Switching Gears
August 21st, 2006I haven’t been writing much lately because there’s some stuff going on. And that stuff is kind of turning me all Sensitive Artist. And this blog is *not* about being a sensitive artist.
… But it is about being a sensitive smart ass.
And when it comes to being a smart ass, baby I’m the best.
But I digress.
One of the things I think about when I’m not writing posts on Britney, booty and boys- who-wear-makeup, is my job.
And boobs.
I actually spend quite a lot of time on the boobs thing.
But anyway, about my job—it pretty much kicks ass. It’s sweet that I get to make bank while doing what I love. And by “what I love,” I’m referring to writing—not eating organic raisins. Because while it’s true that organic raisins and I are romantically involved, my inability to make money off this union—like a pimp would a ho—makes having a day job necessary.
And so I write help files for a living.
The best thing about working in technology is the constant shift. It’s edgy, fast-paced, volatile. Entering the office each day, I don’t know what I’m going to tackle. Technology changes fast. To keep up with the changes, I have to be faster, smarter, better informed.
I’m not in aviation, but I’m pretty sure what I do each day is like working on a jet that’s in motion.
It’s always a crazy ride.
But with every thrill comes an element of uncertainty. The caged lion is a beautiful behind glass, but broken free, he can be a real killer.
And so it is with technology. To keep abreast of changing trends requires quick and constant adjustments. A lot of times these adjustments directly affect employees. A lot of times these adjustments mean people lose their jobs.
Working in this industry, it’s not unforeseeable that one day I’ll be handed a pink slip. I won’t take it personally—I’ve got mad skills and lots of ambition. I’m a square peg, you’re constructing a circle; it won’t be a surprise when I no longer fit.
Even so, switching gears would create *some* anxiety. Talking with SORM—who’s been through the tech-world shuffle and scuffle—has provided some insight.
“Well Hänni,” my dear friend told me, “if you get laid off, at least you’ll get severance.”
And that gave me comfort. Because after all, a nice package …
that’s all a girl ever really wants.
Hanni at Hannihaus dot com
hanniluvsu
hannibehr
August 21st, 2006
You’re such a writer! But entertaining as always
Happy Day #1/21! I need an LJ… (besides this one)…
August 22nd, 2006
I think you’re job sounds pretty fab, and I’m glad you get such a kick out of it. I love how great it is that you can make writing help files in a volatile, moving, and one day potentially crashing (or you know, landing in Tahiti) jet sound SO awesome. ; )
August 22nd, 2006
as with most “good packages” there’s usually poor performance involved. i got laid off a while back and ended up losing nearly 60% of it to taxes. and i didn’t even get a pink slip, just a chat with the VP over coffee about how the company’s losing money. the good thing is that within 3 weeks i got another job making 25% more cash than before with significantly less responsibility.
so it’s not the good package that you’re looking for, but what you can do after you get your hands on it.
August 22nd, 2006
You could always become a pro columnist if worse came to worse.
Loving your last line hahahaaha!
August 22nd, 2006
Manual–I love your el jay.
Kerrianne–What, you don’t think constant chaos and tasky, minute detail-oriented writing is exciting without my description? Unbelievable!
mmat–ooh damn girl, I had no idea about the tax sitch. But good for you getting a *much* better paying job. And hee hee you said “hands on” “the package.”
tea–Pro columnist? Aww you think way too highly of my skillz. Can you imagine someone paying me to write??!!!
oh wait …
August 22nd, 2006
It’s is truly a great thing to actually get paid for something that you love doing.
I need to find me a potato chip eating, soap opera watching job with benefits.
August 22nd, 2006
I heard John Babitt had a nice package until Lorena gave it severance.
By the way, I don’t see why you need to worry about job security. Most of the people I know are always going to need help.
August 22nd, 2006
I got laid… off once. It was great until I could not find a job and ended up working at Starbucks and living off of my credit card until I found a real job. I had severence too and then collected unemployment. I got laid off right before Sept 11 and right after that no one was hiring. It was rough. I am sort of better off for it now though.
The TV show Two and a Half Men could really use a writer. That’s your job security right there!
August 22nd, 2006
I got laid off once, and it was a nice feeling of relief. Then a few weeks later, I started freaking out. Then I suddenly had an interview, an offer less than a week later, and here I am still at the same job more than three years later. You just never know what’s behind a door that’s closing in your face. A nice package is always welcome too
August 22nd, 2006
Hanni,
You, like your wonderful feline friends, will always land on your feet! Unlike our soon to be former governor–polls close in four hours but it looks like he’s going to get his a** handed to him…
And then, to top it all off, someone has to go and post something like this on all the bulletin boards downtown (Juneau)… >>> http://www.didjuneau.com/fishreadhead.php?UID=626
Hill. Air. Eeee. Us.
(Swear, I didn’t do it–really wish I had!–but I didn’t…)
August 22nd, 2006
marnie–hey if you get that job, do you think maybe you can talk the bosses into hiring your friend Hänni?
gary–Oh my sweet lord. You *did not* just bring up john and lorena bobbit. You are a king when it comes to comments my friend.
Scottygee–Sept 11 was a bad time to be out of work for sure. I was in school then, and didn’t grad until 2003. Even when I started looking for work, the economy still stunk worse than the Baby Brangelina’s diapered duffer. I’m happy to hear that unemployment actually turned out to be better for you in the long run. A lot of people have told me their careers turned around after this sort of thing. Is that how you got into being a cabana boy?
Dima–you forgot to put in the part about how–while waiting for your dream job–you sat around in your pjs all day eating junkfood, watching those birthing shows on tv, crying when someone had a nice room change on Trading Spaces.
Paddymick–woah! That’s classic. You know, I interned for Murkowski in ‘99 (when he was a senator). He told me how much he hated traveling back to AK every other weekend b/c he could never sleep on the plane. I’d always imagined him traveling commercial, crammed in those teeny first class seats on Alaska Airlines. It *never* occured to me he had a jet that could fit “up to eight prisoners or one very large ego.” Well maybe he can take it on vacation once the polls closed, being that he’ll have some free time.
August 23rd, 2006
Damn. I’m sooo disappointed. I saw the comment that “your” governor was about to be voted out and assumed it referred to Florida. I mean, I’m happy for Alaskans, but I was hoping the hanging chad would have its revenge.
And buck up, little camper. Things always happen for a reason (even if that reason happens to SUCK!). Desparately thinking of more painful platitudes to spew at you…
August 23rd, 2006
Damn you woman! I can’t believe you told everyone. Well, you inspired me, so I blogged about it today. SO THERE!
August 23rd, 2006
So, we are not to hear about the sensitive artist. Nor the “stuff”. You are distracting us with the talk of packages.
I have been known to be distracted by a package.
August 24th, 2006
I love your writing and your blog - have linked to you. Hope you drop by my blog sometime soon too!