I've been doing some thinking

So, I've been doing some thinking and wondering why in the heck I can't post on my other blog. I'm just so uninspired. The URL isn't me and I'm far too lazy to come up with something else that suits me. I am Giftedly-Outspoken and I will continue to be. I can't post behind a fake name and actually feel real? Who cares if people know I'm talking about them? Since when have I been one to hide behind a computer monitor? Yeah for those of you who actually know me in real life you'll know that I don't roll like that.

Anywho, so the reason I had moved the blog in the first place is because one of my co-workers found my blog a while back and complained to my boss about it. Why? Because my blog mentioned how she was a lying bitch and a few other choice words. I'm sure scraggly cunt was one of them. I know, I'm so gifted with words. Oddly enough my boss never said anything about it. I guess he figures as long as we can work peaceful with one another who really cares what our PERSONAL feelings are towards one another right? I mean, I don't like all of my co-workers 24/7. We have spats, we have different opinions but we all get over it.

Well mostly get over it. I don't care if she stalks my blog and reads this. I still think she has been faking nearly everything "dramatic" that has happened. I think she faked the pregnancy in order to avoid getting heat for being a bitch (of course if my boss excused my emotionalness based on being pregnant it was a perfect excuse for her too!), I think she lied about the miscarriage and subsequent D&C, and now she is supposedly suffering from H1N1. I just don't believe it.

Why not? Let's see, I get the wonderful joy of checking her expenses and she'd have coffee daily (yes, they are allowed because they are travelling sales reps and they get X amount of money per day for meals, so if they wanna use it on coffee more power to them!), she'd enjoy her glass of wine with her meals at trade show dinners, and she had sushi more than once or twice, oh and large caffeinated beverages daily! After her "miscarriage" she went straight to work.

My boss brought her up to Montreal to discuss all of our issues (no I'm not the only one in the office with issues regarding her). He asked me before our big meeting what my problems were with her and I explained to him that I prefer to keep it professional and only mention my WORKING issues with her and nothing personal. He agreed. In our meeting I told her how I did NOT like how she had a bad day with one of our distributors and how she tried to place the blame on me. I also told her that I didn't really like it when her parents were sick in the hospital (supposedly okay?) and she emails me telling me NOT to email her as she is taking personal time. I totally get that you are taking personal time because something has happened to your family HOWEVER if part of my job is to send you emails. It is up to you to choose when and where you respond. Like, am I supposed to remember every sick day that everyone takes and make a mental note not to forward them information or maybe I should set my email on a delivery delay to accommodate someone else's schedule? Oddly enough she agreed that in both cases I was right and she was just having a poopie day both times. Seriously, not my problem.

When I'm having a poop day I just kind of avoid people. I keep my emails short and to the point and avoid all long conversations if at all possible. I don't start bitching at the first person who crosses my path.

So her first official day here in the office we had that meeting which lasted for 4 hours. Then we all went to dinner together and that was pretty fun mainly cuz my boss' wife is HILARIOUS!

The next day my boss makes me take her out for dinner. It was so much fun (sarcasm is ultra heavy here). She checks her messages on her phone (text) and is like "OMG. I'll be right back I have to make a call. A friend's friend just committed suicide." Now there I am sitting at a table with a glass of water for 30 minutes alone. I was ready to kill someone at that point. She came back, apologized for leaving me waiting and we had dinner. Over dinner I got to hear a lot of stories most of which I think were fabricated. I mean she told me about this school that someone she knows goes to, its super posh and very Catholic...and guess what? Will Smith's son Jayden goes there... Wait...aren't they into Scientology? I doubt that Jayden goes there but I kept my mouth shut and just pretended to believe everything.

Friday she leaves. The following Friday we get an email talking about how she has H1N1 Flu and how she got it leaving Montreal at the airport most likely....but it hasn't affected her job AT all! She was still going to visit stores....wow how thoughtful of you to take your disease ridden ass all around the LA area spreading this horrible virus you have. Wait...don't H1N1 make you extremely weak and tired? How do you have the energy to go visit all these stores and spread the virus? And weren't you one of the people who was saying how inconsiderate sick people were going to work and getting everyone else sick? Hmmm pot calling the kettle black I think....

