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[ 8-24-03 | 5:55 PM ] |
1. Yesterday morning someone asked me a question and I responded that, "I expect so." This answer was unacceptable; the man had never heard anyone phrase it that way before, and wondered where I was from. He wandered away muttering it to himself; it was that much of a novelty. I suppose I may have picked up some stilted constructions from my reading, and as a loner, I don't practice enough conversation to smooth them over. I've also been told recently that my use of perhaps is an affectation, but I swear I'm not revising my thoughts.
2. Last night I spent a couple hours updating my resume. I divided my current responsibilities into four categories, each of which breaks down into further detail; the total number of bulleted points comes to 22. This may seem excessive, but the descriptions have been reduced to their lowest common denominators, and can't be condensed further without disappearing altogether. Without even consulting an official list, I think I've managed to incorporate quite a few of the action verbs suggested for resumes. In fact, the following appear in the latest draft's treatment of my current position: manage, research, write, assemble, collaborate, gather, institute, deliver, maintain, update, produce, reconcile, compose, generate, prepare, oversee, coordinate, serve, write, edit, plan, execute, manage, contribute, assist, negotiate, secure, maintain, respond, represent, contribute, answer, orient, guide. Those in bold refer to the main headings; it is of course possible that, due to my increasingly obvious immaturity, many of these verbs will soon be downgraded to help or assist or follow. It's also unfortunate I can't cite many quantitative improvements made during my tenure. The other difficulty is in reducing all of my contact information, education, experience, and skills to a single page. Then, of course, the document will sit and gather dust. I am not exactly popular with the networking set. (I picture other people my age, networking boisterously into the night.)
3. This morning I went down to the laundry room and was about to load a washer when a man rushed over to warn me that, "I was going to use that one too," not ruefully, but with irritation. He hadn't put any clothes or detergent in yet, and had not even set his basket on top. Because all the machines are operated via a panel set into the opposite wall, he had not stuck quarters into slots to mark his territory. Yet apparently it was boorish of me not to have inquired of everyone in the room, near and far, whether any had an eye on washer 10. I keep failing to remember that other peoples' needs trump mine ever time; I'm a two of clubs or something. So I slunk away to washer 18. Of course if the reverse occurred, if someone beat me to a machine, I would simply change course. That is my fundamental flaw; if I could muscle my way around the laundry room, I could have my pick of jobs. I know it's pathetic to accord such importance to a minor encounter, but I have so few conversations out loud.
4. Sleep is my preferred state. I would like to sleep on a professional basis: this is what I would tell someone, if I were honest, when answering the question of where I see myself fin five years. Or I could aspire to the position of stay-at-home mom, because it wouldn't be intellectually taxing until the kid(s) reached high school and needed help with differential calculus or quantum physics. After dropping him, her, or them off at school in the morning, I could go back to sleep. At night I'd stay up writing. I wouldn't be ridiculed every single day. Or I might take courses to prepare for announcing the winning lottery numbers on the evening news; I already know my numbers, at least up to 100. Afterward, every night, I'd wipe my brow and my colleagues, the anchors, would congratulate me during the commercials: "good job!"
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