I'm still holding on to this site. I lot had changed in the past 18 months. Good things. Love, worry-free Love. Moving. Owning a home together. Making a home together. Being unemployed. That last is the only not so good but even that has it's up side. Being broke is not the up side. Time to think and volunteer doing things I truly love. Less stress. Those are the good things. Learning about what truly matters to me in my work experiences.

I had a couple of job interviews this past week. They were the first interviews I've been asked to in 11 months. During one I was asked what my 'career goals' are. For the next 3 or 5 years. I didn't tell them what they wanted to hear, I told them the truth. I told them that these days, I don't think out 5 years since many jobs don't last that long (I didn't point out that included that one which was only a one-year contract, so why were they asking?). So, my thinking was only 3 years out, by which time I'd like to be settled into a full-time position that uses my skills and experience, that allows me to work creatively and with creative people, that is a pleasant place to work. They decided that day to hire someone else.

A few days earlier I interviewed for a different part-time professional position that only paid $12.50/hr., no benefits. It would have required that, in a matter of a few months, by June, I get work caught up that the person leaving the post had been lagging in getting started or completed. In other words, it isn't really a part-time position, it just underpaid one. The organization wasn't being cheap, it's really strapped for cash. It would have meant Schatzi & I could never have dinner together Mondays - Fridays because of the hours. It would have meant not going to Europe this summer to met his 82-year-old dad, his brother & family, cousins, celebrating two important family birthdays (his and an aunt's). BUT it would to be career beneficial because I've been unemployed so long now. I'd definitely leave it if I found something better. So, the next day I sent a 'thank you' email and explained my conflict. And just now, I got a call asking me to come for a second interview. I asked the assistant if the Director had seen my email. She's gonna make certain and get back to me. I'm sure he has, he's good about checking email, etc.

Then the next day, I interviewed/had a try-out at a local, high end bistro. A friend of ours works there and recommended me for the position. He's great! It pays really well (starting with minimum wage + tips) and only requires working Sat. & Sun. breakfast & brunch. Finished at 3 so we'd still have weekends together. It's small, serve lots of local food, good quality, fun benefits (like spa treatments, discounts at the hotel, meals), and according to our friend, good tips. So we had to re-evaluate my traveling with him. I came up with a compromise, I'd only miss one weekend at the Bistro and be with him and the family two weeks instead of three, but I'd be there for the big celebrations. The executive chef said that would be ok. YAY! It's work I've never done before with the *potential* of making some good money. Now, I have to make it through two more training days and a 30 day probationary period. If I don't make it then I can still with Schatzi for the full 3 weeks. I think that's what's called a Win-Win.

Before this week no one had asked me to interview for 11 months. And that was for a 12 hour a week job that was pulled from posting the day after I interviewed because of *budget*. Don't know what the real reason was, but they could have figured it out before making me go through 2 interviews for less than $10k a year.

The job I'd really like to sink my teach and soul into is with the TED organization. Staff Storyteller they call it. I'd be great at it. It's crying out for a folklorist. I'm not having success getting my foot in the door there though. I'd LOVE that position. L O N G S H O T. So. Worth. It. I created a separate blog that only contains my cover letter and resume. Then I sent the link to a few folks at TED. No response. Disappointing.


These are assorted rambling thoughts for myself. I've missed the daily contemplative practice of writing. I know this isn't seen or tracked by anyone (or only one or two) so I'm really only writing to and for myself. Feels good. Comment as you wish.