well, my gaydar went off today ... more on that in a few, however. i first have to start off by saying that gaydar is apparently not limited to people of the faganese persuasion. this morning i was totally called out and it was quite funny how it happened, actually.
i work with a woman, we're going to refer to her as southern black woman or sbw. well, sbw stopped by my desk this morning at about 7:15 am and informed me she had a present for me. she produced this bottle of "vege," i think it's called and what it is is a vegetable juice purchased from whole foods. it has about 10 different vegetables in it and has 200% or vitamins a & c and earlier in the week i had commented on it while sbw was walking around with it. since we apparently shared a love for vegetable juice, she decided to pick one up for me and let me try it. it was very sweet of her. well, topics of veggie juice turned to dining and ultimately southern cooking and wines and deserts and we must have chatter for about 45 minutes before we finally settled in to work. as i turned to my computer to begin browsing our sharepoint for provider issues to resolve, i hear this tiny little knock on my cube and i turn to see sbw standing there. she gestures to her hair:
sbw: i gotta get patti labelle under control, child! ::and she begins to run to the bathroom. i'm laughing hysterically at this for her hair, in fact, had a very labelle-esque upswing::
she comes back a few seconds later and throws me a smirk.
sbw: this ain't no coming out, party, honey ... this is work! ::she winks::
she knows. at least i'm pretty sure she knows, but i'm not worried about that. no. no ... i'm currently at conflict as i'm not sure whether to point out that diana ross is the one who sang "i'm coming out." i don't. but, apparently her and i have a lunch date next week at some mexican joint down the road from where we work. that should be fun.
ok, now back to my gaydar. let me set the scene.
i was at my desk, minding my own business when i felt this buzzing at the base of my skull. i know this feeling ... my gay sense is tingling. i push back from my desk and stand up and walk to the water cooler when i spot him ... mr. gay #2. he's a nice looking man, dresses sharply and smiles a lot. it's very endearing. now, throughout the day i noticed him making frequent trips past my cubicle and finally at one point, when i was getting some papers from the printer, he comes over to me.
mr. gay #2: what is your name? i tried to see if you had a nameplate yet, but you don't.
me: oh, i wasn't born with a name. i'm nameless ... everyone just calls me 'hey you.'
mr. gay #2: ::laughs::
me: i'm geoff.
mr. gay #2: oh, i'm [name].
me: nice to meet you. ::i smile::
mr. gay #2: nice to meet you too, geoff, but i'm going to call you 'nameless' from now on.
and sure enough, throughout the rest of the day, he'd smile and call me nameless. i want to stab him. just kidding.
ok, so today i also found the office freak. there's this woman, she's got to be in her late 50's to early 60's, who i spied coming out of the men's room. odd. later, she was outside when i went out and, being the gentleman that i am, i said hello. now, i expected her voice to be this raspy, 100-year-old smoker's voice, but instead it sounded like a munchkin from 'the wizard of oz.' it was very freaky. later, mr. gay #2 and i were conferring and apparently she uses the men's room quite frequently. maybe she's really a dude. i just think she likes to poop in our room. who knows? but i thought i'd share that little gem of office freakishness. fun!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
"i'm a hard workin' man, i'm a sonuvagun ..."
well, lookie who has decided to post a blog! that's right, it's your friendly gayborhood blogger, geoff!!
wow, this past week has been a bit crazy. as per my last blog entry, you all know that i got a new job mere minutes after my interview.
on a side note in reference to the very quick turn-around time on this:
i've been asked by numerous people if they were really hard up for help and that's why they hired me so fast. while i understand that this could have been a valid reason, it's still a low-blow, regardless. however, i'm here to set the record straight and the answer to that question is: no, they're not hard up for employees. in fact, they had temps in my position before i got there as well as a few others working in other sections of this department and today was their last day. while i am extremely happy that this is not happening to me, i do feel a bit of remorse for them as i just went through that, basically. so they had the spaces filled and weren't scrambling for employees. this is a very big company that is growing like a weed and soon we'll rule the world!!! ::maniacal laughter ensues::
so, anyway, lemme tell you a little bit about what i am doing. following along the lines of trizetto--my previous employer--i am still working in the health care field which i have been doing for almost the past 11 years, ranging from CNA (Certified Nurse's Aide) at a nursing home in the alzheimer's unit, to working with abused and neglected children, to the more businessy side of health care. as with trizetto, i'm working with medical insurance, however, instead of working with patient information and databases, i'm working on the provider side of the avenue. my title is PDM Specialist, or provider data management specialist, working with various doctors and affiliates and enrolling contracts into our health care network while correcting or adjusting old contracts still within our network. it's all very boring stuff that i'm sure you don't want to hear about, however, let me just say that i love my new job.
