DAY 48 - DOING BUSINESS ON THE CAN

It was a pretty uneventful day today leading up to my job support group meeting. However I am noticing an alarming trend that I think is quite disturbing. This is the second time that I have been in a public bathroom and someone was conducting business on the toilet. It is horrifying... I did it once when I was working at home with someone I know very well and I was mortified that I did it. I put the phone on mute but still --- high on the tacky scale.

Ms. Toilet was seriously conducting business. She was discussing putting together an advertising campaign and getting funding approval. In the midst of the conversation, toilets were flushing and I am sure there was a serious echo/tunnel effect going on through the phone. I don't know how the person on the other end not hearing her tinkle!! I was really embarrassed for her but decided to head up to my meeting.

I was sitting in the conference room talking with some of my fellow unemployed and wouldn't you know Ms. Bathroom walked in the room. She works at the outplacement group. OMG - this gal is providing guidance to job seekers. She seemed completely unfazed with the whole bathroom incident. She saw me during the washing hands phase and acted as this was how she multi tasked. WOW

JOB SEARCH
In our meeting, we are supposed to keep track of the amount of hours we worked on our search and we are to track our activities like networking, sending out letters etc. The first few weeks I took this exercise seriously but now I find myself kind of winging or fudging my numbers. I am really getting bored with this whole process. The team asked what happens with the numbers and I think we were all in fear that these numbers are being used for some official statistical study. Luckily the outplacement group is only using it for our benefit only. Phew -- I would hate for this to be used for other unfortunate souls to use.

REALIZATION
The bathroom and work do not go together. Doing your business and doing business are two different things. Realization 2 - I think the most successful job seeker is one who does the actual work and does not fib in the group settings about their productivity - shame on me - shame on me!!!