life and more
Disclaimer: It is not safe to wear thin tights when it is 0 to negative 5 degree weather, seriously. I blame the pinapple martinis.
Miami
My twoish week stint in Miami finally came to an end. Not without fun times with my sisters, quality time with Tyler and Rev, one night of fun in Orlando, and of course plenty of arguments and tears with my mother.
I think this trip allowed me to come to terms with the fact that I don't live in Miami, or for that matter Orlando, anymore. It WAS however, fun to go and reconnect with people that you feel close to. Ironically, I'm including my sister. She's actually really funny and pretty amazing, albeit still kind of a bitch and really annoying if she doesn't get her way, but it was fun to feel like we're finally interacting like adults.
Back to Basics: Chicago
Every time I attempt to write this entry (because you how it saves your draft if you unexpectedly close the window?) there are more and more updates. Meaning I have to update more often.
After a few rough weeks of being poor, going to Miami, coming back to the harsh winter of my discontent (also knows as life as an unemployed person); things are finally starting to look up.
Miraculously, just a few days after I had started to panic about never finding a job, my temp agency called with a gig that was less than 3 blocks away from my house. It was helping run (ie. Co-Manage) this low income housing building that was funded by HUD and the Chicago Housing Authority, but is still privately owned. It went well and I was looking to get hired and settle into a job where I could literally leave 8 minutes before I was supposed to arrive and come home every day for lunch. My second week there I received 2 call backs from places I had inquired about employment a few weeks back. One was a non-profit and the other was another agency that mostly helped people find temp-hire positions specifically in the non-profit industry. I took my chances and took off a day of work (which was risky to do in a job that you’ve only had for two weeks). I immediately regretted it, as my interviews can go down as 2 of the worst interviews I’ve ever had, or so I thought. As it turns out, the agency called me back the next day and had a position at DePaul (a Chicago private catholic university). One thing led to another and after an interview and careful review of options (including listing the pros and cons of each job *the hud building vs. DePaul University*), I decided to take the job at DePaul.
It’s temp for about a month and then I’ll be extended some sort of offer. If it all works out, I’d be making a decent amount and not only be getting benefits but also I would be able to take classes for free at the university. Including graduate level classes! It’s also relatively close. Only at 15-20 minute commute. One EL stop away!! I’m thinking that this commute will be shortened in the winter when I can walk at a normal pace and not be concerned about slipping on black ice.
Other than the job front, Chicago has been fabulous as of late. We finally had a much needed break from traveling and from visitors. We threw our first Chicago party! It was a huge success and I realized how many cool kids I've met in the last few months.
Huffman and I were able to resume our afternoon adventures in the city. This includes an ongoing film project ...more on this soon.
We also started going to play euchre (it's like hearts or spades but midwestern style) at this bar with a Euchre club. They've been around for some 20 odd years. The people in it (mostly older gays) are fun and it's a blast to sit around get drunk and beat old pro's at their own game.
Dating life has cooled down a bit. I was trying to watch the L-word at a local bar but the crowd sucks and my glasses broke (ugh which is annoying and have to wait a few weeks for new ones), meaning it's easier to watch the show online.
Miami
My twoish week stint in Miami finally came to an end. Not without fun times with my sisters, quality time with Tyler and Rev, one night of fun in Orlando, and of course plenty of arguments and tears with my mother.
I think this trip allowed me to come to terms with the fact that I don't live in Miami, or for that matter Orlando, anymore. It WAS however, fun to go and reconnect with people that you feel close to. Ironically, I'm including my sister. She's actually really funny and pretty amazing, albeit still kind of a bitch and really annoying if she doesn't get her way, but it was fun to feel like we're finally interacting like adults.
Back to Basics: Chicago
Every time I attempt to write this entry (because you how it saves your draft if you unexpectedly close the window?) there are more and more updates. Meaning I have to update more often.
After a few rough weeks of being poor, going to Miami, coming back to the harsh winter of my discontent (also knows as life as an unemployed person); things are finally starting to look up.
Miraculously, just a few days after I had started to panic about never finding a job, my temp agency called with a gig that was less than 3 blocks away from my house. It was helping run (ie. Co-Manage) this low income housing building that was funded by HUD and the Chicago Housing Authority, but is still privately owned. It went well and I was looking to get hired and settle into a job where I could literally leave 8 minutes before I was supposed to arrive and come home every day for lunch. My second week there I received 2 call backs from places I had inquired about employment a few weeks back. One was a non-profit and the other was another agency that mostly helped people find temp-hire positions specifically in the non-profit industry. I took my chances and took off a day of work (which was risky to do in a job that you’ve only had for two weeks). I immediately regretted it, as my interviews can go down as 2 of the worst interviews I’ve ever had, or so I thought. As it turns out, the agency called me back the next day and had a position at DePaul (a Chicago private catholic university). One thing led to another and after an interview and careful review of options (including listing the pros and cons of each job *the hud building vs. DePaul University*), I decided to take the job at DePaul.
It’s temp for about a month and then I’ll be extended some sort of offer. If it all works out, I’d be making a decent amount and not only be getting benefits but also I would be able to take classes for free at the university. Including graduate level classes! It’s also relatively close. Only at 15-20 minute commute. One EL stop away!! I’m thinking that this commute will be shortened in the winter when I can walk at a normal pace and not be concerned about slipping on black ice.
Other than the job front, Chicago has been fabulous as of late. We finally had a much needed break from traveling and from visitors. We threw our first Chicago party! It was a huge success and I realized how many cool kids I've met in the last few months.
Huffman and I were able to resume our afternoon adventures in the city. This includes an ongoing film project ...more on this soon.
We also started going to play euchre (it's like hearts or spades but midwestern style) at this bar with a Euchre club. They've been around for some 20 odd years. The people in it (mostly older gays) are fun and it's a blast to sit around get drunk and beat old pro's at their own game.
Dating life has cooled down a bit. I was trying to watch the L-word at a local bar but the crowd sucks and my glasses broke (ugh which is annoying and have to wait a few weeks for new ones), meaning it's easier to watch the show online.