So thats my latest update on the DQ co-worker. Everything is just about the drama. I feel like telling someone, "Hey if you think you are having a bad day just call DQ and I guarantee you that you'll feel better about your life because she leads the most dramatic life EVER!" In the past few months she's been in a car accident, both her parents sick in different hospitals in different states, pregnant, miscarriage, and now the H1N1 virus. I'm sure there are smaller things in between that I just can't manage to remember.


Anyway, other than that crazy bit of drama with the co-worker I am excited to announce that on Nov 11th I'll know if I'm carrying a baby boy or a baby girl. I'm not telling you what I reallllllllly want because what I realllllllllly want is a healthy baby with all its limbs in tact and nothing extra! We've already settled on a name for a baby boy or a baby girl. Elias if its a boy after my father, and we'll nickname him Eli....Dimitria if its a girl and we'll call her Demi. My best friend is also pregnant and she find out around Xmas if its a boy or a girl...and a close family friend is also pregnant and she is having a baby BOY!!

Between my sisters wedding shower, wedding, my baby shower, and best friends baby shower we have a very busy Jan thru Feb for 2010. I'm also excited to announce that whatever Nicole (my best friend) is having that my husband and I will be baptizing! I'm so excited that I'll be baptizing a baby in the Orthodox church. This will be my second God child but the first one to do with my hubby! Also, after my sister gets married and pops out one of her own Nicole and Rody will be baptizing her kid! Our family just keeps on expanding more and more!

Alex's wedding invitations and wedding shower invitations are in the mail as of today and should be here within a week! If you ever need anything designed I seriously suggest you check out Art By Ellie Awesome prices, great custom designs! I'm so impressed by the proofs I saw. I can't wait to get everything!! ;)

Oh yeah.... I'm BAAAAAAAAAACK! I have over 1000 things in my Google Reader that I will not get to. I'm going to try to go back a few days to catch up on things but if I haven't replied to your blogs in a while I'm sorry. I'm starting fresh!!!

Moving

Due to a scraggly cunt I am moving my blog! :) I'll let you all know via email or personal message where the blog is moving too.

Contact me @ babyjamazing(at)hotmail(dot)com for the address if I forget to email it to you!

I'm still alive, and pregnant!

So for those of you who have me on Facebook and Twitter you found out yesterday that I was pregnant. I haven't been feeling well at all and have been having a big fight with morning sickness which is a complete crock. They should really call it "All effing day long sickness". If it was just in the morning it would be perfect. I'd have a great excuse for not coming in on time and then rocking the afternoon with my kick ass work ethic but apparently that isn't going to happen. I am still late for work, I drag my feet the rest of the time...oh wait, that is when I'm ABLE to go to work.

So if you guys remember from my blog post The Talk my boss had actually asked me if I was pregnant and I said no expecting it to be true. My period wasn't even late when he asked me or anything of that sort. The only "sign" I had was my emotionalness. But then again, I'm a Cancer and we are known for being emotional & moody. A week passes and now I am late but again I don't take it into consideration. My period likes to screw with me and left its lovely 28 day cycle and likes to jump between 28-36 days! Yeah, lots of fun eh? Well when I was leaving work two weeks ago the last thing I saw online was that Nicole Richie just released a maternity clothing line, my bosses words rang in my head, and I said, "Well I'm going to the pharmacy to pick up my medications, might as well get a pregnancy test."

Man did I NOT believe it when it said positive. I started crying like a two year old who just got her lollipop stolen. Being typically Jenny, instead of calling my husband first I called my mom and dad and then my sister and then my husband. Sorry George but we Georgio-who's really stick together.

