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The Small Things Help Once again, I'm going to try and do this three days a week. I just haven't been feeling like doing much lately, or those times I have I've been backed up with letters, proposals, and paperwork. Actually, I'm still backed up on paperwork, but I'm procrastinating. After working until 9:30pm last night, I've decided to loaf a little today. Slight good news is that they think I'm good enough to pick up even more work selling for our holiday lighting division. I'm going into three days of training starting tomorrow. Whoo! I've been wanting to do this ever since I heard about it because, nothing against pest control, its much easier to get excited about selling Christmas lighting displays. It should also be more fun, but we'll see. one big plus for them is that they don't have to hire another person (I guess someone quit from the lawn care division, hence the open spot). The pluses for me are additional commission, granted its only 5% because I'm selling jobs not contracts, and additional work, which should lead to more pest control contacts. I also don't have to rely strictly on Cold calling to get the business as most businesses we work with are already making appointments to start services. Of course, there are slight downsides like doing weekend and evening appointments, and not making the 15% I'm used to making on cold calls, but I won't have to do as much work either so it balances out. Besides, I could really use the commission and the confidence. So, my boss is letting me do it in addition to my pest control work. Maybe, just maybe, I'll have a happy Christmas. Speaking of which, I would like it noted that not all people are bastards. I've been pleasently surprised this week with the small kindnesses strangers have given me. I had lunch one day with a meter reader from MichCon that I chatted with while waiting for our food at McDonald's. He was quite nice, and I slightly regret not giving him my number so we could remain friends. I had a complete stranger offer his ice scraper to me after I tried to purchase one at the bogus gas station by our house that shipped their supply back a few weeks ago because it wasn't cold enough for them to sell. (Stupid idea from the owner as gas stations really should have ice scrapers on hand. It just makes sense.) He was watching me struggle with scratching it off with my gloves so I could see on the freeway, and came over to let me borrow it. Another older gentleman picked up the change I needed for a coffee one morning so I wouldn't have to go back to my car and dig around for it. A Brinks driver helped me out of a tough spot one morning by directing me when I was lost and couldn't see the sun to determine which way I was going (thank GOD my TomTom is coming soon). And, finally, I got a nice lesson from the owner of a hidden gem of a liquor store on how to buy wine, even though all I was looking at was the shape of the bottles. Granted, he got a nice fifty dollar sale out of it, but it is comforting that some people are human as I spend days in an industry where some treat you like crap, like the bitch at the Best Western who wouldn't tell me jack about who owns the place even though it proudly boasts an "Independently Owned and Operated" sign, or the woman who called our office for a flea quote and then yelled at me when I tried to reach her after being hung up on twice. (Seriously, why bother calling if you're going to be a cunt when someone calls you back trying to help you?) Anyway, overall this week has gone well. My only complaint is a need for space at home. Mostly that's just a timing thing. Dan is lonely as hell because he's not getting out and working. I'm getting out way too much, so I'm drained when I come home. I usually just want to do a few things and then hide in a book. He wants to talk about his day, current events, C-Span, etc., and I'm just tired of it. I've been making small talk all day, so I just want to sleep. He's been complaining that I haven't been home in several days, which I'm taking to mean that I haven't been emotionally availible. I know sometimes I'm being a cranky bitch, but he's been through the same thing with the last job. We've both been there, its just going to take some time to sort it all out. And yeah, it can be harder with a limited income because we can't just go out together and play like we used to. Granted, I've spent some money on purchases we could've waited on like a GPS device (tax deductable) and winter clothes, but I've been trying hard to cut back overall. I know the income thing strains him too because he's never been dependent on someone else before, and that can wound the masculine ego. So, I'm trying to cut him some slack because I know he's not enjoying his unemployment like I did. He's stressing enough on his own. I just know, from my end, I'm stressing about managing everything and not making any sales/seeing much progress at work. If things would go a little faster, I might be able to hold it all together a little better, but, considering, I think I'm doing okay. I just have to be a little more tolerant of his situation and a little more patient when I come home. It will be hard, but I know he's going to have a job soon, so he'll have more of that social need met outside of our relationship, which will cut down on the pressure. By the way, when I get a chance, I'll add some more cool links to the blog that I've picked up these last few weeks. Daphne |