the atmosphere is very laid back and i work in an amazing office building with 30 foot ceilings, spacious windows, exposed beams and brick ... it's very airy and open and i certainly do not feel confined while sitting in my cubicle. the people i work with, so far, have been very gracious and welcoming and very helpful with answering any questions i may have. i'm working with an entirely new system than what i am accustomed to, however, by friday--day three--i was all but flying through work assigned to me. i also work about three cubes over from a girl i worked with at trizetto, so that was cool. i already knew someone there. and! and! and! i found out today that daisy dyke has submitted her resume at this place so that would be wonderful if she got the job. out of all the people i miss at trizetto, i miss her the most.
so far i haven't met any colorful characters to blog about or, in my opinion, that would make for interesting blogging material. they're all pretty normal, actually, and that's kinda nice for a change.
in closing, i apologize for my lack of attendance lately and my lack of blogs. one of the downsides of this new job is that we're not permitted to use the internet for personal use at any time, even during breaks, nor are we supposed to get personal emails while there. i don't feel this detracts from my day, though, as i am constantly busy and the day is over before i even realize it. today i didn't even realize that i hadn't used my ipod until i packed up for the night and saw it sitting there, ibud cord still wrapped around it. "oh."
i will try and blog more often when i get home from work ... assuming there's anything to blog about. thank you all for the congratulatory greetings and best wishes. it means a lot and i thank you very much!
wow, this past week has been a bit crazy. as per my last blog entry, you all know that i got a new job mere minutes after my interview.
on a side note in reference to the very quick turn-around time on this:
i've been asked by numerous people if they were really hard up for help and that's why they hired me so fast. while i understand that this could have been a valid reason, it's still a low-blow, regardless. however, i'm here to set the record straight and the answer to that question is: no, they're not hard up for employees. in fact, they had temps in my position before i got there as well as a few others working in other sections of this department and today was their last day. while i am extremely happy that this is not happening to me, i do feel a bit of remorse for them as i just went through that, basically. so they had the spaces filled and weren't scrambling for employees. this is a very big company that is growing like a weed and soon we'll rule the world!!! ::maniacal laughter ensues::
so, anyway, lemme tell you a little bit about what i am doing. following along the lines of trizetto--my previous employer--i am still working in the health care field which i have been doing for almost the past 11 years, ranging from CNA (Certified Nurse's Aide) at a nursing home in the alzheimer's unit, to working with abused and neglected children, to the more businessy side of health care. as with trizetto, i'm working with medical insurance, however, instead of working with patient information and databases, i'm working on the provider side of the avenue. my title is PDM Specialist, or provider data management specialist, working with various doctors and affiliates and enrolling contracts into our health care network while correcting or adjusting old contracts still within our network. it's all very boring stuff that i'm sure you don't want to hear about, however, let me just say that i love my new job.
the atmosphere is very laid back and i work in an amazing office building with 30 foot ceilings, spacious windows, exposed beams and brick ... it's very airy and open and i certainly do not feel confined while sitting in my cubicle. the people i work with, so far, have been very gracious and welcoming and very helpful with answering any questions i may have. i'm working with an entirely new system than what i am accustomed to, however, by friday--day three--i was all but flying through work assigned to me. i also work about three cubes over from a girl i worked with at trizetto, so that was cool. i already knew someone there. and! and! and! i found out today that daisy dyke has submitted her resume at this place so that would be wonderful if she got the job. out of all the people i miss at trizetto, i miss her the most.
