They were impressed. We all did pretty good.

But I have something the other folks don't have: Training from The Mothership, and the knowledge of how to coach agents using the guidelines from The Mothership. Call flow? That's cake. It's Pavlovian, it's instinct. You hear the two tones and you're off and running.

So yeah, I'm liking the new job. It's stuff I can do. There's very little bullshit. And there's room for advancement. And the pay... my first check will speak for itself.

I know what went down at Corporation X today. It's unfortunate. But really, it's not that bad of a thing. People get new opportunities. Other people are exposed for what they are.

It all works out in the end.

It really does.

Day 2, XYZ, Inc.

I tried to keep my eyes open.

Between the agonizing, hacking coughs, I took notes and made myself focus. Databases. Checking customers. Domains. Searches. Got it.

Our instructor asked how I was doing.

"I'm dying," was my raspy reply.

"You know, we don't make you work sick here. We want you healthy, and your co-workers healthy," he said.

I pondered this.

"I wasn't sure what I could miss from training," I squeaked. "I didn't want to get behind."

"We'll get you caught up. If you can't make it tomorrow, call the sick line. Don't worry about it."

And with that, I was told I could leave at lunch -- which I did. I made it home around 11:15 and promptly crashed until about 3:45. And still felt miserable.

But I've thought about the prevailing culture at Corporation X. Don't get sick or you won't get paid. Don't get sick or you get fired if you miss too much work. If you do get sick, you better be here or there won't be anyone to close.

What a load of shit.

I'm fairly certain I've ended up with bronchitis. I wheeze when I breathe, the coughs come from deep in my chest. My throat doesn't hurt as much since I'm not oozing snot any longer. I have no voice, and know I shouldn't talk.

That's why it's an easy decision to spend tomorrow sleeping. Why make myself worse? Why continue to let the Corporation X mindset rule my work habits?

Granted, I had some kick-ass work habits and I have no doubt I will kick ass and take names at XYZ, Inc. But those habits are more of a product of The Mothership than Corp X. Maintaining the same high standards set by The Mothership will make the new job cake. We went over call flow briefly today and it's quite easy.

I mentioned today that I'd be interested in working four 10s... our instructor said that would make some folks happy. And as for OT, my gawd, if you want it, you can work it.

It will feel a little odd calling off in the morning, knowing that my decision won't be scrutinized or dissected. I'm not going to abuse it -- knowing I have 3 weeks of vacation ensures that. But really, how much does it really cost a company to pay employees while they're sick? A day's wages. And I know there are other costs -- how much that employee would've made the company for the day.

But really, when you're dealing with a multi-billion dollar corporation opposed to the ghettofabulousness of Corporation X, there's no comparison. One employee doesn't make as much of a difference when you have low turnover and low absenteeism. And in terms of inspiring loyalty... take care of your people, and they'll take care of you. That one employee will come back healthy and ready to work hard, not wanting to let down teammates or fail the project.

That's the lesson Corp X will never get. That's why it will continue on in mediocrity -- or worse -- as the good people, the nuclei, get fed up and find better jobs.

Day 1, XYZ, Inc.

Some key points from Day 1 of training:

- Our front desk has security guards
- EVERYONE badges in; no piggybacks
- I have a real badge that WORKS -- and a nifty PIN to get into the secure area of the building
- There is on-site food and a cafeteria
- There is a lounge for our project
- Our project makes TONS of money
- Our customers act in a professional manner 99% of the time
- I have benefits
- I have three weeks of PAID vacation (pro-rated, but still)
- I can be sick for a week and not get fired
- Being a student at ITT does NOT make you the smartest kid in the room
- Cash/other bonuses are paid for high performance
- Bonuses are paid in a very timely manner
- There is an entire department that makes sure we get paid correctly -- and on time
- Doing your job well will lead to promotion
- There is ACTUAL ROOM FOR ADVANCEMENT if you apply yourself
- We don't have a ghettofabulous parking lot
- I remembered way more about Active Directory, Domain Controllers and Windows NT 2000 than I should
- I can school ITT boy -- even with no voice and while coughing up big, green chunks of goo

•••

In other news....

- New Powerbook battery works like a charm
- Cassie is adjusting to her new home
- Roscoe is the slowest pooper ever
- Roscoe did a great job of keeping gophers away @ the old place; now there are two mounds
- My Betta, Pig, has now lived in four different locations and recently turned 2 (they're supposed to live 6 months...)
- Battery almost drained and ready for calibration
- Time for bed anyway!

And then...

... there were three. And a surprise fourth. And a late arrival.

One of the easiest moves ever, and one of my most difficult at the same time. Easy because damn near everything was in boxes, we had a great crew and just enough vehicles. Difficult because... shit happens that's out of your control. But that's been addressed, and I'm fairly certain things are OK. On my end, they feel like they are.

But, dog is settling in on the couch next to me, and I've got some more unwinding to do before I can pass out from exhaustion like I know I should.

Stupid video game. Stupid book.