So this has been me lately:


I apologize for not commenting on hardly any blogs lately, or making new posts! I've been pretty much like that guy up there when I'm not working to learn my new job. Stress & rushing & learning = zzz! So I hope to catch up this weekend. :)

Until then, hope everyone has a good week and gets lots of zzz's!

Day 16 of 16 - Anonymoose

New job tomorrow! Aaaahh!! I am excited and nervous all at the same time; I hate first days of anything, I wish they would just be over with. I think it's more the anticipation than anything else, really. But I have a permanent job in a town I love, so hey, it works. :)

Which kinda somewhat brings me to my next topic.

Anonymity while blogging!

For some people, it's an easy choice, one of two -- A. your blog is 100% anonymous. You post under a name/nickname that is not your own, and even though you may post snippets about everyday life, you post little to no giveaway details about your personal life for whatever reasons that you may have. Or, B. your blog is not anonymous in the least. Every detail about things you do, places you've been, where you live, the people in your life, your past, what's bothering/troubling you at the moment, photos, yadda yadda.

For others, and I think I would fall into this category, it's a fine line of what exactly you want to keep out of the "limelight". (Bloglight?) My real name isn't Sami, but it is a nickname of mine. I post about a lot of things, usually mundane stuff, and I like to think I'm pretty open for just being Random Chick #42 on the internet. But there's still a lot I keep behind the curtain -- for example, I have some pretty serious things going on in my life right now that I'm trying to deal with, that would never touch this page because it's rather personal. And that's it for me -- personal problems, personal issues that are not only heavy business but kind of unsavory in a way, that even though I don't really know people (like BFF), this doesn't need to be out in the open. And I think a closeness factor has to do with it, also. The less you really connect with people and know them, the more you'd tend to keep them at an arms length to protect your vulnerability on certain issues.

I guess I ask this question because, for many many moons before I hit blogger, I was on LiveJournal for a looong time. Everyone knew who everyone was over there, there wasn't such a population of 'anonymous' bloggers! (I guess, I mean to say, the majority of people that I had on my friends list, I knew who they were. I can think of maybe 1 or 2 that were the anonymous kind.) So I'm just really used to one type of blogger/journaller - the one I know! I've seen a lot more anonymity in the blogger-world, and I'm curious.

Am I making sense? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this.

Is your blog anonymous? If so, why? Are you looking to shield yourself from something, or someone? Would you be embarassed or upset if someone read your blog that you didn't want to?

Is your blog personal? How personal do you really feel you get? Are you afraid of being too vulnerable and out in the open on the internet with people you don't know extremely well?

Why do you feel the way you do?

I'm not looking to condone anyone here at all -- I heart you all equally! People should feel comfortable to write about anything they want, as whomever they choose! I'm happy to have met all of my blog-friends, regardless of how the hell you choose to do it. You all rock, so keep on keepin' on.

Long post is long! I'm done now!!

Day 14 of 16

I haven't done the Saturday 9 in quite some time, but sitting here tonight on the verge of the last few days of my two week work interim, I figured, why not? It's more than likely going to be a slow weekend around here -- Matt is out of town for a business conference starting tomorrow, so I'm going to have to find ways to keep busy, and keep me away from zombie-ing down the street to the Harris Teeter to buy some wine or malt beverage or something. Agh! I can do this. ;)

1. What’s the furthest trip you’ve taken by automobile?
I'm not sure what is farther -- driving from Washington DC up to Massachusetts via 95N to Pennsylvania, taking a detour through the Taconic Parkway in New York, and sneaking into Mass via the back door (heehee) out in Canaan and the Mass Pike... or driving from DC straight down to Orlando on 95. I think it's the latter, but any drive over 6 hours makes me shrivel!

2. What’s the worst pick up line you've ever received?
A botched one! "Are you hurt?" Me:"Uhhh...?" "Cuz you fell ... uhm, WHEN you fell from ... oh, nevermind."

