Trying to Get a Handle On Everything

The last couple of days, I've been reading the book for my upcoming interview.  I'm going to record the actual interview Sunday evening, giving me a couple of weeks to edit it and post it on the 15th.  It's been a hard book to read and quite long.  I'm still not sure what approach to take with the author when we discuss it.

In addition to the reading, I've submitted several resumes/applications this week and made some additions to my website.  Yesterday, I went to an address to "apply in person" for a receptionist position.  Not knowing what kind of business it was, I was surprised to find that it is a very trendy salon.  Wishing I had put on a little more make up or spent a little more time on my hair, I went through the doors.  It's a very cool place and everyone is very friendly. I was asked to wait for the business manager. Oh, joy! An on the spot interview! I definitely wished I'd known and did a little more sprucing up.  Well, it turns out the manager is fantastic.  We had a great talk and he is passing me on to have an interview with the other 2 partners.  So, I impressed one, now I wait for the second stage interview.  I'm crossing my fingers.  He says he prefers to hire people from out of town, because they have a good work ethic.  Locals, apparently, are not very dependable.

OK, so that's the situation on the job front.  During those last 2 days, I haven't worked on the book very much, since the interview was coming up and the book for that had to be finished.  But now, I'm back on it.  Not so much writing, but doing what I probably should have done initially-gathering information.  I've pulled all my blog entries and am going through the comments.  There's too many gaps in my memory and my blog posts for me to be comfortable writing much at this time.  Today's job is to finish going through every scrap of  emails, blogs, comments, notes, that I can find and enter them into my time line.  Since I didn't do this initially, I am going to be going back through my first 7 chapters and making some adjustments; probably beginning some new chapters, as well.

Oh, I'm going to be a non-paid production assistant for an indie film that is being filmed on the 16th and 17th.  I met the producer/director on Facebook (Michael John Gabriel) and he asked me if I'd like to fill one of the positions that he still needs people for. He says this is like an audition for future paid work for everyone involved.  Sounds like fun, and I did let him know that my schedule may suddenly change if I get a paying job requiring my presence those two days. The Sunday should be fine, it's the Saturday that I'm not sure of.  He says there are 4 shifts and I can do one or all four or any combination. So it's pretty loose.

I'm taking on another project, that I hope I can get done fairly quickly and easily.  I got burned on my last attempt at bartering website building, in exchange for some tattoo work (he ended up not holding up his end of the bargain and so I had to take it all down).  I have made a similar agreement with a friend who does tattoos on the side. Since he has a day job, he does it more for fun, than anything and it has come in handy for him to barter with.  He's been professionally doing them for 17 years, but prefers to be able to just do them, now, as he feels like it.  He knows the guy that I first did a site for and understands my wariness, but this time, he's doing the work first, then he says I can do the website at my leisure.  So, it's a matter of making arrangements and working out the artwork.  His site should be quick and easy to put up, since I've already done one.  The only aspect that I think is going to give me some trouble is his logo.  It's really unusual.  As long as he can get me the full artwork, it should be OK.

Oh, tomorrow is another BMW track day. Cameron and I are the official photographers for track day.  We get to go hang out on a curve and take pictures of whomever rides by.  It can get kind of hot, but we've been having nice weather.  Of course, this is taking place a couple thousand feet lower in elevation, so we'll see.  Hats and lots of sunscreen!  Anyone, who can pay the track fees, can come and use the track that day and the event is sponsored by the BMW dealerships.  Employees can ride for free.  Cameron has gone on the track a couple of times, but I'm not sure if he'll do it tomorrow.

It's going to be a challenge getting down to Albuquerque and to the track.  The annual balloon fiesta is this weekend and is a huge tourist attraction for the region.  I'm hoping to be able to see some of them in the air from the track.  I will definitely take pictures.  I don't know the air patterns around here very well, so have no idea which way they'll go after launch.

Well, it looks like a couple of my emails I sent out asking for archived information from the time of the accident may have been answered.  So, back to the timeline!  I'll keep you posted about all the crazy stuff I'm doing.

No News Is Definitely Not Good News!

Well, today is, for the most part, over and I have not received a call from the Humane Society, where I interviewed last week.  They said the would not call unless I was chosen.  So, here I am.  The interview I had yesterday was for Head Start, which is funded by government money, so has to go through a 3 week process to make any sort of decision.

I know several of you were wondering about all of that, so there it is.

Today was the worst one for job leads.  Not much posted that I could remotely qualify for, unless I'm big and burley, and can lift 50+ lbs on a regular basis, or have prior experience doing, which I didn't have for any of them.  Another thing that's frustrating here is the "must be bilingual" criteria that is with about a third of all the job openings.  I wish I could learn languages easily, but they just don't stick!

