Tales of the Unemployed...

That title makes this blog seem like something cooler than it really is. Or maybe it doesn't, or maybe I'm cooler than I think. Whatever it is, I was going stir crazy in my house today so I decided to shower (yay) and head out to my local panera (aka free wifi). That way I can still be connected and get things done, but be in the public...where people look at you. So, I've been looking at people, people watching I guess you could say. The guy at the table cata-cornered from me moved b/c the people next to me (and behind him) are really loud. I have my iPod on though, so they're not bothering me. I thought the one lady was blind, but she just has really squinty eyes. Then there's another guy a few tables away that keeps taking his macbook (looks like a pro) with him every time he gets up. Relax, man..we're not ALL out to get you. Only some of us. Who am I kidding? I'd probably do the same. He just looked really funny carrying his open macbook (pro..? or NEW macbook?) with his panera plate and coffee mug. I should take all of these people observations and put them in a book or something one day. Or not. I came here to 'write', theoretically. There's that script that I started for a class that I've yet to finish. I think it could be good...and funny. It's hard to write funny. But, I don't know..I just don't think my talents lie in script writing...I can edit..but coming up with something original to say is really hard. Have you ever tried? A lot of the time for me it just comes out sounding like something I think Tina Fey has already said--and said funnier. So, yeah. This is day three of business days of unemployment. Well, besides my part time job at the church. I have that tonight, and tomorrow night. I keep applying all over the place..I know someone's gotta bite somewhere! I don't even care where. Speaking of, I need to get my daily application in to the Ellen show. It's only been two days in a row so they probably haven't noticed yet. I remain ever hopeful though! OKay...blogspot is acting weird..I better go. I have much more people watching to do..and 'script work'. right.

Late Night Musings...

I got a kitten. It probably wasn't the best decision financially at this time-but Tux has been a great distractor for my life issues. He's adorable and I can't imagine life without him. Here's a pic for everyone to enjoy!

Well, today was my first officially 'unemployed' day. I celebrated it in true style by sleeping in a little late, seeing a movie in the afternoon, and basically (with the exception of aforementioned trip to movies) spent the day in my pajamas. This is going to be really weird. With the holidays it was easy to just think of it as holiday time, but now it's January and people are heading back to work and I'm still flailing. I've applied all over the country (and one out of country-one guess as to where =) and just tonight have updated my monster.com account with a recent resume and cover letter. I've also decided that I'm going to apply to be an intern at the Ellen DeGeneres show like..every day. Seriously, I think she likes tenacious people and I've decided that the worst they can do is get a restraining order out against me! I applied once before, on a whim, while working on my Comp Exam. That was before the eliminated position day though. Now, it's for real and it's no holds barred. I will be relentless!

Speaking of Comp Exams, btw--I passed. And, I got an A and A- in my classes, respectively. All that remains is for the school to process my paperwork and my former coworkers to post my degree and send me the (golden) three final transcripts in the mail...and eventually my diploma...and it's official! That exclamation point is fake. I'm really not feeling it. I won't even walk until May, and really it's been kind of odd. Finding out about my job issues really took away a lot of the joy I was feeling about finally (finally) graduating. Maybe it'll come back when I see that transcript with Master of Arts written across the top.


I'll keep you posted on my job searches. I think I'll probably be either working for a temp agency and/or volunteering at a local Christian organization in the meantime. Plus I still have my church job. So, I'll still be as busy as I have always been, but now I can watch tv or read a book without any guilt!

I think I should go watch my own video...

I made this with some friends for a class this semester. Watch and enjoy =)

http://vimeo.com/2300159

I tried to embed, but blogspot wouldn't let me. Meanies! =)

**UPDATE** Try copying/pasting the link into your web browser, sorry!!

"well, at least..."

So, I took a temporary pause in blogging there for awhile. I didn't plan it, but life got in the way. I was just so busy. I'm still busy, but I'm about to be less so. Within the next week or so I finish up my Master of Arts degree...finally. Yay... but today I got some news that kind of makes that 'end' bittersweet. 

I got laid off today.

Yep, you read that right. Laid off. I'm just another one of the thousands of Americans going through this...one of the crowd...nothing special. I keep telling myself things like, well, at least you finished your degree in time to keep tuition remission. Or, well, at least you get a few weeks to get used to it (it's effective 12/31)...at least you'll get three months severance. A lot of people don't get that much.

And you know what, I know all of that is true. But right now..in this moment. It. SUCKS. I may feel differently about it in a few minutes, or tomorrow, or next year...and be thankful for the timing and how it just worked out so perfectly. But right now. IT. SUCKS.

