Caveat Emptor

I'm positive there's plenty to be excited about in the great state of Indiana. I live and work in Indianapolis doing odd jobs, trying to make sure the rent is paid while living the sordid life of a bohemian/hippy/beatnik, or whatever the hipsters of this generation are called. I'm a computer wizard of sorts, and I'm a personable guy, but I find it increasingly difficult to hold down a job.

Before I bore with my demise as a hard working adult, let me remind you that in Indiana work ethic and ability aren't necessarily factors when considering job security. In fact, if the boss can't decide whether or not to look at the lazy eye or the straight one, it could be the end of one's tenure as a respectable employee.

I've been doing IT work all of my adult life. It's a ridiculous industry to get into because the job market is over-saturated. Joe Schmuck just graduated high school, and though he has no real world experience, he's willing to work for pennies less on the hour; so the working man gets replaced with the lowest bidder.

The IT position in itself must be the worst job in America. Most of us spend the better part of the day in a cubicle farm solving the problems of people who are too lazy to spend ten minutes of their precious lives learning something new. Instead, when said machine doesn't turn on properly we're required to investigate. Generally the user fails to turn the monitor on, or doesn't understand which mouse button does what, etc..

I'm generally an understanding man, and I don't expect the people to know the ins and outs of the computer world, but jeez. This isn't really a rant about incompetent computer users either. I'm slowly digressing to that though..

Anyway, it seems that I failed to leave the door to the office open earlier this year, and my boss sent me home to "think about it". It doesn't seem like a serious offense really, to forget opening the office door. Since then I've felt that termination is imminent.

I frequently get emails about having my friends in the office too. I work in a community college and my brother attends his classes here. He's been having problems with the wireless connection for three weeks now, and as his brother the IT guy, I feel obliged to fix the problem. It really has nothing to do with him though..

My job is on the line. The fact is, I do my job and I do it well. I don't understand why the rest of the beaureaucratic red tape is apart of my job. I'm paid a lowly wage to do a job requiring certain skills. I don't really want to be a puppet, but something's got to give.