November - Working 9 to 5 (Bonus Week)

But first a song break.

I'm sure you've been waiting for me to share the video to the song that inspired this month's title. Dolly Parton is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs.

We've moved into the weird void between Thanksgiving and the end of year holidays where everything is a priority, yet nothing is really a priority. Everyone wants to meet at work, but no one really wants to meet. There are parties and holidays and awkward Secret Santa events to look forward to or avoid depending on your outlook in life. I have to plan actual outfits rather than wearing my nice jeans and a nice shirt when I do go into the office. This time of year seems like it's in perfect alignment with the chorus of "9 to 5": 

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin' and no givin'

They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it

9 to 5
For service and devotion
You would think that I
Would deserve a fat promotion

I've had a lot of fun creating this month's stitch journal. This was one of the ones I was most looking forward to when I selected this year's theme (or whatever is it). I've spent a lot of my life working in corporate America and I occasionally hear myself say these nonsense things, and I just think, "what is wrong with me?" But then I remember that knowing these words and phrases, using them, and understanding their meaning in the context of where I work is part of being a member of that particular professional community. Every industry and type of workplace has their own version of the words and phrases I embroidered this month. When you start a new job that's part of your onboarding - how do people talk? What's the language of this organization? Sometimes it's perfectly normal and easy to navigate. Other times, it's complicated and maybe even dangerous. 

If I missed your "favorite" nonsense corporate saying, I promise one day I'll do another piece like this and add it to the list if you send it my way. I had over 50 words and phrases on my original list, so a part two will happen.

Here's this week's recap:

November 26: Of all the things that came out of the pandemic, I hope we get rid of "new normal" as soon as humanly possible. It's such a hollow phrase and one horrible people use to justify being horrible people.

November 27: I don't know every rock star, but I know a few and I've read a lot of biographies of rock stars to know that they are unreliable and maybe not the best people to be in charge of things. Every time I see "rock star" used in a job posting or to someone who did I good job, I want to say, "have you not watched The Dirt (it's on Netflix and is about Motley Crue)? This one also borders on being a familial term and everyone should stay away from any organization that describes itself as "a family." It's either a cult or will screw you over so fast you won't know what happened to you.

November 28: Touchbase is another cousin of "circle back" and we're in high circle back season, so it's not unusual to hear both "touchbase" and "circle back" in the same conversation. Sigh.

November 29: I've never understood the use of military language in corporate settings. As someone who grew up in the military, I've heard these things my whole life in the context of the military, where a phrase like "boots on the ground" makes sense. Are we invading some market with our products or services? Will there be a "war for talent" once we get there? Make it stop.

November 30: I'm pretty sure "reinvent the wheel" is the actual parent of all of these nonsense sayings. I absolutely do not want to reinvent the wheel, but I also don't want to do something the same way just because. Make it make sense.

Front

Back

December's Stitch Journal 

Can you believe we're already at the last stitch journal for this year? This one is a nod to one of the inspirations behind this year's theme, visible mending. I'm also going to try a few things I've seen making the rounds using fabric layering. It's going to be super fun!

The first December post will be up on December 9. Enjoy a Keely photo until then.