On having a "real job"

This last Monday I started at Plattform Inc. as a Proofreader. As far as work goes, this place has been more than I could ask for - jeans and t-shirts (except when clients come in), fun atmosphere, cool people, good benefits...It's been a crazy blessing. I work in the QA department (i.e. quality assurance) with about 7 other folks who like to rock the dockets. We proofread all different kinds of media: web, tv, radio and print. Essentially, we are making sure that what the creative people make matches what the client wants/is paying for. For some of you that might seem mundane and boring, but it's not. It's sweet.

Until recently, I've been an employee of Chick-fil-A, where anything is a possible. It was humbling to work "quick service" food while having a degree, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It's amazing how we tend to look down upon those who work in the "quick service" food industry. If something goes wrong with an order, it's obviously because the person behind the counter is dumb, disgruntled or apathetic... However, I came to enjoy this tendency that people have. If I took an extra 10 seconds to ask how someone's day was going, they'd tell me the truth, because, come on, I'm just the Chick-fil-A guy. The ability to have no walls up between people in such a short time, and in such a fast paced environment, was amazing to me. One gentleman told me about his tearing 2 vertebra and then getting an epidural, which at the time hadn't kicked in - and wouldn't for another 40 some hours - he was in excruciating pain. Another gentleman told me about his wife being in the hospital because of lung cancer, and how it was an absolute nightmare. I asked if i could pray for him and his wife, and he said that he'd appreciate that. In less than no time I had entered into a very sensitive place for both of those guys; In the same amount of time they were gone. I hope and pray that the many little interactions I had with people were some sort of blessing, comfort, or encouragement to them.

It'll be difficult to have that kind of freedom in my new office setting, but hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of the opportunities that arise.