The Scratching Post: Introducing Kat!

Posted May 21 2009, 11:32 AM

Hello cyberspace, my name is Kat and I work for Ambrosia Software. If you've called our company in the past 8 months or so, you may know me as the operator girl; but like most of our 14 staff members, I manage to wear many hats throughout the day. Thankfully, in my case it is not because I'm balding.

As I'm sure is somewhat standard in the software industry, I am the lone female in an office full of what amounts to overgrown, bearded 6th graders. I would say I'm the only girl, but if you've ever met some staff members -- who shall here remain nameless -- you would know that is not entirely accurate! Fortunately, we did all stop maturing around the same age, so "your mom" jokes and general fart humor universally entertain our motley crew.

So, how did I end up at Ambrosia? Well, like most ambitious (synonymous with naive) young people, I spent four years earning a bachelors degree in something I really loved doing -- writing. And, like most of said demographic, I found myself waiting tables and cleaning my diploma frame with my tears ... Oh what, like you haven't been there?

Anyhow, a few months and six W-2s later, I found myself in an ergonomically sound office chair, manning a 24" iMac and a phone line that won't quit. The details are a little hazy, but I imagine I must have sold myself fairly well to el' Presidente. We can only assume this is where my undergraduate journalism experience, also known as my BS degree, really gave me that cutting edge I needed.

Now, over a half year into my employment with Ambrosia, it is suffice to say they're going to have a hard time getting rid of me. Spending 40 hours each week in an office has the potential to be a scary and incredibly frustrating thing -- I've worked with some highly educated individuals who could not quite manage percolating a pot of coffee. In the little house-on-the-corner we call an office, however, I've found that a full work week is more like spending an obscene amount of time with all the big brothers I never wanted. Between early morning laughter in the kitchen; Hector's incessant screeching; the ever shifting menagerie of puppy dogs underfoot; and belches so loud the windows rattle (okay, that one was me!)-- dull and quiet are not adjectives I use here very often.

I came for the paychecks; I stay for the poop jokes, beer talk, and Brenda's fantastic monthly massage visits. Sure, I may not have made it to National Geographic (yet!), but at least they gave me a blog to shut me up!