Working on Being Social

Thank goodness the whole fire business is over. The fire near us is almost completely contained, and because of the firefighters diligence, no homes were lost in the fire. That-- and we also have reliable power.

We did have the power go down one day while I was working at the bank. That was pretty fun-- mostly because our banking skills are very limited without computers. So we helped one customer at a time, keeping everyone else locked out. So we were a little bummed that the power came back on an hour later, but it did take us a while longer to get the network up and running, so at least there was a whole 2 hours of no work in that day.

Since I'm on the subject of work, I recently passed my one year working at the bank anniversary. So Justin, our manager, got me a balloon and card (so did the other gals who started around the same time I did. We also got these spiffy little pins which we now wear constantly). So I sat down with our manager and had the 'what now' chat about my career. So, I'm hoping to soon be promoted to "senior teller" and get a raise and the whole bit. But, that means I'll be moving off of the merchant line next week. I'm a little sad to be leaving the merchants-- but hopefully it will all pay off. If not I can threaten to leave the bank.

I had to tell Justin this story; during my break one day I ran into a gentleman at the drug store next door, and he asks if I work at the bank. He then continues to say that his company is currently hiring an administrative position, and am I good with computers (I reply that I am a big fan of excel, an odd response I know, but the charts are just so cool!)? Then he asks how much I get paid. I am amazed at how rude people in this state can be. I respond that I make enough and enquire how much he's offering. "We offer $25 K starting." "Well," I say, "I make a lot more then that." "Really?" Apparently everyone thinks tellers make peanuts, "Are you the manager or something?" "No, I'm a teller!" He honestly thought we made 8 to 9 and hour! For starters, minimum wage in California is $8.50, and the guys flipping burgers at in-n-out make $10 an hour. Justin kept asking me for more details about my encounter, Why's he trying to take my employees? He offered you how much? You ran into him at the drugstore?

The morale of the story, I better get a raise!

Charles and I have made an effort to be more social, and during the summer this means mostly hanging out with my coworkers. Some, we have found, only care about drinking, but most outings are pretty fun. We've gone out bowling, clubbing, and to dinner recently. I'm proud of us. We even got to go to a special (free!) showing of Dark Knight (2 days before it came out!!) on late at night on Wednesday. Everyone we went with slept through the movie, but Charles and I enjoyed it.