Sweet Surprises
I had two sweet surprises today. One was my Huzzbinnd showing up in my office around 4:45. He had never seen my office space and so I finally got to show him around and introduce him to my Boss Lady. It was nice to walk to the parking lot with him. :)
The second surprise came about 8:00 when I finally checked my messages on my phone. (I have a habit of turning the ringer off or down way low at work and then forgetting to check it for messages.) Anyway, I got a call earlier this afternoon from the OTHER school on the hill, pertaining to a job I applied for weeks ago. The job is an adjunct faculty position teaching screenwriting - the same job I had about 8 years ago when I first finished my MFA. So I called the woman back and left her a message, then she called ME back and we had an impromptu phone interview! There I was, on the couch in my comfy pants, with my dinner half-eaten, doing a phone interview for a job teaching screenwriting for a very reputable film department! O. M. G.
I am hoping to hear back from her tomorrow on some details. I dont know how many other folks they are interviewing, but when she described the job she kept using the pronoun "you" as in "You will be teaching this" and "You and I will be teaching sections of the same course." I know that means nothing, really, but still...
Can I dare to hope? To Dream? This may be my first break back into the filmmaking world. If I teach part time at that college, I could still hire myself out as an ESL tutor to keep my hands in that world, which I also love.
It could be a really great opportunity. In fact, it could be a great opportunity!
I've been putting together a proposal for a video project I want to get off the ground, too. Basically it's an orientation video for new EFL teachers in Korea. I'd market it to the "English language institutes" (private cram schools called hakwans) for training their newbie EFL teachers who have never taught a day in their life and think they're just going to breeze in and teach English because "Hey, I can SPEAK the language, so therefor I must be able to TEACH the language."
SO many good things in the pot right now! The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.
Goin' ta bed now.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Next Phase
We got the most excellent news yesterday: Bizarro got the gig at the Big Red Barn! This is news with fantastic and wondrous ramifications. Of course, after being elated and on Cloud 9 for a few hours, having dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant last night to celebrate, we quickly were brought to our senses by a peek at the Home Ledger. It's okay, though. I will find work doing something really groovy to bring home the other half of our income. What really blew my mind as we discussed things last night was the fact that I have been bringing home ONE salary that we've been living on for the last eight months. It didn't seem like that much money at the time...
Everything in it's own proportion I guess. I am very excited about some of the job opportunities that have popped up in the last couple of days. I have applied for a Writer/Reporter position at one of the local newspapers, and there is some on-line transcription work that could possibly be a nice part-time gig. I really do think that I could do well with tutoring around town - shifting my focus from the graduate students to their spouses and families who don't speak any, or barely any English, and who are lonely and would love the company as well as the English lesson. Then of course, there are still the odd adjunct positions that I applied for last month. There's still one hanging out there that said they may need me this summer. And of course, there's still the possibility that my current place of employment might need me as an adjunct in the fall.
I just have to remind myself that I am in really good shape to get work that is fulfilling and will pay bills. Hell I don't have to make even half of what I've been earning in my current job.
Of all these different options, I think it would be damn fine to be a paid writer, even if I were writing boring stories about city council meetings and such. Well, wish me luck on that one!
We got the most excellent news yesterday: Bizarro got the gig at the Big Red Barn! This is news with fantastic and wondrous ramifications. Of course, after being elated and on Cloud 9 for a few hours, having dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant last night to celebrate, we quickly were brought to our senses by a peek at the Home Ledger. It's okay, though. I will find work doing something really groovy to bring home the other half of our income. What really blew my mind as we discussed things last night was the fact that I have been bringing home ONE salary that we've been living on for the last eight months. It didn't seem like that much money at the time...
Everything in it's own proportion I guess. I am very excited about some of the job opportunities that have popped up in the last couple of days. I have applied for a Writer/Reporter position at one of the local newspapers, and there is some on-line transcription work that could possibly be a nice part-time gig. I really do think that I could do well with tutoring around town - shifting my focus from the graduate students to their spouses and families who don't speak any, or barely any English, and who are lonely and would love the company as well as the English lesson. Then of course, there are still the odd adjunct positions that I applied for last month. There's still one hanging out there that said they may need me this summer. And of course, there's still the possibility that my current place of employment might need me as an adjunct in the fall.
I just have to remind myself that I am in really good shape to get work that is fulfilling and will pay bills. Hell I don't have to make even half of what I've been earning in my current job.