Together we told a few of our family members and some of our friends. We weren't going to say anything until the first trimester was over but I had to post an ad on FB for a maternity leave replacement (Quebec gives you up to a year paid maternity leave and your position is guaranteed when you return) and then I started to get the comments and questions about being pregnant and of course I couldn't deny it so I said Yes. Now everyone knows! :)

Why was I putting an ad up for Mat Leave replacement when I'm not even thru my first trimester? Because of my myasthenia gravis I am high risk and might be put on bed rest anywhere between now and before I give birth. I see my OBGYN on Sept 3rd to discuss how my pregnancy is progressing, how I'm feeling, and to see how long I will be able to come into work at the office. I know I have a sit down job but honestly speaking, my co-workers stress me to the max and they are not worth me having any complications or a miscarriage. In fact if my co-workers were to get hit by a semi, I wouldn't celebrate but I wouldn't exactly be mourning either. And hey, just because a semi hits you doesn't mean you are dead :)

Hopefully after I pass my 3 months all will be well and I won't want to vomit every 15 minutes! So far I've had to cancel my trip to Vegas for work and its looking like I won't be able to fly to Texas either for my reunion. I'm so upset considering how much time and effort I've personally put into planning the reunion along with Heidi and a few others. Maybe I'll drive down? Take a train? Not only that but my parents were really looking forward to seeing me in September and October. :(

So that is what has been going on in my life. Hope you are all fairing better than me.

I'm Alive

Hey folks!

I know I haven't been around lately here, on Facebook, and especially on Twitter. I am very very sorry. I'm not dead just been busy and I have a lot of things going on. Sorry for not having replied to anyones blogs lately but I will get around to checking out all the blogs later.

My head is killing me so I'm going back to bed now!

Stuffing the Envelope

Stuffing the Envelope


So its summer and that means its wedding, engagement, baptism, shower season. It’s actually one of my favorite and least favorite things about the summer. I love that my friends are moving on in life and getting married, having babies and all that other great stuff but I hate that every weekend seemed to be booked by going to an event. Every once in a while you like to just sit at home on your couch on a Saturday. Luckily this season has been a bit different. The majority of my friends who are having these events don’t live locally and as much as I’d love to be able to fly in to help them celebrate, I can’t. But I do send gifts when possible.

I was always taught if you can’t make it to an event, along with your RVSP card saying “I regretfully decline,” you should send a gift. Be it a check, a mixer, or whatever. You shouldn’t just say no empty handed because that person wanted you there to help you celebrate with them.

I did that with most of the events that I had to decline this season…I wasn’t able to make it to a friend’s wedding shower and I tried to buy a gift and have it sent but apparently the place she was registered at didn’t want to take my Canadian credit card. But I did make up for it at another one of her showers (lingerie).

So when it comes to sending gifts what criteria do you use? The reason I ask this is because often at Big Fat Greek Events you can over hear a couple discussing what to put into the envelope (because we don’t normally have box gifts at our weddings, that’s what the wedding shower and housewarming is for). It’s not rare to hear an older couple telling a younger couple, “Oh, you don’t have to put a lot in this envelope, the bride isn’t Greek.” Or “150$ for the both of you is okay, the served chicken!” Yep, that’s what people around these parts do. They look at the following to gauge how much you are worth.

1. Are you both Greek? If not, you just lost at least 25% of the “norm”
2. What type of meal is being served? Chicken?! Shame on you! Beef, way to go.
3. What reception hall is it at? Are you paying $40 per person or are you paying upwards of $100?
4. How well do we know you? Did you invite me because my mom made me invite you to my event?

I think its all stupid. When I go to an event with my husband I think of: “How well do I know them?” I don’t think about if they came to my event, how much did they put in the envelope, what did they serve to eat, are they both Greek or both Italian or Arabic? Who cares? The only thing that should matter is how well you know them and how close you are to them?

I’m obviously going to put more money in an envelope for my cousin then I would for a friend? And I’d put more for my sister than I would for my cousin. If I can’t make it to something I try to either send 100$ or a gift that is approximately that much. I don’t say, “Oh they are having their wedding at the Chateau Royal so their meal is probably $40…” that’s wrong. That’s cheap. At that point just don’t even bother going.

