Phase 2.. the test

I'm heading out to take the test in a bit.

I've been stressing and obsessing for days... well, okay. I'll be honest. I've been stressing, obsessing, pondering, angsting, and losing sleep here and there since September when I first learned about the possibility of this job.

Even though I know it's pointless to obsess, it's not something I can control. It just.. happens.

Here's some of the random shit that's wandering through my mind today.

The call center is about a fifteen minute drive. I have two choices on how I'll head there. I can take two freeways and be there in about 14 minutes, or I can take surface streets and make it in around 20 minutes. Right now, I'm leaning toward the surface street idea.

You see, in Oregon, the freeway system really sucks. They're always about ten years behind on construction, so by the time the freeway work is done, there is 10 times the amount of traffic they planned for ten years ago and it's time to start over.

If some idiot cans up on the freeway and you get stuck in traffic, an off-ramp is usually quite a ways away, and there's nowhere to go until you reach one, sometimes creeping along at walking speed for 20 minutes or so.

Also, if you get off the freeway, there is not usually an on ramp at the same location. Sometimes you have to drive far out of your way to find a way to get back on and reach your destination. So I could leave at like, hmm, 4 am and get there in plenty of time, or take surface streets and leave about 8:15 from the house. If there is construction or something is blocked off, I can always go around the block.

I learned when I drove over there on Tuesday that there is ample parking. Even if the lot in front of the building is full, there is lots of street parking. So I'm not stressing over that, at least.

I know what I'm wearing. It's clean, and after being well aired outside, doesn't smell like fabric softener or perfume, and I'm smart enough not to put on my nice clothes until after I eat, since 99% of the time, I drop a little food on myshelf.

(No, that was not a typo. Dropping food and having it land there is just another curse being the Queen of Big Boobland.)

I'm not wearing earrings, I don't want to have them interfere with the headset. Wearing them and then having to take them off makes me look vain, stupid and unprepared.

Same with a bracelet or watch. It would just get in the way.

I will eat a small breakfast with a little peanut butter for the protein. I moved my wallet, a ball point pen and a little tube of soft chews in case I get heartburn from the nerves into my black purse.
Cell phone is in the bag, too, but off.
Won't turn it on until after testing.
Everything else is staying in my regular bag at home. I don't like to carry the saddlebag unless I need it.

Now most people just get ready and go without all the worrying. I feel like a schmuck, but worrying is just something I do. I'm awfully good at it, at least. I guess that's something, huh? If one could be paid to worry professionally I'd never have to worry about money again.

I'll come back and update you after the test. Send good thoughts. I'm sure the competition is fierce. At this time I do not know how large the pool of potential 911 call takers really is, but I can tell you that the number I was assigned is 200.
Does that mean I'm one of 200?
Does it mean I'm number 200 of more than 600?
Perhaps they numbered us from 150 to 200.

Hell, I don't know. Not knowing stuff sometimes makes me a little crazy. Have you noticed?

Further, do I really want to know? If I found out there were 400 or 600 or 900 applicants, would I do better or worse in the process? Would the stress finally drive me over the edge? If one is reading here for the first time, it's quite apparent I'm clinging to the Cliffs of Insanity, isn't it?

Sheesh. See what I mean about obsession? There's more, but if I told all of it, I'd be here for another half an hour.

My biggest fan told me that he thinks I will do better than 90% of the other applicants, and that I'd be perfect for this job. I just love that man. :)

Okay. I'm off. I'll update you around noon today.

I think.

Update:
The test was... not simple. I was right about people not divulging test information. I had to sign a piece of paper agreeing not to do so.

I was kept quite busy and didn't have time to worry while I was actually there, but I made up for that by getting an upset stomach before I went and taking a moment from my worries to thank the Gods of Immodium.

I think, except for my typing speed during the first part of the test, I did okay. I wasn't flummoxed by anything, and most of it just involved some serious thinking.

I was worried that I was progressing too slow, but as it ended up, I was the first person in the room who finished the test. I would have liked the opportunity to look back over it the way one can with a paper test, but oh well. I got there, I took the test, I gave it my best effort and I'm going back to my regular life now.

The week of November 3rd, they will send out a letter telling us how we did and either saying, "Thanks for applying but we don't need you." or "Please come in for an interview."

I don't have to tell you which one I'm hoping for, do I?