Hired!

At the request of my blog-friend, Rapparee from Sex Sells, I thought I wouldn't leave you all hanging about the triumphant end of my job search. I tried to sneak it into Good Humanity Sunday from a few weeks ago, but he caught me.

So just to recap, I lost my ever first grown-up job waaaaay back in December. And it sucked. I was also naive enough to think that my former boss wouldn't inhibit my new job search, costing me an excellent opportunity with a company I really admire. Dumb, I know.


Then while in the midst of fighting over unemployment benefits with my former company, (see a pattern of asshole behavior here?) I picked up a freelancing position at a really cool youth marketing agency. And by really cool, I mean too cool for me. I was so not trendy enough to work there. But they let me roll in at like 10:30 and I had complete control over the work I did, so I didn't mind being the only girl not wearing those ridiculous neon tights as pants.

The boyfriend, who is lucky enough to work in a job that offers overtime, was working 6 days a week to make up for my lost income. By mid February it was starting to wear on him. Dealing with me in a constant state of disappointment wasn't easy either. But he did it all without complaining or blaming me. And he absolutely kept me going when I let myself get frustrated.

[/lovey-doveyness]

So throughout all this, I was still looking for a full-time J-O-B. I tapped out most of my linkedin network and used Monster and craigslist as well. I even looked in the newspaper classifieds. (It felt old-timey and weird.) After seeing their ads during the Superbowl, I threw up my resume on CareerBuilder and then didn't give it much thought.

But a VP of human resources at my new job was using CareerBuilder to fill a position in a department due to a large growth of new business. (good sign: business growing despite recession) He liked my resume enough to call me in for an interview with the team, which went great. And then... nothing for like a week. He called back to tell me that they were in the midst of "reassessing the needs of the department" so it would take them some time for them to get back to me. Naturally, I thought he was giving me the runaround and I almost wanted to tell him that he should just be up front with me instead of stringing me along. I was mad.

Then another week went by and I realized that this was a place I really wanted to work at. I had gone on a lot of interviews since I didn't get that other job and this was the first one that I was really excited about. I sent over samples of the freelance work I was doing and reiterated my interest. And lo, I got a call back! And they wanted me! So I wrapped up my freelance work and started up last week.


Now, I can't tell if my first job was so horrendously bad or if this job is just fantastically good. I will reserve judgment until I at least can remember everyone's names. However, I just have to mention that my boss was considering taking on new business and she asked us, her subordinates, what we thought. I was really floored to have my opinion even considered, let alone sought out.

My birthday isn't for a couple of months, but I'm thinking that this is the chocolate fountain celebration type of job. Yay! (Watch video to understand what I just said.)

Good Humanity Sunday 3/30/08

OMG you guys, I love basketball so much. So our proof of good humanity this week is a shoutout to the little guys, the rags to riches scrappers who defy expectations and much higher seeded teams.

This year, Davidson College, led by the monstrous Stephen Curry has danced through the field of 65 all the way to the Elite 8. And by monstrous, I mean in terms of talent instead of looks, because he is just so adorable. Just look at him! I wonder if he even shaves yet.

Cinderella stories (or if you prefer, Davidson vs. Goliath) like this are one of the big reasons that I love March. The NCAA tournament thrusts these kids into such a bright national spotlight and I'm just so freakin impressed that they don't wilt on the spot from all the pressure. I don't even think I could make a layup if I knew millions of people were watching.

The 10th seed Wildcats face Kansas today at 4:30 EST on CBS. I'm so excited, I don't even care that they busted my bracket.

Send me your proofs of good humanity! If you've found some on the interwebs, or would like me to post your good humanity story (maybe like my Subway Hero!) drop me an email at beagoodhuman11 at gmail dot com. I love to read them!

Give your money to strangers

(photo via progressdaily.com)

Today I gave like 65 cents to some lady on the subway who played what looked like a cross between a bagpipe and a recorder. (It sounded horrible. I like the mariachi guys way better.) It's something I try not to do, because as a hard-working American, I feel like I have the right to determine whether or not people "deserve" the money I've worked so hard for.

My recent unemployment stint has taught me a lot about how much money I really need to get by (answer: not much) and now that I'm working, I suddenly feel like I have all this extra cash laying around. And I want to spend all of it. I realized that I still dress like a college student and I could use a new pair of running shoes and omg I need a $5 latte right now.

So I need to figure out something better to do with my money. My current blog-crush, Jen at Daily Mitzvah, has started a charity piggy bank, which I will be appropriating in short order. I'm also verrry open to other ideas. Can you think of another way for me to do something good with my money?

Good Humanity Sunday - the late edition

Here's some proof of good humanity: no reanimated corpses of dead messiahs tried to eat all our brains yesterday. I think we can all agree that this is a good thing. Stay save, everyone!

Good Humanity Sunday 3/16/08

This week's Proof of Good Humanity comes from MSNBC Health. The Janssens were fat - dangerously so. The old "finish your plate" command was killing off this family.

Nine years ago, eldest sibling Claudia Meyer ... had a stroke, and doctors said she'd never walk again. In 2003, youngest brother Bruce passed away at age 47 from a blood clot, and a little over 2 years later sister Valerie, 57, died suddenly from a heart attack.

Instead of letting unhealthy habits continue to pick off the remaining Janssens, they decided to do something about it: go for a walk. Yep, that's it. No crazy exercise regimen or raw food diets; they're just taking walks together. A group of 21 family members even walked a half-marathon together.

