So I am discovering that there seems to be a direct correlation between having an interview, and the number of new employment opportunities that come up on the various job boards. at minimum I seem to be able to scape by one a day that I may be remotely qualified for. The weird thing is these are the ones that I seem to be getting the most bites on. Thus far I have had two interviews for similar positions to what I was doing in Alaska. The first place I think was smaller than they wanted to let on. I think I may also have been being used as an example on how to interview someone.The second place; I have my suspicions about. It’s kind of a shame because I think I would’ve like working there.
Pay is certainly lower here. Lower than just being in the lower48 would seem to warrant. I suppose it’s because of the large workpool available here. Many places also seem to have unreasonable expectations. They want associate degrees to answer phones at a front desk; for just above minimum wage.
I have actually turned down two offers. One was a very low pay, more work than I did before (and I did the work of two people), odd hours and weekends, on call, and dealing with a lot of people looking for work. The funny thing the only thing that really changed my mind on accepting the job was the pay. I could’ve potentially made more on unemployment; or as a waiter; a barista; or any number of other jobs with less stress. The other job sounded interesting, but it was on evening and night shift. My marriage is more important than that!
interestingly, I have another interview on Monday. The company is actually based out of Anchorage. From people that I’ve met that work there over the years, it’s a good place to work for. It’s a green company (as green as a shipping company can be anyhow) and it seems like there really into education for their customers. This is a big plus in my book. I hope it goes well. Best case scenario it pays enough that Melissa can go back to school full time next fall. I don’t think that is going to happen though.
For the last few weeks I’ve found myself missing a lot of the customers I used to have. I’m sure some of that is simply because I’m home all day with just the dog an cat, but there are a few that I would guess are probably actually worried about me. I actually feel bad that they do because despite everything, I am happy down here. I’m walking a thin line between boredom and depression, but I am nonetheless happy.I would like very much to be happier, but that is not going to happen until we have more space. Someplace I can set the shop back up and work on something.
Speaking of the shop, I think it may be time to start to sell some furniture. There is a co-op downtown. I think I’ll get some info on how it all works and make a table and such. There is one shop that has a lathe worker selling his wears there, I may see about contacting him to make a display to enhance the items, and in turn (pun intended) sell the table also. I think this will all be a bit of a ways off, but not near as long as it was when I was spending my free time fixing the house.
Still no further on the house in Ruston. We are needing to file an extension on the initial offer as the bank is taking too long to process and approve the offer. Short sales may be worth it, but damn are they a pain in the ass. We do have a backup plan in case we are not approved. We’ll just buy a cheaper house (if we can find one) and deal with it for a while. It’ll mean a much smaller payment anyhow.
November. Tacoma. Just awesome. It’s currently 58F out, the clouds are light, and it isn’t fucking snowing. I took a drive down Grandview Drive this morning. The trees are changing color, the leaves are falling, and Great Big Sea version of “Scolding Wife” and “The Night That Paddy Murphy Died” were playing. It was a good drive. The only things that could have made it absolutely brilliant would have been if the leaves were dry, and the speed limit was about 50mph instead of the 35. I really like looking in the mirror and seeing the leaves all blowing around. It makes me say “Whee!” It also makes me remember drives along the old Gheddes road with my father in his Alliance going too fast. There are not enough fast winding roads in the country.