Some good news
Things seem to be picking up a bit, lately.
Job related things:
An old prof of mine contacted me a couple weeks ago, asking how I was doing. He's always said I was born to be a literary agent and go to New Yawk. I want to stay around here, though, and I've felt backed into a corner when talking to him, since I know he'll bring up NYC. I replied that I was still looking for jobs but I really do want to stay in this area, at least for now; I asked if he had any networking that could come in handy.
Turns out that he did. He knows a guy who works at Thomson Gale Publishing here in Michigan. He gave me his name and email address and some tips for writing a whizz-bang cover letter. He said to make it fresh, a bit longer and mention a lot of names and what I've done in terms of research (T-G is big on research and biographies). I showed him my cover letter and he thinks it's great; it's going to be sent out snail mail and email (though I don't know if I should wait a day after snail mail before emailing it, to narrow the window between when both arrive).
Another good job thing: I applied for "Library Aide II" at my city's library. It's a bullshit job (wants some comp sci credits from a uni (being that I have a bachelor's, I think that works) and knowledge of windows and internet browsers. Hahaha), but it pays $18-19/hr plus medical and pension. That's a bullshit job that pays pretty damn well, honestly.
They took applications until June 27th and never heard from them. I was a bit pissed since I met or exceeded each requirement and figured I might be overqualified for the job (which, honestly, I am, but with this job market, I don't care). Yesterday I got a letter in the mail, though. I made it to the next step: the typing test. They had over 170 applicants and I estimated (from the length of the typing test, how many open slots, etc) that they've narrowed it down to 12. Sweet. Typing test next week for me.
I'll be honest and say I'd much rather work somewhere like a publishing company than being a library aide, but I'll take what I can get (if I get it, of course). I'll just see how it goes.
Pets:
So I emailed the South Carolina shelter that has Princess (the guinea pig mentioned in my previous entry). lady_monino has an aunt who lives just a bit south of them and is coming up for a reunion next week. That's way too much of a coincidence for me to not ask, y'know? So I emailed them and asked if it would be possible to adopt Princess long distance and have someone transport her here. She replied with:
Princess is ready to go. If you would like an application that would be
great.Where in SC are they I am not far from Columbia,SC.
and included the application. I know I said I'd wait till I know I have a job, but the coincidences all add up, and I want to help Princess and have her. I can afford to keep a guinea pig and obviously know how to; it'd just mean that instead of having another 4 months worry-free, money wise, I'd have 2 or 3. I can handle that.
Job related things:
An old prof of mine contacted me a couple weeks ago, asking how I was doing. He's always said I was born to be a literary agent and go to New Yawk. I want to stay around here, though, and I've felt backed into a corner when talking to him, since I know he'll bring up NYC. I replied that I was still looking for jobs but I really do want to stay in this area, at least for now; I asked if he had any networking that could come in handy.
Turns out that he did. He knows a guy who works at Thomson Gale Publishing here in Michigan. He gave me his name and email address and some tips for writing a whizz-bang cover letter. He said to make it fresh, a bit longer and mention a lot of names and what I've done in terms of research (T-G is big on research and biographies). I showed him my cover letter and he thinks it's great; it's going to be sent out snail mail and email (though I don't know if I should wait a day after snail mail before emailing it, to narrow the window between when both arrive).
Another good job thing: I applied for "Library Aide II" at my city's library. It's a bullshit job (wants some comp sci credits from a uni (being that I have a bachelor's, I think that works) and knowledge of windows and internet browsers. Hahaha), but it pays $18-19/hr plus medical and pension. That's a bullshit job that pays pretty damn well, honestly.
They took applications until June 27th and never heard from them. I was a bit pissed since I met or exceeded each requirement and figured I might be overqualified for the job (which, honestly, I am, but with this job market, I don't care). Yesterday I got a letter in the mail, though. I made it to the next step: the typing test. They had over 170 applicants and I estimated (from the length of the typing test, how many open slots, etc) that they've narrowed it down to 12. Sweet. Typing test next week for me.
I'll be honest and say I'd much rather work somewhere like a publishing company than being a library aide, but I'll take what I can get (if I get it, of course). I'll just see how it goes.
Pets:
So I emailed the South Carolina shelter that has Princess (the guinea pig mentioned in my previous entry). lady_monino has an aunt who lives just a bit south of them and is coming up for a reunion next week. That's way too much of a coincidence for me to not ask, y'know? So I emailed them and asked if it would be possible to adopt Princess long distance and have someone transport her here. She replied with:
Princess is ready to go. If you would like an application that would be
great.Where in SC are they I am not far from Columbia,SC.
and included the application. I know I said I'd wait till I know I have a job, but the coincidences all add up, and I want to help Princess and have her. I can afford to keep a guinea pig and obviously know how to; it'd just mean that instead of having another 4 months worry-free, money wise, I'd have 2 or 3. I can handle that.