Couch 244: Great Expectations

hugs and head nods all around as wanted/needed/appropriate.

I hate my new job. It's really social. I am not used to it. My previous work has been 1:1 intensive support with students with mental health conditions. It was challenging and full on and itself could be relationally exhausting, but I had very little contact with my team members which suited me well. This is a much better university, but the role is really team orientated and it's an open plan office. I am not a social person. I was good at my previous role, this feels really uncomfortable (and not just in a getting settled kind of way).

Ugh, I'm sorry your new job seems like a bad fit. I've worked in my share of open-plan offices (including newsrooms) and cube farms and definitely prefer having my own office with a door. Is there a way to avoid spending too much time in the actual office?

I hope it gets better in some way.

Thanks LT. At some point, I will be able to migrate to hybrid working so will have some home working. I also feel ok about saying I need a break and going for a walk around campus (which is nice). I am also hoping that people will soon get the message that I am not very friendly. Someone took me by surprise today and invited me to lunch, but in future I will feel ok about saying no to those things so that will give me time away from people.

Like Virginia, we need a room of our own! It's hard to imagine anyone likes open plan working. I guess it's necessary because of capacity etc but it feels miserable to be herded into an environment where few people thrive. (And I am aware plenty of people work in plenty worse conditions so first world middle class problems).

(trigger for female medical stuff)

Hugs, Artie. I'm sending you a PM.

Hugs, Art. I'll pm you too.

H got a job already! And it's a W2! He starts today. Only problem: it's $2k a month less than his last job. We'll have to be really careful about spending money on anything extra, but it's enough to pay our bills.

Glad he got a job! That's a significant pay cut though, but better than being unemployed for months.

I'm glad he got a new job so quickly, Scarlet.

Part of the plan that we put together for P's vacation was that I arranged a lunch with a group of 3 coworkers. We get together for lunch a handful of times a year probably. It was scheduled for today. Yesterday everybody decided to cancel. I'm so disappointed. I feel so lonely.

I am so sorry NP.

Seems like we are having flipped experiences in the struggle with contact. I hope you find connection.

A little mad that I missed out on a $22.50 dash because my notifications weren't on but I am slowly getting over it.

Just got a dash with a $20 cash tip so I'm feeling a lot better.

Ugh! A rock hit my windshield and the crack is too big to repair. The cheapest deal I can find is $900 to replace it.

well i got a call from the place i was referred to for the next medical test. i am going in this coming Tuesday for a consult first, and then they will schedule the procedure from there. i'm so glad i'll be able to ask them questions before and I'm going to be sure I have them written down before I go.

I'm so sorry, NP. Hugs, if wanted.

Ugh, I"m so sorry, Scarlet. I imagine it's probably not worth involving insurance either. Hugs, if wanted.

I got the run-around with my insurance and even got yelled at by one of the claims people. Thankfully, third time was a charm, and the lady helped me make a claim. I understand that dealing with the public can be frustrating, but there's no need to yell from either side.

Ugh, I'm sorry. Why would they yell at you? I imagine it happens all the time I'm glad they helped you in the end!

Hugs, Artie. It's good you'll have a consult and can ask questions first.

They had the wrong address on file for claims. For some reason it was my mom's address (she works at AAA). Maybe at one point she put her address in? Or another agent. Thankfully, the last lady to help me gave me a clue by telling me the street name. Then I knew it was my mom's. The lady before kept asking me what street I lived on, and I told her the only addresses that I have. She started yelling that she can't process my claim if I can't identify the address. I started crying and hung up on her.

Oh, I see. Still not an excuse to yell at you! I likely would have started crying, too...

Went to my first orienteering event tonight. The racing part isn't for me -but it is helping me get more used to reading maps/using a compass.

Is that the sort of thing where they dump you in the middle of nowhere and you have to find your way back to civilization?

If so, please keep an eye out for ex-hankster out there.