Dude, This is Epic

It’s been a while since I did one of my forever-long updates of my life. I know you’ve all been itching for one of these drawn-out yawn fests, and I intend to remedy that right now.

I start work tomorrow. I had a short-lived gig w/ one of those “here, take a free ticket to a forthcoming movie…FOR FREE. Yes free!, but only if you give me dirty looks and hiss at me like I have cockroaches crawling around in my hair and my halitosis has reached an all time high nasty funk.” I worked over 3 days, for a total of about 15 hours. Did okay, but decided (before I had this other gig—I’m a smart one, aren’t I?) that it wasn’t for me. My pitch was good, and I gave a good deal of tickets out. It wasn’t the rejection of the people I actually asked—hell, I’ve worked retail, that’s nothing new. It was the nasty looks of the general public, judging me from afar as I held my “free movie” notebook. Plus, my pick up place for the tickets was far away, and I would possibly be going as far as Anaheim or Pasadena or Thousand Oaks for some jobs. With our truck’s age (and lack of any recent tune-ups since we left Phoenix) and gas prices soooo easy on the wallet, it didn’t make sense. Plus, with the other half no doubt going to be the higher bread-winner, as he has been in the past, it seemed more beneficial for him to have the vehicle. Okay? Was that enough rationalization for you? Yeah, me too. But, not to worry. I had a great job in line. I was going to work for Actor’s Equity. It was a block away and it paid quite well. Also, I had a great time w/ the interviewer. Did I get a call? No. Did I get a reply to my requests for updates? No. So, I applied to Z Gallerie (not just there mind you, I have been applying EVERYWHERE). After 4 (yes 4) interviews, concluding on Friday, I was offered the job as an Associate Manager. Pretty good pay, and certainly no issue. I’ve managed in retail before, and I’m actually pretty good at it…believe it or not. I start tomorrow. On top of this, I interviewed for a job last week for an acting studio…an admin position. I was to interview a second time w/ the owner. I called to get that done as quickly as possible, since I would be starting @ Z Gallerie soon. Got a reply on Monday, and I explained to them my position, that I accepted elsewhere, but that I was still interested. Today, I heard back, and the woman that I was to replace, decided to stay. Okay, that makes my life a lot easier. So, I am starting tomorrow. A few good things. I can take the bus to Beverly Hills (yes, I’m working there…a couple of blocks from Rodeo Drive) and arrive to work w/in about 40 minutes for about $1.50/ one way. And since the other half got a job that started last Friday (today is his third day), he will need the car. Yes, dammit, we got jobs within 1 day of each other. When it rains, it pours. He has to drive about 30 minutes away to Paramount (the city, not the studio). A much better commute than that he/we had in Chicago. Sweet. We’ve been a bit scared to say anything, since the last time we jumped the gun by assuming we would have our jobs for more than a week…we went ahead and let everyone know. That blew up in our faces.

Frankly, I don’t care. I am THRILLED to be gainfully employed. We’re on the road to normalcy…finally. I’m very excited. I won’t allow our happiness to jinx our good fortune. Hell, good fortune is certainly a big part, but also due for some kudos? Our hard work getting here. Once things settle down, I’d be interested to take a look at how many interviews we attended and how many resumes we submitted. It has to be some sort of hideous, bad-reminder record.

Enough about the jobs. Let’s just end this by saying “thank you” to all of you out there who were rooting for us. It is genuinely appreciated and certainly had something to do with our new employment. So thanks! And these jobs can’t be taken lightly, in light of this recent financial crisis. I count ourselves very lucky.

With my last day of unemployment, I went to work w/ the other half. I had to, since I needed to pick up friend Lorri from the airport, and then go back home for a possible interview w/ the acting studio (which clearly didn’t happen). The best thing about today? I plopped down at a Starbucks w/ my laptop for two 2 hour sessions. I’ve written about 9 pages today on my current script. It’s been a while since I got that much mileage. Some good stuff, but it will need a great deal of polish…but dammit, I completed an entire scene and worked on two others. I feel GREAT about this. Do you all recall that I wanted a rough draft of this script by October 15th? I do. I still have that reminder on my desktop. I’m now at 71 pages total. I’m anticipating another 40-50 pages, in order to get all I need. I’m very excited! Then the rough draft is done, and the cutting begins. Nifty!

Good Lord, I have to be up by 5:30 to be to work by 7am. Work! Money! A sense of offering something to society. Can’t put a price on that.

I’m off to pick up the other half. I’m writing this at the Starbucks where I completed my marathon writing blast on “Me & Simon Baker”…which I’m considering changing the title to “Roast Beef”. Lorri, you were right. All of my titles are food related. What is that saying?

What I’m trying to say, is that this was written @ 3:22 pm, but it won’t be posted for a couple more hours. Why do you care? Well, you probably don’t, but that kind of stuff just irritates me.

Finally, the McCain/Palin party sucks.

Later.