The Martians Have Landed!

Blogging hasn't been a high priority; figuring out where the hell I am has been. It's been a few days since we arrived in Phoenix...to 85 degree weather I might add! It still feels like we're on vacation. I still must tell the tale of our final week on the road, but it's not meant to be now. Patience, my pets. I feel very confused; still believing somewhere in the back reaches of my mind that we will return to our condo in Chicago; sometime after our "vacation" ends. Speaking of the condo; big drama there. Can't it all just be over with?

Settling into our new digs with friend David. It's a great place; w/ a large; very beautifully landscaped, private backyard...with a POOL! I've already used it several times, one such time, just floating on a...what would you call it? a pool-bed. I don't know. Loving it, but again, with the heat added; keeps us in the mindset of vacation. We have our own bedroom and bathroom; all outfitted nicely. High on our list of needs; is a dresser of some kind. We transported the majority of our clothes via UPS, so they arrived here before we did. W/ the exception of some souvenirs we acquired on the road, that is all we have as far as personal belongings. Everything else remains in storage.

We've been driving around a bit; just to figure out where things are...running errands, getting laundry caught up...etc. I think we've been pretty productive in the three days we've been here, but have also had plenty of time to laze about in the fabulous weather. I don't think I'll have any problems acclimating to the heat; except when I have to dress up for work...plus, it's only April, the real heat is yet to come. My heat receptors will be put to the test then, I'm sure.

Speaking of jobs, I had another interview w/ Restoration Hardware today; with one of the assistant managers. The big boss is on vacation until Monday, which means I will have several more days to laze about by the pool; until I will have to interview w/ her. I was told today that due to several changes in company policy; and the absorbtion of a district manager into the store payroll, there is a freeze on management hirings at this time...not what I was hoping for as we travelled here. But, it appears I may still be able to come on as a full time sales associate. We'll see. The problem w/ this, is that the drive to Scottsdale; and the store (which is located in Kierland Commons; an absolutely fabulous, upscale outdoor shopping center); is about 27 miles. I'm unsure if I should be concerned w/ not making a management salary (at least to start--I wasn't completely shot down); and still using that much gas to drive north 5 times a week. If I'm offered a full time non-management sales gig, of course I'll take it. I don't want the 4 months in the Chicago location; and all that I have learned, to go to waste.

The other half also had an interview today; w/ a company he worked for back in Chicago; before his long-term gig @ Trout. It looks promising, but may not start for a couple of weeks. Financially, we're okay. We set aside plenty of start up cash, but that won't last forever. His commute from friend David's house? A measly 2 miles away. The blessing in this; for me at least, is that he can take the bus, since I will clearly need the truck to make my way to the northern part of the metro area for work. In the meantime, we're both going to continue looking into other jobs; just to cover our bases.

I also realized today; that the past few days of our time here; could have been used to look for theatre companies, talent agents, etc. I'm just to out of the loop mentally. I don't have any concept of time, we sleep 10 hour nights, have no obligations, etc. It's very strange.

To come, a final update of our wonderful road trip...although I'm glad to be finding our way back to normalcy...strange, huh?