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I work for the Federal Government! In certain circles I am now hated!
I start on Friday, but here’s the deal. The Census is going all out to get an accurate count. They’re setting up these assistance centers all over the country where people like me will help you with the Census form.
I’ve been assigned to Carmine Street, which I’m thrilled about. It’s the once-Italian section of the West Village. It’s a little bit that way still, but like every place else it’s changed.
Anyway, the scary part is I’ll be alone. No Census buddy to help me or talk to. They gave me a box and sixty billion Census forms in something like 60+ languages, many I’ve never even heard of and I’m supposed to be able to help them all. I’m supposed to be able help people who speak Tigrinya or Tagalog or Llocano fill out their Census form.
I’m looking forward to that part actually, although I’m nervous about doing well. By the way, Bengali is beautiful written out. So many of these are beautiful. Ohmygod, the Cambodian looks the hardest. It has the most subtle differences from letter to letter.
The picture is of the place where we trained. Those Mormons certainly love counting people. They were very nice hosts.
Congrats on a plum assignment! Isn’t this INDOORS? – no knocking on strange doors in questionable neighborhoods. Hope its fun!
Don’t worry – you won’t be hated. As a fellow gov’t employee (state Dept of Natural Resources), people we regulate always say “I know you’re ok, its all those others that I don’t trust…”.
It is indoors, but I want to job of knocking on strange doors, it pays the most!