Looking back at New Zealand

Looking back at New Zealand

COUNTER GIRL: Smile, you're at Smiley's Would you like to try our new bacon and egg fajita, just a dollar twenty-nine for a limited time only?

LESTER: Actually, I'd like to fill out an application.

COUNTER GIRL: There's not jobs for manager, it's just for counter.

LESTER: Good. I'm looking for the least possible amount of responsibility.

American Beauty

3rd April 2007
Well. That's it. My brief sojourn in New Zealand is almost over.

I flight out of New Zealand tomorrow on my way to the Philippines and then onto South Korea.

I spent most of my time working. Initial attempts at finding a job that involved "moving boxes" went unrewarded. Conversations with the employment people went something like this:

Me: Hi. I want a job that involves some type of physical labor. Moving boxes would be good

Them: What's your job experience?

Me: Ten years in I.T. as a manager and architect. Two years volunteering in various places.

Them: OK. We have this proramming contract. How's that?

Me: No. No. Perhaps you misheard me. Physical labor. Boxes.

Them: But, you could earn more as a programmer...

Me: That's true...

Them: Look. You're just odd. Go away.

Me: *sigh*

I couldn't help but feel a little bit like Lester Burnham - one of my all time favorite characters in the movie American Beauty. Lester gave up everything that society tradtionally treasures in order to find happiness. He gives up a job in advertising for a counter position at the Mr. Smiley's fast food chain. He knew what he wanted -a sports car, to look good naked, no responsibility and to get high - and did whatever it did to get there. After about a year of struggling he finally achieved happiness. A bit of a bummer that somebody shot him in the head a few minutes later...

I did end up in Cubicle City for several weeks, mostly at a recruitment agency making phone calls. The longer I stayed there, the more responsibility they gave me. In the end they made noises about wanting to hire me on a full time basis. One of their senior staff members was leaving and I'm sure I could of waltzed into the position if I wanted. But I didn't want.

The longer I spent in Cubicle City, the more I realised that I didn't want to be there. The most depressing thing I saw was a young man trapped in a corner of Cubicle City at a place I temped at for two days. He was all on his own and trying hard to do his job well. Someone had been nice to him and gave him an invite to a corporate box at a big sporting event. He couldn't make it and lamented, "Damn it. That would of been good for my career." It smacked of desperation. I hope the guy gets out of Cubicle City. It seemed to be killing his soul.

When I wasn't working I was eating too much, getting fat, watching cricket and rugby till my eyes bled, and spent time with family and friends.

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(c) 2005, 2006 and 2007 Malcolm Trevena.
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