I have a funny story about my wedding. Instead of doing the traditional Greek thing and going to a Greek reception hall which are totally over done and need a MAJOR face lift I decided to go to an Italian hall in the East End. Sure, it’s a bit further away but you know what? I loved my hall. If I would have gotten married in the Greek halls I would have spent about $5,000.00 just decorating the hall to make it look decent. I didn’t have to pay a dime at the Madison. Sure I spent a little more for the meals then I would have at a Greek hall but who cares? I’m only getting married once and I wanted to have an event that I’d never forget. I wanted an event that I would look back at the pictures in 20 years and smile about how perfect everything was.

Some people (I won’t name names!) told me that I would “lose” money if I got married at an Italian hall because the meals were more expensive and people wouldn’t put that kind of money in the envelope. I told that person that I’m not looking at my wedding as a money making event. I’m looking at it as a celebration and if you can come then come. I was told that the Canadians (read “white folks”) don’t put money in envelopes and would bring us a bottle of wine or something and we’d lose money on them so to not invite them. I told that person to stop telling me what to do at my wedding. I’m happy enough to have that person join me at my wedding and I don’t care what they bring. In fact, I had recently met a cousin of a great friend of mine who was having a hard time. He was going through a divorce, he wasn’t enjoying life, and he was out of a job. (Oddly enough his parents were invited to my wedding via my parents. His parents actually married my parents. They put the stefana on them! SMALL WORLD!). I asked him if he had a suit and he said he did. I told him to come to my wedding. (I met him on Thursday, getting married on Saturday…). He said he’d love to but he just didn’t have money to put into the envelope and I told him screw that. Just come. I told him that I’d already given my head count to the hall and one of my husband’s friends cancelled at last minute so I was going to pay for that meal regardless and I’d rather someone be there to eat it then end up trashing it. He thanked me and said he’d come. He did show up and you know what? He had an amazing time hanging out with his cousin, her husband, and a lot of my friends. He loved Table 13.

Well, there was a family of 4 that showed up to my wedding. A family that was related to the person who told me that we’d lose money by doing the wedding at an Italian hall (yes this is important to the story). The husband of this family works for a huge company and brings home a 7 figure paycheck yearly. Do you know what they put in the envelope? A check for $125 for a family of 4. Um, sorry dude but that doesn’t even cover the cost of ONE meal let alone 4. At that rate, why even bother putting anything at all? It made HIM look like a fool and no one else. In fact, my husband and I decided not to even bother cashing the check. That guy called us one day asking why we didn’t cash the check (about a month or two after the wedding) and I told him simply, “Apparently you need it more than I do”. Was it rude? Sure. Do I care? Not really.

Now with all that being said I know that its not everyone’s customs to bring an envelope as a gift. But my question to you is, how do you determine the value of the gift (envelope or box)? Strictly on what you can afford that weekend? If you have to travel to get there? How close you are? The venue that the event is held?

The Talk

So, those of you who have been reading my blog regularly know that I have had some issues in the past with my co-worker(s). You can read my last post for the latest as well as a link to the issue before that if you want more information.

I had also posted something on another blog about another issue with a co-worker and I listened to every one's advice, because seriously, why ask for it if you don't listen to it?

My biggest issue is related to my last post. I work with Stupid Ugly Bitch (SUB) and I hate her. This week I found myself doing a lot of things out of character such as wishing she'd get hit by a bus, trying to plot ways to make her fail at her job, dreaming of her getting run over by a steam roller and only her big head remaining, and things of that sort...Okay, so maybe its not that out of character for me but it is regarding work situations. I've always been highly professional at work.

Anyway, on Wednesday my boss came into the office and the morning was really busy so I didn't have time to talk to him. I had made a comment to my co-worker about this article on MSN about 43 strange things said during a job interview and my boss suddenly piped up, "Why are you looking for another job." I replied, "Not at the moment." We let it go for about an other hour or so.

I had a few messages I had to give to Boss so I went into his office and told him about the two calls that came in earlier in the day and about a marketing opportunity that we had. As I was turning to leave his office I said, "Hey Boss, can we talk about SUB?" He goes to me, "Do we really have to? I'm just not in the mood to talk about SUB." I said to him, "Fine, I just want you to know that I'm extremely uncomfortable at work and no longer want to be here and shes one of the reasons." and with that I broke down.

