Comedian Mara Herron has embodied the concept of the New York hustle. She’s worked 38 jobs since graduating from college in her native California. This week I talked about her journey, asked her about her horror stories and allowed this grizzled work force veteran to offer up some advice, which I’m guessing some of you [...]
A month ago I picked up a check from a theater where I host and produce a comedy show in New York City. Seconds after opening it, I noticed the amount was off; I was definitely shortchanged. Within moments, I called the theater and resolved the error immediately. The check was $16.00 off. He sincerely [...]
Dear Ziploc Bag of Meat, For every day that you’ve been sitting in the shared office fridge, my appetite chills and resentment grows. It’s not that I don’t appreciate your essence, in fact – I lovvvvvve me some BBQ pulled pork, especially at a summer cookout — ah, forgettaboutit. You should know when I first [...]
Since moving to New York City in 2008 to pursue comedy, I’ve learned that many fellow comedians also have mundane jobs just to pay the bills while pursuing their real passion. Some are movers, dog walkers, nannies, temps, waiters, janitors, etc. I’m not the only one with a comedy dream. Meet Calvin Cato. Former receptionist [...]
It was just a regular Wednesday when I decided to check my receptionistchronicles@gmail.com account. The activity on this account is low, so I was ecstatic find an e-mail from a fellow receptionist venting about things that drive her up the wall. I was so intrigued by this e-mail, I had to find out more. Meet [...]
It’s the time of year where we all stare out our office window and wonder where our childhood went. Here’s some tips to keep it cool in the office. 1. Do store Popsicles as a snack in the kitchen freezer. 2. Don’t be the creepy dude that watches a female coworker slurp a Rocket Pop. [...]
Sometimes I sound borderline dead when answering the phone. It goes along with the territory of simply answering phones eight hours a day. But on May 16, 2011 that was not the case. I’d like to call that morning a power morning. Not only did I wake up before my alarm, but I fought the [...]
As I enter into my third year of being a receptionist, I still find it necessary to rationalize that there are people out there who have it worse than me. Thinking like this helps me feel great on just a good day and less of a failure on a bad day. Here is a list [...]
Dear Dirty Dishes in the Sink, Stop looking at me like that — the way you are looking at me right now! STOP. It’s not fair. Seriously, stop it. You’re getting on my nerves. I’m going to tell on… What did you call me? Oh yeah? Well, I’m rubber, you’re glue — whatever you say, [...]
A Note from the OfficeReceptionist: The following is an interview I conducted with a fellow receptionist in NYC via e-mail. My instructions to the 10 questions I sent were, “make this seem like it was conducted in person”. (Sorry readers, I’m a liar.). Other than the questions, I cannot take credit for the literary creativity [...]
Have you ever actually pondered how much time you spend at your office? I mean REALLY pondered. Think about it in terms of a week. And then a year. And then 5 years. 10 years. 20 years. AHHHH. THAT’S A LOT OF #@^#%!^#% TIME! It wasn’t until I deeply contemplated this sad concept that [...]
Whenever I start to habitually pick up an inanimate object and say “good afternoon” or whisper to myself “what a bitch” after a rude caller, I know it’s time for a mental health day. One may ask, “What is this mental health day you speak of?” It’s not a vacation day. It’s not a sick [...]
After a year of writing “Receptionist Chronicles” I finally at a moment of self-realization: There are other receptionists out there fighting an office war there besides me. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I had the chance to interview a fellow, anonymous receptionist living in the Big Apple. Take a few a few moments [...]
