Career Girl Update: Back Rubbin' the Saddle Sores Again

It' so flattering when y'all complain that I haven't posted in a while. Really, it is. But if you think you're gonna make me pull a Sally Field, well, you're wrong. (Wink.) I'll just settle for saying, "Thanks for reading." And I mean it.

It's been a month since my last post, so I thought I'd drop a quick blog note to apprise everyone of just what I'm up to. As many of you know, I've been living the high life for a year now. The first six months were funded by Unemployment Insurance. Over the last six months, I've lived off a combination of savings, brokering apartments for my landlord (a free month's rent for every unit I rent out -- so far I've rented three since June), and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language). AND I've temped in various upscale corporate setting, as those of you who've read the "Pippypoo" entry well know. And oh, yeah... the massage thing pops up every once in a while, so to speak.

Christ, reviewing that list makes me realize what a busy little bohemian I can be when I put my mind to things... Such a litany of pursuits, however trivial, is enough to make me reconsider whether I remain qualified for slacker status.

Anyhoo, today I'm plunked in front of yet another Hearst Corporation computer, filling in for some "lifer" Executive Assistant who works for some coot who's apprently so old and important that his business cards no longer contain a job title. John Mack Carter's resume includes having been chairman of American Home Publishing, Editor-in-Chief of Ladies' Home Journal and McCall's, and Associate Editor of my alma mater, Better Homes & Gardens. (I know an alma mater is a school from which one has graduated -- that's exactly what it was for me, since it was my official introduction to the School of Hard Knocks.) Well, how nice for John.

If I hadn't seen the man the last time I was here (temping for the Corporate Treasurer), I'd have no idea what he looks like. He's in Florida today. Just like he was yesterday. For the past two days I've sat at his secretary's desk, answering his phone (which only rings once an hour) and taking care of my personal business both via phone and internet.

Now THIS is a job I could handle.

I love lending a helping hand to the aging icons of industry. I love seeing how major corporations will keep people on salary and fill their lives with perks and benefits simply because they were, once upon a time, productive. It's almost contrary to basic capitalist principle, isn't it? I can't decide if I want to criticize the waste of company dollars or praise the sheer humanitarianism of the situation. So I settle for "sticking it to the man" by wasting some of their dollars myself, and by taking care of all my home office supply needs while I'm here. Anyone need some Scotch tape? A pile of Post-It's?

Meanwhile, I'm back in the FT job search. I'm ready again, not to mention broke. No more savings to live off, save for the precious little IRA I started a few years ago and that I've vowed not to touch. Much.

This time around I'm targeting sales, especially ad sales. If I'd been an eager little advertising beaver when I was at the last FT gig with Veranda magazine, this is exactly the career path I'd have been on. So I've decided to get on it again. My experience qualifies me for it; I'm "priced out" of considering anything new (e.g.: I can't settle for less money), and I actually think I could handle it for a while. The main emphasis is that I would NOT be anyone's "Assistant" anymore. THAT's what made the last two jobs such hell for me. My ego has suffered enough blows. I refuse to put myself in a subservient role again. True, sales is as kiss-ass as jobs come, but in the ad world, Ad Reps are respected. No assistant is respected. Don't even try to get PC on me now. I've had three years of humbling experiences to back up my argument.

What about the ESL, you ask? I'm teaching every weeknight from 7-10pm. It's a great gig but it only pays $12.00/hr!!! I'm paying dues in that field. I need a year's experience in it before any day school takes me seriously. Hence the reason to return to FT sales work while I continue to gain ESL teaching experience PT.

So the slacker is awakening from his slumber. I won't say "the party's over," however. I know myself too well. But I apologize if the blogging slows down. Studies show that when Greg has a FT job, his creativity wanes. Believe me you, I've made it a long-term goal to establish a lifestyle that is balanced between money-grubbing and creative endeavors. But that requires a short-term commitment to wage slavery.

Don't give up on us, baby.