Yep. Me. I broke down at work. I actually sat in my boss' office and fucking cried like 3 year old. My boss looked at me in complete and utter shock. Quickly handed me some tissues and then got up and closed his door so that no one else could hear our conversation or see my reaction. He was shocked that something bothered me so much because I usually have very thick skin and in fact have never even shown that anything bothers me at work. I've always taken things with a grain of salt. I try to compose myself and manage to mumbled that I'm embarrassed that I'm crying at work. He says its okay to just let everything out.

I basically told him that I understand that SUB is older than me (and older than my mom too) but I do NOT tolerate someone talking down to me, treating me like I am stupid, or crossing the boundaries and attempting to do my job. If thats the case then I might as well just pack up my office and go home. He can just pay SUB to do my job too...although she's proven she'd be very very bad at it.

My boss goes on to explain to me that truthfully speaking he doesn't like SUB either but right now we are stuck with her because she is all we have on the East Coast and my boss's boss likes SUB. He told me how she annoys him and how he cannot be on the phone with her for more than 5 minutes before he wants to stick a pen in his eye, how he hates travelling with her because shes just that annoying. The unfortunate thing is that he doesn't think she will ever change. He doesn't think she will learn how to work with people and that its just her character.

I mentioned to him (I'd stop crying every now and then long enough to make full sentences and then I'd cry and then I'd have to stop...UGH!) that if she treats her co-workers like crap (another co-worker HATES her mainly because she is so condescending and bitchy) how does she treat stores? How does she work with her distributors and dealers? Boss said that its pretty much 50-50. 50% love her the other 50% could live without her. I don't think those are good numbers. I mean half of her territory could live without her? Thats HORRIBLE! Then I told my boss, "Look, I'd think I was being an overly sensitive PMSy person if I was the only one who couldn't stand her but out of 5 in the North American office 2 hate her, 1 is annoyed, 1 is indifferent and the 5th person is SUB herself. She obviously has issues working with people.

My boss and I ended things pretty well. He told me that he would have a talk with her without bringing me up. He didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing that she got under my skin. I told my boss that if SUB were to call my cell, text my cell, or email me at my personal email even during work hours I would not answer. My personal stuff is for people I consider to be friends (and I did clarify with him that he and my other co-workers fall into the "friends" category). I also told him that if SUB lived in Montreal we would be having this conversation from prison.

After I left his office I went to wash my face and try to put myself together before going back to my desk (he actually asked me if I wanted to go for a walk or to leave for the rest of the day just to get my head on straight again, I said I just needed a few minutes). I went back to my desk and got back to work when he came out of his office and puts his hand on my shoulder and said, "Jen, I want you to know that I always have your back. ALWAYS. I will always take your side. Next time please don't wait so long to talk to me about something bothering you."

I smiled and enjoyed the rest of my work day.

Yesterday we went for lunch and had a nice talk and did a lot of laughing but of course he asked me like 20 times "How are you, are you okay?" Oh did I mention that at one point during our conversation he says to me, "I don't mean to get personal but is there a chance that you are pregnant? I mean I've never seen you so emotional." I just laughed and said no that when things piss me off enough I cry... but when I get sad I want to hit.

SUB of course pissed me off yesterday. She was blatantly disregarding my orders and finding 20 reasons not to do her job. Oddly enough I got a response the minute I wrote to my boss and copied her on it kindly explaining to Boss how the show stopping was on a standstill because SUB thinks its outside of her job description to decide what items to pull and show at the tradeshow.

Today Boss didn't come into work but of course he sent me a text message, "How are you today." I wonder if my boss now thinks that I am mentally unstable, will that breakdown always be on his mind? He dealt with my crying well, he talked until I was ready to end the conversation but I hope he doesn't think he has to worry about me and treat me delicately.

I'm annoyed and considering quitting

Gosh, I really hate writing in my blog only when I'm annoyed but I guess that is the only time I feel truly inspired. Oddly enough when I'm really annoyed/pissed off I also tend to clean the house.

