So, my last day at CSG was Thursday, June 18th. I had a happy hour with some coworkers, which ended up sort of weird, in that, much fewer people showed than I expected. Not that I expected everyone in the office to show up, but if someone I expected to show didn't stop by and tell me they couldn't make it, I assumed they'd be there. Either way, I should focus on those who did come, and be thankful for having their friendships... so, here's to them!
Friday, I went to the Cubs/Indians game. This was Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa's first game back at Wrigley. DeRosa batted second in the game and received a resounding standing ovation. It was pretty neat. Wood came into the game in the 9th, and unfortunately (well, fortunately for us Cub fans, I guess) gave up a game-tying homerun to D Lee in the bottom of the 9th. Wood did receive a similar standing ovation when he was announced as he was coming into the ballgame.
Saturday, I again had Cubs tickets, this time in the bleachers. My friend Jen joined me, as I treated her for her birthday (which was back in March, but whatever). It was the first nice day of the season, of which I received a slight sunburn despite wearing sunblock. She and I had a couple of frozen drinks, but ended up chugging water for the majority of the game. We were a little affected by the heat & even had to take breaks to be in the shade.
Saturday night, my friend Sean flew in from Phoenix, for a few days of vacation in Chicago prior to heading to Detroit for our friend Chris's's's's wedding. We ended up at a street fest around Southport and Fullerton. Luckily, we are liars and cheaters, and we snuck in our own beers (beers were somewhat reasonable at $5, but still). After having to pay $10 (suggested donation, which was being collected by people at the gate.... and didn't seem so suggested, as they asked everyone for it). We only stuck around for a few hours, as the band (Mike & Joe) wasn't really our style.
Sunday was spent in the beer garden at Justin's. One of my favorite places in the city during the summer. Cheap $12 pitchers of 312, surrounded by friends, sitting outside = good times.
Today, Sean and I went to Hot Doug's for lunch. I had never been, and apparently this place is the best hotdog/encased meats place in Chicago. The line is typically out the door and can take anywhere from 2o minutes (non-high traffic time middle of the week) to 3 hours (weekend, lunchtime). We ended up waiting about 40 minutes in line (which was out the door). I tried and enjoyed the bacon cheeseburger pork sausage.
I've got the rest of the week to start going through things in the apartment, to get laundry done, to find a sweater top for my dress for Chris's's's's wedding, and just do a general cleanup of our apartment (as they're likely going to start showing it to potential clients).
Sean is currently out on a mandate and Matt is at Moody Bible to watch some Illinois recruits play basketball. I will celebrate this small time alone by making a drink.
Cheers.
22 June 2009
17 June 2009
I don't care if Chicagoans are considered mean
Last night, I was a mean Chicagoan.
NeoCon was at the Merchandise Mart. NeoCon is a huge office furniture/technology convention that brings folks in by the droves. It's a really cool show, but crowds the city of Chicago with know-nothings.
The Merchandise Mart has a spot on their second floor where you can board a train across the river and into the Loop.
The entrance area directly in front of all of the turnstiles was mobbed with people, seemingly those who had never ridden public transportation before.
There were people crowded around, making little to no attempt to form a line in front of the two ticket machines.
Those who tried to board via the turnstiles were either trying to use money, tapping their card incorrectly, or fiddling with their card, not knowing which direction it goes into the slot (despite a very descriptive picture directly next to the slot).
Once I was able to push my way through one of the turnstiles, after many passive aggressive sighs, I was once again confronted by the idiots.
There are 2 revolving doors leading to the train platform.
I could hear a train coming as I was going through the turnstile, and was in a bit of a rush to board because I was on my way to class.
People stopped directly in front of both revolving doors.
I'm talking stopped.
One person actually stepped into one of the doors and stopped there.
Are you effing kidding me?!
I ended up pushing past more idiots, racing toward the quickly-closing doors on the train. I almost missed the train.
I can understand being new to the city and not understanding how the public transportation works. I don't expect people from out of town to be expert transit riders. I do expect them to at least take a bit of time to educate themselves on the trains prior to arriving at the train. Would people just start driving toward an unfamiliar destination without at least looking at a map? I'd find that hard to believe. The other thing that annoyed me was everyone's complete lack of understanding that they were creating an issue for other people. It was complete obliviousness. This maddens me any time it happens.
