Robo Hobo Homo #007

So I'm not great with people. That's the “Robo” part of the RoboHoboHomo. Technically, I'm not a hobo either; I'm homeless. Anyway, most of my emotions from moment to moment are selected. I am sexually and romantically interested in men, but it's pretty rare that it comes up. I'm just not a people person.

So I'm not great with phone calls. I never have been. I've tried in the past to submit an application and call companies afterward, but it's always been an awkward, pointless exercise. If a company has too many applications to weed through, they can't surely want each of those applicants to call them. “Hey, I sent you an email.” “Gee, thanks buddy. There's been a pleasant AOL voice telling me that since 1993.”

I never saw the point of it, intellectually or through experience.

But there I was, talking to the co-resident manning Purgatory Shelter's lobby, when he mentioned that he'd gotten a job. I asked him about it and he said he cold-called companies 'til one of them mentioned a job and he took it. He said he didn't take “no” for an answer.

I'm a guy who believes in consent. I believe in respecting other people. I believe that if companies need someone, they need someone and they try to hire the most qualified person based on an application, background check, and an interview. I'm also not very good with people.

So I liked this guy's idea, but I didn't think it was really something I could do.

On the other hand, I came out here because everything I had been doing hadn't been working. Now I'm not great with change or admitting I'm wrong either. So, I picked up the communal phone and called the company that had hired him. The lady at least pretended to check their website and said “No,” and I said “okay,” but it was progress.

So whenever I got through with my .pdf run on Friday, I logged off of the computer, went to the communal phone, and called the company. There, I got a guy named “Doug,” who seemed happy about the call and said he'd be looking it over as soon as he could.

I know it won't do any good, but I'm pretty glad that happened.