So why am I so pissed off? Well, today started off fairly okay. Like it wasn't a great day but it wasn't a horrible day either. It was just an okay day. By mid-morning I got a text message from my boss informing me he wasn't coming in (hey it was a gorgeous day, I wouldn't have come in either if given that chance) BUT he had a few things he wanted me to review. I took notes on what he wanted and had everything completed by 1pm. My boss writes me back saying good work.

Then around 1:30 I realized I hadn't gotten an answer from my graphics artist regarding an ad I needed created for this company. Before I could pick up the telephone to call her my computer alerted me that I had an email. It was from the graphics artist. I reviewed what she did and it was what the boss wanted but I forwarded the email to the boss. He copied my co-worker (Stupid Ugly Bitch) on his reply so that she could see the ad since it was for her territory. I don't mind especially because SUB had come up with the concept for this ad.

Boss, SUB, Graphics Artist and I send a few emails back and forth regarding the layout of the ad and possibly changing the wording. I said that I would email the person in charge of the company that we are running the ad for in order to find out if it is "okay" and if we can change the wording to something or if that would be violating their rules. My boss says "Let me know".

I write back to my boss and copy SUB on it saying, "Spoke with X and they said ad is fine as is, we can not make the changes you want because its violating their rules. Am sending the file to the printer now for 2000 copies".

So now this is ALREADY at the printer right?! I get copied on an email from SUB to person X at that company saying "here is our draft please let me know if its okay or not...." Um excuse me? Do we not look stupid now as a company? Completely disorganized if 20 minutes after ANSWERING me he gets another email from another employee asking the same thing? And get this, the attachment wasn't a sample of the ad it was sales figures!!!!

SUB is constantly complaining about how person X thinks our company is disorganized, how we don't follow the rules, how we this and how we that...Don't you think you are adding fuel to the fire but crossing your job description lines and trying to do my job when I already had an answer to the exact same question? When I already had the ad printing in Texas?

I sent SUB an email and copied my boss saying: "SUB I already emailed X and got his reply. This is already at print as I got his approval. Please STOP doing my job as it makes our company look very disorganized. By the way, you attached the wrong file to that email" (which by the way went to 6 people not just person X, myself, and my boss).

She didn't reply. Of course not, everytime I call her out on her shit she never sends a reply. She gets her tail between her legs when she is informed that she is wrong. That was the SECOND time today the she had contacted person X at the same company to ask him something I had already asked him (I emailed him last week regarding a promotion we wanted to run and he told me on what items he was willing to accept a discount). The first time I didn't get too wound up about it because I wasn't sure if I had informed her of what we'd be doing promotions on.

Then another issue happened when a customer noticed something but I managed to find a loophole. I emailed SUB and Boss and told them that althought something looked like something it specifically said something else but I could see where someone would be confused but it doesn't change the fact that there is a loophole.

SUB writes back to me and my boss saying, "Jenny, please don't take my email personally as an attack on your work but blah blah blah blah blah blah". I write back to SUB copying my boss, "SUB, STOP telling me to stop taking things personally because I don't. In fact, I, personally did not work on any sell sheets so its not my work to get offended at any errors. I simply found a loophole for you to be able to use until we can all discuss this when Boss is in the office and figure out a way to work around this".

This is the second email that shes written to me telling me not to take something personally. Bitch I don't take anything personally other than you crossing the fucking line and doing my fucking job. You know what, why don't I just quit my job and you can feel free to do mine as well as yours? Oh wait, maybe I should take half of your pay because I spend a lot of my time trying to fix your fuck ups.

I can not wait until my boss comes into work tomorrow because I really feel I have to talk to him. The first time I emailed him about SUB and how she's been behaving apparently accomplished nothing. This time something will happen. I'm annoyed and can't see myself continuing my position and always having to deal with someone like SUB. I don't care how old she is, how long she has been in the industry or whatever. She's annoying, constantly crosses the line, and has no idea how to speak to people. She might be older than my momma but that doesn't mean I won't tell her where to shove it.

I'm honestly at a cross road and have no idea what to do regarding this issue. I'm seriously considering just putting in a letter of resignation and finding a company where I don't have to tolerate people like this. Not only that but there was recently an issue with a pay increase that I've been trying to figure out how to address. I just feel like lately I'm not happy at the company.