3. What’s the best pick up line you’ve gotten?
Are there good pick-up lines? Do tell!!

4. What was the last gift that you received?
I'm not really sure what is considered a 'gift'. Matt took me to a wonderful dinner last night that was a great and unexpected gift, but it wasn't your traditional "this is a special holiday" gift. I think I will count that, because otherwise I can't remember!

5. What was the last gift that you gave someone?
I sent my mom some shirts for her birthday. Woohoo!

6. Tell us about the last time you cried.
I was sad, I'm sure of it. Other than that, I can't seem to remember a specific...

7. Tell us about the last time you laughed uncontrollably.
Kerrigan ran after a toy today and ended up sliding right into the door, head-first, and accordianing herself. Good stuff!

8. Do you suffer road rage? What are your thoughts on it?
I used to ... when you live outside the nation's capital, it's sort of a given. In fact, it's sort of understandable. But now that we're in little small southern coastal town... not so much! Traffic here can get kind of hinky on the weekends, especially since there's only one way on and off the island, but I've seen much, MUCH worse!

9. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?
One of my favorites, from my favorite movie, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. (Yes, thos of you that guessed a few posts back, you are correct!) No, I didn't memorize this, but I know where to handily find it.

"Whatever became of the moment when one first knew about death? There must have been one. A moment. In childhood. When it first occurred to you that you don't go on forever. Must have been shattering, stamped into one's memory. And yet, I can't remember it. It never occurred to me at all. We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out we come, bloodied and squalling, with the knowledge that for all the points of the compass, there's only one direction, and time is its only measure."

That's all I've got! Will finish watching this soccer match and likely start to doze on the couch... ah, good times. <3

Day 12 of 16 - On my Soapbox

Thanks for all of your anti-boredom suggestions, guys :) I really appreciate it! I'd be more than happy to come and help all of you with your mundane tasks and busywork! Alas, I haven't yet figured out how to make a cheap, effective teleporter.

I've been spending a lot of time outside, a lot of time reading, and I'm starting to make a wishlist for the new house! Good stuff!! I've been less bored; I think I was having an 'off day'... so I'm taking it for what it is -- a nice, rare vacation -- and sleeping late and just enjoying my time.

So I just saw a commercial for one of these "smarter cars", although I think they should be called, "moron proof cars"... a Mercedes something-or-other that boasted the following -- not only would it wake the driver up if he dozed off, but it will honk at you if you 'stray from your lane', and if you start to tailgate another car... yes, another gentle warning. 'Hey! Be careful!'

I remember when the cars came out with that thing, that if you were about to back into another car it would honk a warning at you. Myself, if I couldn't see WHERE THE HELL I WAS BACKING MY CAR INTO, maybe it was a good note that I shouldn't be driving that car.

I really, really hate these "moron proof cars". If a car has to wake you up from dozing off... guess what? You shouldn't be driving!! If you're drifting into the other lane and need a gentle honk of a reminder, you should get off your damn Blackberry and pay some freeeeakin' attention. And if you need something to beep at you when you're too close to the car in front of you, you are probably driving on the DC Beltway and need it. No no, wait. You should probably be NOT DRIVING.

This kinder, gentler driving experience crap is just that -- crap. If we would all pay a little more attention instead of trying to constantly multi-task and staying at the office 24/7 people probably wouldn't be in such a rush, or feel the need to take a snoozer while on the freeway. We don't need smarter cars, just smarter people. (Those seem to be fading, though! So I guess I can't blame the car companies for trying to compensate somewhere...)

And besides, the movie Christine scares me. I don't need an intelligent car to run me over in my sleep, thanks!!

Day 10 of 16 - God Help Us

I am bored.

Bored out of my everloving GOURD.

Today I did laundry, watched some Lost episodes (need more dvd's!), read my book, diddled around on the internet...

