What They Say

Earlier this year I was having a difficult time with my job at DDS. It seemed like I could not keep up with my coworkers and as my caseload kept mounting i felt as if I was in over my head. I even came to a point where I was so stressed out that I really just wanted to quit the job. Anyway, through experience and learning from my mistakes, I can now say that I'm starting to get the hang of my job and my performace has greatly improved. Also, it's nice to hear some of the things my supervisors have said about me. Below are some excerpts from e-mails.

This is what one of the medical experts had to say about one of my case write ups.


"We are generally accustomed to not saying anything in an RFC section if there are no limitations.

Sometimes, though, it makes sense to justify WHY thee are no limitations.

You did a great job of this, John, on case XXXXXXX, Section C.

Claimant alleges CTS, and you gave an excellent rationale for why there should correctly be no manipulative limitations.

WD Hakkarinen, MD MC"

or here's what my superviosr had to say in reguards to my caseload

"Excellent. All look like they are moving toward case closure one way or the other. Good job."

and finally here's what my Qualtiy Assurance Specialist had to say

"Your pending looks well attended to. Keep up the good work.
I looked at your overdue follow ups and see that the number is not a true reflection of your actual overdue follow-ups. I see that you have notes on most of them and choose to leave many of them as past due. As long as you have your notes showing the follow ups were done and are still awaiting response, you are fine. It's is obvious that you have some system to remind you of your follow up actions. Work on those claims in the 45-60 day range where you have actions needed but nothing actually pending and your MPT will come down even further. Again, I think you are managing your caseload well. Maybe you may have something to share with the group (other than always being at your desk and working ;) )"

All in all, it looks like I'm doing a good job and I'm really starting to come into my own at my job. Heck, I'm even thinking I'm starting to like the job, but again still keeping in sight what I REALLY want to do. I guess the only thing is that I have to just not let myself get a big head and slack off. I think I've always had a problem of being my own worst enemy and my own worst critic. I tend to feel as if I'm doing horrible at something and then I push myself the extra mile to get the job done correctly etc...... Anyway, I've come a long way since November (when I first started) and I know I've still got MUCH to learn, but I'm just glad I stuck with it and I didn't quit.

The Sushi Insult

While I was waiting for my friend Beth to join me for an evening of painting ceramics, I decided to get something to eat from one of my favorite Sushi restaraunts, but sadly after today I'll NEVER eat there again. It's not because the food is bad, but rather the service.

I've been going to this place off and on for a good year since discovering the place. As I mentioned before I enjoyed the Sushi and not only is the Sushi good, but it comes in a timely manner and I don't spend too much time waiting for my food. Today I had absolutely no problem with the taste of my food or the timely manner in which it was served, but rather what I overheard an employeed say about me. While I was sitting at the Sushi bar enjoying my meal, the phone rang and the young lady at the register picks up the phone. Not even 6 feet away from me, she says the following things......

"Hi Mom! Guess What?. That funny looking guy from K-mart is eating here"

After hearing that I drop my chopsticks and I get annoyed. Noticing I overheard what she said, the young lady as with the other staff go back into the kitchen where I can't see them, but I can still hear them giggling in the background. I was so pissed off because in my years of working at K-mart and other customer service jobs, I've never insulted one of my customers especially if it's a job where my income is based on tips.

I quickly finish my meal and I ask for the manager. All of a sudden the manager doesn't speak English and the young lady asks if there's anything she can do. I tell her what she said and I tell her how insulted I was and how rude it is to do that to a customer. She then tries to cover herself by stating......

"Oh,I meant that in a good way. My Mother likes to shop at K-mart and she enjoys seeing you. She says you look like Jerry Lee Lewis"

Anyway, that was obvsiously a bullshit story as she was getting flustered. Also, how is being told you look like Jerry Lee Lewis a compliment? Despite my annoyance, I remained calm and I chided her and explained how I felt and how I've never done anything like that in my years of working K-mart. I got an appology, but regardless I don't think I"ll ever go back to that place because I paid for some good, fast sushi, but instead I got insulted.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Unless you want to be insulted by the staff DON'T EVER GO TO THE FORTUNE COOKIE RESTARAUNT LOCATED IN THE ROUTE 3 CENTER IN CROFTON, MD