cigarettes & popcorn

Cigarettes and popcorn... how does that sound to you? I don't know, maybe you find it an enticing combination. But I am not liking it so much. You see, I have left the happy world of fantasy camp (i.e. temporary unemployment)and am back in the working world with a new job. And for my first full week I have been sent to headquarters to train with the pros (oldtimers), and today and tomorrow, I am working exclusively with a person who smells of cigarettes and popcorn. Or maybe it's just her office that smells like cigarettes and popcorn - I couldn't figure it out. But it wasn't from lack of trying. Basically, I have 2 days to learn what this woman does - and I have been told I really need 2 weeks. This business has an entire language that I'm unfamiliar with, so I really should be listening carefully, but it seems I have an extreme case of ADD. I don't understand it... I never had this problem in school as a kid. In fact, adults that new me told me I was oddly strong in the focusing and listening in following directions area. So what has happened to me now?? I mean, next week, I'm going to be back home, and all these people are going to expect me to know what I'm doing, and this is my chance to learn, but instead, it's like this:
her: blah, blah, blah
me: nodding, but thinking something about the most unimportant thing possible. such as any of the following:
"I wonder what I'm going to eat tonight... hmmm..."
"Man, that guy I worked with 8 years ago was crazy. Remember that time he said that thing? Crazy!"
or: "What the hell is going on with the cigarettes and the popcorn? I mean, the cigarettes are easy enough to figure out - she smokes. But popcorn? I haven't seen her eat any popcorn... where is it coming from? (and leaning in for a closer look) My gosh this popcorn scent only gets stronger!! Does she have popcorn perfume? What is going on here?!"
Meanwhile, I am staring blankly at her and at the computer/papers and nothing is going into my head. That is probably not good. But I got 3 hours of sleep last night and had to rent a car and drive from one strange city to another this morning, and anyone who knows me can attest that not getting lost uses up all of my brain power for one day. So... maybe tomorrow will be better?

here are some other good and bad things from my week - just so I talk about something else:

Good:
The nice lady here drove me around during lunch and showed me where my hotel was and where all the good shopping is.
Bad:
She did this while smoking in the car with the windows rolled up, which not only makes me a little sick, but due to a tobacco allergy, I now cannot breath through my nose. And nobody likes a mouth breather.

Bad:
I was still up at 2 last night, and had to get up at 5 this morning, fly, drive, and work a full day.
Good:
My hotel has a happy hour! With free food and beers and boxed wine and cokes! And even though I didn't drink the boxed wine or the cokes, it made me insanely happy that they were there. I did have a Texas beer, which reminded me of Texas friends, which also made me happy.
Bad:
I also made a dinner from the snacks, mostly of tortilla chips and some kind of mysterious chili-like substance that was all greasy and floating around in a warming pot, and now my stomach feels like it has knives stabbing in it from all directions.

Good:
In describing an awkward social situation I recently had to my friend, Dolly, I actually made her utter a high-pitched squeal of discomfort with my tale of singleness and date good-byes.
Bad:
I'm the one that was actually there for it. But still, totally worth it to make Dolly squirm.

Good:
I have schooled my young 2 year old niece in the art of ABBA, and she can now sing lines from "Dancing Queen" whilst incorporating appropriate dance moves.
Bad:
Only resorted to playing itunes for niece because we were without power for 24 hours, and geez, that is a long time to entertain a 2 year old in the dark. Also, there was much heat.

Bad:
In my kickball game this weekend, I injured myself in my first time up at bat, making myself feel really old. Also, since when did a pulled muscle hurt so much?? Since I got so old, apparently.
Good:
Young man on my alumni kickball team, upon hearing the year I graduated said, "What?! So you were a child genius?? You can't be older than 25!" Bless you my son. Bless you.

There was more (that I thought of while I was supposed to be learning my new trade) but my mind is tiring now... I was going to go out in search of allergy meds, but the chili knives in my stomach are demanding bed, instead. Later!