Week One and I live to tell about it.

Well I've made it through my first week of my new job at the Arden and even started week two.  Why am I sounding surprised, you say?  Well mostly because they seemed surprised.  All last week people would come up to me and say, "you came back!" Uh, yeah...  just how bad was this guy that came before me.  I understand he only lasted a month.  I was curious to know if there was a pool on how long I'd stay.... for the right cut, I could help out with that.

But the first week wasn't without its ups and downs.  I think my favorite moment was when the production manager walked into my office carrying a mouse trap complete with dangling dead mouse and informed me that the next time Orkin was on site, she needed a new trap.  She walked out, realized she forgot something and came back to complete her thought.  Not a flinch out of me.  Orkin, check.  If I was being tested, I can only hope I passed.  But I actually don't think that was it.  She was just doing what she does.

On a different day, someone came to find me at a local business reception we were holding to show folks the plans for the new building.  "Hey, Hannah, I'm sorry to do this.  That's how they all start when they come to talk to me.  "The AC in the lobby isn't working and its blowing heat.  And we have camp in there."  No problem.  Now, one thing I did learn in my first week is that many of these folks are dramatic.  Office dramatic, not stage dramatic.  Like day 1 when my boss told me that there was a noose hanging from the side of the building. One woman's noose is another woman's phone wire hanging in a loop come unhooked from something.  Good to know.  But I digress.  No, the heat was not on in the lobby but it was true that non cold air was blowing.  So after checking with more than a few people and pushing some buttons on the thermostat, the repair company was called.   Now this is an important detail because this little theatre company lives close to the edge.  That's also new for me. They were able to get one of two compressors up and working but the jury is still out on the 2nd compressor.  This is my new job.

Oh and the Actor's House needs a new roof.

Mostly I have sat in meeting after meeting after meeting.  I am in a learning phase the likes of which I have not seen in quite some time.  Even the clinic was different because it was just me.  No others to need to learn from, fit in with, etc. Maybe that would have helped.  Oh wait, that's a different entry!

The Box Office, which falls under my purview, is in the throws of putting all their subscription seats on hold.  I have been helping out with that a great deal because a) it helps me learn the system and how they do things and b) its lets me actually accomplish something in my day rather than just listening ALL DAY LONG.

Oh and did I mention my commute?  I am officially one of those masses commuting into the city each day.  These people are fierce.  They take no prisoners.  Get in their way and they will mow you down.  I realized that one morning when I was a bit ambitious with the two flights of steps coming up to the street level from the train.  There I was bounding up the steps from the train with everyone else.  Herded along by the crowd I directly toward the 2nd set of stairs and up with go at a pretty good clip.  About half way up, I start to slow down a little bit.  Oh no you don't!!!  There were about 50 people right up my ass behind me.  I thought that stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left thing is Washington was strict, this is just crazy people coming at you en masse.  I got to the top embarrassingly out of breath.  Did anyone care?   No.  Yet again, just step to the side lady.  If you're going to gasp for air, you're going to have to get out of the way to do it.  I bet if I keeled over, they wouldn't miss a beat and just step right over.

Once I can breathe again, I head out for my walk.  Seven blocks from the train is my little theatre.  The walk if pretty cool.  I pass the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, US Courthouse, National Museum of American Jewish History, Ben Franklin's post office and some other cool stuff I haven't even figured out yet.

My new pedestrian lifestyle is coming together as we speak!

And I found an apartment walking distance to the theatre.  More on that as gets closer.

Day 2, week 2 is calling.  I will keep you posted.  What's going on in your world?