I got the phone call from Kathy on Thursday afternoon, saying that I'd gotten the job, and could I please come in on Friday morning to sign the papers. I totally meant to, but when I woke up on Friday I remembered I had the mandatory "classes" - orientation and fiscal - that I need since I'm president of the AGSA at 10 am til noon.
So I showered, walked to campus, yawned through the sessions (I've taken them before, so I know what's in them, but you have to take them every year), then rushed home and microwaved a quick bowl of chow mein before jumping into my car and rushing down to the museum. I signed all my paperwork, took a quick tour, and then started off on a crazy shopping trip trying to get all the pieces I'd need for my uniform.
Security guards at Bowers wear:
- gray pants
- black shoes (comfortable)
- black belt
- white shirt with a collar
- red tie
- blue blazer
I pulled out my trusty Garmin (Seriously, Dad, thank you. That was a brilliant gift!) and found the nearest Ross, and drove on over where I acquired pants, shoes, belt and tie with no trouble - they reimburse us for the purchases too, so that was a huge relief. I also, in a separate transaction, got myself a cute new purse in a deep rusty red to replace the white purse I've carried for the past five months because it's starting to tear and I can't figure out how to repair it.
Plus this new purse has TWO pockets with zippers (and two without) so I will finally be able to keep my makeup separate from my wallet/Garmin/pens/pad! It may not sound like much to you, but it's a wonderful thing for my OCD.
My next stop was a mall so I could check out Macy's, JC Penny, and Forever XXI for the shirt and blazer, but would you believe it, there wasn't anything decent at any of them for anything under $100!!! I meant to get some extra white undershirts at Forever XXI because I only have the one here, but I totally forgot. I should go to the one near here sometime this week to get a couple, because I really can't wear a black or bright pink undershirt with my uniform!!
After that I was starting to get a little worried so I called Mom, and came up with the idea of checking out Burlington Coat Factory. Garmin to the rescue again, and I headed on over as fast as rush-hour Friday traffic allowed. (I hate traffic. I hate traffic. I HATE TRAFFIC!)
But the Burlington I went to was a real disappointment - they had some cute things, but they were all expensive, and they didn't have a blue blazer for women in that entire store. I was desperate so I went to the mens' department but all of THOSE blue blazers were not only ten sizes too big for me, but they were all $300 too. I did get a white button-up shirt there, which was a relief, because most womens' shirts stop buttoning way below the collar and you can't wear a tie with those...at least not that I've seen.
Finally, tired, feeling desperate, and freaking out over the fact it was getting later and the stores would start closing soon, I went to the Ross near my apartment, and heaven bless them, they had two blue blazers (the same, but different sizes) that were absolutely perfect. I tried them both on, got the one that fit me better, paid, and headed on home.
Once home I realized I didn't have anything for lunch at work, so I walked to Ralph's and bought some yoghurt and sundry portable eatables for the purpose.
Saturday I was up bright and early (which I seriously dislike, I am the Princess of Night Owls), got dressed, and drove to the museum. I ended up being 7 minutes late (although I was coming in half an hour early) because of an awful traffic jam 1.7 miles short of my exit (everyone was gawping at some road workers...really?!), and then I took the wrong route off my exit (whoever planned that exit was either stupid or diabolical) and had to rely on my Garmin to find me another way there.
Once I was there, however, things went better. I was given my headset and sorted out where to clip all the bits and pieces (I am not cut out for the Secret Service or anything like that - that ear piece is the bane of my existence), and given a quick rundown of my duties.
First, I went over the whole museum with Bea, who showed me how to turn on and set up various audiovisual media around the exhibits (my museology course from undergrad made me look at the whole process in a totally different way than I might have otherwise) and turn on lights and open doors and things.
Once guests started arriving at 10 am (when the doors opened) I was stationed at the "bridge" or the exit from the special Terracotta Warriors of China exhibit, making sure no one entered that way (you need tickets and can only enter that exhibit from the front), and directing people who needed to know where the bathrooms were.
For the second rota (we switch around every two hours or so, so no one goes insane) I was in the middle room of the exhibit (which gets boring after the first hour, not one glittery thing in there), and after that rota I got to have a lunch break - and I was so ready for lunch!!!
Then, since it was a very quiet day, Dave (one of the security heads) took me on a tour of the museum, telling me about parts of it, when it was built, where security needs to be careful, and where the best air-conditioned spots are. We shut down the museum at 4 (when it closes) and I went home and threw my clothes off, put on the loosest, most comfortable and soft dress I own, and watched football half-asleep until 11 pm when I went to bed.
I have to say, I'm heartbroken over the Gators' loss...but with Brantley hurt...I'm sure this isn't the last loss of the season. I knew this was a rebuilding year...but still...ouch.
Sunday was much the same as Saturday; I had a better idea where everything was, and my feet got sore a lot quicker, but I was posted in the front room of the exhibit (it has the biggest warriors and a really awesome horse that I want a replica of for when I have a garden of my own), and I got to say sternly every five seconds, "THERE IS NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IN THIS EXHIBIT!"
What really amused me was that every person under the age of 15 knew this instinctively and not one under-sixteen had a flash go off - not even the three year olds who had cameras!!! - but it felt like a good quarter of the over-sixteens had their flashes go off. One couple was frantically examining their (as it turns out, brand new) camera so I went over, introduced myself as an amateur photographer, and showed them how to switch their flash off. I mentioned it to Dave and he laughed and said that was always the case.
Then I was posted to the bridge, and then I was on roaming duty, and then I was on bridge again.
My feet were SO SORE that at four o clock when everyone was gone I just took the damn things off and helped shut down in my socks. I just couldn't take it anymore.
I don't know what's wrong other than that they were new shoes, but my left big toe is really really sore and I can barely touch the nail without yelping. Of course, I didn't have any vaseline in the apartment, but I remembered the external analgesic Mom gave me, so I ripped the place apart until I found it in my purse (last place I would've thought to look...just looked out of desperation) and put it on and it helped a little. My toe was still throbbing like crazy when I went to bed last night and it made sleeping a little difficult. I also have a huge blister on my right pinky toe.
I don't know when I work next, but it'll be Thursday at soonest, so my feet have a few days to heal.
Today I got up late on purpose (ah, 10 o clock being late...I'm officially an old person), cleaned, went grocery shopping (worst part of working on Sundays is I can't go to my favorite farmers' market anymore), came home, ate, and went to class. Came home from class, got my purse, went to CVS for some necessary items, ran into Jake and commiserated about graduate student life, before getting back to my apartment, turning on BBC World News, and trying to get everything set up.
And now it is 8:30, my dinner will be ready in a couple minutes, and then I have to get back to studying for my exams Tuesday and Wednesday. I am NOT looking forward to them...terrified of stupid mistakes...
Such is the life of a grad student!
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