My first day

Last night, I was telling Brian (my boyfriend, for those who might not know) that instead of organizing and cleaning in preparation for my first day of work at Miami Today, I pretty much fully enjoyed my last official day of slack.

No matter how much I tried beforehand to glean information from the paper, wash my clothes, lay out an outfit, prepare a lunch and so on, today was going to be unpredictable and awkward.

A couple of years ago, I interviewed for an exec assistant position supporting the ER Medical Director at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. I arrived at the interview three hours late because I didn't have a car at the time. I ended up walking practically a mile to the interview site in formal clothes, I got rained on while en route... well, you get the idea. I got the job (and stayed there until the company closed up shop).

I told Brian, "Anything could happen tomorrow. I could plan tomorrow perfectly and who knows? My car could break down." Well...

Eager to make a great first impression, I got in my car this morning on time and ready to head to my new job. My. Car. Wouldn't. Start.

Nothing, not even a death rattle. My heart stopped. I immediately called the office and told them I was having car trouble (so much for a spotless first impression), hoping to God they wouldn't take this as a sign not to keep me. They were absolutely wonderful, even compassionate. The current assistant said not to worry, these things happen (and as Murphy's Law would have it, usually at critical times like these). She asked me all kinds of questions geared specifically towards my well-being. I was calmed.

I had asked a neighbor for a jump, but his immediate response (he has a reputation for being an all-around ass) was, "Sorry, I have no time." I swear I detected the trace of a sneer on his face.

Luckily, I have AAA premium (the highest paid membership level, which if memory serves me right, is 120 a year) . People, if you don't have AAA, go out and get it. I could tow my car to Arkansas and back, and it would be free. Of course, what I needed was a jump. I called them; they dispatched someone to me right away.

The guys got to my place and the first thing they said was I give the best directions, ever. They popped the hood, did their thing and discerned I needed a new battery. Apparently in Miami, car batteries last about two years due to direct sunlight (if it's parked outside). What a time for it to give out, eh?

AAA offers a new battery replacement with, get this, a SIX YEAR warranty. If, in the first three years the battery gives out, they come and replace it, free of charge. The next three years are prorated. It doesn't get any better than that.

They left me waiting for another guy to come out and replace my battery. By the way, the cost of the new battery, the installation, disposal of the old battery, and the warranty, the total came out to around 125 bucks. Seriously... WOW.

Next came the issue of paying for the desperately needed emergency service. I don't need to tell you that after being unemployed for six months, I didn't exactly have that money laying around. Here, Brian came to my rescue.

Let me just digress for a moment and say that at this point, I was already blown away by the compassion and understanding I was getting from pretty much EVERYONE. Brian, without hesitation, said hell yes he'd help me, and the VP at my office (who I'm the support for) called to tell me I could come in tomorrow; it was no big deal. I said thank you, but I was determined to make today my first day, even if I had to resort to public transportation to do it.

So, the AAA battery guy shows up after managing to get lost about five blocks from my apartment. I had to practically send up a flare so he could find me. At this point, I was pretty damn amused at all of this. He pulled into the parking lot, changed my battery in about three minutes, then asked for my AAA card, my ID, my credit card... Uh oh.

The credit card I was using to pay for the service was in Brian's wallet, and he was at work. O.k., NOW I started to freak out. While I'm talking to the guy (who was very nice) trying to figure out a way to pay him without blowing my whole first day at work, an older lady who I'd never seen before approached me and introduced herself as Mary. She was a neighbor who'd been watching the whole exchange from her upstairs window, and wanted to know if there was anything she could do to help.

I was stunned by her kindness. I explained the AAA guy was on the phone with his boss to see if there was a way I could use the credit card without having the actual card on me. Mary tells me she's part of Oprah's Angels, and she'd gladly write out a check to give to the guy. When her kindness moved me to tears (and they have again, just now) and I asked her how, why she'd do that for a complete stranger, she said because she could.


I can't really say anything more, that incredibly beautiful gesture stands on its own.

Nevertheless, the AAA guy's boss approved the transaction, and the service was paid for. Mary stayed with me for a short while to ensure all was well, then walked away just like that.

I (finally) drove to work and arrived just around lunchtime. I met, and had lunch with some of the staff (some I already knew, most I didn't). Of course I told them all what had happened, I mean come on, talk about exciting. The rest of the afternoon was a happy blur of information overload; I helped my new boss dig through, toss and organize paperwork dating back to 2008 (she thanked me from freeing her from that "paper prison"). I spent time just absorbing the sheer volume of my new work responsibilities, then spent the rest of the afternoon speaking to the publisher/editor, a super intelligent individual (along with everyone else who works there) with the most positive, forthright and unbiased work ethic a chick like me could bask in for a long, long time.

And like everyone else who's happily employed there, a stable career with longevity is part of welcoming this rather overwhelmed, happy woman into their fold.

Boy, am I glad I slacked off to the fullest yesterday! :D