so far i haven't met any colorful characters to blog about or, in my opinion, that would make for interesting blogging material. they're all pretty normal, actually, and that's kinda nice for a change.
in closing, i apologize for my lack of attendance lately and my lack of blogs. one of the downsides of this new job is that we're not permitted to use the internet for personal use at any time, even during breaks, nor are we supposed to get personal emails while there. i don't feel this detracts from my day, though, as i am constantly busy and the day is over before i even realize it. today i didn't even realize that i hadn't used my ipod until i packed up for the night and saw it sitting there, ibud cord still wrapped around it. "oh."
i will try and blog more often when i get home from work ... assuming there's anything to blog about. thank you all for the congratulatory greetings and best wishes. it means a lot and i thank you very much!
Friday, February 1, 2008
... new beginnings.
well, as many of you know i had a job interview today at 2:30 and due to my nerves, i was awake at 6:30 this morning, though i think that is largely in part because that's when i've been waking up for how ever many months. so, i drank coffee all morning and tried to play my xbox, but i just couldn't focus.
so, fast forward a bit ... i arrive at the location for my interview about 30 minutes early ... no, it wasn't because i was nervous ... it's because this place is almost literally right down the street from me. it took me all of 10 minutes to get to this place and think it only took that long because of the rain.
so, anyway, i go in and they put me in this bland, white-walled room that contains only a table and some chairs. nothing on the walls ... no other furniture. if there was a large mirror on one wall i'd honestly think i was involved in some sort of police sting where they lure you in with tales of lottery winnings and/or job interviews. thankfully, however, there was no two-way mirror on the wall.
my interviewer comes in and she asks me all the standard questions.
what's your best attribute? etc ...
"my eyes ... oh, and my pouty lips," i say with a smirk. ok, so that really wasn't my answer.
anyway, so there were about 15-20 questions and at the very end she asks me, "so, why should we offer you this position?" i answered without a pause and said, "because i will not disappoint you and i will get the work done."
overall i think the interview went well and i think it was obvious that i was nervous because she make a comment about it, saying, "you have nothing to be nervous about." i left there with mixed feelings ... unsure whether or not i got the job. bleh.
so on the way home i stop at 7-11 to get some cream for coffee and i see a girl i know and haven't seen for a while so her and i start talking and after about 5 minutes, i get back into my jeep and continue home. now, right before i got to 7-11 i was on the phone with terri and when my phone started ringing again after i left 7-11, i figured it was her. i answered without looking at the name. here's the conversation:
voice: may i speak to geoff?
me: this is he.
lee ann: hi, this is lee ann from [company name].
me: oh, hi. how are you?
lee ann: i'm good, how about you?
me: i'm great, thank you.
lee ann: well, geoff, the reason i'm calling is that i just talked with cara (she's the one who interviewed me) and she asked me to call you ::my heart sinks. they only call this early if you bombed the interview:: and she wanted me to offer you the position.
me: ::stunned silence:: oh, that's great! ::i finally blurt out::
lee ann: yes, when can you start?
me: as soon as possible.
so, ladies and gentle-readers ... i went into that interview, confident, assured and i apparently blew them out of the water! i mean, how often do you get called with an offer a mere 20 minutes after the interview? i wasn't even home yet! i immediately got this huge cheesy grin on my face and i've been smiling since!
i honestly think the thing that impressed her most was toward the end of the questions, she kinda giggles a little bit and goes, "ok, don't laugh when i ask this question because i have to ask everyone," and all i can think of is some sort of sexual harassment question so of course i'm thinking "i'm gay! i'm gay! i'm gay!" however, her questions did not pertain to anything of that nature.
cara: say i came up to you ::my mind is still thinking "i'm gay!":: and i need a county for an area but all i have to go on is a zip code. could you find it for me?
me: ::without a moment's hesitation:: absolutely.
cara: ::seemingly taken aback a bit at my quick response:: how would you get that information for me?
me: usps.com.
cara: ::a big grin lights up her face:: you're the first person out of my interviews who has given me that answer. you'd be surprised how many people don't know the answer to that question. very good.
it seems silly, but i think it impressed her.
