Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The grind, ugh!

I've been feeling a lot like Peter Gibbons in the movie "Office Space" lately. I know you've all seen the flick. If not, I'll give you a brief recap: Peter works at Initech...in a cubicle. Can't stand his commute or the job itself, let alone the four or five bosses who tell him when he's doing something wrong. So, he decides to just not go to work anymore. And instead of getting in trouble, he gets a promotion! In the end, after a botched scandal to steal pennies a day from the company, Initech burns to the ground and Peter ends up working outdoors as a contractor.

Not exactly my scenario, but I definitely can draw some comparisons. I've been doing what I've been doing at the newspaper for nearly a decade. And for the most part, I've enjoyed the time I've spent here. But each year there are more drawbacks. First it was more work, small raise. Now it's more work, NO raise. Where can you be somewhere for 9 years, get a gleaming performance review, and NOT get a raise? In the newspaper business, that's where. And sure, I have the bar to bail me out, but it's pretty ridiculous that I make in a week what I can make in one shift at the bar.

In short, it's made me really not want to go to work. EVER. Sure we all feel this way some days but I've been feeling it everyday and badly. It used to be fun work that I didn't mind doing and actually looked forward to doing. Now, I could care less and would rather just stay in bed most days to avoid it! Brian feels the same way about his teaching gig and thinks at this point, it's not about enjoying your work, it's about the salary you get paid to do it. Given my choice in occupation, I've never felt this way, but I'm starting to change my tune.

I spent all summer looking for jobs, found a few I got excited about, only to come up empty. It's a frustrating situation to be in but I have to believe I will find something soon. At least I hope so, because I'll be honest, the commute, the time away from family and friends, and the grind itself are really getting to me!

Any advice??

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

sorry dude. Keep your eyes peeled and your mind open. You'll find something eventually!

Jackie said...

That sucks lady!! I am sorry its gotten so bad for you....I feel the two jobs agony, but truly like both jobs, just hate the need to have two... no advice, just following Krissy's sentiments that it will work out evenutally! Keep your head up!
Have a good day.