Send Me On My Way

After looking for jobs for months, I suddenly have three solid possibilities open to me.  Although I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, I have hope that one of these things will work out.

About a week ago, a friend of mine told me that a paper they work at has positions open for paid internships.  Although I don't have an English or Journalism degree, I have always loved writing, particularly now that I am writing more days than not.  In an effort to counter the fact that I don't have a more applicable degree, I started to write three sample articles.  One article on wedding planning in our current financial climate, one article about veganism, and one article on a foreign exchange program my friend is in.

I setup interviews via Facebook with friends of mine who were engaged or were married.  It's a bit crazy to me that people my age are getting married.  Am I at that age already?  During the interview process, I was humbled by how much detail my friends went into.  It was more than I could have asked for and at the same time what I asked.  In doing this I also realized, I could do this for a living.  I find it interesting, creative, and fun.  Everything something should be that takes up most of a person's time.

After working on the wedding article, I got to work on the foreign exchange article.  My friend from grade school is currently in Korea teaching young kids English.  I asked her about it and in doing so, I got interested.  So I went to the website and signed up.  Soon after, I got an email and then a phone call.  Going to Korea to teach for a year seems like a far away possibility that is quickly becoming more likely.  I've thought from time to time that I would like to teach.  I'd like to help people on an everyday basis.  With teaching I could do that.  While I am hesitant to go for a whole year, if the opportunity presented itself I couldn't turn it down.  I would go in a heart beat and I know that I would love it!

While emails and phone calls were being exchanged about this Korean teaching program, I got a response to a job inquiry I sent out almost three weeks ago.  This job was for a part-time position at a New York Hostel.  The job was to check people in and out, make beds, and other minor chores.  After the hostel owner emailed me, I called the number he provided.  We talked about what type of person he was looking for and I brought up my idea which was working part-time in exchange for place to stay.  The man thought it over and felt that this could be arranged.  We've gotten in touch since then and found that we have a similar diet (he's on a mostly raw diet and I'm vegan).  If this job worked out the way that I am hoping, I will work at the hostel 20-hours a week and be able to spend the rest of my time looking for a full-time job.  This could be great for me!

Things seem to be looking up.  It's funny that all these gigs presented themselves at the same time but I can't say I'm surprised.  And I'm embarrassed to say that after all this, I know that I will miss things that I have taken for granted.  C'est La Vie. 



P.S.  Blogger changed their picture uploader and I haven't been able to add images since.  Boo!       

When Opportunity Calls and Casting Knocks

I'm a street musician sometimes.  When the going gets tough, I play my viola outside.  I enjoy it and people are generous.  I've been writing about these adventures more in my music blog.

This week, I started to play my viola outside for the first time since February.  It's been going well. I think I've made about $17 over the two days I played.  I played Friday and Saturday.

This is from the show "Extras" that I started to watch in Sunday.  It is funny and everyone should watch it.

Saturday was an adventure.  Friday, my roommate told me that there was an open call for Asian Extras.  The movie in the process of production is "SAFE".  The auditions were held 11:00 am - 3:30 pm at Club Shampoo.  So, I switched my work schedule around so I could go.  The plan was more so to ask the Casting Agency for a job as an assistant or something than to be an extra.  Though being an extra could be fun too.

Friday night, I whipped up a resume, sent the resume to FedEx's Printing Service, and sent some pictures to Rite-Aid to print.  Saturday morning, As I walked to the Chinatown destination where Club Shampoo was, I picked up my pictures and then my resume.  Although, as it turned out, I couldn't print less that $1 worth of material so I also printed a 34-page interview with Donald Watson, the founder of the Veganism Movement.  I have been meaning to read this interview for a long time but I hate to read lots of pages on a computer screen.  Also, I figured if I had to wait around at the audition I would have the interview to read.

...though sometimes they are.

After picking my stuff up at FedEx, I walked to Chinatown and I came to the intersection where I imagined Club Shampoo would be.  At this point, I had walked for about an hour.  I walked around the buildings and alleyways for at least 20 minutes.  I asked people I saw if they knew where Club Shampoo was but many of them spoke very little English and they seemed to be hard workers, like people loading and unloading trucks of food.  Why would they know where a club was?

