Ministry of Information
I am trying, Ministry of Information. I am trying.
I discovered The Side Project’s album “14″ by way of Genius on iTunes, which thus far has proven to be less genius, more “I’m pulling this one out of my ass”. I’m listening relentlessly. It’s the new mopey, sad, broken-heart music, much like it was when I was 14 listening to Phil Collins’ “Separate Lives” (shut up! We all had a hideously uncool song that we listening to on loop during a break-up.) and crying over Conner, the asshole that broke my heart by joining the army at 18 (and boy did I dodge the bullet with him.) At least I’m admitting that I had a Phil Collins song in the wings, as opposed to telling you when I was a teenager and came across the Jackson Five’s song “Ben”, which I listened to and cried about after breaking up with a boy named Ben, only to later discover the song was about a fucking rat. Oh wait…So yes. The Side Project – recommended in a very big way.
On Friday the new company that I would really not mind working for thanks, called me and the human resources chap said, smiling down the phone, that they’re delighted to offer me the following!
The following happened to be £5,000 less than I make today.
“My self-esteem and I thank you!” I wanted to chirp. “If you need me, I’ll be huddled in the bathroom with a box of laxatives singing “Blue Moon” and wondering why I can’t get a box of Lucky Charms with red hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, green clovers, blue diamonds AND purple confidence!”
Instead I told him kindly but gently what my salary really is today and maybe he wanted to see what could be done? He did so. And this morning I agree to go back to their shiny offices later this week to tell them why I am worth 25 pence more than they have suggested and if they give me a chance, they’ll see that.
As another aside, I found out yesterday that this site is in the top 2.8% of websites in terms of traffic. I don’t even know what that means, but my stats tell me that most people are getting to this site using searches either for “everyday stranger” or something to do with In the Night Garden. Yes, I blogged about it. Yes, my children adore In the Night Garden. Yes, I maintain the characters are still completely mental. But 2.8% of website traffic? That’s a lot of people and a lot of responsibility and, taking a page out of my Saturday night, I feel like I need some tequila.
Thank you. That feels about right.
-S.
I’m sure the less was a misspeak. Hang in there. You are worth much more.
The job thing happened to my husband once. The difference in pay was so great that he was resigned to not joining the new company so when they phoned him to ask why he thought he was worth more he told them “If you pay peanuts you get monkeys”. He was very surprised when they came back with a very much improved offer.
It would have to be a fantastic job to be worth a £5k cut.
Bugger, was going to get you that mug for Christmas!
Makka Pakka
Knacker cracker
On his head a poo…
They were fishing. I bet they come back with a better offer. I hope so.
Same thing happened to me with my current job – and then they readjusted without my having to say a thing. I hope they can realize your worth and improve the offer.
Had to jump through hoops with my current boss, too, when I started. Hang in there… I’m sure they’ll realize how very worth it you are.
Oh, and the traffic? I’m not surprised at all.
I’ll have to check out the music. yes, we ALL have those songs. I’m not telling mine. It was that bad. All of them.
Here’s hoping they can pay you what you’re worth, which is of course A HELL OF A LOT.
Love that mug.
My song was Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know”. Which I played so many times that I about drove my freshman year roommate ’round the bend. (She would be the first to admit that it was a pretty short trip, though.)
Song for the Dumped. Played it loud and often.
More embarassingly, I was in a store recently and they had put on an old Paula Abdul album and I was horrified to realize I still remembered the words to all the songs. *cringe* I don’t think anyone can beat that.
The Chieftain loves In the Night Garden, and Waybuloo, too, which in my opinion is way more cracked out.
Hope you get your money and that there will be one less thing assailing you.
I agree, they were fishing.
Don’t even get me started on youthful sad songs. You’ll just want to slap me.
Hold out for the $ you want. You’re worth it.
When I read about all these stats you spew off about your blog, I have one question. Where the hell do you find these stats? I am a virgin when it comes to owning and maintaining a website. I am in awe that I actually got my own blog up and running, that was a feat in itself.
Wham, Careless Whispers. yeesh.
And there are the “way post-breakup songs”, of which “Good Day” by the Dresden Dolls is by far my favorite ;).
I love the mugs (and their signs.)
The top 2.8%? Well, speaking as a fan of your writing, I can see why. You do write oh so well.
Thinking of you.
Not so sure it was a misspeak. In the states, some people are finding it takes six months before an offer comes their way. With a large candidate field, competition is very strong. Companies are finding people are desperate for jobs and will take a lot less than what they are worth.
Want the mugs. Love the mugs.
Fingers crossed for you, thinking of you, have been crappy blog-friend buried in own crap, am sorry. It’s true about the thinking of you. I’ve been doing that lots.
You’re a great writer, I can see why people would want to read. That said, I have that feeling like when you suddenly find out that a band you like is popular and it’s all like hey, wait a second, that’s *mine*! That sounds weird, but I think you know what I mean.
You’ll totally convince them.
That mug is fantastic. I’ll check out the music rec and expect a zip file of my own recs coming your way. Including a song about tequila.
Suze Orman would totally give you props. Shit, right. You poor people don’t get much CNN America. Okay, slightly crazy feminist economist with a megasupertan would give you props for taking initiative. And so do I. I can’t even call my boss to say I’m sick without feeling like I’m jumping off a cliff.
Your reference to “Separate Lives” almost made the diet coke fly out of my nose and onto the screen. Thanks for that. Been thinking a lot about you and am finding myself in a near similar situation right now. Somehow, some way, we just have to muddle through it because that’s what we do. {hugs}
Good songs for the broken-hearted:
-A Thousand Oceans by Tori Amos (this stayed on replay so much during my divorce that the CD spat this out and died from sheer exhuastion) (actually, anything by T is good IMHO)
- Fumbling Towards Ecstacy by Sarah McLachlan – the entire fucking album
-Halah by Mazzy Star
- Mozart’s Requiem – good sad music without the overburden of meaningful lyrics, unless you can understand Latin ;)
…more later…
S… I have to know where I can get me one of those mugs. My office mug it must become!! :)
also *fingers crossed* they pay up for the goods (you!!) we ALL know are worth it!