28-FEB-2008

 BUYING TIME

I was up all night.  All night.  It took that long to send out nine resumes and fill out two online job applications.  Smoke signals or homing pigeons would've been faster.  Geez but I hate the dial-up connection here!  I know I've already mentioned that, but it hasn't changed and I still hate it.

I had a relatively short list of goals last night.  Send out as many resumes as I could find suitable job notices for and check my email accounts.  I didn't complete that little bit of business until seven o'clock this morning.  THIS MORNING!!  That put the line fades, the computer freezes and the cussing at a solid twelve total hours.  A new slow connection record.  For the last three hours, all I could think about was how much easier life would be with a job.  Looking for a job is at least twenty times more difficult and exhausting than the worst job I've ever had.

What a relief it was to finally click on "shut down."  I couldn't wait to stretch out under warm covers and sink my head into a soft pillow.  Ruby curled up in her favorite place next to me and settled in for a long morning's sleep.  Pewter was getting comfortable at the end of the bed.  I think I fell right to sleep, but it's hard to know for sure because it happened so quickly, like jumping off a cliff.  It was nice.  It was sound.  It was deep.  I was so relaxed.  I so needed the rest.

Twenty minutes into this blissful repose, the phone rang.  If it was two months ago, if I weren't so broke, if I hadn't recognized the voice, if the words had been different, I could easily have slept through the call.  It was Melissa.  She's with Kelly.  They're the only temp agency that's found much work for me at all.  I had to take the call.

Amazingly, she had a job for me.  Wow.  If only I had the energy to appreciate it.  Wait.  What's that, Melissa?  Today?  Today!  You want me to be somewhere for a job t-o-d-a-y?!  As in "now"?

I had to sit up in bed before I could listen to more.  I still thought I was dreaming after I did.  Why today?  What's the rush?  Did someone die or give birth?  I was just awake enough to wonder how horrible this rush job might be.  Or, maybe it's a very big, very important client and my chance to shine.  Hmmmm…

"It's for the State.  The girl we sent a couple weeks ago went home sick last week and called in sick this morning.  They really need someone to cover phones today -- as soon as possible.  I told them I'd have someone there by eleven.  Can you make it by eleven?"  Melissa asked hopefully.

"Eleven?!  Holy cow, Melissa, I was up all night.  I just got into bed thirty minutes ago.  Eleven?!"
"Oh……..  I could tell them noon so you could get a few hours sleep?"
"Well….  What kind of job is it?  What would I be doing -- and what does it pay?"
"You'd be the receptionist and just have to answer phones mostly.  You're way over qualified for this, but I need someone there and you'd be doing me a big favor," she said quickly, still sounding hopeful.

I tried to get more money for it, but the rate was set.  The State bargains with no one.  I agreed to go.  It's not like I had a choice anyway.  Besides, it'll be easy and might last until the end of March.  Did you hear that?!  The end of March!  That buys me more time to find a Real Job!

I had two cups of hot tea, each with two tea bags, then got into a nice, hot shower.  Ruby was still curled up, all toasty warm, and sound asleep when I got out of the shower.  I fixed my hair, put on some makeup, got dressed and headed for Carson City.  I was hoping the office had a window so I'd be able to look outside.

I arrived at eleven thirty.  The office had big windows with a view of the golf course and a few of the hills affected by last year's big fire in that area.  There were lots of healthy plants throughout the office, too.  That's always a good sign.  The people in the office are quite nice, very unlike most government office workers.  And Melissa was right, it's an easy job. It seems that my luck has changed.

I’m not sure how I made it through the day, but I did.  I must've appeared fine because no one asked if I was ok.  Good thing I wasn't tested.  There was a lot of sludge in my brain.  I'm one of those people who not only need their solid eight hours, but usually want more.  I'm a good sleeper.  I can do it a lot.

There weren't that many phone calls and only a smattering of mail to open, date stamp and distribute.  I didn't take a lunch break because I was only going to be there five and one-half hours.  Several people were at meetings off and on all day, and two people went home sick.  It's that horrible flu that's going around.  I made a mental note to wash my hands a lot while I'm there.

I went straight home after work.  By then, I had just enough energy to gather Jake's dinner and drive it over to him.  I had a cup of noodles in soup broth, took a quick shower, and was in bed, sound asleep, before eight-thirty.  As usual, Ruby didn't seem to mind.  Ruby is big on sleeping, too.

-------------------------------------------------

I started writing this last night while waiting for my noodles to cool.  Can't say I cared much for the blare of the alarm this morning.  Never do.  I got up anyway.  Window with a view, plants, nice people, easy job -- heck yeah I got up!

There was less mail and even fewer phone calls today.  Everyone was in a good mood because it's Friday.  The rocky, sage spotted hills beyond the parking lot alternated between light and dark throughout the day as a storm blew in.  I got to water the plants.  It was another nice day at work. 

And it might last until the end of March.  Still, just in case, keep those good vibes comin'.