speakerphones and leslie knope

I have alot of thoughts about work!

1a. The day after my birthday, one of my clients, Leslie, called me at work and put me on speaker phone with her two daughters (both under, like 6?) and sang me "Happy Birthday," and it was adorable and heart-warming and insanely awkward.

1b. Today, two of my favorite "work cousins" (a term I just invented, meaning we work for the same company, they just work at a different store), Jenna and Lisa (who do the same job I do), called me on speakerphone and congratulated me for my promotion. And then Jenna and I talked for forever because, even though we've only met in person once, we talk on the phone all the time for various things and we have a really lovely connection because we're both really good at our very specific jobs and care alot, which is super refreshing. Also, her supervisor, Lisa, and my supervisor, Michelle, are basically work-sisters, and they're like work-moms to us, so we basically are work-cousins. This is important!

2a. I got a promotion that puts me in charge of my team at a new store opening, and watching "Parks and Rec" has made me really comfortable/confident sending a million emails, specifically one for every question that I have to my new boss and my regional coordinator! It's a great way of showing people you're super enthused!

2b. One of my favorite work-cousins, Maria, and I have the same job title and we are really good at feeding each other's Inner Leslie Knope. IE, we're really passionate, are really good at our jobs, are really silly and/or neurotic, and require alot of talking off ledges all the time. Sometimes the other one is playing Ann Perkins, but most of the time we're two Leslies talking and I love it and think it's hilarious, and I adore her and how much we talk off the clock. Maria also works at the same store as R, and I've been known to email him saying, "Give her a hug today if you see her!" ;P

2c. Before I left, I told my supervisor, "I just don't want anyone to think that I don't care!" and she replied, "Ohh, I don't think anyone could accuse you of that...!"

also

Also, Michelle never curses (ever, ever) but she'll tell me, "I was thinking about you on Tuesday because it was so crazy! I thought of that word you use." "Cluster-fuck!?" "Yes! It was perfect for Wednesday!"

Also, Michelle and I always get lumped together as "Kylie and Michelle." Who won the Guest Service award? "Kylie and Michelle." Who did Phyllis write an appreciation to to put on the Appreciation Board? "Kylie and Michelle."

Also, Michelle and I always get confused for each other on phone calls and even email. I'm always amazed at how many times I'll hear Michelle say, "No, this is Michelle..." or how many times a client asks me "Wait, which one of you am I talking to?" EVEN EMAIL. I was emailing someone from our team's general email the other day, and they addressed me as Michelle for 3 exchanges before she noticed my polite, enduring signatures of "Kylie."

this is a job for beyonce lyrics

One of my favorite things about my supervisor, Michelle (in a long list of precious characteristics), is that she is just as butt-crazy in lurve with her Husband of 30+ Years as I am with Richard. We are so not shy about saying telling each other "And then he emptied the dishwasher, and ahhhh he's the bestest guy everrrr!" or "I watched my honey turn left onto the street this morning when he was driving to work and, ugh. He is so cute, almost called him to tell him how cute he is!"

Because I've worked with women who are bitterly single and I've worked with women who, no matter their relationship status, don't want to hear how personally satisfied you are (even when they ask you outright! it's so ridiculous!), and I just totally appreciate that I can dork-out to Michelle about R being The Best Kylie Boyfriend Ever, No Questions. And she can do the same with me with her hubby and we just make each other laugh. :)