My last post was over half a year ago. I'll stop myself from waxing too philosophic about getting older and time moving faster, but suffice it to say I'm shocked by that. This is actually something I really enjoy doing. So, I'm finally taking a moment to lay the devices and the day down and get to some explaining.
I'm presently sitting in my hotel room in Cleveland, a place that I don't so much as unpack but move into. My stay is 19 nights. The Hilton points are glorious.
The first change worth mentioning is that I'm writing my first post that's completely done on my iPad. Thank you Bluetooth technology. I really do require an actual keyboard. This leads to another change. My beloved (and I'm not really being facetious) BlackBerry has died. Thus, my devotion to the BlackBerry has died as well. I've kept my iDevices for lo these many years, but held on to my Tyrone (his name from Curve to Bold). We've taken walks on the beach, snuggled during sofa naps. He was always responsive and ready with his efficient and confident bounce/click on the keyboard (even after several of his letters had worn away).
Yet, his successors forwent the keyboard, leaving me no choice but to complete the iFamily. I dare not speak its name in the same post. My fingertips will be forever longing for that reassuring click of a word/text/email/post without the intrusion of Siri, auto-correct or push alert. Adieu, Tyrone.
But back to the reason I'm in Cleveland: the new job. I have taken a new job with the same company, but a bit of a different gig. The impetus for the change being the ever constant threat of layoffs and my desire to just get the hell out. So, I'm now no longer occasionally loaned to the Catastrophe Team; I'm part of it. This means that my new work schedule is 20 days "on" and 8 days "off".
During the 20 days, I'll usually be in Cleveland, the site of our Response Center. While here, I'll do a little bit of everything. I'll organize people "on the ground" in various locations where Catastrophe has happened, and I'll work directly with folks who are presenting claims as a result of said catastrophes. I should also mention that "catastrophe" can include a large, populated area being hit by fairly innocuous hail to tornadoes tearing apart a town. A laugh about baseball sized hail pelting you as you try to cover the car in pillows and then tears with someone as they talk about losing everything can easily happen on any day.
We work long hours. 7:45am to 7pm. Everyday. One day off over the 20. I come home spent and to people who love me and take care of me .I'm grateful and spoiled.
I'm also a bit disconnected. I try not to be. The iDevices help. But, while here my mom has lost her job, and a few other actual tragedies have happened in the lives of people I love. I try not to let distance equate distance and send the love/hurt/empathy as much as the pixels let me. It always feels trite and not enough. I'm working on being sure I try anyway, because my initial reaction is to not do anything, because it doesn't feel as authentic as what I might do or say were I there in person.
I'm midway though a rotation now and very much looking forward to the time I'm about to get home, complete with a mini-vacation to Atlanta where I'll get to boo the Braves in person and bask in the not quite full drag glow of the Beyonce. I also hope I'll get the chance to get and give the hugs and words that I need to. Until then, I'm pulling Carole King's "So Far Away" out of the cloud and placing it on repeat.
