Fly Fishing
I don’t talk about my job very much here. I hear you all asking, “Vikki, why is that?” Who doesn’t want to hear about bed bugs and elderly people without pants? Right? I don’t write about work because of confidentiality and because I’ve found that people outside of the field don’t always appreciate the gallows humor. More than anything, however, I don’t talk about my work because people inevitably say things like, “You’re a saint” or “I could never do what you do” or, in rare circumstances, “Thank god for people like you”. I honestly don’t feel that any of those things apply. I make a lot of jokes about my job and call myself the Jovial Slacker. I wasn’t always this way, though. I remember a bygone era when I enjoyed going to work and felt like I could actually make a difference. Today, I went to the mailbox to get an elderly woman’s mail and it felt like the most productive thing I’ve done all year. That’s really sad. The truth is that my job is hard and I’m sometimes quite good at it but, mostly, I wish that I was doing something else, like fly fishing. I don’t know how to fly fish but I’m a quick learner and am willing to give it a try if someone will pay me. I’d also be interested in the position of Coffee-drinking Internet Chatter. Sadly, I already have that job and it appears to be a volunteer position. I’ve been doing Adult Protection investigations for almost 13 years now and, finally, I know what burnout is because I’m living it. People try to dress up burnout in fancy clothes. They call it “compassion fatigue” and other such things but, no matter what you call it, it ain’t pretty. Intellectually, I know my job is a good gig. I’m paid well and have good benefits. That has always been enough. Lately, I’m not so sure. So what’s a lowly public servant to do? Well, I’m not sure just yet but I started with taking some time off. I’m off all next week for no good reason. That makes me pretty damn happy! That makes this the best Friday ever! Exclamation point extravaganza!
You know what else makes me happy? Good people in really bad clothes. Thanks to Kelly, I have that too:
The 70’s were such cruel years. Have you ever noticed that nearly everyone wore some version of the color rust back in those days? If no one was wearing the color, the room decor had it. Sometimes, you hit the rust jackpot – like in this picture. There were black and white photos in the 50’s and 60’s and rust-colored photos in the 70’s. Go look at your own family photos from that time – I guarantee that rust will be well represented. This family portrait is priceless and, of course, I covet Kelly’s jumpsuit. I’ll let her tell you what she was wearing under it.
Have a good weekend! I know I will – I don’t go back to work until the 30th!
Posted: November 20th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from betty t
Time November 20, 2009 at 3:55 pm
have a great week off, ditto what amyk said and add chewy echinacea bears to every meal. for everyone in the family.
Comment from Missy
Time November 20, 2009 at 4:04 pm
They make chewy echinacea bears??
Good for you for taking time off! I am proud of you!
When I worked for the MN Dept. of Human Services, in program assessment, I all of my colleagues were burned out county workers who made the leap to the state level. This was my first job out of college & some of them did not like that I never went through county boot camp, by the way. Sometimes I would ask my friends there, “Maybe I should go and work at the county and get seasoned.” and they would barely let me stop before they said, “NO!”.
It is important work, so there! Neener! Neener! Neener!
Comment from Deborah
Time November 20, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I experienced stay-at-home motherhood burnout when our first was about….6 months old. I haven’t found a cure, but that week off sounds delicious!
You go back to work when I start a full-time gig…after almost 7 years at home. I’m thinking I’ll miss the SAHM burnout in a big, hairy way.
Enjoy the R&R! Everybody needs a little time away…
Comment from Kelly
Time November 20, 2009 at 11:20 pm
My sister looks at this photo still remembers proudly picking out her Avon Hot Dog necklace (that she still has 30 yrs later) to go with her dress. My father’s only regret is that he did not wear the sports coat that matched those checked pants. My Mother LOVED that dress and wore it for years. I look at the picture and remember how the day started out with me in a swimsuit attending a pool party and that, despite forgetting to pack underwear, that jumpsuit was still my favorite and most comfy outfit. A practical little lesbian even then!
Comment from Meredith
Time November 21, 2009 at 10:10 am
As soon as you said “rust” I was instantly transported back to my uncle’s wedding in 1976. My mother’s bridesmaid gown was rust, with a rust fur-trimmed hood (on a formal gown!). The matron of honor wore the same except in avocado. These were the most gorgeous dresses my four year old eyes had ever seen.
Enjoy your well deserved time off!
Comment from Fiona IronSword
Time November 23, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I am sure I had that jumpsuit.
Comment from Fiona IronSword
Time November 23, 2009 at 12:06 pm
God, Can’t Luisa do something about our dismal work situation? reading this post has temporariliy swung my pendulum to the”public school” side of the clock. I need a produce section, heavy lifting and no one to talk to.
Comment from amyk
Time November 20, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Vikki – congratulations on taking a whole week off. Feed your kids lots of vitamin c and make them wash their hands every free second they have so they do not get sick and foil your plans for relaxation.
As for the photo, I don’t know why I spent even one second wondering which one was Kelly – gingham dress with pinafore or stylish jump suit. Seriously. But I am curious what she has on underneath. Kelly??