Where Am I Now?
Job History
From March 2000 to March 2002 I was employed by New England Neurological Associates, P.C.. I worked in the neurosurgery department for William P. McCann, M.D., F.A.C.S. I took his phone calls, scheduled his in-office appointments as well as his surgeries, and kept track of his professional paperwork (ie DEA applications, etc). I dealt with the hospitals for testing as well, and spent more than my share of time listening to patients call up and tell me why they needed more Percoset. The lady that hired me, Joan, was wonderful to work with. She was the kind of supervisor you could only dream of having - one that listened. She retired in August 2002, and an evil bitch named Dru took her place. Within a month of working there, Dru fired 7 people, 5 of which didn't deserve to be fired. One afternoon she called me up and started bitching at me, so I quit. I was sorry to leave Dr. McCann - he was the sweetest guy I'll probably ever work for - but I couldn't take Dru-zilla anymore.
From April 2002 to September 2002 I was at the Lahey Clinic in Beverly. They hired me as a clinical assistant (later changed to medical assistant since that was the title I held at my previous position). Primarily I took care of the prescription refill line. Lots more people asking for Percoset refills. I also handled insurance approvals and occasionally filled in for the nurses when they were off. I was in the internal medicine office... not terribly exciting after neurosurgery. My supervisor was really nice, but the nurses I sat with weren't very friendly. I went on a week's vacation in September, and when I came back I was in the office an hour when my supervisor called me into her office. I was being "let go" due to cutbacks. Translation: Lahey doesn't want to pay for you anymore. As I was gathering up my stuff to go home none of the three nurses said a word. They wouldn't even make eye contact with me, which leads me to believe that they knew I was being cut.
In October 2002 I got a call from Bradford Carpet. A carpet place not far from where I live. They were very interested in my coming in as an office assistant. So much so that they offered me $2k more than I asked for in my initial interview. There were two other women in the office. Marci was there full time, and desparately needed help. Debbie was a part timer, and she hated everyone. She almost never spoke, and I don't think there was a day I was there she didn't have some hideous cold. I was there two and a half months before I began to realise I really didn't like it. Everyone was uptight about their jobs. For chrissake, it's only carpet! It got to the point where I tried to quit, and the guy who hired me talked me out of it. Four days later he fired me. I have never been so glad to be away from a job as I am there.
In May '03 I went on an interview at a law firm in Swampscott, MA. I was hired on the spot through the agency until the company took me on in July. I do case entry for subrogration attorneys, and it sounds kinda boring but I love it. I get to sit at a computer all day and I can chat with my friends and wander around the web. For the first time in a year, on September 1, I got health insurance - and I don't pay a penny for it.
June 21 2004 was my 1-year anniversary date of hire at Bolden & Associates. I'm at $1 more an hour, which isn't spectacular, but it's something. The office moved to Salem, MA, in February. My commute when from 15 minutes to 5. One of the attorneys moved to Michigan, one got fired, and one tried to give notice and got let go early. Two new attorneys are hanging in there. One secretary found another job, and another adopted a baby boy and moved to Georgia. I'm doing twice as much as I was before, and I've formed in-office friendships with a few of my co-workers that I am glad for. With luck, it will be another good year.
Home Sweet Home
In July 2002 I moved out of my parents house (finally!) and into a house in Peabody with Keith. We're in the third floor apartment, and the place is much bigger than we expected to find.
In the Works Possibly a trip to Las Vegas in August, but otherwise nothing is in the works.