Waitress

I just saw Waitress for the first time. You know, that movie with Keri Russell where she makes pies and gets degraded by her swine of a husband. It combined my two favorite things, yummy pies and bitter, sad stories.

At first I just put it on cos nothing was on Food Network, but was hooked by the first scene in which Jenna finds out she's preggers with aforementioned terrible husband.

The Other M was in the living room watching football. I came out of our room to give him an update on my wonderful premium cable find and he said, 'Wasn't that the one with the actress who got killed after making it?'

WHAAA?, I said. NO WAY.

Sadly, turns out he was partly right. The writer/director, Adrienne Shelly, was murdered by her illegal construction worker Ecuadorian neighbor. She caught him stealing from her home.

This brings conflicting issues for me.
1. Talented women getting murdered by desperate men.
2. The plight of illegal immigrants.

True, I don't feel much sympathy for anyone who chooses murder above any other problem solving method, but I wonder what her killer's life was like before he came to the USA, and even after.

What a terrible tragedy. Watching the film, you get the sense immediately that this writer has empathy for anyone dealing with the absolute shit life deals you. Oh, the terrible irony.

If you are so inclined, check out the movie. It's a terrific piece.

Family and friend have set up a foundation on her behalf, ASF (Adrienne Shelly Foundation.) It benefits female filmmakers and their endeavors.

New York Still Isn't Impressing Me with its Hospitality

It sucks when your boyfriend gets clocked on the head with a glass bottle. Reminds me of that time the British press released a tape of Liam and Noel Gallagher arguing during an interview. Noel tells Liam, "It's football hooliganism and I won't stand for it."

I don't feel like going into detail, but no, I wasn't there at the time. No, he doesn't know who did it. Yes, we're fuming mad. Yes, we went to the emergency room. Biggups to Benjamin Killian at Beth Israel! No, it's no fun seeing your boyfriend covered in blood. Yes, those are 9 staples in his head. Yes, he had to shave his head. Biggups to Frank for attending to him; I wouldn't have been able to do it alone. Honorable mention: Brother Bear for providing medical counseling via phone.

Still hatin' on New York.

Back to nursing the injured...excuse me.

Sociopaths in the Workplace Part 2

With a week to close, CP had suddenly fallen ill. I should have spotted this a mile away as the classic 'stay home from school because I forget to study for a big test' routine. At the office, I tried to follow up on all the clients she claimed she'd gotten signed contracts for our magazine program to coordinate ad artwork production.

Time and again during the week, I'd call voicemails without getting any response from clients she said knew I was calling to collect artwork and would have the materials ready. Four days to close, and she threw me under the bus. She told the magazine's Associate Publisher, who happens to be a Diva himself, that she'd given me her contracts. She communicated via cell phone as she was 'too sick' to come to the office. Since she popped in sporadically during the week post sales calls (her territory was the East Bay), it was a possibility that she'd left contracts on my desk.

Unfortunately for her, I was extremely conscious of every paper coming through my desk because I hadn't seen a contract that would increase our ad sales in the past three weeks! A contract would have been like getting Wonka's golden ticket. I would not have lost it. Not that this saved me from the rather of Mr. Queen who thought I'd somehow thrown them out or lost them.

On the Friday before a close on Wednesday, she comes in on a rainy day lugging her sales suitcase and wearing her red patent leather high heeled rain shoes. I try not to shoot her dirty looks as she's aready thrown me under and had my boss question my organization. Instead I get over my fustrations and, I ask her about the contracts and somehow the conversation turns to my love life---again, she managed to avoid the subject. Annoyed that yet again no one is paying attention to the necessary, I get back to making sure all the advertisers listed for our issue have the corresponding paperwork and artwork ready to go to the printer. Meanwhile, Mr. Queen the Associate Publisher took CP out to lunch as she was leaving for the day. She was 'sick' after all and had only come in for an hour to check in.

When Mr.Queen came back, he had a bombshell in his hand. CP had given him her resignation---not because she couldn't hack her sales which were supposed to total $65K, but because she was apparently so sick she had to get surgery the following Tuesday to have a biopsy on tumors that were on her lungs.


excerpts from "What Is A Sociopath?" on www.wisegeek.com:

The main characteristic of a sociopath is a disregard for the rights of others. Sociopaths are also unable to conform to what society defines as a normal personality. Antisocial tendencies are a big part of the sociopath’s personality. This pattern usually comes into evidence around the age of 15. If it is not treated, it can develop into adulthood.

Visible symptoms include physical aggression and the inability to hold down a steady job.

Research has shown that the sociopath is usually a person with an abundance of charm and wit.

A Guide to Surviving Sociopaths in the Workplace

I've certainly had my fair share of horrid work experiences: the sexually harassing coworker, the bitchy boss, the inept HR department, and my personal favorite-the corporate firing. (And all those were from the same den of misery mind you.)

My latest workplace disaster involved a character type I've yet to come across and pray I (or you) never do again. Nothing personal to all those sociopaths out there, but let's face it. Who wants to work with flagrant liars who throw you under the bus at every turn?

Ms. CP was a breath of fresh air at first impression. CP was sassy, animated, and a seeming straight-shooter. We even shared a passion for buying shoes. She was hired to sell ad space. By the close of the first issue I shared with her, this assumed powerhouse was running into critical magazine errors. Her clients were backing out at the last minute. She came in without signed contracts. If I made an attempt to reach her clients, I'd never get a call back. This should have been a red flag. A new client is generally responsive and excited about their ad. They appreciate the attention!

Needless to say, we delayed press and scrambled to pick up her slack. Come next month's ad planning she was on serious probation. Being a small mag, we literally don't have room for this sort of sloppy account management.

The magazine team was on her side. We loved CP. We wanted her to stay on board and move through this rough patch as she was such a delight to have in the office. She'd tell us stories about her former lovers and her mom she affectionately referred to as 'The Terrorist.'

It seemed she was reforming her process to make it work. She was conservative about mentioning possible leads. She went on sales calls every day and was out of the office most of time. Soon enough she had us thinking all would be well.


To Be Continued...