Chicago - A message from the station manager

J. Bird is taking a couple days off to simulate using what an employed person would call “personal days.”
So take this opportunity to catch up with the Life at Work archive.

Posted on October 2, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

When I was about four, I made my mom buy me a Superman costume for Halloween. It was the beginning of a series of let-downs.

Read More

Posted on September 29, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

So it turns out my older sister is a whiz at finding job opportunities online. I did not know this. I wonder what else she’s good at?
She e-mailed me a bunch of possibilities last night. I haven’t gotten around to sending out resumes to all of them yet, but I was intrigued enough at the online job posting site that was requesting people to send in resumes to work for them that I tweaked my resume and sent it in. I mean, so far they haven’t matched me with any potentially great jobs, but if I knew the system from the inside out . . .

Read More

Posted on September 28, 2006

Life at Work

J. Bird called in sick. I’ve got my eyes on you, Bird.

Posted on September 27, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

The source of the leak has been located, so a grand jury will not have to be empaneled. Turns out my brother is a dunce.

Read More

Posted on September 26, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

Despite my best efforts at keeping this data classified, I learned that somebody leaked my non-working status to my vacationing parents when my father left a message from the Mediterranean on an unrelated matter and mentioned it. When I find out who, violence may occur, so stay tuned for that. I was going for the “While you were on vacation I lost my job but no worries I’m all set with a new one” once they got back take on the whole thing, which, of course, depended on getting a job before they got back. So that strategy is pretty much dashed.

Read More

Posted on September 25, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

So Bob wasn’t such a bad guy, but the whole temp agency thing really sucks. I mean, they review your resume, have you fill out eight million forms, then stick you in a room to take a bunch of computerized tests. Apparently I have an aptitude for editing people’s correspondence.

Read More

Posted on September 22, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

I was supposed to have an interview with a staffing agency today. The only thing they asked me to bring was my Social Security card. While I find this to be sort of a weird, arbitrary requirement, I thought I could easily agree to it. So when I talked to the guy over the phone, I said, “No problem, Bob, I can do that.” Then I started looking for it. I mean, do you know where your Social Security card is?

Read More

Posted on September 21, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

I hit bottom yesterday. I realize that now. And I don’t really get it – I mean, things really don’t suck that badly. I’ve been paid through the end of the month, I have an interview tomorrow, it’s only been a week since I was not “technically” fired, and, realistically, I stand a reasonable chance of finding a job soon. I have free time to read, watch television, enjoy the few nice days that the weather people keep saying we’re not going to have many of left, wander the streets, and generally goof off. So why do I feel like I hit the pavement?
Because losing your job does funny things to your psyche, not matter what the circumstances.

Read More

Posted on September 20, 2006

Life at Work

By J. Bird

Today was the breaking point. I couldn’t get out of bed until quarter to three, and I never got out of my pajamas. And for those of you with inquiring minds, no, I don’t mean cute little jammies covered with sheep jumping over clouds. I mean baggy old cotton pants and a ragged out long-sleeved t-shirt. Sheesh.

Read More

Posted on September 19, 2006

1 7 8 9 10 11