so, i start wednesday and i get paid significantly more than my previous position and this job is permanent ... full time ... with benefits! it's a new company and they are expanding exponentially so there will be lots of room for growth, both with the company and its employees.
i can't even begin to describe the level of excitement i am feeling. i am completely floored, stunned, ecstatic, elated, relieved, and many many more adjectives! i feel like a ginormous rock has been lifted from my shoulders as not only will i be able to pay my rent ... with my salary increase, i'll be able to buy stuff for my place!
thank you to everyone who expressed good wishes and luck to me. it is very much appreciated!
so, fast forward a bit ... i arrive at the location for my interview about 30 minutes early ... no, it wasn't because i was nervous ... it's because this place is almost literally right down the street from me. it took me all of 10 minutes to get to this place and think it only took that long because of the rain.
so, anyway, i go in and they put me in this bland, white-walled room that contains only a table and some chairs. nothing on the walls ... no other furniture. if there was a large mirror on one wall i'd honestly think i was involved in some sort of police sting where they lure you in with tales of lottery winnings and/or job interviews. thankfully, however, there was no two-way mirror on the wall.
my interviewer comes in and she asks me all the standard questions.
what's your best attribute? etc ...
"my eyes ... oh, and my pouty lips," i say with a smirk. ok, so that really wasn't my answer.
anyway, so there were about 15-20 questions and at the very end she asks me, "so, why should we offer you this position?" i answered without a pause and said, "because i will not disappoint you and i will get the work done."
overall i think the interview went well and i think it was obvious that i was nervous because she make a comment about it, saying, "you have nothing to be nervous about." i left there with mixed feelings ... unsure whether or not i got the job. bleh.
so on the way home i stop at 7-11 to get some cream for coffee and i see a girl i know and haven't seen for a while so her and i start talking and after about 5 minutes, i get back into my jeep and continue home. now, right before i got to 7-11 i was on the phone with terri and when my phone started ringing again after i left 7-11, i figured it was her. i answered without looking at the name. here's the conversation:
voice: may i speak to geoff?
me: this is he.
lee ann: hi, this is lee ann from [company name].
me: oh, hi. how are you?
lee ann: i'm good, how about you?
me: i'm great, thank you.
lee ann: well, geoff, the reason i'm calling is that i just talked with cara (she's the one who interviewed me) and she asked me to call you ::my heart sinks. they only call this early if you bombed the interview:: and she wanted me to offer you the position.
me: ::stunned silence:: oh, that's great! ::i finally blurt out::
lee ann: yes, when can you start?
me: as soon as possible.
so, ladies and gentle-readers ... i went into that interview, confident, assured and i apparently blew them out of the water! i mean, how often do you get called with an offer a mere 20 minutes after the interview? i wasn't even home yet! i immediately got this huge cheesy grin on my face and i've been smiling since!
i honestly think the thing that impressed her most was toward the end of the questions, she kinda giggles a little bit and goes, "ok, don't laugh when i ask this question because i have to ask everyone," and all i can think of is some sort of sexual harassment question so of course i'm thinking "i'm gay! i'm gay! i'm gay!" however, her questions did not pertain to anything of that nature.
cara: say i came up to you ::my mind is still thinking "i'm gay!":: and i need a county for an area but all i have to go on is a zip code. could you find it for me?
me: ::without a moment's hesitation:: absolutely.
cara: ::seemingly taken aback a bit at my quick response:: how would you get that information for me?
me: usps.com.
cara: ::a big grin lights up her face:: you're the first person out of my interviews who has given me that answer. you'd be surprised how many people don't know the answer to that question. very good.
it seems silly, but i think it impressed her.
so, i start wednesday and i get paid significantly more than my previous position and this job is permanent ... full time ... with benefits! it's a new company and they are expanding exponentially so there will be lots of room for growth, both with the company and its employees.
i can't even begin to describe the level of excitement i am feeling. i am completely floored, stunned, ecstatic, elated, relieved, and many many more adjectives! i feel like a ginormous rock has been lifted from my shoulders as not only will i be able to pay my rent ... with my salary increase, i'll be able to buy stuff for my place!
thank you to everyone who expressed good wishes and luck to me. it is very much appreciated!
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