Dreams and Reality

The last few days have been on foot job canvasing days. Forty five minutes into the city, hours asking for applications from every store that I would possibly consider working for, and then the drive back. Today I turned in the applications I had collected in bulk, and tomorrow I track down the Barnes and Nobles stores I did not hit. I haven't turned in any online applications in a few days, even though I've still been collecting listings, so now there's 10+ e-mails to send out, cover letters to write, and tedious application forms to fill out that ask for all the things the resume has in it anyway. I'm considering not making a tailored resume for jobs with application forms, just because I feel like I'm doing the same thing twice every time, but even though the resume is optional I don't want to put myself at any disadvantage.

The job hunt today also included a trip to the library to take a test for a sorting position. I was given a sheet of ten problems, with ten items per problem, and asked to alphabetize everything. I got a 91%, which is as embarrassing as hell. Still passed, but it appears I need to retake kindergarten.

I have a guest blog up at the Private Library. I had been meaning to write the article ever since I had picked up a half dozen catalogs from the New York antiquarian book fair, but the thing that spurred me to finish it was the need for a writing sample in a job application. I've been wanting to write something on unconventional and 'exotic' binding practices too, but that will require more research and resources than I have time for at the moment. It's still in the back of my mind.

So far I have gotten two call backs for 'jobs'. One was for a speech recognition service. It isn't a job per se. When I fall into the right demographic range they give me a call and I read stuff for them in my East Coast accent. Given that I am constantly being told I don't have the Joisey accent I guess I won't provide them with the most stereotypical data, but whatevs. It's 40 bucks for a 45 minute session. The other job is as part time as it comes. Occasional yard work and mending for a doctor in the DU area. These things might provide for a little, but I'd still love for a JOB to call me back.

It's gotten to the point where I've had dreams where I'm asking some anonymous employer why they aren't contacting me and they're giving me some speech about 100 applicants yadda yadda yadda. Dreams are times for floating ships and pirate islands, not more job searching.

Anyway, to move away from the depressing, some quick notes:

• I still can't believe Denver spends money on buses that go up and down a single street and stop at every corner every minute.


• There are pianos standing along the 16th ave. mall for anyone to come bang on them for change. They are painted all sorts of gaudy colors and some people really can play.


• I had a real hankering for spring rolls and immediately ran into a Thai food cart selling spring rolls.


• I then waited 20 minutes to order said spring rolls only to be told they were out, so that part of the day wasn't as awesome as it could have been.


• My friend's grandma is essentially adopting me and is treating much better than I deserve.


• After living with 4 cats and 2 dogs for a week and a half I want one of my own. =x

Even though the job stress has been driving me a little nuts, I'm enjoying the freedom of exploring the city and chillaxing with Fides while I gear of for class. I'm crossing my fingers that the classes will be worth the move and the financial wager.