Job Relief

(Editor's Note: A version of this column appeared in THE SARATOGIAN'S online section, THE SCENE.)
At a time when jobs are hard to come by, I was able to find work for two weekends this December promoting phones at malls. The job fell into my lap after executing a Web search in the fields of marketing and promotions.

Theoretically I was looking for something that would use my creative mind and experience running events for Ben & Jerry’s. Ultimately the work relied only on my ability to stand upright and memorize some talking points, effectively operating as a human fishing pole. Using free phone grips and the promise of a $10,000 giveaway as bait, we attempted to catch shoppers who would enter their e-mails into the computer at our kiosk for a chance to win a big prize before being thrown back.

Performing the task of an inanimate object was soul crushing and demeaning at times, but I wouldn’t be averse to similar opportunities in the near future. The money was amazing, as it needed to be to avoid eighth amendment violations. But the real attraction was the experience and the insights it provided into my personality, corporate life and the world around me.

In terms of my own personality, I found out that I don’t always need to bite off my nose to spite my face. I think that discovery coincided with my realizations that Dilbert really is a reflection of reality, and the workers of the world will always bond over their subjugated lot in life.

This last aspect provided the most entertainment and afforded me a chance to escape the relative bubble that has surrounded me during the course of my life, as I have interacted with a relatively similar slew of characters.

In particular there was one coworker who challenged some of my perceptions about people, specifically in terms of packaging, and ingrained in me the idea that life doesn’t necessarily need to fit some cookie cutter mold to be fulfilling and sustainable. I learned how a nasal septum piercing is a sign of self-expression, not a label for the person who wears it, and I realized that you can live without a safety net, as long as you’re willing to pick yourself up when you fall.

But more resonating than any lessons I may have gleaned was the fun I had. Fun that stemmed from a late-night exchange in a hotel weight room and public dance-offs, all of which represented a break from the monotony of what my life has become.

I’m not depressed, just bored with a repetitious life that seems stalled at this point. Ultimately this adventure served as a pit-stop where I could refuel and get a better grasp of my bearings. In essence it was a vacation that paid for itself (I could use a per diem in my normal life).

So the next time you go about recharging your batteries, remember that rejuvenation requires a rebirth of sorts, which could just mean a brief interlude down a path you’ve never traversed. Life doesn’t need to be a constant experimentation, but at least a little experimenting allows us to discover what works for us.