Good things at work today

Three odd weeks into the search for the job that will kickstart my career and yet nothing. It's hard to keep your head up high without hearing back from all the companies you've applied to. It's hard not to get worried. That's why work at Chapters today was somewhat an uplifting experience.

Lisa called me into the office. "Josh to the manager's office please." Whenever people hear that, especially coming from the GM, we get worried, and this time I'm thinking what did I do wrong this time? I was with a customer at cash at the time so they had to wait till I finished up with her before going into the office, which I was dreading.

Anyway I get in and the first thing Lisa does is hand me an ithankyou card, thanking me for my trouble being the only CER on the floor for 3.5 hours AND helping Lorrie out on cash. Apparently today 2 people called in sick, leaving her alone on cash, and me alone on the floor. Fortunately I had Nicole and Monika to help me out on the floor even though they were technically shelvers.

After Lisa hands me the ithankyou, i notice her and patrick - even shannon - gathered around the computer and they're all looking at my website. Asking me questions about how i did the work, telling me how impressive it was. And I think after so long of doubting myself, struggling with all these new skills, struggling with people putting me down at school (or at least as they like to put it "critiquing") it feels good to be complimented. Feels good to know that I'm actually making progress, and on the whole, I don't really suck.

Even Paige, normally abraisive, blunt as a rock, truth-telling Paige told me she knew I was aware that I'm a good artist. And that she doesn't hand out compliments normally. And I know that. And I appreciate that.

Before, back in high school and just after, Christine and Andrew always used to tell me I was too proud. And they were right in some ways. I was the best artist I knew - the only artist, really. There was somewhat of a drive to get better, but nothing more intense than that. In my twisted little head, I was the best. And I was smug about it. Not overtly so, but I still was to an extent. I've managed to supress it. Sometimes, a little too well I think. But that's another rant altogether. I'm just happy that today happened.

It feels good to have people believe that I can do it.