Short Stories....

So, I'm about to start writing a new short story. I told so many people that once I finished my MFA it was highly unlikely that I would ever write a short story again. In the last five months I've made that prediction come true. However, a good MFA buddy and I have set up a short-story swap. One rough-draft of a story due every two months. I think this is a good thing because it will keep my literary-brain in practice. That's not to say that the novel I just finished isn't literary--well, it's not... yet--but I definitely write a little differently depending on audience. Maybe I shouldn't. Regardless, I'm scared and excited for this swap because he's an amazing writer who's gonna keep me on my toes. I hope to learn a few more things from him.

In other news... I still haven't found a job (meaning a "career"). I need to get my Maryland driver's license so I can maybe deliver some pizzas or something. 2011 is just beginning, but it better have some great things right around the corner.

The Job Hunt Sucks... and now I have a killer headache

So, today I had an interview and 15 minutes after I left their office, the lady I met with sent me an email stating that they didn't choose me. Personally, I don't think that's very classy--they could have waited until the next day or maybe an hour afterward. Plus it took me 2.5 hours to drive home (when getting there only took 45 minutes--thanks rush hour). I'm not really disappointed that I didn't get this, but I am starting to feel hopeless about my ability to find a "career" job. I know that the economy sucks now, but I don't want to hear that anymore because it's not helpful (especially hearing it from people who already have work).

Friday my sister and I fly out to Nebraska to see family. I'm dreading it because my dad's a "fixer" and will constantly question me about my job finding skills, and will then suggest I print off 100 resumes and ship them off to companies, which is how you did it in the old days, I guess. I'm really not looking forward to that. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't happen. I'm not holding my breath though.

Anyway, the cartoon below represents my experience so far:

Coming to an end

So, I'm finally full-speed ahead with my final thesis revisions. I took a few months off while waiting to get all the comments back from my professors. The edits are going well. I was told that they weren't expecting many revisions from the first draft to the final, but I'm crankin' them out. I don't really want to look at this thing ever again--I feel like I say that a lot, but it's true. When I turn the manuscript in for binding, I'm done with it. At least for a while. I just get impatient, that's all. I want to work on new things all the time (sometimes to the detriment of the finished piece as it's never touched again). Most of my writing ends with the first completed draft. Writing and revising the thesis is great practice for me. Hopefully I'll be able to continue this with other works and actually get something to a presentable state.

My reading has also been schedule for the second week in December. I was really apprehensive and nervous about this, but I'm trying to relax a bit. I tell myself "it'll only be 20 minutes of your life" and try to focus on something else. It's worked so far, my stress level is down a bit. Just a bit. I'm sure it'll sky rocket the day of.

I need to get better about posting more regularly, but blogging has taken a back seat. It's different not being in school. I feel like I don't have much to say. Who else is looking forward to the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 release? I am! I bet I'll feel a little depressed after Part 2, just like I was after reading the seventh book. I am glad that she's not going to write any more Harry Potter books. It's time for her to bring forth something new. But that's TONS or pressure--how can she live up to Harry?

OH WAIT... I do have something else to add. The job market really does suck. It's only been about 3.5 months since I moved to Maryland and I still haven't found work. Not even part-time, retail things. It's very stressful. My credit is about to take a major hit. I'm trying to stay optimistic, but it's difficult at this point. Too many rejection letters from potential employers and too many form letters from literary journals. When's my break gonna come?!?!

Needs a Project and a Job

Wow... so I need a job, immediately. And I need to start a new writing project now that my thesis is being read. Finding a "career" would be nice. I'm tired of working three part-time jobs all the time. Competition is tough. Stupid economy. Sigh.

Watch Out Barnes and Noble!

Yay... I was offered a part-time job with Barnes and Noble! I start this friday :).

Happiness.

First Interview

So... on either Monday or Tuesday, I applied for a job at Barnes & Noble in Newington, NH, and today I had an interview. I think it went pretty well; I answered all of her "how do you handle problems with co-worker" questions without stuttering and whatnot, so... we'll see. The manager seemed pretty nice, a little everywhere, but nice. She said that she'd probably put me in the children's section, which is pretty cool. I love children's books and still read young adult novels from time to time. Anyway, it was nice to be called for an interview. For the past several months (while still in Texas) I've been applying for positions here in New Hampshire and haven't even had an email or call showing interest. I hope that this is a turn around for my chances at finding a job. The pay isn't great at B&N, but the employee benefits are nice: 20% off music and DVDs, 30% off books, and 50% off drinks from Starbucks. I like the 30% off books deal. That's nice.

Pins and Needles...

I've been waiting anxiously for rumored news from UNH that could lessen my financial worries considerably should it actually come to fruition. I'm still trying not to get my hopes up, but it's difficult not to feel jolts of excitement that something I was guaranteed not to have, might actually happen.

In other news... still hunting for jobs in New Hammie. I just received an email for a technical writer position in Manchester--seven month contract work. I can't handle the uncertainty of what happens during month eight. Besides, once I move up there I'm not going to city/town hop one job after another. I hate moving as it is, no way in hell am I going to leap around with my gato, boxes of books, and my bed (if I'm lucky enough to move it up there). I would like to find a place to live and root myself for the next three--or more--years.

I'm still "in progress" for two of the three jobs that I applied for at the university. I'm "no longer under consideration" for the third, which was a job similar to what I do now. I consider this a blessing. I'm not thrilled about my current work. (I'm undecided if my lack of enthusiasm is due to not having leadership or lack of challenge and mentorship.) I'm still trolling the job sites and I still have about 2.5 months left to find employment. Scary! I need a steady job that brings in enough money to be able to pay my bills. It'll happen.

Remaining obnoxiously optimistic.

So... I'm sitting on uncomfortable pins and needles, nervously watching the days tick by before I flee my hot little hell to a welcoming cold and colorful icebox of possibilities.

Update: So, finally heard about that rumored news, but not through any official channels--saw it on my financial aid status. I'm happy to report that I have received a small scholarship! Yay me. It helps a little--just a little. But that's a little less loans I'll have to take out this year. For that alone, I am grateful.

Update 2: It's amazing how someone's disappointed "oh" after good news can make the good news (although it's a small victory) seem minuscule. I know that the scholarship was small, but geez, some excitement would be nice! New worries are afresh in me. :( blahh to all Debbie Downers.