Over the miles, family members walked in small groups, catching up on news in their lives, sharing emotions, telling stories, and encouraging each other. "When my blisters started acting up at mile 6, Heidi distracted me with a game of 'let's see who we can catch ahead of us,'" says Lois. Even Claudia, back on her feet despite doctors' bleak prognosis 9 years ago, took part in the walk — 65 pounds lighter and feeling "twice as good as ever." For Nita, crossing the finish line with her sister-in-law Stephanie, who had been married to her brother Bruce, is a memory she will never forget. Heart disease may have claimed Bruce's life, but the Janssen family is walking toward a promising new future.

How great is that? Not only are they getting healthier, but they're doing it together. And they collectively lost almost 200lbs. Woah.

Bonus Sunday Proof: Less than 2 weeks after I got that freelancing job, I finally found the full-time position I was hoping for. Consider the job search tag officially closed!

Send me your proofs of good humanity! If you've found some on the interwebs, or would like me to post your good humanity story (maybe like my Subway Hero!) drop me an email at beagoodhuman11 at gmail dot com. I love to read them!

Resolutions Revisited

So it's the middle of March now, a time when most people can't even remember what they resolved to accomplish in the new year. Me included! Good thing I blogged about it. To quote, uh, myself:

1) Find a way to pay my bills.

2) Drink less pop.

3) Volunteer my time in person.

4) Multitask less.

I think I've got the first one figured out. Not so much the rest of them. That's disappointing. Time to prioritize!

How are you doing with your resolutions?

Pick Somebody Up

I just love this song. Take it to heart, people!

Lysol your ladyparts

(Click for larger view.)

Found this at The Essentia Sphere and just had to repost it. Because OMG SO RIDIC! Nevermind the implications that your smelly vag is causing marital strife, I can't even imagine the havoc this would wreak on "delicate tissue." Gah!

We are listening

Guess what! WE ELECTED THIS WOMAN! (Well, Oklahoma did, but still...) If we allow hatemongers to represent us, then we are hatemongers ourselves. If you're outraged by this, write your representative and demand a House Censure.

Update: Pam at Pandagon posted (alliteration!) some great insight on this. Check it out!

Good Humanity Sunday 3/9/08 - Celebrate!

This past week was pretty busy for me. You may have noticed that I didn't post anything. My proof of good humanity this week is that I found a freelance job that I really enjoy. After a lot of ups and downs, and much emotional hand-wringing, someone finally gave me another chance to prove how awesome I am. I'm still on the lookout for a full-time position that will satisfy my middle-class guilt, but this was just what I needed, in a talk-me-down-from-the-rooftop sort of way.

(Oh, and I promise to get back to posting 2 or 3x per week like you're used to. Sorry.)

Send me your own proofs of good humanity! I love to read them and I will likely post them on Sundays. Email to beagoodhuman11 at gmail dot com.

Good Humanity Sunday 3/2/08

As part of my ongoing search for proof of good humanity, I thought I would share this gem, which I found on Consumerist. Basically, Staples tried to rip off this old guy for computer repairs and this guy Michael stepped in and fixed it for him for free!

The senior, who had been lulled into Staples for a free tune up that suddenly cost $39.99, didn't understand why he needed to spend money on a "diagnostic screening ($49.99), virus removal services ($150), and more RAM (~$150)." Michael intervened and offered to look at the computer free of charge. He couldn't believe what he found when he popped open the computer.

Great story. Go read the rest. It's a cautionary tale and proof of good humanity all rolled into one!

In an attempt to bring some kind of stability to my posting schedule, I'm going to try to start (or end, depending on your calendar) your week off right with some proof of good humanity every Sunday. If you've found some on the interwebs, or would like me to post your good humanity story (maybe like my Subway Hero!) drop me an email at beagoodhuman11 at gmail dot com. I love to read them!

What I'm doing with my free time

I've got some free time on my hands. See, I'm currently unemployed. Sometimes it's great. Sleeping in! No responsibilities! Not having to jam myself on the train at rush hour! Sometimes it's not so great. No income! Boredom! It's like a vacation, but without the fun and friends and funds for which to pay for it.

But I'm still committed to being a good human. So, here, in convenient bullet format, is what I'm doing with myself:

• I take my magazines to the dialysis center nearby. I've been told that dialysis is quite time consuming, so who wouldn't want to kick back with a nice Us Weekly or Mother Jones while a machine filters their blood for them? I like the idea of getting multiple uses out of something before recycling it. (Yes, both of those subscriptions were gifts. I really, really love one of them. Guess which one.)


• I'm taking fewer showers. And therefore using less water. TMI?


• I'm keeping my heat as low as possible, while (barely) avoiding frostbite. I'm trying to make a game out of it, like every degree I can stand to lower it is a point for me. I was sick last week and lost a bunch of points though. :(
  


• I go to the library instead of the bookstore. Again with the reusing thing.
  


• I talk to my family more. I chatted with my gram for over an hour the other day and I could tell that it totally made her day. St. Joseph is being very sluggish with selling their house, btw.
  


• I'm reading a lot more blogs. Right now I'm totally crushing on Daily Mitzvah, Menstrual Poetry, MMM Brains!, Muslim Hedonist, No Impact Man, Shakesville, Stickpaste, The Curvature, Well-Heeled, and Where It Stands, just to name a few.


• I'm able to devote more time to the RAINN Online Hotline. Have you been sexually assaulted and don't know how to deal? Not sure about what happened to you? Still feeling anxious even though it was a while ago and you "should" be over it by now? Chat with a trained volunteer (like me!) securely and anonymously.
  

Do you have any ideas? I've got plenty of time to implement them! Leave 'em in the comments or email me at beagoodhuman11 at gmail dot com.