After my frustrations last week with the damn online applications, I went out to eat with my friends. As I was sitting in the bathroom, guess what damn song came on the radio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE
This song FOLLOWS me and it always seems to know when to appear. I was starting to get slightly discouraged and questioning decisions and then this song comes on. I know it seems silly but for me, it always seems to reassure me when times are weird.
So yesterday (Saturday), I went to downtown LA, where I have rarely been, and met up with my friend, Liz. Liz is the sister of John who I was in the Peace Corps with. She lives in Alabama but she is dating a guy here in LA so she was visiting. We connected and decided to meet for dinner. Liz's boyfriend happens to be a director. Isn't that funny? (LA...all about connections). She had visited Moldova last year so we had met and become friends and kept in touch. She's super cool and a designer for "Coastal Living" magazine. We sat and chatted at dinner for a few hours and I expressed my concerns about finding a job and she once again reassured me that things were going to work out. Why? Because they always do. She's right. She's so right.
So my phone rings this morning at 8am. I ignored it as I had a full day of plans with friends ahead and I didn't feel like waking up just yet. But the phone kept ringing. It was Liz. Her boyfriend, Shiloh, had to be on set all day and he wanted to know if I wanted to come on set with him and be a PA. (Production Assistant). One of the actresses needed an assistant. I thought about all the people I would have to cancel on for the day and I was hesitant. She then said the actress's name was Kristin Chenoweth. Sorry (truly) friends, I had to jump on this opportunity.
I drove and picked up Liz who graciously agreed to go to the set with me. They were shooting at AFI (American Film Institute) so we drove up there, another place I had never been. Just being THERE was exciting enough.
I can't really talk about what they were filming as it hasn't been picked up yet, but more details to come at a later date.
I met Shiloh and his brother Rider.
(His brother is Rider Strong, from TV's Boy Meets World. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0835045/ )
They were super nice. I met most of the people on the crew and learned their functions. SO many things go into making movies/TV shows, I am shocked that anything ever gets produced. Everyone was really nice. I don't know if it's because I was walking around with Shiloh's girlfriend or what, but it was fun. I met Kristin. She is TEENY, but as sweet as can be. She didn't really need a lot of help and I basically just hung out with her and chatted with her. It was a full day and it was just great. I loved being on a set and watching things from behind the scenes and being a part of something so cool.
We broke for dinner just in time to watch the Breaking Bad finale. Yes, I got to watch the finale of one of (if not THE) greatest shows of all time sitting on a TV set with a crew.
(And the finale was perfection, but I won't go into that). I met a lot of people, gave out my number and established a lot of connections.
It truly was an A1 day!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
The frustrations of online applications.
So I applied to work at the headquarters of the PC. They go through an online system. So easy, right?
WRONG!
The application took about 5 hours to complete. I sat in Starbucks one day nursing a Pumpkin Spice Latte while I completed the entire thing.
I, in turn, uploaded my resume, references and my proof of service from Moldova.
What happens 2 days later? They do a 'system upgrade' and all the information is lost.
There isn't a phone number, it's not like I can speak to a regular person. The options are online chat (only available certain hours) or an endless email cycle to a generic address because that way you never have the convenience of emailing with the same person more than once.
They recovered the application and then processed it for me. Wasn't that nice?
Except that the application is blank. So my name, contact number and address was submitted with a blank application to the federal government, therefore forever making me look like an idiot who isn't able to complete the most basic of information like uploading a resume.
I think this is a sign.
Time to look elsewhere.
WRONG!
The application took about 5 hours to complete. I sat in Starbucks one day nursing a Pumpkin Spice Latte while I completed the entire thing.
I, in turn, uploaded my resume, references and my proof of service from Moldova.
What happens 2 days later? They do a 'system upgrade' and all the information is lost.
There isn't a phone number, it's not like I can speak to a regular person. The options are online chat (only available certain hours) or an endless email cycle to a generic address because that way you never have the convenience of emailing with the same person more than once.
They recovered the application and then processed it for me. Wasn't that nice?
Except that the application is blank. So my name, contact number and address was submitted with a blank application to the federal government, therefore forever making me look like an idiot who isn't able to complete the most basic of information like uploading a resume.
I think this is a sign.
Time to look elsewhere.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Week #2
Been here almost 2 weeks now. What I have realized is what crazy, generous friends I have. I was lucky enough to have almost 5 weeks with my insanely generous family and I get out here and it's the same thing. I have paid for 2, yes 2, meals since I have arrived. My friends aren't rich people and yet they are so giving and so happy to see me, they just help out. It's ridiculous. Ridiculous and lovely.
The weather has been LA beautiful. Even on the hottest day there was still a breeze.
On Tuesday, I reunited with my friend Juan, one of my best friends here in LA. When I had the 'big reunion' Friday night he was on a trip (he's a flight attendant) so we finally had our reunion. It was so good to see him. We sat and talked all day and walked around IKEA, it was wonderful.
On Wednesday, I reunited with my friend Jeff who took me out to lunch and we caught up on movies and TV and local theatre. That night, I met up with Ethan once again to join him for a trivia contest at a local bar. We placed 3rd, thanks useless pop culture knowledge.
On Thursday, I met up with fellow Peace Corps volunteer from Moldova, Jess. She is now a grad student at USC. I have never even been to that area of LA. I was a little lost, there are a lot of one ways and street name changes but we finally connected. It was like I saw her 2 weeks ago as we immediately began our usual banter. Since we're both unemployed we ate cheaply, got to see her experience her first In-n-Out burger, a rite of passage for Los Angeles. And then we headed up to Griffith Park to get some great views of the city. (Also, free!)
