Editors note: this was written yesterday, FYI.
Today has been that kind of day. You know? Oh wait; that’s right, you don’t know because “that kind of day” could be ANYTHING. Seriously. That is why I do not like this “phrase.” Do not say it’s been “that kind of day,” unless you care to elaborate on what “that” is. Lucky for you, today I do.
So this is what kind of day it’s been; the kind where it has taken me three hours to write two paragraphs of a work story. The easiest kind of work story too, which is employee volunteerism. Why is this so hard for me? Every employee volunteer story has the same cliché ending;
“regardless of all [employee] gives to [volunteer person/activity] he claims he has gained the most. ‘I receive such satisfaction knowing I’ve made a difference in [volunteer subject’s] life.' said [employee] 'I encourage all employees to volunteer, for not only will you make a difference in someone’s life, but they will make a positive difference in yours as well.’”
Blah Blah Blah. I need some creative ideas, I just can’t write anymore cliché lines today. Dang, this is serious writer’s block.
Maybe I’ve been affected by another “kind of day,” this has been; which is “Bad Outfit Day.” ALL girls know Bad Outfit Day; where about an hour after you arrive at work/school you look at what you’re wearing and immediately regret getting up that morning. “Surely, you say to yourself, this outfit could have only been selected in my half-conscious state called “me awake at 6:30 a.m. with no coffee.”
On Bad Outfit Day you desperately desire to go home and change – but you can't. Thus you make all efforts to be invisible that day, including turning meetings to conference calls and hiding under your desk when co-workers pass by (“uhh, sorry, I dropped my phone under the desk and it’s stuck so I have to talk on it all day under here). Ok maybe I’m slightly exaggerating.
This kind of day used to happen to me ALL the time in high school though. Mainly because I would always spill on myself first hour or accidentally mark myself up with highlighter so I had to walk around all day covered in yellow stains. Joy. Good thing those days have passed….
Another kind of day it’s been is the kind where I am so ragingly hungry that nothing but a Chipotle burrito will satisfy. Lean Cuisine – sorry my faithful lunch buddy, today you will not suffice. Neither will the free card I have for Noodles. Because I need to eat a lot – so I did. In fact my journey to Chipotle today occurred with such viscious focus I nearly knocked out a pedestrian.
Hungry takes precedence over looking out for people. Sorry people. (jk).
Okay, so that’s what kind of day it was. A hungry, bad outfit, writers block kind of day.
I have to go back to Ricardo and his mentoring program now. Wishing you all “that kind of day,” and you know what – my wish will probably come true.
7 comments:
I hate writing stories about our "community involvment".
I feel your pain. There are just some days I don't want to write the crap that I should.
Have you ever written something that is the truth but you would get fired for? Just to get some frustration out? I did it once and then shredded it...but it felt good. Try it someday on the next corporate writer block day. :)
I can't do much about the wardrobe though...haha.
Haha - no I haven't written something that is the truth. But that's a really good idea! Seriously, I should start putting truth stories on my blog - hiding the company name at first. They would definitely be very interesting....
colleen -- brilliant. although you did have writers block for some cliche story about volunteering, you pulled through and succeeded for Moneygram's almost biweekly blog, way to go!
As for writing about community involvement, I think the problem is some people have a cliche way of looking at things, and if all you have to work with is their notes of the experience its gonna be a cliche piece. Im gonna be a libby here---or maybe a green party memeber, but why do people ALWAYS view volunteering as in comparabale quantities...you can't say that you gained more than the person you helped, or that they gained more than you because here in lies the cliche---measurement of what one gained.
Maybe you should focus the story on the little girl/boys life and only mention the volunteer in passing, because after all the point isn't what he gained (its part of the story, but not the focus) its about who was helped. aahh, what do I know, you write Moneygram's gossip column, maybe they like it the other way around...
Anyways I have to write a paper and im postponing it by writing on your fb wall, sending you emails, and checking and commenting on your blog.
I did like this entry though---your writing resonates truth with its target group, subtle, yet strong brillance. love it Cal. You know Ill be your number one fan when you finally start to write professionally. hmmm...Im gonna start praying for that.
Molly - I love your thoughts. Unfortunately, the point is to focus on the employee - and not who they are helping. I will try to expand my horizons and not think of it in a "comparative" way.
Starting now. Thank you for using me as distraction from your paper. It helps distract me from work as well.
I agree with Molly, you have to work with someone who learned something different in order to write something different. I thought of a few ways to spin a volunteer story but you'd be lying if the volunteer didn't actually feel the way I want to spin it. Same problem, coporate lies!
As for the bad clothes day, maybe you should stash a good outfit in your trunk for such occasions??
Colleen, you can avoid this problem by picking out your outfit the night before. Why do you think I dress so nice all the time? Exactly!
And I think maybe you should interview the receiver of volunteer work. You could write about how it felt so good for them knowing that the volunteer was getting this great experience from helping. That way it would kinda be about the corp peon. Maybe you could have someone volunteer to hang out with Molly and help her with her daily life. That would be a great interview.
Sorry Mark, I've already sent in my resume for the position of "help Molly with her daily life". I'm just waiting to hear back. :)
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