I leapt out of bed this morning, all giddy with delight. No, it wasn’t Christmas; I’m still eating leftover Thanksgiving goodies. Today was just as exciting though for I started my first day of work. I was dressed as corporate as I possibly could manage because that’s how I was told to dress. I was forty minutes early to work. This gave me time to get the lay of the land. OK not really, I used to live in central Phoenix. More like I was getting reacquainted with an old friend. Like you both know so much time has passed yet it feels like we still know each other well. I got to see the new boutiques and non-chain restaurants that have opened on 16th St & Bethany Home, I had extra time to marvel at how much things have changed in that area with the trendy cupcake bakery but remain status quo with the BBQ restaurant still occupying the northeast corner.
I strode across the parking lot with purpose and waited to be buzzed in through the security door. The entire corporate complex is designed to look business-like but with mission-style touches. More on that later. The receptionist, also named April, greeted me, as did the admin assistant, Gina. They were still waking up though it was nearly 10am. Or maybe I was too full of caffeine. I was told my new boss was still on vacation for the holiday but was shown around by the woman who had interviewed me after my boss did. I was introduced to everyone and believe when I tell you my coworkers are the united colors of Benetton. The UN doesn’t have this much diversity! It was great! I also was told by the IT guys that they’re easily bribed with cookies if I need their help. Good to know!
After seeing the break room with the air hockey and foosball table, the Keurig coffee maker, the really fancy vending machines with fresh fruit and vegetables, I was shown to my desk to put my purse. And what a desk! My cubicle is nearly the size of my bedroom! There are hand-blown glass partitions between and the other girl, a lovely indie chick named Alicia with multiple facial piercings. It occurred to me then to ask where the bathroom was located for future reference. I was walked passed walls of flat screen TVs, more than Best Buy has, past the multicolored metal wall sculptures and outside to the courtyard. Wait. Outside. Why were we outside? Oddly enough, we ventured up a large set of concrete stairs that have mission-style ceramic tiles on them, up another flight of equally adorned stairs, turn a corner into darkness and walk across Spanish tiles to the terrace that overlooks the courtyard, a lovely area that was so quiet and Catholic looking, I expected Dominican monks to walk past me. At one point I expected tolling bells to call me for noon time prayer. That didn’t happen though so instead we traversed the second story terrace and turned down a dark breezeway and stood before a poorly marked heavy wooden, carved door. Not like some secret door you’d expect to find housing a speakeasy, more like a door to a gothic castle or Frankenstein’s lab. Or apparently, the women’s restroom. After working the key a bit to get the knob to turn, I was shown into a dimly lit bathroom with more Spanish tile and mission-style ceramics, this time for the sinks and counters. It was a bit musty smelling in there but with a door like that, I’m not surprised.
After making my way back to my desk I was given the form on how to setup my voicemail (there were already messages waiting for me), passwords and usernames for various computer programs and a tutorial on Google Chrome. I’d never used that particular program but I’d seen the Lady Gaga commercial for it so I felt prepared. Anyway, After a fast day of learning names, locations and computer programs and company procedures, it was time to leave. That’s when I asked what the dress code it. I looked like a Wall Street employee while my new coworkers looked like they were Occupying Wall Street. I was told to wear jeans and tennis shoes, no hats or sports apparel, no flip-flops. This all came from a woman with pierced eyebrows, hipster Elvis Costello glasses and blue dreadlocks. We’re allowed to paly music and they do. Its like they have an agreed upon playlist and maybe they do. Maroon 5, Tom Petty, Joy Division, The Cure and some indie bands too. My Metallica suggestion raised many an eyebrow but that’s ok. I’ll just wear headphones after I’ve been there a while.
This place is fantastic. The coworkers are pretty left leaning, there’s a live and let live vibe. There’s no cattiness, everyone seems to get along well. It was like having never been on vacation and then finding myself at Disney Land. On my way out the door I called my friend Jennifer and asked her for a favor. When she gets to my old job tomorrow, tell everyone near and far that I’m doing great… and they can all suck it.
Today’s lie: My first day was mediocre at best.
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