It's sad, right -- it's only been a week or so but I really just want to slam my head against the wall. I think the fact that I'm on a serious budget (read: spending nothing) severely limits my options.

So, fellow bloggers, for you I have a challenge:

OCCUPY ME.

Leave a comment and tell me what you do when you're bored, or what I should do! A few caveats:

- No going to the beach. Been there, done that, ran out of quarters.
- No purchasing anything. I'm on a zero-tolerance for spending. (Sadly.) So also, no extreme driving as that would require extreme gas.

Am I being silly for being bored? Or should I just revel in my time off and relax and do absolutely nothing? I don't freeeeeeakin' know!! I do know that soon I'll be sitting in the fetal position in the corner, rocking back and forth like an egg.

So yeah, suggest away, and maybe I'll have a fun and exciting update tomorrow with me trying said suggestions! YEE HAW. Aaauuuugggghhhhhhh..................

Day 9 of 16 - Blog Memes & More

It is a lazy Sunday afternoon. Zzzzzzzzz. I'm going to make a blog post, then get some work done for a friend I'm helping with something, then start up on season 4 of Lost. Yee haw!

I have a blog task to accomplish from the always hilarious yet very classy Mr. C involving the following:


I would like to know a few very important things about you, along with some photographic evidence preferably. If you were going to allow us to spend a night at YOUR home, I would like to know the following:


1. What books are on your favorite shelf?
2. What DVD's are on your favorite shelf?
3. What are your TWO favorite cookbooks.
4. Select 1-3 recipes you will cook for your special guest.
5. What will we be drinking that is available?

Yeah, I blatantly copied and pasted that! Ha! Take that!!

So I took some photos this morning, and here they are! Here comes my EXCITING life!.... Please strap yourself in, put all tray tables up, and stop kicking the chair seat in front of you.


Yes, an artsy sideways-shot of my little book collection. You can't see my carved black cat bookends, though! Witness my collection of books on Buddhism, my IBS cookbook, Harry Potter, the script of my favorite movie ever (on the far right), a little David Sedaris, my signed Paula Deen cookbook, and yes .... Baby Animals. A WHOLE BOOK filled with nothing but adorable photos of baby animals. It is the bomb.



Also my current three library books. I've been into real "heavy" books lately, like people scraping away from drug addiction or having family members suddenly up and kick the bucket and stuff.



My DVD selection is broken up into two sections; here's the left side (pardon the crinkly cat toy there). My favorite movie ever on the top left.



And the right side. Yeah, I have The OC boxsets. Don't hate! Also a double-bonus, you can see the majority of my cookbooks.



Look, turn your head sideways because I forgot to rotate the image! We'd DEFINITELY be having some gruyere fondue!! I loooove cheese fondue......... :) With bread squares, preferably sourdough and french, but a little pumpernickel wouldn't hurt either.



And you really can't go wrong with -anything- from Emeril. I had duck at his restaurant in Orlando and it was really otherworldly. I've never made this, because duck isn't cheap (as are most of the ingredients, I'm sure), but once I make my first million I'll have it every night!



As for drinks, how about one of my absolute favorite table wines? And yes, you'll find all of these bottles are -empty-, as they've already been heavily enjoyed! ;)



And my quintessential favorite, Disaronno. On the rocks, please!



That's all I've got -- I'm not going to tag anyone in particular, because I'm not sure how comfortable everyone is in showing this sort of stuff, and some people prefer to keep their blog life and their personal life separate in certain aspects! But if you're interested, I'd LOVE for some more people to pick this up and do it. :) I love seeing stuff from other people's lives.

I also have an award from the awesome Moonjava that I'll probably get to tomorrow, because all that thinking about cheese fondue suddenly got me very VERY hungry... wonder what cheeses are in the fridge now?? Mua ha ha ha.....!!!!

Day 8 of 16 - Please don't wear these to the beach!

This post is going to definitely be a PSA. Pay attention!