I have since calmed down.
NeoCon was at the Merchandise Mart. NeoCon is a huge office furniture/technology convention that brings folks in by the droves. It's a really cool show, but crowds the city of Chicago with know-nothings.
The Merchandise Mart has a spot on their second floor where you can board a train across the river and into the Loop.
The entrance area directly in front of all of the turnstiles was mobbed with people, seemingly those who had never ridden public transportation before.
There were people crowded around, making little to no attempt to form a line in front of the two ticket machines.
Those who tried to board via the turnstiles were either trying to use money, tapping their card incorrectly, or fiddling with their card, not knowing which direction it goes into the slot (despite a very descriptive picture directly next to the slot).
Once I was able to push my way through one of the turnstiles, after many passive aggressive sighs, I was once again confronted by the idiots.
There are 2 revolving doors leading to the train platform.
I could hear a train coming as I was going through the turnstile, and was in a bit of a rush to board because I was on my way to class.
People stopped directly in front of both revolving doors.
I'm talking stopped.
One person actually stepped into one of the doors and stopped there.
Are you effing kidding me?!
I ended up pushing past more idiots, racing toward the quickly-closing doors on the train. I almost missed the train.
I can understand being new to the city and not understanding how the public transportation works. I don't expect people from out of town to be expert transit riders. I do expect them to at least take a bit of time to educate themselves on the trains prior to arriving at the train. Would people just start driving toward an unfamiliar destination without at least looking at a map? I'd find that hard to believe. The other thing that annoyed me was everyone's complete lack of understanding that they were creating an issue for other people. It was complete obliviousness. This maddens me any time it happens.
I have since calmed down.
12 June 2009
I eat alone
Now, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, but I eat lunch alone. I can count on my hand the number of times I've been invited to eat lunch with someone at my office (well, this isn't true. Teri and I used to go to lunch. Additionally, the IT guy and I usually go out and grab lunch, but usually bring it back and eat it at our respective desks).
In any case, I usually eat lunch at my desk, or outside during the summer. I actually prefer to be alone at times like lunch and riding the train to and from work. It's my time to relax and be away from the folks at work. Not that I mind them, I just like being alone I guess.
That said, it still bothers me that people didn't invite me to lunch more often. Even though my likely answer would have been "no," I would have liked to have been asked. Being that it's my last week at my current company, I'd assume it *might* happen now. So far, it hasn't.
I don't even know why I felt the need to write this post, other than running into people from my office at Millennium Park. I put forth effort to avoid them at all costs, even though I find them to be generally nice people. I just didn't want to see them, or for them to see me, and then think, "how sad, Amber's eating alone."
Today is also my last Friday in this office. Odd.
In any case, I usually eat lunch at my desk, or outside during the summer. I actually prefer to be alone at times like lunch and riding the train to and from work. It's my time to relax and be away from the folks at work. Not that I mind them, I just like being alone I guess.
That said, it still bothers me that people didn't invite me to lunch more often. Even though my likely answer would have been "no," I would have liked to have been asked. Being that it's my last week at my current company, I'd assume it *might* happen now. So far, it hasn't.
I don't even know why I felt the need to write this post, other than running into people from my office at Millennium Park. I put forth effort to avoid them at all costs, even though I find them to be generally nice people. I just didn't want to see them, or for them to see me, and then think, "how sad, Amber's eating alone."
Today is also my last Friday in this office. Odd.
07 June 2009
9 Days
I have 9 days left at CSG Systems. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't freaking out a little bit. My focus over the course of my decision-making was mostly on how beneficial the change will be for me. I haven't forgotten about that, but I'm starting to face reality. My new job does not provide health insurance. I'm meeting with our HR department sometime this week to discuss my options. I'm hoping COBRA will be financially feasible, as I can't afford to not have insurance. I may also look into getting individual coverage from a place like Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
I will be starting off working part-time, which will be excellent in the summer. It'll also help me better balance school with work. I'm going to give it a couple weeks before I make a decision on picking up a second part-time job. I think it'd be fun to work in a beer garden or restaurant, but I don't know how well that'll fit in with my school schedule.