Of all these different options, I think it would be damn fine to be a paid writer, even if I were writing boring stories about city council meetings and such. Well, wish me luck on that one!
Monday, April 24, 2006
And the Beat Goes On...
Today is my nephew's 32nd birthday. He's going to be a papa later this year. Hard to believe, eh? Our family has all these weird age gaps. My bro is 15 years older than I am, my nephew only 6 years younger, and my bro's ex-wife remarried and had a son with her 2nd husband, so that means my nephew has a 10-year-old brother, who himself will become an uncle in September.
Yesterday was a big day for me. I invested in two things: my work as a writer/producer and my commitment to be healthier. I bought a pair of Avia walking shoes (on sale for $30) and a Canon ZR500 miniDV camcorder. I researched camcorders for hours, trying to decide on the one that would suit my needs and remain in my low-end budget. This camera is the best you can get under $500. Specifically, I needed low-light performance (for indoor shooting) and a hot mic shoe (for using mics that require power from the camera). It's a sweet little camera and I'm pleased with the purchase. Thank you, Best Buy. For now it'll help me to edit what I have and I am making plans to develop a project that will eventually require more professional-quality equipment. But for now, this will do the trick.
My next task is to figure out how to get a media drive to store the media I grab off the miniDV tapes...
Well I'm off to a doctor's appointment to get my back worked on. Here's to another week. Only two weeks of classes left!
Today is my nephew's 32nd birthday. He's going to be a papa later this year. Hard to believe, eh? Our family has all these weird age gaps. My bro is 15 years older than I am, my nephew only 6 years younger, and my bro's ex-wife remarried and had a son with her 2nd husband, so that means my nephew has a 10-year-old brother, who himself will become an uncle in September.
Yesterday was a big day for me. I invested in two things: my work as a writer/producer and my commitment to be healthier. I bought a pair of Avia walking shoes (on sale for $30) and a Canon ZR500 miniDV camcorder. I researched camcorders for hours, trying to decide on the one that would suit my needs and remain in my low-end budget. This camera is the best you can get under $500. Specifically, I needed low-light performance (for indoor shooting) and a hot mic shoe (for using mics that require power from the camera). It's a sweet little camera and I'm pleased with the purchase. Thank you, Best Buy. For now it'll help me to edit what I have and I am making plans to develop a project that will eventually require more professional-quality equipment. But for now, this will do the trick.
My next task is to figure out how to get a media drive to store the media I grab off the miniDV tapes...
Well I'm off to a doctor's appointment to get my back worked on. Here's to another week. Only two weeks of classes left!
Saturday, April 22, 2006
One month and counting!
Two weeks of classes left and a couple weeks of project work, then it's OVER. Well, at least until August when I'll teach a couple weeks in the summr program.
I'm applying for a writer/reporter job at a local newspaper, and I still have irons in many other fires. Now that Bizarro's job is just about in the bag, the pressure and stress is much relieved.
I am now thinking about what I want to do this summer. I have some ideas in mind. I would like to create a schedule for my writing and my video work. However, in order to do my video work I have to obtain a new MiniDV camera. The one I have is very old with no firewire and anyway the focus mechanism is busted. For the time being I can use iMovie, but eventually I'm going to need a much more high-powered program than that. I am thinking more and more about writing a grant to get the TEFL in Korea training video off the ground. I figure I can use the footage I have from 3 years ago to cut together a demo piece on the project. But as I said, that requires getting a camera so I can get the footage onto the computer. I'm also going to need some additional media storage, but I think that won't be such a hassle to obtain.
Once I'm done with the semester, I'm going to hook up with a yoga class, which my doctor, physical therapist and massage therapist have all recommended for me.
Wow, that was a huge break... My nephew called me back and we spoke for over an hour. I'm going to be a great-aunt! Can you believe it? Not even 40 and I'm a great aunt. My nephew is 32, in case you're wondering if I have a 14 year old nephew who's knocked up his 13 year old girlfriend. Ha ha
Well I gotta get my game on. Goin' shoppin' with Pamera.
Two weeks of classes left and a couple weeks of project work, then it's OVER. Well, at least until August when I'll teach a couple weeks in the summr program.
I'm applying for a writer/reporter job at a local newspaper, and I still have irons in many other fires. Now that Bizarro's job is just about in the bag, the pressure and stress is much relieved.