That's all I'm going to say for now. I think I'm still in shock. I just found out 4 hours and 23 minutes ago.

Not that I'm keeping track.

I stood in line 2 hours and all I got was a muddy shoe....

I'd love to see that t-shirt! I had to walk through some mud puddles to reach the end of my GINORMOUS line at the polls yesterday, effectively stepping in one puddle that nearly stole my shoe. But I did not let it deter me! I was there to vote!  We all were! The section there is where I nearly lost my shoe..yikes!

So, it has been quite the time in America lately. Everyone and their brother, and the sister, and their cousin, and their neighbor's cousin's sister's aunt has had something to say about the election. I am both enamored and annoyed with America. Enamored that we actually got off our duffs and voted--but annoyed, because...well...I voted for the other guy. I have heard passionate discourses from both sides on why their candidate is the VERY BEST CHOICE AND IF YOU DON'T CHOOSE THEM THEN THE SKY MIGHT FALL AND KILLER TOMATOES FROM MARS WILL APPEAR....AND THEN WHERE WILL WE BE? Ha. I think we'll be in the place God wants us. I'm glad that most of my friends who supported the 'other guy'  with me and the ones that supported the winner are both broadcasting their trust in God and that He has this all under control. I look forward to the next four years and seeing what happens in America. No doubt that these are historic times, and I'm excited.  I pray that the sanctity of life will be upheld and that big brother stays out of my paycheck! 

So, thank you, America, and uh...fasten your seatbelts...I think it's going to be a bumpy ride!

And the winner of 'and guest'...

My best friend, Shelah! She knows the bride and groom from her many trips here to Virginia Beach so it was the logical choice! One might say the bride even told me that was how it was intended. Lol..what happened was that they really really really wanted to invite Shelah, but they had to keep their numbers down and other people were to be invited-people like family and friends they'd known for years! So, the solution-invite me (their wedding singer) and allow for a guest. Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Shelah and I had a great time, so it was a win-win (win) situation!

Oh, and the wedding was beautiful!

I am the WORST!

I get so many ideas about what to blog about and I'm like..yeah, I'll get to that real soon. But before you know it, life gets in the way and it takes me another month to get on here and write something. So, what is it exactly that's been getting in my way? Let's list them. I like lists. They make me feel organized.

1) School-I am taking two classes right now (one online, the other in person) that are doing their best to make sure that I'm never quite restful. They both include an insane amount of reading that I'm hopelessly behind on.  I also have a comp exam coming up, but everyone assures me to not worry about that-there's nothing I can really do to prepare for that other than just getting all my old textbooks out and brushing up on my MLA format. Even so, my stomach just got sick at the thought of it. This too shall pass, right?  So, school is definitely something that is taking more of my time than it's fair share. 

2) Church-not as much now as it has in the past, but I'm still at church 2 nights a week at my 2nd job. I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job lately because I've been so distracted, but hopefully I can change that about myself soon.

3) Work-Work is SO busy. I feel that as soon as I finish one project, I have five more that bloomed and need attention immediately!  Some things have shifted in the office and I've been doing some new things so, there's no rest for the weary or time to slack off there-I've got to come in bright eyed and bushy tailed. Not to mention that we were all out yesterday for a retreat in Charlottesville and then my boss and I are leaving tomorrow evening to go to a conference in Fredericksburg, VA. We'll be back Monday night, but that's another thing that's keeping me busy.

4) Friends-now this is the item on the list that I wish was taking the MOST time. I love all of my buddies and I miss them when I'm not always able to do things with them because of items 1-3 on this list.  They all know that I love them (because I tell them frequently) and they understand. I'm pretty sure they'll still be around on 12/23 when my graduate school career has finally (finally) come to a close!

So, that's my list. That's what's kept me busy this last month. Now, shortly here are a few things I wanted to blog about, but never got a chance to (in no particular order, other than how they came up in my brain)

1) meeting Tony Hale (of Arrested Development and other works). He was SUCH a nice guy and I was able to take alot of what he said to us in a session to heart. I hope I get to meet him again some day

2) Political bumper stickers-why? Why do people put these permanent things on their cars?  To me it seems like it's just asking for your car to get keyed or something? Political pen? yes. Bumper sticker? No thanks

3) Building a resume-I have had NO time to work on mine and there's a deadline coming up for me that I really need to get ON it so I can stop having that nag at the back of my mind.

That's about it---but hey-that would have been about a post a week, right?  Now you get one giant blog and hopefully, I'll post more in the future..but at this point, no promises. Til then--take luck with your care!