In walking on the beach yesterday, I saw some things I really shouldn't have seen. People crammed into bathing suits they should not be. It happens a liiiiittle more often than you would think, and it's not just the 700 pound belugas that do it, either.

So below are my absolute least favorite bathing suits to see on the beach. Yes, I've seen them all, and the only place they really look great is on the models!

Exhibit A


I don't know who's bright idea this little number was. Yes, we're in a recession - are you trying to save on fabric costs? Going a little "recessionista"? No one needs to wear this. And the one I saw was a lot more lower cut in the front, too. The only reason it probably stays exactly in place on the model is by duct tape, I'm sure. I was delighted enough to witness a prettty darn mammoth woman in a white version of something pretty much like this suit lumbering down the beach like a ghost with leprosy. Not cool!!!! I don't know about y'all, but I'd be constantly worrying about those little strappy cutouts of "suit" moving and showing my hoohaa bits to everyone. Not to mention the messed up tan lines... no. Just no. You don't need to be a unique snowflake and wear this atrocity!


Exhibit B


Another cutout atrocity. Anything that flattens the puppies to look like a pair of chicken cutlets needs to be throw out, STAT!! I know I have the "cutout" suit already as Exhibit A, but the "Holy Shit I Need To Take 3857 Xanax" expression on this girl's face was too much to pass up, too. She's probably worried about the puppies. Also, no one wears pearls to the beach. They'll get caught in the surf and you'll wind up strangling your little air head.


Exhibit C


This ain't your grandma's crochet!! Crochet bikinis are apparently totally in, because a) hipsters love them because they're like cool and unique but not like celebrity unique, that different kind of unique, you know, b) hippies love them because they can make them while smoking hash, and c) diy people love them because, like, why buy one when you can make one yourself for 15 bucks? YIKES. This is wrong in so many ways. Now, to be fair, the only experience I have with crochet is seeing some crochet plant holders my mom made in the 70's housing our hanging plants, but wouldn't that get a little... uhm, heavy, when wet? Isn't it a little heavy when it's -not- wet? Itchy??? The wide selection of crochet g-strings made my head boggle -- I don't want THAT up THERE! Not to mention, the alarming amount of tiny little holes. Lots of tiny, see through holes. ..... Hmm. Tan line also = faking a smallpox epidemic. NEXT!


Exhibit D


Ah yes, the halter-bandeau. This isn't really as scandalous. But a lot of people should NOT wear the halter-bandeau. Pretty much the only way you should wear one is if your BMI is EXACTLY where it should be, no lesser (because if you're too skinny you'll look like a stegosaurus - wicked skinny/underweight people seem to looove this bathing suit) and no more (mm, muffins...) and the puppies need to be NATURALLY PERKY. This is a big one. SO many times I have seen women with older puppies that are kind of akin to putting an orange in a tube sock, and they try to wear this bathing suit... does absolutely nothing for them. The halter--bandeau has NO support, therefore your orange-in-a-sock puppies are going to be all floppity in the sea breeze. Personally, I don't find this type of suit flattering at all, unless you fall into that 1% of perfectly body weighted people with possibly fake puppies. Otherwise, just stick to the underwires!


And lastly, I was going to post this absolutely atrocious picture of this Brazilian-esque bikini I had found while bathing suit shopping a while back -- it was pretty much ripped up pieces of white fabric strung together in a "native" look with beads hanging off the ass, but alas, I couldn't find it. One can only imagine.


That's all I've got for today. Is it sad that while I was walking the beach yesterday, I was thinking this post out? Ayiyi...

I guess the moral of my story is, unless you're going to some REALLY exotic port of call, just leave this crap on the rack. Bikinis, one pieces, even the tankini, all of these are just fine choices for the beach. You really won't be impressing anyone with your "designer flair", and you'll probably be much more comfortable too!

Day 7 of 16 - Hot Hot Hot!