Back to the topic of this post though, I'm almost finished at CSG. A place I've been going every day (for the most part) for the past 5 years. We moved buildings in February of 2008, but this new building lends as much memories as the old one. I'm going to miss the people I like. I'm going to miss the flexibility of the job. I'm going to miss the outings. I'm not going to miss being treated the way I was. I never felt like many of the people gave me the opportunity to show them who I was, and that I'm not some dumb girl who answers the phone. My job was so much more than that, and my skill set is so much more than I was ever able to use.
After listing the things above, I'm most going to miss being downtown. The ability to grab some food and eat outside shouldn't be taken for granted. I'll miss eating with Matt by the river. I'll miss eating at many places within Millennium Park. I'll miss being able to quickly head out and shop (and I'm not even much of a shopper). I know once I'm in the new position, I'll have other things that I didn't even know I'd miss.
Nine days.
I will be starting off working part-time, which will be excellent in the summer. It'll also help me better balance school with work. I'm going to give it a couple weeks before I make a decision on picking up a second part-time job. I think it'd be fun to work in a beer garden or restaurant, but I don't know how well that'll fit in with my school schedule.
Back to the topic of this post though, I'm almost finished at CSG. A place I've been going every day (for the most part) for the past 5 years. We moved buildings in February of 2008, but this new building lends as much memories as the old one. I'm going to miss the people I like. I'm going to miss the flexibility of the job. I'm going to miss the outings. I'm not going to miss being treated the way I was. I never felt like many of the people gave me the opportunity to show them who I was, and that I'm not some dumb girl who answers the phone. My job was so much more than that, and my skill set is so much more than I was ever able to use.
After listing the things above, I'm most going to miss being downtown. The ability to grab some food and eat outside shouldn't be taken for granted. I'll miss eating with Matt by the river. I'll miss eating at many places within Millennium Park. I'll miss being able to quickly head out and shop (and I'm not even much of a shopper). I know once I'm in the new position, I'll have other things that I didn't even know I'd miss.
Nine days.
02 June 2009
Well, that was weird
After a forgotten resignation letter, a rewritten resignation letter & some nerves, I resigned from CSG yesterday, effective June 18th.
When I finally worked up the nerve to call my manager (she's in our Denver office), I was shaking and a little bit sweaty. It was really odd. When I called, she didn't answer, so I had to figure out how to leave a casual voice mail without sounding like I was resigning. She immediately called back, which was probably good for my nerves.
I explained why I was making the decision (school/career change), and it seemed to be ok from there. My manager told me that she thought I was overqualified for the position and that I was definitely under utilizing my skill set.
I've only told 2 people here so far - one who will be greatly affected by my departure, and one who I consider my closest friend here. If it were up to me, I wouldn't tell anyone until 4PM the day I left. I dislike enough people here (as a result of their treatment of me) that I'd like to see them run this place without me. That said, I lack the actual ability to leave people SOL. So, over the course of the next few weeks, I will work with my manager to create a transition plan, in hopes of making my departure as seamless as possible. (But it will be nice to hear if the slightest thing goes wrong, it'll at least show me that I meant something here).
Anyway, I've got about 12 1/2 days left here. Wow.
When I finally worked up the nerve to call my manager (she's in our Denver office), I was shaking and a little bit sweaty. It was really odd. When I called, she didn't answer, so I had to figure out how to leave a casual voice mail without sounding like I was resigning. She immediately called back, which was probably good for my nerves.
I explained why I was making the decision (school/career change), and it seemed to be ok from there. My manager told me that she thought I was overqualified for the position and that I was definitely under utilizing my skill set.
I've only told 2 people here so far - one who will be greatly affected by my departure, and one who I consider my closest friend here. If it were up to me, I wouldn't tell anyone until 4PM the day I left. I dislike enough people here (as a result of their treatment of me) that I'd like to see them run this place without me. That said, I lack the actual ability to leave people SOL. So, over the course of the next few weeks, I will work with my manager to create a transition plan, in hopes of making my departure as seamless as possible. (But it will be nice to hear if the slightest thing goes wrong, it'll at least show me that I meant something here).
Anyway, I've got about 12 1/2 days left here. Wow.
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