Do you know Michelle of The Green Study? I discovered her during the holidays when we were both hanging out at C4C, Company For Christmas — the open blog for folks who were alone on the holidays. Neither of us were alone, actually. In fact, I don’t think that I “chatted” with anybody who was alone. But I made some friends, including Michelle. We followed each other, and I entered her Christmas Story contest.
And I won 2nd Prize!
Recently, I entered another one of Michelle’s contests, this time for “The Worst Job I Ever Had.” And I did it again. I won second prize. But next time, I’m going to take this bit of advice:
Check out the first prize winner, The Wisdom of Life. That job was way worse than mine.
And check out mine over at The Green Study: The Gray Zone.
FiftyFourandAHalf 
Freshly Pegged! Your starting a whole new rush for the award. It should have its own ‘How-to’ page! Congrats and well-done!
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You’re – not Your! Geez. It’s early!
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I WAS Freshly Pegged — but not for this piece! I was “Pegged” for this one: https://fiftyfourandahalf.com/2013/03/06/for-peg-oleg-me-and-medbh-and-what-should-have-been/
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I think Peg needs to work on that!
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That was such an assholisitc story! Made me shudder remembering a few of my worst jobs. Once I walked out of my job on the first day. During lunchbreak.
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None of us wonderful people should have to work for assholes. That should be part of the job description, don’t you think: “Providing assistance to a certifiable asshole.” Truth in advertising! Of course, no jobs are ever advertised any more …
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One of those awful assignments I had – the people who filled the temp spot before me – 1 left at lunch time on the first day & the other 1 left after 2 days!
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Somehow I wonder why the kept the “bosses” in those cases. How do assholes keep their jobs? They always seem to.
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..because everybody needs an asshole.
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I’ve been holding this back for just the right moment. And here it is:
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA! Thanks for sharing, Elyse.
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Isn’t it hilarious — of course it’s stuck in my head, but still. I’m sure nobody at work will mind if I walk down the hall singing “I’m an ass—-hole”
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not as much as if you were singing “YOU’RE an asshole”
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Both of my worst assignments, the bosses knew they had a problem employee who was bullying the temps, but they supported the bully because without her they wouldn’t know how to get the job done. And these were really bitchy bullies!
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As Peg said, everybody needs an asshole!
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Hey, look at that Freshly Pegged badge all blue, shiny and whatnot over there on the side! Whoo hooo!
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I couldn’t have done it without ya, Peg! And you outrank FPressed, even …
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I spent 2 1/2 years working for the temp department of a very large corporation. My last 3 assignments were exactly like your Gray job. Even though I tried to report them to the Head of Personnel they wouldn’t take my calls & I ended up losing my job over it last August. I was crushed because even though I felt lower than the lowest rung on the ladder I stuck with each one & did my best to give a good representation of the temp. dept.
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You poor thing. Sorry I brought up that memory for you! Whenever I hire a temp, I remember the gray. And I am nice!
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Congratulations!! Man, I’ve experienced a few Geralds myself, also when I was temping as a secretary back in the day. I could feel my colon clenching just reading your description of the cubicles, the boxes, and him talking about answering the phone before the third ring.
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Temping can be such a horrible experience. But the thing that made it such a horrible experience was the gray. It crept into the soul.
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Congratulations x 2. The Company for Christmas blog was a great way to meet quality people.
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Thanks, CR. C4C was fun. I made several new blogging buddies that day.
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Well, 2nd prize is still a prize. Congrats! But if you are planning on sleeping with more judges, just be sure to bring protection…
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I will be careful, I promise!
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Congratulations! I love the placards for the prize, too!
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Thanks, Lorna!
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LOL Damn you are funny, girl. Congrats on your wins but I agree with TwinDaddy – you would always get First from me xo
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Thanks, Janni. But the first place winner’s story was much worse than mine. In fact, my worst job looks pretty good in the overall scheme of life!
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:))))))
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Congrats Elyse! Gerald has no idea how lucky he was not to cross the path of a more seasoned Elyse….so, so, lucky.
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Thanks, Tops.
Sometimes silence is golden. Especially when it is sooooo clear that the asshole will be hoisted on his own petard shortly!
Hugs to you.
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I like Michelle’s response. And, well done.
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Michelle is always one step ahead, isn’t she?
Thanks Emjay!
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I would’ve given you first place.
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Awww, TwinDaddy. You’re a pal. And you would have helped with the boxes, too.
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Of course.
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And you wouldn’t have been an asshole.
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Never to you. Never.
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I think the only reason you didn’t win first is that someone needs to stop your take over he internets…
Congratulations!
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Thanks, Guap. And here is the question I keep asking myself after these brushes with glory:
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I was thinking the same thing, Guap!
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It’s been quite enough to turn a girl’s head. Not my old haggy head, but a girl’s.
That was quite a quick break for you Darls…
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I fully blame Peg. She roped me into doing her Freshly Pegged tomorrow. Okay, I begged her to. Still.
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You will have a blast. I know I did.
Of course, you may flunk your exams, but hey, what’s more important?
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Blogging. Always blogging.
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I was thinking the same thing as BlogDarger and Guap (may I call you Guap?). I can see the headlines now: “WordPress renamed ElysePress. Millions Take To The Streets!”
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Second place is nothing to sneeze at. I mean, think of some other great Americans who finished second: Mitt Romney, John McCain, Nancy Kerrigan
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Oh Cutter — the unfairness of linking Nancy in with the losers — she was assaulted. Mitt & McCain assaulted their own chances by being total putzes. And having bad policies. And bad running mates.
Poor Nancy only had a bad teammate. And that was not her fault!
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But.but.but.but.but, don’t they know you write like Margaret Mitchell?
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I think you are the only one who noticed that , Georgette. But hits no longer hurt; so I’ve got that goon’ for me ;).
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I am thinking, sleeping with the judges after a certain point doesn’t win you anything. Just a thought.
Congrats on winning 2nd prize. I think it is your writing that won. I will read later.
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You make a good point, there Val. By now my chances go down the more I reveal!
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Stay with the effort … and the glories of first will come your way … well, that is if the sponsors realize the fear at hand.
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I’m dimly amazed at the prize, Frank, given that I don’t show my face!
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🙂 … that is giving others a chance. 😉
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“Dimly” was an iPhone insertion. And thanks, Frank. I’ll pay you later!
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You’re welcome!
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I have to warn you, Elyse. I snore. Congrats on your winning entry!
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Oh no! And the fact that I steal ALL the blankets probably won’t help either.
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