Yeah! Almost at the halfway point! Yesterday I suffered a big bout of "unemployed boredom"... I'd Googled everything I could Google, I baked cookies, cleaned the bathroom, did the laundry, I didn't want to play any video games or watch any TV... booooo! Hissssss. Luckily Matt got me up and playing some Wii tennis with him, and not only did I feel better afterwards, but I have a sore "tennis arm" to show for it today!

My mission today -- okay, and this is kind of sad -- is to drive around to different grocery stores and look for this one frozen pre-bagged stir fry I really like. I know, okay, that is like the lamest thing ever. But Harris Teeter doesn't carry them, and they come with this awesome sauce packet so ninnies like me aren't left adding soy sauce and sweet & sour sauce blindly. (I had no teriyaki marinade, aaahh...) So today, Food Lion and Lowes Foods it is!

But also, we are dealing with an issue today! Hence my blog title...



All right, so I'm overreacting a -little-... but our AC is out!! Last night we are sitting around with the AC on and realizing, hey, it's making the AC noise, but it's still kinda toasty in here. We go to bed, realize more of the same. I have a crappy night of tossing and turning and waking up sweating (ewwww), and upon waking up this morning, find the AC is still out! We've got a call in to maintenance, so in the meantime we're all (self, the boy, and the cats) crowded under the ceiling fan in the living room. I went to take a shower and when I was done it felt like I was stepping out into the Amazon, only minus the spider monkey shrieking. Uggghhhhh.

Happy Friday from Buster Poindexter, that guy that sang the HOT HOT HOT song!

Day 5 of 16

No post yesterday! Yikes! I was at the beach for a good part of the day, anyway. :) I was going to bring my camera, and I should have as the beach was blissfully empty, but.... eh. All of my photos with the point & shoot come out really too bright and washed out.

At any rate, here are some pictures I took a few months ago when it was getting warm here, and we took a walk that led to the beach and around. I liked them so much I actually printed these 5 out, in succession, framed them each, and they now line our hallway! Cool! (These are obviously in the off season, now it's jam-packed!!)
















That's all for now; tired tonight!

Book Reviews

So before I start reading my new books I figured I'd finally write brief reviews about the ones I've read...

The Glass Castle
by Jeanette Walls

I picked this book up absolutely randomly and holy cow. Seriously, a book I could not put down. (I told myself I'd read a certain amount of chapters every night, but I always found myself saying, just one more chapter...) It's the author's memoir of growing up with two absolutely nutty, out of their gourds parents, and her siblings. It may sound boring or cliche but her parents were really out of their gourds, and when the first line of a book is "My first memory is of being on fire." (or something akin to that) you're like whoa, okay. It's not a glamorous life at all, and as the families current situation of the moment always seems really horrible, whatever is in the next chapter is inexplicably worse. Your jaw will be dropping mid-book, and you'll be thanking yourself for the common luxuries of life such as heat, clean clothes, and a shower every day! (And sane parents, I hope.) It really is a story of her complete faith in her parents, whether she really loved them for their jillions of shortcomings, or if it was because she was just a naive child, who knows. (I lean towards the latter)

Of course it has a happy ending, as the author is fabulously wealthy and writes for MSNBC now, but seriously, this will make you look at your childhood and realize it was pretty darn good. READ IT. Seriously. :)



Life of Pi
by Yann Martell

Ah, the book you've seen every-friggin'-where, with the drawing of the little boy curled up in a lifeboat with a tiger. That's pretty much the meat of the story; it's about the son of a zookeeper who eventually winds up on a lifeboat in the Pacific with a handful of zoo animals. I don't want to give this book away at all, but it is somewhat about religion (and different views on it), and even though I am not a religious person it was a great read. I started this book off knowing it was written to make a point, but it starts reading so much like fantasy as events really get going that I completely forgot about it, and during the last few chapters, went "oooohhhhh". It really all ties together nicely, and it really is a story of survival about a boy with a will to live and a 350 pound tiger named Richard Parker in his boat that he has to figure out how to deal with.

