Staff & Trivia

Although I can't quite wrap my head around it, would you believe that it's been just about 6 months since I started working at Publix?

Time, she flies. You've read about some of the more interesting interactions with customers here and I'm sure there will be more to come. But recently, I decided to take a step of my own at management's invitation. That step is to a staff position. 

If you've been to a Publix, these are the folks with the green button-up shirts, not the Polo's with aprons (my current uniform). With the position comes a pay bump and some added responsibilities. My computer-based-training (CBT) included topics on issuing refunds, rainchecks, money orders, money transfers and check cashing among other duties. 

Upon completion of a day's worth of CBT's, I started my on-the-job training behind the Customer Service desk ("working the desk" as we say). My trainer and I both thought that he'd be telling me about the tasks more than showing me because the Desk tends to be a typically low-action area. But to both of our surprises, by the end of my shift, I'd issued a refund, a raincheck and processed 4 money orders. 

My trainer and I also had another realization. Most of the staff knows about my career in puppetry and some have done some Google dives about it. At the desk, my trainer asked, "Did you ever do a show with a witch and Hansel and Gretel?" I said that I had a show with the witch and Hansel. They were in my Gingerbread Man show. Without missing a beat, he started singing, "RUN, RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN...," which is the song from my show, which he had seen at a local library, well over a decade ago. 

(Note to puppeteers: Earworms create lasting memories, apparently)

Riding this high from a good first day behind the Desk, I made my way to Fairhope Brewing and found myself, once again, in the midst of trivia night. I never play because I don't need a second activity besides the intended one for my visit to that establishment. Nevertheless, I found myself on a team with two young women in the their mid-30's; one about to start nursing school at UAB and her friend, whom she'd met at church. I have to say it was a fun evening and we lost terribly. But the banter was good and I thought I sensed a connection with the nurse's friend. So, at the end of the night, I asked her for her phone number. She replied, "Why?" I could feel my face fall down to my knees. Then she added, "Where's this gonna go? You said you're, what, 50?"

47. But close enough, I suppose. 

I had a dream the other night about having a turtle without a shell. Google the Dream Interpreter informed me that this has to do with the new potential for personal growth and a feelings of vulnerability and a loss of protection. Some steps I have recently taken encourage that growth, others just reinforce the notion that there's no place like shell, so to speak.