Many people know my famous advertisements and ask me where I worked before I came to the ENC. I found that most expected me to say that I worked at a small advertising agency or an equivalently sized one. Often enough they are quite surprised by my reply. Many tell me that I am a rare breed for having enough bravery to work in such a place. To them I say, rare, maybe. But I absolutely loved my time there! Since it was my first job, it was the first time I really interacted with customers, though to tell the truth, I had in a reduced role.
It all began on a lovely summer day; I had wanted to get a job for a while before, but couldn't decide just what I'd like to do. I had tried to get a job working at the public library in Onett. The minor fact that my parents told me that I wasn't allowed because of the absolutely horrid travel times as I live in Fourside was enough to dissuade my efforts. My grandmother had been telling me about her place of work for a while at that point. The interview was so ridiculously easy! I just walked up to the owner, Marc and asked for a job! That was it. My grandmother had figured I would come to work there, so she told him about me beforehand. I began work the next Monday morning. As I found in my time there, he is a very talented artist and quite funny as well.
Did I mention where I worked yet? I suppose I should before it gets much later in the article. I worked at a small clothing shop in the Fourside Department Store. I figured that I would become a sales representative or fill some such position, little did I know it was about to go horribly wrong. My job was not as glamorous as I thought it would be. That morning I found out that it was a female clothing store and that I was suddenly destined to become the entire Janitorial staff. Some ask me why I didn't notice that when I came in to ask him, but it didn't occur to me. His back turned, I slapped my forehead. My grandmother had forgotten to tell me that small, critical fact. A small omission you might say. The first few weeks I was completely oblivious to this fact, but little did I know I was starting a job that I would keep for what seemed like eternity!
As I was told to, I came early that Monday morning cheerfully for my first day of work. I was instructed about the various duties that I would be responsible for. The pay was good enough to achieve much of the goals I had at that time and I rarely complained about it. My goals at that time were merely to get enough money to pay for the bus trips to and from school, have enough to pay for school books and to have some money to have fun with in my time there. The basement, where I would spend the bulk of my time in the following years, was decorated with his talented drawings; many characters of which I recognized easily.
I quickly got accustomed to my duties, but wanted to find a new job soon afterward. As time passed and school got more difficult I had abandoned my hopes of moving on. The job had become “too good” and I wasn't sure if I could manage to find another job that promised such flexible hours. However, in time I did become happier with the job. The people there also made it difficult to leave. So entertaining and they treated me quite well.
The co-workers were a motley crew of sorts. Each of the women were different. It was fun to see how each would drive the others nuts. One could talk for hours without taking a single breath. She still amazes and somewhat scares me. Another was as good to me as my grandmother. She is an amazing woman. She often listens to classical music, something I take great pleasure in as well. She is a very worldly woman. I still write her quite often. She always did think that I was destined to become someone very important.
One memorable summer, I worked much harder than I had ever before. I remember still the many hours I put in. I amazed myself, because I thought I couldn't work that hard. That summer was very good for my self confidence and probably helped pave the way for me to survive the twelve hour days I currently work. My prize wasn't just greater stamina and a heftier sense of worth. In addition I got a brand new state of the art Thinkpad. I still have that machine today, it amazes me that it still works many years after I had bought it. Though it has taken a reduced role in my computing needs.
For years afterward, if I messed up something I would say to the boss, “Oh, I'm sorry, it's my first day you know.” Which actually worked for a few minutes occasionally. Though most of the time he'd catch me right away. The higher ups at ENC fall for that trick every time. I suppose they have trouble recognizing the faces of us peons. Not that I mind of course, it makes it easier to get away with foul ups! Ha ha ha... (I hope they don't read this...)
I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane. Past memories are always fun to take out and look at, much like pictures. Of course nothing beats my current job at the ENC! Well, except maybe the satisfying feeling that comes after reading a really good book! Especially one that helps me generate ideas for a tough advertisement responsibility.