Starts off kinda slow at first, but read it all, you'll need it for later. Once it starts going it's a great page turner, and you'll constantly wonder where all of this is going...



Lolita
by Vladimir Nabokov

HATED it. I really wanted to like this book, I've really wanted to read it for a while now. It's a classic, it's controversial, blah blah. But it read as SO excruciatingly wordy and heavy to read that about 1/3 of the way through it I put it down and said, screw this (no pun intended), but I really can't be compelled to care anymore. Large paragraph after large paragraph of drawn out, wordy descriptions of this or that or here or there with very little dialogue or actual real-time actions or events just made me want to fall asleep. Blah. Next!



Yay! Now that those are out of the way, I can post my next two once I'm done reading. Feel free to recommend me some books, also, that you think I'd be interested in. I'm always up for new and exciting reads. :)

Day 3 of 16

Alright, bloggy buddies. You're probably going to be hearing a lot from me lately, as I am on day 3 of my 16-day stint of no worky! So I apologize ahead of time for the flood.

Speaking of floods.

My main plan was to go to the beach today, but not after this appeared:



And LOTS of it!! Serious thunder woke me up at around 6, and the torrential rains lasted on and off for about 3 hours. It's slowly tapering down out there, and the sun is peeking through, but I'm having a feeling that it's not going to be the best beach day. BAH!

Okay, maybe tomorrow then. I could get started on all my cleaning today. .......... :(

(Or I could keep catching up on Lost ;) Almost done Season 3!!!)

My life is one giant coincidence.

So it's a -really- good thing I've got that new job under my belt ... because I (and others) got laid off from our contract jobs yesterday. YIKES!!! I feel bad for the others, they have nothing set up and things could get a little sticky. Me, I saw that unemployment train a-comin', said NO THANKS!!!! and somehow fanagled a job. Life works in funny ways.

So, now I have a two week (unpaid) vacation to hang around. Not so much worried about the unpaid part, I guess I have my savings if I need it. But, two weeks! WOO! Plenty of time to catch up on my books -- I REALLY need to do some book reviews of stuff I've read recently -- and to catch up on blogging with my neglected Google Reader.

(Also, FWIW, the cheese fondue last night was STELLAR. I can think of nothing tastier!!!!)



It's a sunny, warm morning here on the NC coast, so methinks I'll start catching up with blogs outside on the deck with a nice cup of iced tea!

Devoid of any useful information

Thank you all SO much for your well wishes on my last post! I'm really excited about this new job, and I can finally stop being so frugal with my money. Yay me!

I really don't have too much to say; we've been reeeeally tired lately, going as far as to go to bed at a memorable 8:30pm last night. Ahh, sleep! And tomorrow night is Little Dipper night for havarti dill fondue....YUM!!! Can't waaaaait. I think I could live on cheese fondue, it is absolutely my favorite food.

I'm slowly but surely compiling a list of books I want to read in my free time (read; most of the day) at work. Should post that soon!

Now I'm going to fall asleep on the couch while Mets/Dodgers finish up. What a thrilling life I lead!!!

I rock!!

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!






Happy seals!!! (Not taking credit for any of these photos BTW)

They called me today and offered me the position, I absolutely took it without hesitation! I'll be making about the same amount I am now, with a 90 day review and raise, plus *benefits* at 90 days! And it's a PERMANENT position!!! I'm really excited, happy, and amazed that I was able to land this job within a week of applying for it, especially in this absolutely crappy economy. It was just a case of being in the right place at the right time for me, and I'm so lucky it worked out! (And my awesome interview skillz)

Plus I'm taking a loooong weekend between jobs (5 days maybe), so I can RELAX and be ready!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!

Today, I was my spirit animal at work.

I hope everyone had a great fourth weekend! Mine was awesome, spent relaxing, eating tasty food, and hanging out at the beach! I'll see if I can post some pics later on, we took a decent amount.