Well, in the meantime, I've got 7chapters under my belt and many still to go.  Speaking of which, I do need to get back to that business at hand.

Have a good evening!
Patti

Understanding More as I Go

Well, my interview seemed to go well, yesterday.  The position is made for me, except for the hours.  It's 3 8-hour days: Sat, Sun, Mon.  Not bad, except Cameron's "weekend" is Sun/Mon.  It could make for some drastic schedule changes at home.  At this point, though, anything is good.

After the interview, I went to the mall to see some of the friends I left behind, especially the others still at the Pagoda.  Unfortunately, the manager was there, and since I didn't give her any notice, I really didn't want to see her.  Luckily, she disappeared from the kiosk for quite some time, as usual, so I was able to go into the Zales, which is next door, to chat with one of my friends in there.  While I was talking with her, one of my other friends, he had been a regular customer at the kiosk, saw me and stopped to talk.  He was in a hurry, so I told him I'd stop by the salon he works at in a little while.

Both of my friends want to place an order with me.  We'll see if they follow through.  The one at Zales gets paid next week and said she'd call me then.  The other, is interested in more products than I have on my website so wants me to bring him a catalog next week.  All it takes is word of mouth in this town.  If I can get a handful of happy customers, they'll tell their friends, etc.  Viral marketing is what I was told it takes to make a business, here.  Several good experiences can create a success, but a bad one can destroy it.  That's Santa Fe.

I've made progress on several other fronts.  I'm slowly filling in my podcast guest schedule.  I'm booked through November.  I'm slowly making my way through the book for October's show.  The publisher I frequently work with, is sending me about 6 books to choose from, that are by the author I'll be interviewing in November.  She's fairly prolific and has a couple coming out then.  I'm not sure about the others she's sending me, but free books are always welcome!

Then, speaking of books, I'm managing to get about a chapter written each day.  Though I took yesterday off to just regenerate.  I have 5 chapters and a prologue in final stages.  Cameron is encouraging me to keep working on it, not wanting me to loose my momentum.  He says it's riveting writing and the story line very intense.  He's sure it will be a good book once I finish.  I'm handling it one chapter at a time, with an outline to keep me on track.  I don't know how many chapters there will be.  Each one begins and ends on its own terms.  Most prompt tears at some point in them.  That makes them all the more tiring to write.  I think this will turn out to be good therapy for me, once it's all done and all the memories are packed into a file outside of my brain.

With the thoughts from chapter 5 neatly tucked away in my laptop, I should be able to get some sleep. I have another interview on, I think Tuesday, so I'll let you know how that one goes. Good night!

Fatigued, yet productive

There's still no new interviews or even potential interview contact.  I've applied at several locations, both large and small companies.  Since most of these applications were submitted on Friday or over the weekend, I don't anticipate hearing from any of them for another day or so.

Some good out of this?  I'm getting a good amount of writing done.  This is extremely difficult for me as it is dredging up memories that I had pushed down 3 years ago.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.  Eventually, they start oozing back up and popping into your head.  I've suffered from PTSD from Cameron's accident, but never dealt with it with a professional.  Now I am, especially now that those memories aren't cooperating like they had for the past few years.

The writing is for a book. It's written from my perspective and begins the day I receive notice of the accident.  I don't exactly know where it will stop, but I'm getting it all down on paper.  Like throwing up that poisoned food that is only making you miserable while in your stomach, I'm regurgitating the minutes, hours, days , and weeks of a time that I felt more fear and helplessness than anyone should ever experience.

My therapist says it will be a healthy undertaking.  I'm not sure I'm 100% with him on this, now that I'm into it.  My anxiety levels have increased and I tear-up frequently, especially when I'm writing.  I feel moodier and more exhausted than usual.  I'm only 50 pages into it, with many more to go.  One thing is good.  Cameron is glad that I'm doing this.  It might be because it helps him to understand what was going on while he was not himself or just happy that I am writing.  He's always loved my writing and encouraged me to write. It was always hard to find the time, since I tend to get engulfed in my subject.

I may post some of it here and there, or may send hard copies to those who are interested.  I don't know what I'll do with it when it's finished, so would rather not make it available to just anyone who happens upon my blog.  That's to be worked out later, I guess.  For now, it's been a long day.  My allergies have made it difficult to sleep some nights.  Last night was one of those, hopefully, tonight will bring me deep, restful, sleep.

Zozobra opens Fiestas de Santa Fe

The following is from the local paper.  This is an annual tradition here and very popular.  Unfortunately, they increased the cost to attend, and we really don't like crowds, so we were not present for the festivities. I thought you might be interested in the cultural aspect of it.

[Photo Gallery] Old Man Gloom meets fiery doom - The Santa Fe New Mexican

http://www.zozobra.com/history.html  This link will take you to information on the history of Zozobra.

