as was the case back then and even back then
Here’s the down-low: After my real job decided to only give me work to do for only part of the week, I decided to pick up a seasonal temp job in the retail industry, since, hey, I’m willing to lay down some dignity to pay the bills (and for the losses I may accrue in Vegas next week).
I’ve got one foot in the real world, the other still in that limbo that can be attributed to that last summer you have at home before you leave for college. I’m being trained to be a professional in the morning, and trained by a high schooler in the afternoon. In one job, I sit behind a computer all day. In the other, I sell computers to people who want to be sitting behind a computer all day. I’m forced to stay in a cubicle and mind my own work here, I’m forced to walk around the whole building and help customers there.
I’ve got the best of both worlds. Too bad neither of them pay me enough to enjoy it.
So, do you go to school or something?
No, I actually finished last year.
Really? Where did you go?
UCLA
(Best Buy question only): I knew someone who went to UCLA, his/her name was [insert generic American name with Asian surname, such as “Anna Chan” or “Steven Lau”]
That could really be anybody...
Hahaha true true. So, wow, nice… What did you study?
Uh, geography and urban planning
(Best Buy question only) Geography? What do you plan to do with that?
Well I already have another job on the side [a real job, I think to myself]
(Best Buy question only) Really? Then why don’t you work there full time? Why are you even here?
(511 question only) Then why don’t you just work here full time?
Eh, it’s not in their budget...I hope that they’ll give me more hours soon...But hey, it's a sign of the times
So is this like an internship? [you'd be surprised at how often this comes up]
No, it’s a real job, real pay, real benefits, not so real hours
But not full time?
Nope
That sucks
Yeah...thanks...
Hm...so what sort of work do you do?
I’m a transit data analyst. I update maps and maintain the accuracy of schedules and routes on 511.org [yeah, yeah, I realize I’m kinda exaggerating, so what? I'm tooting my own horn whether you like it or not]
(Best Buy reaction only): oh...[they clearly don’t understand]*awkward silence*
(511 reaction only):isn’t that Andrew’s job?
(to Best Buy) Yeah, it’s nothing too exciting, I just work at a computer all day
(to 511) Um..technically, yeah. I'm just here to help him out...
Ah okay, so do you have a tech background?
I guess you could say that
So you must be good with computers
Ehh…I guess you could say that too
Yeah…that’s good…*awkward silence some more*
*(At Best Buy: the worker just stands there, in awkward silence, not sure what else to say or do. Their eyes dart around the store to find a customer, another coworker, anybody to find an excuse to leave)*
*(At 511: the conversation, probably taking place as we’re leaving the building or waiting to use the microwave ends abruptly. We both just stand there, words no longer being said, staring off in the distance, and are instantly relieved when the ding on the microwave goes off)*
"no money no honey these days...time to get a job!"
-TV
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