But today, I was grumpy at work. None of the people I need to get in touch with were calling me back, and we're running up on deadlines. So yeah, I was just not in the mood to deal with people!


Buzz off!!!

My spirit animal is the bear. A few years back I had my cards read by a professional shaman (that stuff is so cool), and she read me as a bear. Which I think is completely, absolutely, totally, 120% true. This is a good link to read in depth about the bear! But in short:

"Bear is known for its period of hibernation. Bear can help us with the ability to turn inward to access our strength and honor your nature cycles. He teaches us when it is time to act and when it is time to be still."

I've had a lot happen in my life that's somewhat made me into an emotional tank; I've found a lot of strength I didn't know I had, and I found I have the resilience to withstand a lot of chaos, emotion, and catastrophe. (Both good and bad!) I like to think I'm very sturdy like a bear, and can take a lot of hits. :)

Besides, I find them to be really cute!! I've always had an affinity for bears...








But anyways, my day got better as it went on, I actually got some docs in that were really helpful, and I made some awesome chicken & mashed potatoes for dinner, so I am a happy bear! ( Those are the best kind! ;) )

Beach!

Heading here tomorrow morning! :) Now think of this picture ... but with people, umbrellas, coolers, beach chairs and towels crammed into every square inch! Yikes!! That's what we're trying to avoid by going early.. ;) Wish us luck!

Today is my 'I Rock' day!

Thanks for all the well wishes on my interview! I think I projected myself really well, and I think they liked what I have to offer. :) They're going to make a decision over the weekend and let me know Monday or Tuesday. So YAY!!!!! I don't want to get my hopes up too much ... but I'm hopeful, at least!!

Also, today I won a contest! Our local magazine here is 25 years old this month, so they were holding a giveaway and I entered ... forgot about it ... and got an email today that I won a gift certificate for a local italian restaurant! WOOT! :) I don't think I've ever won anything before. Go me!

And, unlike the majority of the world, I have to work tomorrow, but it should be a slow day and I may leave early. (I need the money!) But for now, I am content and watching the Matrix with some sweet, sweet Keanu Reeves.



OMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOM.

I must be doing something right.

So as you may or may not know, I am a contract worker at a big banking firm. There are currently a lot of other contract workers there like myself; we were hired on in January, when the rates were at an all-time low, and mortgage volume was insane. We were brought in to help out on a temporary basis.

Well, the bank I work for is in the midst of a merger with another big bank (Know who it is, yet?) and the volume of work has cooled off. 40-something temps were let go last weekend, which left the remaining stragglers (luckily, myself and my friends) just a tidbit freaked. Our axe would -surely- be soon. We can't be contract workers forever.

So I whiz-banged up my resume the other night and started looking for jobs. Now, while I absolutely adore my little beach town and now that we're in the midst of building a house, would do anything to stay here (*gack* wait tables), the job market here is absolute giant ass. I think the unemployment rate in NC is 9 or 10%? Maybe 11%? Either way, not good times. Somehow though, I came upon a diamond in the rough, an employment ad that was not a scam, actually was able to link back to a reputable business here, and sounded pretty darn fun. So, I sent my resume last night at 8 pm.

They called me at 9:30 this morning to set up an interview.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Imagine my surprise, indeed! So I go in tomorrow morning for an interview, and I hope they like me and I like them, because a permanent position here would be the coolness!

I have ironed my skirt and am keeping my fingers crossed.




In other news ... it's almost the 4th of July for us patriotic Americans! We don't get Friday off (the FTE's at the bank get a floating holiday to use, us temps get diddly doodles) but I'm considering taking a half day if this interview goes well. I don't think we're really doing anything exciting, except for heading to the beach one day. There are fireworks downtown but it's always so packed and hot and you have to get there at noon to get a parking spot that it's just not worth the hassle for me. And fireworks (the big fun ones) are illegal in NC!

So we'll see! I'll keep ya posted. ;)