Other stuff...

I realized the other day that I've had this blog for about a year, and I didn't think that'd happen unless I got lucky with my last IVF, which, of course, didn't happen. I haven't been writing regularly the last several months, but I am glad that my blog and all the others are there. The first IVF blog I started reading was BabyBaby's, and for some reason or another, my computer has refused to let me access her place for months. I can go there now, and in skimming through her archives, was so excited to see photos of her beautiful little boy. Am also loving new-to-me blogs by Tertia and Lobster Girl.

I hesitate to think about this or write it, but a month or so ago, one of my mom's friends had a dream that one of my mom's girls was pregnant with a boy. My sister had already decided that she was finished with the TTC thing, so that leaves me. My mom's friend fancies herself a bit psychic and at my grandmother's funeral, she pulled me aside and whispered, while pointing at me, "good things are going to happen to you." Thanks for stoking the old Hope Addict, M. By the way, when's this going to happen?

I am not Job, even though sometimes I think I am. My father may be, though. In the last few weeks he's had to deal with his mother in her last days, one infertile, seemingly unemployable daughter, and another who is now separated. My poor sister had a great birthday. The night before her big day, her husband either left or she asked him to leave. I don't know the whole story, just that it sucks. The seemingly perfect family. I wasn't jealous of her, but sometimes had a "why can't I have a little of that, too?" attitude. They have the 2 beautiful kids, the lovely house, the nice vehicles, plenty of money, you get my drift. It just makes me remember how precarious everything is, and that nothing's perfect. Not that I thought it would ever be, for any of us, but every day something else happens that drives it closer to home. My poor dad is a worrywart, too. He gets it from my grandmother. I think it gets a little less intense with each generation. Besides, it apparently didn't take that big a toll on my grandmother, since she lived to 94. I did tell my parents that I thought they could use a vacation, though.

The Story of the Amazing, Shrinking, Disappearing Interviews

A couple of weeks ago, I had a job interview. It was basically the same kind of job I had at my last company, Admin. Asst. at a small ad agency. The lady who was to interview me stressed that it was an entry level position, and I said I realized that. The company I worked for did mostly PR, and I still don't feel I've gotten a lot of actual ad agency experience, although I've written lots of ad copy, mostly for radio. The interview took place at a Starbucks and I really liked the woman, who's one of the partners. She said they wanted someone who was ambitious and didn't want to stay in the position, but she gave me an idea of what they'd be paying and it wasn't much more than I was making before. She did say there could be a substantial bonus involved. Now, I'm not sure what substantial means. To someone, it might be $500, to some executives, it's $10 million. I'm thinking a couple thousand, which would with the salary would still have been less than I want to make, but I figured I'd get in there and dazzle them and get promoted. They decided I was overqualified. I'm sick of that word. (Duration of first call to interview 4 days, turndown letter came 8 days later)

3 days after that interview, the employment agency called and asked if I'd be interested in...an administrative assistant position at an ad agency. Another one. A bigger one. Yippee. I've applied with this company before and heard very little feedback. 3 years ago, they actually called me and asked me to fill out a personality assessment. Geez, I hate those things. The employment agency faxed me another one, which I immediately filled out and faxed back. I got a call a few hours later after the ad and employment agencies had conferred. The ad agency said they knew me and if they had anything creative that would fit me they'd love to hire me, but...they want someone who only wants to be an admin. asst. They figured I'd find something else and move on. It's been 6 months and I haven't found anything at all, so I have my doubts about the "something else". In all honesty, it's been 3 1/2 years and I haven't found "something else." I wasn't thrilled about taking my last position but thought it was my foot in the door. Apparently it was just a toe. (Length of process from call from employment agency to no from agency <1 day.)

So yesterday, I got a call a little before 9 AM. It was from the airport, which is where I had high hopes about a PR position a couple of months ago, but never got an interview. They wanted to know if I wanted to interview for another position in the same department, a position as (say it with me now) Administrative Assistant. I said yes, I'd like an interview. While the airport office is temporarily located downtown, a round trip drive to the airport from my house is not much more than a mile. Besides, I like airports. Early yesterday afternoon, I left to do my freelance job and run a couple of errands. By the time I got home, there was a message saying that my interview was canceled, and they had decided not to fill the position due to restructuring. ?????? Why did they call me in the first place? Are they insane? Is there no communication between departments? Did my little bad luck demon accidentally let my interview slip through the cracks and then realize his mistake? Geez Louise. (Time elapsed between interview call and cancellation: approx. 5 hours 11 minutes)

I told Garland that the next time I get a call they're going to say,"We'd like you to come in for an interview (pause), wait, no we don't," He said the next call will come from someone who'll say "We heard you were going to apply for a job with our company. Please don't." At least I can't complain about the process dragging out.

