This is a picture of my new job: my window, desk, some folders. As you can see, there isn't much of a view, but hey at least there's a window, right? Of course yesterday we found out that we are being moved to offices in Grand Central Station. Hm. Hopefully they will have windows, too.
I love the job so far. Everyone made me feel so comfortable and welcome in my first week. They are all hard workers, intelligent, and they give me lots to do. I've spent the entire week just learning; it's fried my brain and I'm exhausted, but I'm also exhilliarated by the new environment. I don't know whether or not I will continue to like this job over time, but right now it has a strong novelty quotient and that's great. I remember when production had a novelty quotient. That wore off.
Another bonus, besides the health care, dental, and salary is that I feel legitimate somehow. I'm treated like a respected member of a team, rather that "just the temp" or "the assistant" or "the contractor." I've had plenty of respect in the various jobs I've done, but I've also been treated like crap more times than I can count. These people seem to find me valuable and smart and it's great. I feel more valuable and smart when I'm there. I hope that feeling remains.
I haven't written in a while for a few simple reasons: #1, my internet has been down for the past 2 weeks. Right now I am piggy-backing off of another person's wireless connection from the boyfriend's computer. #2, my computer's motherboard just blew up so now I have to get a new computer. Fortunately I can salvage the hard drive but I can't say I'm too happy about it. I'm considering a laptop, but then I'd have to try to sell the new monitor I just bought, and laptops are more expensive anyway. But they're portable and convenient. (I'd be likely to drop mine and destroy it). I'm thinking about a mac mini, but I don't know about those macs; I've grown so comfy with my PC and besides, it's not like I have to use Final Cut Pro or anything. The benefit of having a mac would be...hm, what would that be? I'm also thinking about a nice little HP desktop that should do the job, and is the best price. Argh. So annoying.
Well, I've also gotten acceptance letters to everywhere but Brooklyn College yet (CUNY can be slow going). I have another dilemma at the moment: choosing between Brooklyn and Fordham, assuming I'm accepted into Brooklyn, which is less selective than Fordham. Fordham is more expensive but seems to have a stronger program. Brooklyn is much, much cheaper. The choice should be clear, but it's not. For now.
So, there's so much up in the air. I've started looking at apartment postings, but most people want someone to move in April 1st. They don't fool around here; there's not much planning ahead. Rents are much higher in Brooklyn now that it's the cool place to live. Sometimes I think I'd just like to move upstate and commute in. If I'm here for much longer, that may have to happen. I think I could tolerate a lengthy commute if I can live in a place that's more suited to my preferred lifestyle, which is certainly not this big-city living.
Now before the connection cuts off again... over and out

Resolution: Resolved!

I got the job. Finally, I got the job. I had a feeling about this one, actually. I sort of knew. I went against all convention and superstition and told everyone I possible could about it, about the interviews, about the company, and about my progress. Some people are afraid that loose-lippage will somehow jinx them, but it actually psyched me up. The more I talked, the more excited I became about the position. The more excited I was, the harder I tried to get it and the more enthusiastic I appeared in the interviews. So, folks, that may actually work: instead of holding it all back in fear of shame or superstition, just let it go. Feel free to want it!
What y'all may not realise is the fact that I've never, ever had a full-time job with benefits. The closest I came to full-time work was at the opera, and I occasionally took off from there to go do some freelance stuff. Well... no longer. I now have a full-time, fully-loaded work situation. It frightens me a little. I'm taking the week off next week to prepare myself mentally (and to get a haircut and some work clothes) and then it's into the trenches! The corporate trenches, no less. A year ago I would have spat at this job. Now I actually look forward to it; I think I have much to gain from this experience. And you know what? A year ago I was full of shit.
Anyway, landing a job with bennies was one of my New Year's Goals. I'm currently working on the rest. I doubt I will volunteer with animals this year, but the rest are coming along. At the moment I actually feel like the pieces of my life are fitting together... my evil plan is working... at last! Ha ha ha ha ha! I know from the past that it's cyclical, like anything else, and I'm so glad to be on the up-swing. It feels like Spring.
The thing that excites me is the feeling that I can spend money a little more freely, with a little less concern than before. I never knew when and where my next paycheck would come from, and for how much, so it was so hard to plan or to invest any money in anything. Now I will have an idea, now I will finally be able to relax a little. I don't want to go crazy, mind you. I would like to save as much as possible. But I would also like to concern myself with other things a bit, too.
Oh, by the way, I'm not making the big bucks or anything, but it's definately a huge pay raise for me.
And I've been more creative "on the side" that ever before. You know what? Creativity is much more fun, and more fullfilling, when you don't have to depend upon it to make a living. Yet I imagine I will have to use other modes of creativity in this job. It will stretch my brain, for sure. After all the easy crap I've been doing this should be a welcome change.

The End...

This is a picture of the view just outside my ex-office at Lincoln Center. The snow was falling last Thursday and it was very pretty, so I decided to snap a photo.

Friday was my last day. I am once again wading in the swamp of uncertainty and instability. I remember I once said that stablility was boring... I want to be bored! Friday was great, though. My co-workers gave me a little party and took me to lunch. It's almost like it was a real job! If felt good to know that I'd spent enough time in one place to make connections, and I don't mean professional connections. I plan to keep in touch with these people because they are good people and I had a great time there.
Anyway, it's monday, I'm at home on my computer, not working (although I hope to get started on doing some web stuff soon). I do have some t-shirt illustrations to do for some streetwear company, which is positive, and I also have this second interview today. I'm very nervous. I actually really want this job. A lot. I've told numerous people about it. They seem to like me well enough but it will be impossible to judge. What if they hate the materials I gave them? They gave me "homework," what if they hate what I did? What if someone else did something much, much better? Ah, we cannot worry about "what ifs," I suppose. And I certainly can't bank on getting this job, what with last years' job interview track record. I'm just trying to maintain a positive attitude.