I am now thinking about what I want to do this summer. I have some ideas in mind. I would like to create a schedule for my writing and my video work. However, in order to do my video work I have to obtain a new MiniDV camera. The one I have is very old with no firewire and anyway the focus mechanism is busted. For the time being I can use iMovie, but eventually I'm going to need a much more high-powered program than that. I am thinking more and more about writing a grant to get the TEFL in Korea training video off the ground. I figure I can use the footage I have from 3 years ago to cut together a demo piece on the project. But as I said, that requires getting a camera so I can get the footage onto the computer. I'm also going to need some additional media storage, but I think that won't be such a hassle to obtain.
Once I'm done with the semester, I'm going to hook up with a yoga class, which my doctor, physical therapist and massage therapist have all recommended for me.
Wow, that was a huge break... My nephew called me back and we spoke for over an hour. I'm going to be a great-aunt! Can you believe it? Not even 40 and I'm a great aunt. My nephew is 32, in case you're wondering if I have a 14 year old nephew who's knocked up his 13 year old girlfriend. Ha ha
Well I gotta get my game on. Goin' shoppin' with Pamera.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Gettin' My Game On
The reality of my reality is finally sinking in...and I like it. I find myself bursting with ideas on what and how to do. All the creative spark that has been squelched all year is coming back. This is going to be a fine spring and summer, indeed!
I am choosing not to stress about the Almighty Do$$ar and focus on what is good and right with myself and my own potential. I am trusting the Universe. The last time I did that, I met my husband, so the precedent is a good one.
Three weeks are left of class, then another 2 weeks of futzing around with projects and our "post mortem" end-of-semester 3-day staff meeting (thankfully broken up by an intervening weekend). My last day is May 22. As it turns out, ALL THREE full time lecturers have quit. Actually, one of them is staying on as the department T.A. since she's starting her PhD in Education. Plus, more than half of the undergrads we hire to be language partners are graduating in May and will have to be replaced for next year. That's a lot of pressure on the powers that be. Know what I say? KARMA. I hold no grudges, my bridges are completely intact. But from the looks of things, the pressure and lack of support that I felt for 5 months is coming back to them fast.
To be honest, I would be okay teaching one class for them as an adjunct. I wouldn't mind it at all since I have actually made a place and a name for myself there. It would be the ultimate victory, in my mind, if I can turn things around 180 degrees and have the entire situation working for my benefit. We'll see...
In the meantime, I have many other irons in the fire and as of this weekend will be focusing on the free lance market.
After all that positive self-talk, I'd like to shout out to Mr. Club. We're survivors; not only that, we have a knack for making wine from vinegar. Is that the right expression? Something like that. You know what I mean. :-)
Why I Need To Work for Myself...
The reality of my reality is finally sinking in...and I like it. I find myself bursting with ideas on what and how to do. All the creative spark that has been squelched all year is coming back. This is going to be a fine spring and summer, indeed!
I am choosing not to stress about the Almighty Do$$ar and focus on what is good and right with myself and my own potential. I am trusting the Universe. The last time I did that, I met my husband, so the precedent is a good one.
Three weeks are left of class, then another 2 weeks of futzing around with projects and our "post mortem" end-of-semester 3-day staff meeting (thankfully broken up by an intervening weekend). My last day is May 22. As it turns out, ALL THREE full time lecturers have quit. Actually, one of them is staying on as the department T.A. since she's starting her PhD in Education. Plus, more than half of the undergrads we hire to be language partners are graduating in May and will have to be replaced for next year. That's a lot of pressure on the powers that be. Know what I say? KARMA. I hold no grudges, my bridges are completely intact. But from the looks of things, the pressure and lack of support that I felt for 5 months is coming back to them fast.
To be honest, I would be okay teaching one class for them as an adjunct. I wouldn't mind it at all since I have actually made a place and a name for myself there. It would be the ultimate victory, in my mind, if I can turn things around 180 degrees and have the entire situation working for my benefit. We'll see...
In the meantime, I have many other irons in the fire and as of this weekend will be focusing on the free lance market.
After all that positive self-talk, I'd like to shout out to Mr. Club. We're survivors; not only that, we have a knack for making wine from vinegar. Is that the right expression? Something like that. You know what I mean. :-)
Why I Need To Work for Myself...
| Your Quirk Factor: 72% |
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Monday, April 10, 2006
Done Deal
It's done. I have only to submit my formal letter of resignation. I don't feel as ecstatic as I had hoped. I think it's because I still have a shitload of work to finish for the semester, and the reality of my freedom hasn't yet set in. The enormity of what I've done will no doubt strike in the wee hours of the morning later this week.