I know, I didn't finish my story. I may sometime, but it wasn't all THAT interesting, anyway. Life has crept in and interrupted me.

My grandmother passed away on Friday. I got to be there with her, which was nice, as I was her pet and we had a close relationship. I've heard that death is beautiful and I've been afraid that it was horrible, and it turned out, it wasn't really either one. It just was. Her breathing got slower and slower and finally stopped. She was 94 and had been in a nursing home for 18 years. She had osteoporosis before we even knew what it was called and had started breaking bones probably around the time I was born. Her mind was fine, though, and she amazed people who visited her with all of the things she remembered and all she knew about things going around town, especially since she wasn't physically taking part in most of them. I was probably more like her personality-wise than I am anyone else in my family. I spent the night with her a lot when I was young and remember her letting me drink coffee, which of course, was mostly milk and sugar. I also got to watch soap operas, The Carol Burnett Show, and The Tonight Show, none of which my parents would let me watch at home. She taught me prayers and bible verses, and lots of nursery rhymes. We played lots of card games, like casino, Crazy 8s and Authors. I probably know a lot of the answers that helped me get on Jeopardy because of her. In fact, she would have been great on Jeopardy or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, or anything like that when she was younger. She's been ready to go for a good while, and I'm so glad she's not suffering now, but I will really miss her.

Imagine if you will William Conrad narrating this story. I know that he was the radio narrator and voice of the Lone Ranger. Why I know that, I'm not sure. It's this danged head full of trivia without an outlet right now. In case you don't know who William Conrad is, he played "Cannon" on TV. I know many of you chilluns are really puzzled now. He was a fat detective on a 70s mystery show. OK, maybe you'll recognize his voice as the narrator of one of my favorite cartoons, "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle". Yes, it was before my time too, but I know them from the reruns. He also used to host the Thanksgiving parades on CBS when I was a kid. Hey, why the heck did I get started on this guy??? Oh yeah...

Our heroine Tracy decided to call her friends at the employment agency and tell them she was ready to take some long-term temporary or temp-to-perm job if the money and conditions were right.

Tracy (voice of June Foray who was the voice of Rocky the Squirrel, Natasha, and most any other woman on the Bullwinkle show): "Wahhh, I have no money. Get me a job! But not just any job for me. No, no, the perfect job!"

A few days later Tracy got a call.

Semi-helpful Agency Lady: "I have a data entry job that pays $2 less per hour than you specified, but your name was at the top of the list. It might be a week or only 2-4 days."

Tracy thought to herself: "This is not what I asked for at all, but..." She said aloud "Well, OK. It would get me out of the house for a few days."

SAL: "That's great. The people are very nice. The dress is business casual. It's not a fancy office, but..."

Tracy: "It's not in a warehouse"

SAL: "Exactly"

A few days later, Tracy arrived at the office of a truck/machinery part distributor. It seemed pretty much like a warehouse. It was not exactly the kind of place where she'd make valuable future contacts, but it seemed to be fine for a few days.

Tomorrow's episode: It's not really fine!

Let's try this with the new Blogger comments!!

I did hand out and pick up a few cards at that lunch, but I don't know that anything will come from them. I was invited to a business networking group's weekly lunch meeting, and wanted to go today, but the woman didn't get back with me in time, and when she did, she mentioned the lunch tomorrow. I'm positive she said it was on Tuesdays, so one of us must be loony. Can't go tomorrow--it's the biweekly broadcast where I freelance.

I've had a weird gynecological symptom lately. Turn your head, look away, leave now if you don't want to know.

OK, still there? Freak. No, sorry, kidding, I'd like advice. Of course, at first I thought, could it mean I'm pregnant? And of course, this morning I woke up with cramps. But the weird sensation is still there. It doesn't hurt or feel good. It's just an odd warm sensation on the right side of my l*bia (I don't want someone happening upon this from bizarre-a*s search). I don't know if it's blood rushing to it or not; it seems wet, just internally. Can't afford a trip to my GYN right now as I have no insurance, but just wondered if any had heard of anything like this. Thanks if you have any ideas!

Tomorrow (maybe): temping adventures with Tracy!