Well, I successfully completed my re-employment program orientation this morning, and I'm happy to report not a stank attitude was encountered. All is calm and courteous and exceedingly helpful in the land of the betcha-wish-you-had-this-job haves and the just-gimme-the-damn-form-already have nots. I left my house this morning promptly with not one, but two INK PENS. One, because it was too early for me to decide between black or blue; two, because I like to appear as resourceful and prepared as possible (hence the giant purse); and three, because you never know--I could've loaned my pen to a new drinking buddy or my future struggling-artist-trapped-in-the-cubicle-abyss husband.
The fact that my fixed-income self had to pay to park all four of my new tires along a broken glass ridden strip of street irked me just enough to be glad I wasn't caffeinated. But that attitude subsided as I entered the CareerLink! office with its air so breathable and praise-be-to-God odorless. I did get one split-second over-the-rim-of-her-Armanis once-over from the gatekeeper, and I swear that look said, "Oh, here you come with your little bougie behind self. Let me see if she gon' act like she lost."
But my "Good morning" quickly encouraged a change of expression, and I received the day spa greeting with a voice as warm and as soothing as a freshly laundered towel. I will never not be amazed by the general and pervasive unpreparedness of people though. It's just off-putting to have someone be so appreciative when I merely followed the simplest of directions. In giant red bolded letters we were asked to bring our social security cards and a picture ID so I'm just not sure what the person in front of me felt they needed to argue about, but I decided to mind my own business. I'll fuss about people expecting rewards for doin' what they're supposed to do later.
My assigned coordinator, a jovial, easy-going lady, greeted me warmly and looked like she was about to introduce me to my new classmates. In this day and age, unemployment offices everywhere should just be looping "Everyday People" on the speakers, because all sorts of characters were represented in that little conference room this morning. Immigrants, near-retirement folk, yuppies, ex-cons, Wawa coffee drinkers vs. Dunkin Donuts.
It's interesting to read people's body language; to watch their eyes assess your clothes. You can read the judgments in pursed lips and raised eyebrows, the way their bodies shift towards you or away when you choose a chair closest to them. I knew before I sat down that the lady across from me with the McGruder-drawn Huey Freeman-ish eyes that she could not even be bothered with hello. Her purse was all the way up in my newly defined space and did she move it?
No.
Did she look at me like she'd shank me in my throat if I dared even to touch it?
Why yes. Yes she did.
I gave her my best silent Lady Catherine de Bourg "Well I never!" huff and whipped out my smooth glidin' Pilot INK PEN.
Now I'mma tell you. If the career services offices in this state alone were to go paperless or even try to go paperless (like for a month), they'd save enough money to eliminate budget cuts for the entire nation. I ain't never received so much paper within a 45-minute time span in my life. I was frankly offended by packet after packet of non-applicable forms and xeroxed brochures.
However, I was not offended to receive my trusty Trust Scripts card to assist me with maintaining a discount on prescription drug costs. I'd just as soon tango with the Bronx Zoo cobra before I pony up 400 bones on some trumped up insurance payments. I was like Charlie Bucket with that li'l card because it couldn't have come at a finer time since I'm due for a refill, and do you know it's completely free? You probably already know this, but I'm telling you anyway because I just discovered that the cost of my one Rx is $30 LESS with this free card than with the so-called discount that was being offered by my pre-existing condition of a healthcare plan.
Yo. $30 less that what was already allegedly less. That's just ridiculous.
Anyway, I was in an out of there in less than an hour because my coordinator was cool and kept it real: "You have to show up here, but we will never meet again unless you deem it necessary because the state doesn't care if you go on to look for a job or not. They just want you to know that you have options and assistance."
A couple of people in the class nodded like that was cool. It's like that one tenure-toutin' teacher who passes the kid who cannot and has never read because they fail to see and/or lack the wherewithal to consider the outcome of their blase blase action.
It should go without saying that I'm not totally at ease with my seven-day weekends, but somehow with the way the system currently operates, I feel the need to make it clear anyway.