Finally, I found it.  There was a small line outside.  I was asked to fill out a small form.  The form asked for contact info, education background, and measurements.  I only knew my exact measurements because I once wanted to make myself an outfit that I saw Jane Russel wear in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  I aspired to make it for myself as a Halloween costume.  It never happened.  Maybe some day.  Anyway, the form even asked for my bra size and I considered writing, "None of your damn business!"  I wish I had actually.  In fact, I wish I had written that and added "Penis Size" to the guy's side of the form.  But alas, I wimped out.  So I filled out the sexist form, stapled my resume and picture on the front, and followed the small line inside.

The club was cool looking inside and there were two people waiting for us.  One woman and one man.  The woman was full of energy and just generally seemed happy.  She told us more about the movie.  It stars Jason Statham and is being directed by Boaz Yakin.  It is an action movie and is being shot in New York City and Philadelphia however, the scenes being shot in Philly take place in Russia and China.  Awesome.

This woman went on to say that shooting in Philly would be from the middle of October - December and we could be called at any point.  She told us that the club we were all in right now would be used for a disco scene.  And that was it.  She asked us to all give her our forms.  I waited till everyone else gave her theirs and then I gave her mine and asked if she needed any help with anything like coffee or paperwork.  She considered the idea with optimism and replied, "Maybe! Talk to him", and she pointed to the man standing behind her.  So I talked to the man.  I told him that I had a film degree from Temple University.  He asked for a resume and luckily I had printed three just in case.  He looked over my resume and told me that he would call if they needed any help.

I hope that they call.

This picture has nothing to do with what I have written...but it is cute.

After that adventure, I was thirsty.  I wandered until I found a little pizza shop.  I bought a drink and sat down.  I got out my freshly printed Donald Watson interview as the owner of the pizza place started a conversation with me.  We had both gone to Temple and found our education to be unhelpful when finding a job.  He left without a degree and went to tech school.  He said that he had just finished paying off his loans recently.  That must be a nice feeling!  I'm happy for him.  I mentioned my casting call adventure and he wished me luck.  I left with mission to find a good place to play my viola.

Jackpot!  There was some festival or fair thing going on in a closed off alley in Chinatown.  I got my instrument out and started to play.  I mostly play show tunes and classic rock.  My favorite thing to play is QUEEN's "Don't Stop Me Now", though I'm pretty sure no one recognizes it.  I recently figured out Build Me Up, Buttercup and I love playing it though I'm not good at it yet.  I realized something interesting when I figured it out.  The song starts with the chorus.  I can't think of any other song that does that.  I'm sure that there are but I don't know of any.  During my set I also attempted to figure out Disney songs on the spot since there were so many kids around.  I did a good job with "Under the Sea" but "A Whole New World" needs more work.  I think I made $8 during my 45 minutes at the Chinatown event.  As I walked on to head home and find another place to play, I stopped at a small Asian market.  I bought some kiwi and Bok Choy.  Yum!

Then, I walked to the Reading Terminal Market.  I played there for 30 minutes.  I made nothing.

So, I moved on to Rittenhouse Square.  I made a pit stop at Borders or Barnes and Nobles.  I always mix those two up.  In the store, I found a funny calendar of goofs written on professionally done cakes.  After looking around the store, I went outside and sat on a large window sill so I could read some of the Donald Watson interview.  I was amazed at how similar his answers were to what mine would have been and at the same time, he offered so much new wisdom.  I felt chills as I read his interview which he gave when he was 92 years-old.  As he said, "I've outlived all of my critics."   

While I played at Rittenhouse Square, aside from soaking up the beautiful weather that will soon disappear, I enjoyed an art fair that was going on.  I enjoyed it because the park was busy and there were more people to drop money in my case.  It was nice.  I don't remember how much I made but I remember being pleased.  By this time it was 4-something.  I left the house for the audition at 10 am.  Crazy.  But it was a good day.

When I got home, my hand felt big and tired from carrying my viola around all day.  I soothed this by eating kiwi and cooking up my bok choy.  So good!

Then, I walked to my old roommates new place.  It was really nice to see her again.  Catching up was wonderful and I got to cuddle with the cats a bit.  All in all, the day was good for the soul.        

Changes

The feeling of changing seasons is a feeling that reminds me that I am alive.  The temperature, aromas, and the difference in the air is unshakable proof that whether or not I am living the dream, I am still living and a part of the human experience.  Or just a sentient experience since animals very well could sense these changes.  In fact, probably more so than people...Oy vey, I'm such a vegan.  And a Jew apparently.   

At any rate, Fall seems to be in full force.  Soon, I will have to buy tickets for Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the year will snowball to my sister and my birthday and into holidays.  Where does the time go?  Into Google searches perhaps.

