Brain Spillage #2: Worky Work Work Workerson

oh my goodness...

for everyone who has a short attention span like me, you totally understand my problem. and my current job absolutely KILLS me, but its easy and a pretty good job overall. Lemme give you the run down...

I work at Manus and Associates Literary Agency (http://www.manuslit.com/). They are a group of agents who help authors get publishing deals. Or at least thats what it says on the website. In reality, its a group of 4 middle aged women who come into the office and complain all day about their lazy husbands, their ex husbands, and their lives in general. My boss, Jillian Manus (if you go on the website there;s a picture of her) she is slightly PSYCHOTIC!!! ok, ok, its not that bad, they do get a lot of crazy submissions and crazy authors trying to publish books on time travel, but they do work hard to publish the good ones. They are talented smart women, but MAN can they talk!

The highlights of my job are the following: opening mail and packages, sending out pass letters (these are letters that Jillian had printed out in STACKS that we send out to the authors the agents decide not to take on. Basically, a letter that says: "Thanks, but no thanks." Ahhh, the beauty of crushing someone's dreams!), putting water bottles in the fridge, answering phone calls, and every now and then going on ridiculous missions for Jillian, such as tracking down 4 extra snuggies when they are already back ordered or making numerous hair appointments or purchasing prada shoes through the phone.

The thing is, Jillian's crazy antics make my job interesting, since i get to read all her emails because i always have to be up to speed on whats going on. The problem is.....Jillian almost NEVER comes in, but when she does, its mayhem! She's always at a meeting, an appointment, or spending time with her family, which means we basically run everything else. Me and her personal assistant, Theresa, who has mastered the fine art of freaking out! The other 2 women, Penny and Dena, are just blah. Although when it's just me and Penny in the office, she likes to belt out Christmas carols and songs from the 70's! Pretty awesome.

Now, why would i continue working in this place when its obviously unpredictable, kinda boring at times (mondays and fridays..Jillian is MIA all day), and doesnt pay very much? Two reasons: one, i get flexibility. I can work out my work schedule around my school schedule and do homework here when i have nothing else to do. Two, the awesome presents Jillian gives! I've been here for almost 6 months and i have gotten: a juicy couture perfume, a prada shawl, a collection of fine tea, lotions and face wash, cookies, and for christmas i got an iPod touch, a wall charger, 2 Comfys (the expensive higher quality version of a snuggie), and $200. And i have to admit, the gossip is pretty interesting too.

All in all, while most of my days are spent on facebook ro reading Perez, i seem to like my unpredictable job. Oh, and did i mention for the holiday season me and my predecessor as receptionist had to wrap 50 Comfys, 50 tote bags, put them together in packages, wrap the whole thing in postal papaer, and make UPS labels for all of them in ONE day??! And today i had to go to Stanford Mall and pick up the Prada Coat Jillian ordered and somehow prove i worked for her to this crazy little dude there. But then i think about the beauty of watching Family Guy and Saturday Night Live on my iPod, and all of a sudden, it all seems worth it..at least...for now. :)

well..gotta run. I have to move my car every 2 hours or else i'll get a parking ticket since the City of Palo Alto has decided that they hate having cars parked for more than 2 hours on their streets! Nonsense i say!

Hopefully this little tidbit has given you a little bit more appreciation for your job, or jealousy of mine. And if you don't have a job, then get off your lazy bum and get to it!!!



Stay classy. Rock on. Party people. Hooray.




Amy G.