More later.
Later... in the Hall of Justice
Whotta day. I am reminding myself that there is no need to freak out. I am a liberated person. Liberated not in the manner of the People's Army, but in the manner of getting the f&ck out of Dodge.
I am really excited about forging ahead with purpose and creativity. Yay ME!
We watched "Star Trek: Undiscovered Country" tonight. Man, it was like finding an old pair of comfy slippers stashed in the back of the closet that you haven't worn for years and then slipping them on. Familiar, imperfect, and utterly comforting. The best part was the scene near the beginning where Spock fixes up some funky Vulcan cocktail for Valeris and hands it to her in this atrocious blue glass recepticle that looks awfully much like a bong. Bizarro and I replayed the scene half a dozen times, adding the line "Hit this shit" when he hands it to her, and then making bong noises with a cup of water.
TOTALLY juvenile, but I needed to laugh like that. And it was good.
Of all the spirits I've ever known, Bizarro's is the most.......................... human.
It's done. I have only to submit my formal letter of resignation. I don't feel as ecstatic as I had hoped. I think it's because I still have a shitload of work to finish for the semester, and the reality of my freedom hasn't yet set in. The enormity of what I've done will no doubt strike in the wee hours of the morning later this week.
More later.
Later... in the Hall of Justice
Whotta day. I am reminding myself that there is no need to freak out. I am a liberated person. Liberated not in the manner of the People's Army, but in the manner of getting the f&ck out of Dodge.
I am really excited about forging ahead with purpose and creativity. Yay ME!
We watched "Star Trek: Undiscovered Country" tonight. Man, it was like finding an old pair of comfy slippers stashed in the back of the closet that you haven't worn for years and then slipping them on. Familiar, imperfect, and utterly comforting. The best part was the scene near the beginning where Spock fixes up some funky Vulcan cocktail for Valeris and hands it to her in this atrocious blue glass recepticle that looks awfully much like a bong. Bizarro and I replayed the scene half a dozen times, adding the line "Hit this shit" when he hands it to her, and then making bong noises with a cup of water.
TOTALLY juvenile, but I needed to laugh like that. And it was good.
Of all the spirits I've ever known, Bizarro's is the most.......................... human.
Getting Back on my Feet
The last few days have been extremely rough, to say the least. All last week was a fcuking nightmare because I was feeling the indelible pressure of having to make a final decision about whether to return to my job next year. I was paralyzed with fear of making the wrong decision. This all culminated in another severe back spasm on Thursday morning as I was eating breakfast. It was more painful than the last couple of incidents, and I decided to go to the doctor and stay home from work. I got a handful of muscle relaxants and pain killers and remained on the couch for the rest of day, sitting up and thinking about my situation. Bizarro took off for the day, so I had some blissful peace in which to weigh the pros and cons.
I came to the decision that if I come back full time next year I would:
1. Probably have an episode of Law & Order "ripped from the headlines" based on the murder that I would no doubt have to commit.
2. Never be a writer.
So that settles it. I'm going in to meet with the Boss Lady later this afternoon to give her my final word. She won't like it, but that's... too bad.
Last night was the first night in days that I didn't take drugs to get to sleep and stay asleep, but I still woke up a few times and then had to get up extra early to get to campus by 9:00. It's going to be a loooong day.
Gotta go shoot some video now. If only it were really "my" project!
The last few days have been extremely rough, to say the least. All last week was a fcuking nightmare because I was feeling the indelible pressure of having to make a final decision about whether to return to my job next year. I was paralyzed with fear of making the wrong decision. This all culminated in another severe back spasm on Thursday morning as I was eating breakfast. It was more painful than the last couple of incidents, and I decided to go to the doctor and stay home from work. I got a handful of muscle relaxants and pain killers and remained on the couch for the rest of day, sitting up and thinking about my situation. Bizarro took off for the day, so I had some blissful peace in which to weigh the pros and cons.
I came to the decision that if I come back full time next year I would:
1. Probably have an episode of Law & Order "ripped from the headlines" based on the murder that I would no doubt have to commit.
2. Never be a writer.
So that settles it. I'm going in to meet with the Boss Lady later this afternoon to give her my final word. She won't like it, but that's... too bad.
Last night was the first night in days that I didn't take drugs to get to sleep and stay asleep, but I still woke up a few times and then had to get up extra early to get to campus by 9:00. It's going to be a loooong day.
Gotta go shoot some video now. If only it were really "my" project!
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