Reports of my disappearance have been greatly exaggerated

Holy schikeys! Has it REALLY been over a MONTH since I last posted on this thing?? Wow. The three or two people who might actually READ this are probably pretty pissed off at me right about now. My most humble apologies for my extended absence. So much has happened; so many things have changed . . .

First, as I mentioned in my last (very long ago) post, I finally got a new job, working in the field for which I am trained. I worried at first that just the act of getting a new job might not be enough. That I'd likely killed off so many brain cells during my two year stint in Hell that I may never recover. Worse yet, I didn't fully trust myself to adequately perform the very duties I wanted so desperately to do again. As it turns out, my worries were wasted energy.

I'm happy to report that my "renewed" career in the graphic arts/printing industry is going quite well. I've discovered that, much like falling off a bike, one never completely forgets everything they knew. I've been pleasantly surprised at the speed with which many of my skills have come back to me. That said, when I started this job, it was with the understanding that the person I would eventually be replacing would be there through the fall to train me. This was a great comfort to me, as I felt it would give me adequate time to get my feet under me, as well as give me a full & complete understanding of exactly what was expected of me with this company - not to mention give me enough training that I wouldn't be so worried about costing the company money while I learned on the job.

Well, because it's me (and I DO tend to have a cynical streak), I probably should have known going in that these plans were likely to change. However, I wasn't quite prepared for just how SOON they'd change. I was there for about a week when my "trainer" started asking me how I felt things were going, how I felt about the job, etc. - all fairly innocent questions, I thought. I answered with just about the right amount of enthusiasm that I felt things were going fairly well & I was enjoying what I was doing - at which time she informed me that it was a good thing, because she'd just given her two weeks' notice. Long story short - I became THE graphic artist on staff about three months sooner than originally planned. This hasn't been a bad thing - on the contrary, it's forced me to get out of my comfort zone and, oh, I don't know, GROW UP a little!! Hell, I AM 40, after all - it's probably about TIME I had a grown-up, responsible job. At least, I'm sure that's what my mom would say.

I'm not sure who's happier about my career change - me or my husband. As he put it, just getting away from "Chicken Little" was like getting a raise. I know he's likely been very relieved to not have to hear me bitch & moan about her every day when I get home. Plus, I feel as though I'm actually USING my brain for a change. Welcome back, brain cells!! I missed you guys!!

I've been seriously behind in reading all my usual blogs. I've ACTUALLY had to (GASP!!) communicate with people IN PERSON!! Oh, the inhumanity!! For example, I had to find out IN PERSON that #1 Dancer is expecting her very own bundle of joy. I couldn't be happier for her!! Holly, if you haven't completely given up on me & are reading this (having recovered from the shock of a new post, of course), congratulations to you & Husband!!! I can't wait to see the loveliness that is produced by the two of you! But if you want me to babysit, you'll have to bring the kid to me. You just live WAY too far out there, man! ;-)

So as not to disappoint my fan, I'll close with an observation of human condition. Why is it that most fast food establishments feel the need to interrupt you in the middle of placing your drive through/drive up order? Hey, I understand they get their share of stupid people. That's a given. But c'mon, man - give me a CHANCE to finish my order before you ask me if I want cheese on that! Perhaps if you spent LESS time interrupting me & asking what I want, you'll actually get my order RIGHT for a change! But, of course, you can't say anything like that when PLACING your order, or you'll get "sneeze bun". But mark my words - the next time you give me lime diet Coke instead of vanilla diet Coke (because they obviously sound SO much alike!), I'm payin' you in PENNIES!!

Hey, I'm a bad ass. Don't ever forget that.