Since the weather is changing, I seem to be reflecting on lot of changes in myself.  I need to re-tune and recharge I think.  I've got some things I need to fix.

Firstly, I've been looking for a decent job for over a year now.  The fact that I haven't been able to find one seems to have taken a toll on my self-esteem.  I'm more negative than I used to be.  On one hand, I give other people a lot of credit and think they are all generally trying their hardest and are good, smart, worthwhile people.  Yet, I rarely extend this kind of understanding to myself.  I need to judge myself lightly. 

For another thing, I hardly ever see things in black and white anymore.  Even when I'm inclined to do so.  I usually think about what ever issue is on my mind until I've analyzed each side of it completely.  By this time I have a strong opinion but also a thorough understanding of the other sides.  On one hand, I think that other people would benefit from this kind of thought process.  On the other hand, this kind of contemplation is exhausting.

Another sad change is how much I think about money because of the fact that I never have it.  I have scribbled on the back of countless pieces of scrap paper how much I'll bring home a certain week and how much I will need to stay afloat.  The fact that I also want to be sociable or at least feel the need to want to be sociable, adds further costs and feelings of desperation.

I think the most upsetting change in me is I've lost my love of life.  I've gotten into a mode of just going through the motions.  I'm going to fix this.



I recently re-watched some videos that have stuck with me since I first watched them almost 9 months ago.  The topics discussed are confidence and self-esteem.  Some of the wisest points include sifting through the bullshit and paying attention to the things you tell yourself.  At the end of the pep-talk, this YouTuber assigns homework.  She advices the viewer to think about the positive things about themselves and think, "Cool.  I'm a good person."  So here's my little list:

1.)  I try my hardest to do the right thing.
2.)  I am wildly creative.
3.)  I am interesting.
4.)  I would be friends with me.
5.)  I have awesome taste in stuff.

Cool.  I'm a good person.

Give Me a Break!

This Monday marks the first time I've had more than a day off in a row since The 4th of July.  This break is much needed!

Currently, I work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  While it is nice to have Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday off, there's a lot that can be said for having two days to unwind.  On this lovely Monday, I feel like a new woman.  The Labor Day Weekend is only half of the reason why.

I don't think I ever desired to be popular.  At least, I hope I never have.  I recall popularity being a thought in my mind in middle school but by the time I got to high school, the issue dissolved.  I never saw a high school movie that I really identified with.  I love some of them (Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Mean Girls) but when I was in high school people seemed to be worrying about different things.  That was my perspective at least.  Maybe just I was worried about other things.  I was a pretty involved student.  I was in marching band, jazz band, concert band, orchestra, Odyssey of the Mind, The Gay-Straight Alliance, and I always had a part-time job.

Ever since I became a vegan, specifically, ever since I became an abolitionist vegan, I've been secretly driven to be a major contributor to the movement.  Part of this is because I think to myself, "Every moment that passes, I already too late for literally thousands of animals!"  I try to stray myself from this way of thinking because it doesn't do much to help either myself or the animals suffering from what I wish to free them from.

The other reason I want to contribute is I've always been drawn to things I strongly believe in.  In high school, I had a friend tell me she found a flier I had drawn saying "Save the Tigers" from when we were in elementary school together.  Once I graduated college though, I didn't really have anything like that anymore.  This shouldn't suggest that I blindly jumped on the vegan wagon without proper research.  I just needed something to believe in and as luck would have it, I stumbled upon some convincing vegan arguments.

A third reason is, on occasion I think to myself, "There's something very great in you."  You might be thinking, "That's called crazy" and maybe you're right, but people generally don't make any real changes in the world acting the same as everyone else.  If I could get whatever this great thing inside me to add some sparkle to the veganism movement, I would be at peace with myself.  I want people to "get it".  I want everyone to enjoy the feeling of contributing to great social change instead of the feeling of  "I'm just one person and what I do doesn't matter."  That reasoning always makes me sad.  I want everyone to realize the power they have on their own.  I want to make things better for everyone.  My veganism isn't about feeling better than others.  It's just about feeling better and making things better.    

So, this is just a long, round about way to say that I am now featured on a website that I have mucho respect for.  I feel closer to being a part of a circle that I admire.  I feels strange for me to desire to be part of something.  In this case, it also feels right.

So, excuse me as I jump around the room but this is kind of a big deal for me!  Did I say kind of?  I meant a really big deal for me!  Thanks Randy!