Cameraman Jenn's Blather Blog

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:26 am

HAHAHAAHA!!! I love you Sorus! Just for that here's another one from two weeks ago...

I walked across the street (jaywalking) to Wendy's to buy the guys some frosties and the lady who waited on me at the register was an assistant manager. I ordered the frosties and she asked me if I wanted those "to go." I laughed and said that I did because I certainly wasn't going to sit and eat all five myself. She laughed and asked if they were for my friends because she noticed me crossing the street. San Mateo Blvd is three lanes each direction so it's not an easy crossing. Anyway, I told her they were for my coworkers. She looked at me oddly since I was dressed business casual and the three businesses across the street are the Midas, a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl (fast food Asian) and a Bob's Burgers (also fast food) I told her that I was one of the managers at the Midas shop. She actually asked me, "Oh, do they have to hire women because of affirmative action?" I took a deep breath and replied, "They hired me because with over 20 years in the automotive industry I was by far the most qualified, if not overqualified candidate for the job." Her response was, "But you work with all guys, right?" and I simply said, "Yes, I do." and she looked at me like she expected me to say more but I didn't so she just didn't say anything and went to get the damn frosties. I was thinking, "Seriously??? She thinks I'm odd??? I probably make more than twice what she does with half the effort and she's judging me like I'm nuts..." Then I realized it wasn't fair of me to judge her back. She is doing the best she can with the brain power and the exposure to real life that the universe gave her and I sent her a heartfelt good luck boost with my brain.

Post by **Sorus** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:39 am

Wow. Just... wow.

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:47 am

I know, wow that it happened and wow that I didn't get all Jenn crazy and tell her off.

Post by **rdhopeca** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:48 am

My report was on online author collaboration tools specifically around the whole "personal reader" interaction, and liberally quoted your experiences with SRD.

Post by **Obi-Wan Nihilo** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:34 am

Cameraman Jenn wrote:(Seriously?? You guys missed this type of obnoxious posting??? You guys are all officially labelled INSANE!!!!) Welcome back to my world...

As an outsider that has never met anyone from this site (nor is likely to), I can speak objectively on this subject. In general, Jenn, you write well and with a voice that is your own, your anecdotes are interesting and loaded with personality, and you seem to live life with an admirable wry flair. So most readers will be inclined to find you likable, interesting, and amusing; thus your absence from this site will be both notable and regrettable when it occurs. So I don't think that makes the Watch insane. But then again, it doesn't make the Watch not insane either.

Post by **ussusimiel** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:37 am

Having recently met her in public I have taken to calling her dJenn

I still miss her though!

u.

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:51 am

Mongnihilo, that is very sweet! Thank you.

U. you just miss the wet willies and my photographic genius...

Today was an interesting day. About a week ago I picked up Grace from school and took her to work with me. When I was in the lobby helping customers, the guys apparently got Grace to tell them about my severe arachnophobia. While she was there they put up spider pics as my wallpaper. I laughed and tried to make light of it because Grace was there but it wasn't really that funny to me. They did it a few more times with still pictures and I tried to just let it go. Today I got back from picking up parts and sat down at my workstation and up pops a freaking full screen video of tarantulas attacking one another, very close up shot and making them the size of Moose. I wigged. I pushed back from my station, knocked my stool over and walked through the open bay and out the bay door. I heard Art yell, "Jenn, hey Jenn." and I could hear the remorse and apology in his voice but I ignored it. His calling my name must have alerted TJ because I hear Art say, "Dude, I don't think she found that funny AT ALL." and I hear TJ call my name and then I hear John say, "I don't think it's a good idea to talk to her right now." I walked around to the side of the building and took about ten minutes to calm down. Then I came back in the front door, avoiding the shop and busied myself with invoices and paperwork and filing for about fifteen minutes. I know Mike was keeping them informed as to what I was doing. Then I went out in the shop and through the back to the smoking area and smoked a cigarette and then came back to my workstation. I sat down to a spider free screen, looked over at Mike and said, "Ok, so where are we at on cars and jobs now?" He and I went over what had been completed, what was pending and what had come in while I was gone. I asked him what he needed me to do to get it all handled and he said it was all done so I just needed to look over and finalize the customer invoices. While I was working on it, Mike said, "Just so you know, I didn't know about it and I know you are pretty pissed off." I said, "Yes I am and I will let them know when I am ready that THAT was the LAST time. We are all DONE with THAT." He said, "Oh they already know and I didn't have to tell them. They've been freaking out since you got up from your desk." I said, "Ok then, it's all over and done and I'm good." I continued to work on repair orders and I know John overheard Mike and I and relayed the convo back to the others. I got to a point on one invoice and even though I knew the answer I purposefully walked over to TJ who was the instigator and asked him if he was going to drop the oil on the Dodge Caliber or should I credit it to Art on the invoice. He told me he would do it and I said ok and walked back to my desk. About five minutes later when Mike got up and went in the office, TJ came up and told me he was really really really sorry and that he would never EVER do anything like that again. I reminded him that I had tried to explain to him how severe my arachnophobia was and that obviously I didn't get my point across but I was glad that he now understood and we should just let it go. He was quite relieved but still seemed to be walking on eggshells around me.

