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January 14, 2005
using our brains
Oftentimes, I am amazed by the lack of thinking I encounter when I try to get a job done in a "copy center."
As my blog name indicates, I am to be excited and joyful in all situations[more on that later]. After all, God is so good to us, we should be constantly excited by his mercies.
Well, today is one of those days when I am challenged to live that out.
As mentioned above, I wanted to get some calendars made at Staples. These are long overdue, because I was to have put together a calendar myself, months ago. I have 2 beautiful boys, and a grandma that loves pictures. My mom asked me to make her a calendar with the boys' pictures. After much procrastination, and with my parents about to make a trip to Brazil, I had to get this calendar made ASAP, since they can take the calendar to my grandma in Brazil.
Armed with a cd full of pictures, I made my way to Staples. I was greeted by a pleasant set of women, whom, although calendar experts, didn't seem to know much about digital pictures.
I walked them thru the printing process, til one of the pictures looked "right" and then I was told I'd get a call when it was ready.
5 and a half hours later, I was running other errands anyway, and I decided to stop by. It turns out that they had not even begun putting together the calendars. [I wanted 3.] They were saying something about the computers all not working, no one knew why, they had tried everything, blah, blah, blah. While I stood there, I was attempting to give a few suggestions about what they should do, as it was obvious no one had a clue. They just kept trying to open the cd the same way each time, as if what they tried a second ago would work this time around. It was so frustrating to see everyone standing around the computer screen in awe, without a clue.
...this is getting long, and it's sorta my first blog so I'm not sure anyone will want to read this ever again...
They were all giving excuses about not being trained, and not knowing how to do a calendar, and all sorts of silly comments about lack of knowledge, when it all came down to a simple copy job. Nobody wanted to take the time to think about how to put the papers in the copy machine, or about the sequence of months. Nobody felt like using the wonderful muscles inside their heads, which God so graciously gave us. It was sad, really.
In the end, 9 hours later, I got a call that the calendars were ready. In picking them up, one picture was upside down, and they had to fix that as I waited, once again.
It's a difficult thing I guess, having a job which isn't glamorous, or interesting, or enjoyable. But it's also impossible having a "good" job, if you can't be bothered to think for yourself, and come up with solutions.
I am excited that the calendars are finally ready. And I'm even more excited, that I have 2 wonderful boys, who are precious gifts. And I'm equally excited at the frustrating Staples experience, because it teachs me to use my brain, instead of trying to take the easy way out.
Posted by glassgirl at January 14, 2005 10:05 PM