Friday morning, met up with my dear friend Deb as she treated me to a good Italian pastry and then some lunch as we caught up. Then I headed out to Chino for a nice afternoon dinner with Juan and Derek as we talked about finding a place to live together. I need a transitional place before I can afford my own and they need a place to stay as their house sold and they haven't found a permanent residence yet. Should be pretty fun.
Job wise, I have sent out resumes, the LA adage "Hurry up and wait" is in full effect, so that's fun. Thankfully I have my patience down pat at this point.
So all is still well. I am where I want to be and life is good.
The weather has been LA beautiful. Even on the hottest day there was still a breeze.
On Tuesday, I reunited with my friend Juan, one of my best friends here in LA. When I had the 'big reunion' Friday night he was on a trip (he's a flight attendant) so we finally had our reunion. It was so good to see him. We sat and talked all day and walked around IKEA, it was wonderful.
On Wednesday, I reunited with my friend Jeff who took me out to lunch and we caught up on movies and TV and local theatre. That night, I met up with Ethan once again to join him for a trivia contest at a local bar. We placed 3rd, thanks useless pop culture knowledge.
On Thursday, I met up with fellow Peace Corps volunteer from Moldova, Jess. She is now a grad student at USC. I have never even been to that area of LA. I was a little lost, there are a lot of one ways and street name changes but we finally connected. It was like I saw her 2 weeks ago as we immediately began our usual banter. Since we're both unemployed we ate cheaply, got to see her experience her first In-n-Out burger, a rite of passage for Los Angeles. And then we headed up to Griffith Park to get some great views of the city. (Also, free!)
Friday morning, met up with my dear friend Deb as she treated me to a good Italian pastry and then some lunch as we caught up. Then I headed out to Chino for a nice afternoon dinner with Juan and Derek as we talked about finding a place to live together. I need a transitional place before I can afford my own and they need a place to stay as their house sold and they haven't found a permanent residence yet. Should be pretty fun.
Job wise, I have sent out resumes, the LA adage "Hurry up and wait" is in full effect, so that's fun. Thankfully I have my patience down pat at this point.
So all is still well. I am where I want to be and life is good.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Back to the Real World
After spending over a month in my hometown, I figured it was time to stop living off of the kindness of my family and actually go out and try and support myself. I love where I grew up. I didn't at the time, but I love it now. It was a great place to grow up. But for me? It's just not a place to grow old. It's just not me. I could not wait to get back to LA. I am so glad that I took some time in Pennsylvania to really feel it out and not make any decisions right away. I am so very lucky to have people who take care of me that allowed me the chance to do that. But, I did book a flight and came back to Los Angeles.
I do not have a job, I do not have a place to live (I have a place to stay, not a place to live), I do not have a car (although I have a kind friend who is lending me one) and I barely have any money.
Seems dire, doesn't it? Then why am I so unaffected by it? I have no idea. My anxiety derives from the fact that I have no anxiety about the current state of my life. Isn't it weird? Anxiety arrives from outside pressure, the constant questions about my lack of employment does wear on me. One thing I did not miss about America is the only question to begin a conversation with is "what do you do?" So many other things are happening that have nothing to do with my unemployment. I am reuniting with friends, surprising them, enjoying the view of the mountains and the palm trees and the sunsets. Nobody asks about those things, because they don't result in a paycheck. And for the millionth time, I AM NOT GOING BACK TO TOO FACED! Why in the world would I want to come back to the exact same life? That's not the point of starting over. Too Faced supported me for a long time, even after I left the country and I have a feeling that those gals will be supporting me for the rest of their lives emotionally. Professionally? We've out grown each other. We broke up, but we're still friends. Super wish everyone would accept that.
So where am I looking? I am looking around. Let's just leave it at that. In the meantime, stop and look at a sunset, call an old friend and catch up instead of just 'liking their status,' sit and people watch for an hour. I will find a job, I will make money to support myself. Right now, I'm just enjoying life in America. There is a roof over my head and there is (a lot) of food in my belly. So much more than so many.
I do not have a job, I do not have a place to live (I have a place to stay, not a place to live), I do not have a car (although I have a kind friend who is lending me one) and I barely have any money.
Seems dire, doesn't it? Then why am I so unaffected by it? I have no idea. My anxiety derives from the fact that I have no anxiety about the current state of my life. Isn't it weird? Anxiety arrives from outside pressure, the constant questions about my lack of employment does wear on me. One thing I did not miss about America is the only question to begin a conversation with is "what do you do?" So many other things are happening that have nothing to do with my unemployment. I am reuniting with friends, surprising them, enjoying the view of the mountains and the palm trees and the sunsets. Nobody asks about those things, because they don't result in a paycheck. And for the millionth time, I AM NOT GOING BACK TO TOO FACED! Why in the world would I want to come back to the exact same life? That's not the point of starting over. Too Faced supported me for a long time, even after I left the country and I have a feeling that those gals will be supporting me for the rest of their lives emotionally. Professionally? We've out grown each other. We broke up, but we're still friends. Super wish everyone would accept that.
So where am I looking? I am looking around. Let's just leave it at that. In the meantime, stop and look at a sunset, call an old friend and catch up instead of just 'liking their status,' sit and people watch for an hour. I will find a job, I will make money to support myself. Right now, I'm just enjoying life in America. There is a roof over my head and there is (a lot) of food in my belly. So much more than so many.
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