Sunday, August 31, 2003
Ugh. I made a big mistake recently which I'm paying for in spades now. That job at the fabric store I got. I thought it would be a nice way to earn a little money, get a discount on the fabric which I frequently find myself buying and perhaps get some cheap, employer-sponsored insurance for myself. Instead, it's turning out to be a nightmare. For one thing, my employers, (despite my expressed wishes,) have scheduled me for about 20 more hours of work per week than I had wanted them to. Consequently, I'm working close to full-time hours for a low-wage retail job which is turning out to be a LOT harder on my body than I had expected it to be. (Remember folks, it's been a long time since I had my last minimum-wage gig. At least 5 years. My soft, desk-oriented body just can't handle all that standing and shuffling about for hours on end. At least not yet.) Add to this the fact that I'm still on unemployment and have to report all the money I earn (AND that if I quit or get fired, I risk putting my remaining unemployment funds in jeopardy) and you have yourself one unhappy angel. Also, as far as the insurance thing goes, I'm just a seasonal employee meaning = no bennies. Unless I'm brought on part-time, which probably isn't going to happen, seeing as how I'm finding myself less and less enamored of the position (and more and more inclined to whine about it) as the days go by.

So why did I put myself through all this hell in the first place? Why didn't I just move down to the Twin Cities months ago and start a job search in earnest while this whole unemployment gig was still young? Because I didn't want to leave my nice, cheap apartment, my friends, or my community. I like it here. The cost of living is low and it's relatively easy to move around. (There are NO one-way streets, which is a BIG advantage in my book.) Unfortunately, after 6 months of searching (and a couple of really close calls,) I've managed to land nothing. Nada. Zilcho. No one's hiring up here. (Except when it comes to grueling, low-pay retail jobs, and we all know how well THAT path is working out for me.)

So I've got no choice but to move my ass and all my belongings and to face all the pain and aggravation that goes with such activity. It's a nightmare I tell ya...

Somebody please wake me up...