It Just Keeps Going and Going

The first of September was both wrenching and mind-boggling.

That great job I got a few weeks ago, ended. It was decided that I just wasn't right for the position.

Our lease on our apartment is up at the end of the month and the great move-in special we got last year, ends then, as well.  This means our rent will go up $200 on October first.  If one month's notice is required to move, I had to decide whether we would be staying here or moving somewhere cheaper.  Since I couldn't get a hold of Cameron, I gave notice, with the understanding that I could cancel it. This would be the only opportunity to do so.  

I spent the next day checking out potential future homes, but the costs involved in moving would be hard to come by if I have difficulty finding employment.  So, after discussing it, we decided to cancel our notice and take the lesser of the two evils.  The management company is offering one month of free rent that can be credited to our account and used as needed.  That helps a little since, if necessary, we can take what we can't afford to pay next month out of the credit allowance.

OK, so here I am, again, searching for a job.

Wednesday, I applied for a job with an organization that works with at-risk youth and their families.  It's similar to another position I had several years ago and I had planned to apply there the same day I was hired for my former position.

Thursday, I got a phone call from that organization, requesting that I come in for an interview on Tuesday.  That was fast!  I've continued to apply for other jobs, but don't expect to hear from anyone until after the holiday.

This "break" is giving me the opportunity to take care of long-overdue cleaning projects.  I also, have an hour long podcast interview to edit down to 20-25 minutes by the 15th, so am working on that as well.  The interview is with Paul Krassner, the satirist.  He's a very interesting person.  I enjoyed talking with him, as is evident from the length of the discussion/interview.  If you're interested in listening to it, it will be posted on iTunes sometime on the 15th of September, under the podcast name of "The WildO Network".

Cameron is doing well and getting a better handle on the stress of his job. There's been some personnel changes there, so that shakes up the "norm".  I'm not sure how the winter will be handled this year as everyone on the service side of the dealership's pay is dependent on a constant influx of customers.  That's something we saw greatly lacking our first winter here.

It's looking like we may have some rough months ahead, but we could, also, be pleasantly surprised. I'm feeling a little more positive at the moment and anticipate a surprise or two.  Paul (Krassner) is going to be using part of the unused interview to glean some quotes from me, and will be calling me in the coming weeks for more information. It seems that he is working on an article that may put my business in a very visible position.

Like I said, there may be some surprises ahead.

Talk About a Steep Learning Curve!

Wow! Today was my second day at my new job and it was exhausting!  There is soooo much to learn-names of instruments, cleaning methods for exam rooms, organization of all supply cabinets and drawers (there's lots!), the doctor's preferences in instrument arrangement, the color-coding of the schedule that is displayed on a monitor that tells everything about each exam and, thus, what items will be needed for it...

I'm so burned out at the end of the day, but still have "homework" to do-as in studying supply catalogs to get to know all the instruments, their uses and names, and all the other stuff that is used in exams and restorative procedures.

There's a big rush because the other person who works this position is going back to school on Tuesday.  So that means I will be flying solo for 3-4 hours a day, while she's in class.  Talk about a crash course in dental office work!  I was supposed to have another day to learn, Monday, but a prior employee's funeral was then so they closed the office.

I only wish the person who is training me knew how to teach.  The office manager keeps trying to offer suggestions to her, but she is so nervous about me learning everything in time that she is just throwing it all at me. (She really needs a lesson plan!)  So all day I'm told to do this, then do another thing, before I've completed the first, then she complains that I do it too slow.  This was day 2, I only got my feet wet yesterday.  (Oh, she's terribly OCD, too)

So, I'll probably be spending the weekend studying photos I've taken of all the drawers and cabinets so I can memorize where everything is and how it's supposed to go.  Thank goodness for digital cameras! I'm going to take some more tomorrow of the instrument cases and their layouts so I make sure I know where each one goes for the different exams.

As for other happenings in our lives, Cameron went to a jam session tonight. Apparently, there's some guys that heard some of his music and are wanting to get a new band together.  So, they asked him to play with them tonight.  I wish I could have gone with him, but this chaos of a job isn't going to kick my butt for too long.  I know I'll get to know everything, then it will be like any other job and I'll have more energy when I get home.

A little later...

Tuesday and I just came back from a little walk. It's very nice out tonight and lots of other tenants were out, too.  Unfortunately, so were the mosquitoes!  They seem to find me quite tasty and they are rather small here, so it's hard to see them coming.  Dastardly little blood-suckers!

I was just looking for the photos we took of our little prairie dog colony and realized I don't think I ever posted the pictures from our Las Vegas (NM) trip.  So, here they are:  Overnighter in Las Vegas

I need to get some studying done, then off to bed!