To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:42:29 -0500
Subject: [Puptcrit] Survival: the other jobs


When times are harder for puppetry people, a lot of us get other jobs.
They can be temporary, short contracts, or long-term part-time, or even 
full-time, for a while.

What kind of jobs do you get, to make ends meet?
Are there types you find are better for us puppetry enthusiasts and 
practitionners?

And, a gloomier question:
Are you able to turn you mind off and "take it", when you face abusive 
situations at work?

- - -
About the gloomy question:
I had to quit a very fun store job last summer when I was bullied by an 
insecure store manager who was probably affraid for his job (I should have 
told him I wasn't interested in any promotion). The colleagues were all cool 
and great to work with. After two weeks, the manager (who had hired me 
immediately after only ten minutes of interview) judged me inadequate as a 
sales person. Colleagues and customers were really appreciating my services 
and attitudes, and said so, and I was autonomous after two weeks, knowing 
the inventory better than he did.  Colleagues told me that there had been a 
massive quitting  period just prior to my arrival. The manager had told me 
they were hiring because they were expanding...

I was flabbergasted at his judgement, considering I've had two years of 
experience as sales person prior.
I asked him to come observe me on the floor whenever he wanted, for an extra 
week.
He declined, saying they didn't have time for extra "training" or 
observation, neither the money.
I knew there was a 15 year-old employee who wasn't autonomous yet had been 
there for three months, and the salesperson who had been hired a few days 
after me, was still struggling.
(the next day, I found out they hired someone inexperienced to replace me)

He wanted to "give me a chance" in the warehouse, to do some labeling, 
packaging, and quality control. I gave it a chance(had prior experience, and 
needed the money), was good and efficient at it, but it was a depressing 
physical environment(dirty, hot, insufficient lighting), and the owner of 
the company, who works there, turned out to be a territory-marking bully. Hi 
son (usually cool) even shouted at an employee while I was there.  I quit 
the warehouse after two weeks, after one bully game too many. The boss and 
his minion did not appear surprised when I handed in my resignation.

I'm told by many salespersons that this is a common pattern in the retail 
business.
Managers try to hire people "good enough for the job" but nowhere good 
enough to risk their own position.
When they find an employee who won't stand iddle when facing the unjust and 
unreasonnable, they quickly flush him or her out, by making their situation 
difficult, or by a transfer in a less than desirable position. Then, the 
employee feels he has to quit, which makes it easy for management.
I lived that situation twice now. I hope it won't get to three, as I really 
like the work of a sales person and tech advisor in art supplies.

My best friend says I'm probably too self-defense for my own good. I should 
just take it. it's just a job. it's just for money. Keep the energy for the 
real work, after the day job.

Well, I see it differently:
-I can't stand injustice. Abusive people get rewarded for mistreating 
others!
Every time an employee "takes it", the pattern gets re-affirmed, and made 
worse for more people.
I feel this is why there is so much abuse and low pay in the retail 
business.
The usual explanation (or excuse), which I get from bosses and employees 
alike: it's just how the business works. Can you say: brainwashing???

-I can't turn my mind off, repetitive or non creative labor may be relaxing 
for a little while, but it takes all of my juice away. I used to have a 
permanent full-time job, for a bit over a year. I used to '"take it" because 
it was "just the job". I loved most of it, but not the bully boss, who 
played with our emotions as much as she could.  I was so tired every day 
after work, that I did not really create anything for that entire year.
Everytime I tried to start or continue a painting, I found the energy just 
wasn't there.
A big part of my energy comes from motivation and love of the work.
The moment I quit that job is still a fond memory and an important turning 
point in my life.
I hear the respectful but firm speech I gave her (she was absolutely mute 
from shock) did not change anything in the bosse's attitude. More than 5 
years kater, she still abuses her priviledges and shows disrespect to her 
employees and customers.


My mother is also an artist, she's a singer and songwriter.  She still has 
to work in other fields, mostly because of the lack of opportunities where 
she lives (small town). She has told me many times that, when you are paid 8 
$ an hour, you should supply them with 8$ an hours' worth of work. It's 
easier said than done for either of us, we have this crazy work ethic that 
forces us to always give our best, even when it hinders us.

Well, she recently started to apply it at her work. She works as a sales 
person in a department store. She no longers runs like a panicked slave. She 
takes the reasonable time to do things well.
She refuses to work at the cash register, which cost her some work 
hours(they had to make it "look" fair), but she's happier now.
I'm very proud of her.





----- Original Message ----- 
1From: "Kathleen David" <kathodavid-AT-mac.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Muppet Special


> My bellwether for this sort of program is my daughter who recently
> turned six.
> She loved it. She liked the songs. She laughed at the jokes. She was
> worried that Santa wasn't going to get the letters.
> I didn't think it was perfect but there was a lot more of it that was
> right than wrong and it had that "old Muppet" feel to it which the
> recent Disney specials just haven't really had.
> Kath
>
> On Dec 18, 2008, at 3:45 PM, conradhartz-AT-islc.net wrote:
>
>> What was your opinion on the Muppet Special last night on
>> NBC..."Letters to Santa?"   I thought it was rather weak all around.
>> Kermit's voice just didn't cut the mustard.  Fozzie and Ms. Piggy did.
>>   Opinions?
>>
>> Conrad
>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>


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