Then later Mike was joking with TJ about something and he joked about not being held responsible for beating someone( no names, just a generic someone) with his prybar and I piped in, "Geez TJ, don't you think you have done enough to me today????" Then I laughed. TJ sort of laughed but quite sheepishly and looked like a chastised puppy and said, "I think I've done enough to you for a long long time." I looked him deep in the eyes and said, "Let it go Boo." and he looked back at me and his eyes said how bad he felt and then I said out loud and with my eyes, "We are good." Then he looked a bit astonished combined with grateful and I'm guessing he hasn't ever been forgiven that quickly after pissing off a woman that badly.

So all in all, I'm sorry I freaked out but that is what phobias do to people. I'm not sorry the whole thing happened because I learned a lot about my crew and how they feel about me today. They like to joke with me, they consider me one of them. The only one I've actually pissed off is Art and he was angry, rightly so, because I screwed up an estimate which essentially costs him income. Granted it was only about 20 bucks but hey, twenty bucks is twenty bucks and when you have three kids it makes a difference. I owned up, apologized and I'm pretty sure Art was shocked on Monday when he told Mike about it and Mike already knew all the details and told Art that I had texted him about what happened and taken full ownership of my mistake before Art could tell him. I'm pretty sure that gained me some respect in Art's esteem. Proof? Art was the first to react when I reacted today and the concern in his voice was real. Also the reprimand in his voice when he told TJ he didn't think I found that funny was pretty hard towards TJ. And they all jumped to my defense and TJ didn't even bother to remind them that they all participated at some point says a lot as well. They all made a point of checking in with me to make sure things were ok while also allowing me the opening to make as big of a deal of it as I wanted and then being grateful that I didn't make it a big deal.

So in conclusion, I'm glad it happened. Now I know that they have fully accepted me as part of the work family and that they care about me as a friend as well as co-worker/Boss.

Post by **aliantha** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 4:16 am

So in other words, you're doing what you do best.

You go, Jenn!

Post by **Avatar** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 4:30 am

You're arachnophobic?

--A

Post by **Obi-Wan Nihilo** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:41 am

It is fortunate that you are benevolent, Jenn. And don't they know it too.

Post by **Cagliostro** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 3:49 pm

So does that mean pictures of spiders in this thread is the next thing I should post?

Sincerely,
The World's Little Brother

P.S. Welcome back, sis. It's great to see you back here.

Post by **Obi-Wan Nihilo** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:02 pm

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:12 am

Yes.... I have had re-occurring horrific spider dreams since I was a kid. It's not funny. We are talking shaking, paralyzed cold sweat panic attacks. So if you want me to stick around I suggest you guys don't go the path of TJ.

Post by **Obi-Wan Nihilo** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:54 am

My apologies if it seemed that I was making light of your phobia, I was taken instead by Cagliostro's witty encapsulation of that mentality. I work with more than a few 8 year olds walking around in 35+ year old bodies, even one of my officers (I have to play a lot of bad cop to keep him in line). It's a fine line between keeping it light and fun and letting it get out of hand, as you've pretty much said yourself.

I'm not overly fond of spiders either. In fact they give me the willies.

Post by **sgt.null** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:00 am

I love spiders. so if you have one in your apartment Jenn, I will come over and escort him or her out.

Post by **Sorus** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:37 pm

My cats earn their keep by dealing with spiders. Except for my youngest, who knocks them under the couch and loses interest. So yeah, if you visit, I will vacuum under the couch first, since any spiders under there are probably not in a good mood.

Post by **sgt.null** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:28 pm

our dog loves to play with tree roaches. killing them in the process. one day he vomited up a live roach. that was fun...

Post by **Orlion** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:37 pm

Ah, cats and bugs....

Post by **Obi-Wan Nihilo** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:42 pm

I used to have a cat that would trap flies against the window and eat them. It was a little bit weird.

Post by **Damelon** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:44 pm

There's been a cricket in my basement for a couple of weeks now. Every night I hear this loud chirping. I've been calling it my fourth pet. Last night, I finally got a glimpse of it. I didn't have the heart to step on it though I could have easily done so.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Cameraman Jenn's Blather Blog