Accomplishments

What I have accomplished thus far this week:
-Got a hair cut.
-Found yet another super spiffy used bookstore.
-Put a good dent in C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity."
-Found a junkyard about 25 minutes away that would give me a new rim to replace the one I bent when my tire blew out on the interstate the other day. (I felt very brave doing this by myself. This counts as like two things accomplished this week.)
-Filled a couple trashcans with snotty tissues.
-Applied for a couple of really cool sounding jobs.
-Daydreamed about working at Rolling Stone (as usual) -- the ultimate really cool sounding job.
-Beat my own best soccer and ski slalom scores on the Wii fit. Started doing yogo on there as well.

I am seriously productive, people.

Depression is starting to set in

I knew it would only be a matter of time before I started to doubt my self worth and wonder at my inability to become employed. Well, apparently four-ish weeks is sufficient.

The first week of joblessness was filled with Melanie-related wedding activities. The second week was oh-so-restful. The third I got lots accomplished and relished at being able to read a book whenever the hell I wanted to. The fourth, well, things started to get boring.

I am sick of job search sites and classifieds. I am sick of television. I am sick of wearing my PJs. Who knew that was even possible?

To my credit, I HAVE driven to see friends, finished several books, supplemented my wardrobe with some frivolous shopping and discovered some nifty used bookstores.

But seriously, I'm starting to go through job withdrawals. Somebody please hire me, ASAP.

Crystal clear

You know how sometimes in life you experience those moments of clarity? Through the rush of all the other chaos-laden moments, once in a while, a moment breaks free in which you can see something with certainty. You can see your future or you can see the outcome of a current situation or you can see the pitfalls of a bad decision or you can see through another person. Those moments of clarity make it all worthwhile.

When life tends to be one muddled, confusing script that I can't often decipher, I live for those moments when it all makes sense. Those moments that come fleetingly when I'm driving nowhere on a blue-sky day or when I'm sweating through another run or when I'm engrossed in a song.

I don't have it all figured out. I hope I never do. Life's too entertaining in all its uncertainty. But -- at least for this moment -- I feel better about where it's taking me.

Diggin' it

I bought some kick-ass CDs yesterday, feeding an addiction to music that's been latent lately but still yearning for some great tunes. I bought Zac Brown Band, Jason Mraz, The Fray, the Juno soundtrack and Beyonce -- sort of an odd assortment, I know. I like to think my music collection and tastes are a reflection of an eclectic personality. I like to think it means I'm deep.

Yeah, whatever...

I didn't even know until recently that I dug some Jason Mraz, but man I do. And Zac Brown has been a guilty pleasure here lately, but after listening to the CD I'm thinking of removing the guilty label. Juno's one of my fav movies and I've wanted the soundtrack forever. Not sure what took me so long to get it. The Fray is a mainstay for me. And seriously, don't judge me for digging some Beyonce. I have never been a B. fan, but lately, I don't know what's happened. I can't stop singing along to "If I Were a Boy," "Halo" and "Put a Ring on It." Seriously, whatever.

I hate

Pastrami and bologna and pepperoni and, well, most meat.
Long lines.
People who are fake.
Traffic.
Mushrooms.
Not knowing the outcome.
Pretenses and facades and coverups for who and what we really are.
Sad endings.
Losing touch. Forgetting.

What you can accomplish in a week

I've broken in a super comfy new pair of sweatpants.

I've made major headway in my latest novel.

I've reconnected to old soap opera friends I haven't seen in years.

I've rediscovered the joys of being lazy.

First full week

So, I've survived my first full week of unemployment. I must admit, it's strange. I mean, I know I brought joblessness on myself. I felt I had to leave a job fraught with issues that was quickly becoming a dead end for me and for my career. Sometimes in life you just feel the need to make tough decisions, choose paths with more obstacles. Knowing that, however, doesn't make it any easier.

I'm just hoping and praying something materializes soon. In the meantime, I'm getting some use out of the treadmill, becoming a world-class champion surfer of the Web and fine-tuning my skills in the kitchen. All very worthy feats, no?

So much can happen in a week

I left my job of the past three and a half years. I packed up my worldly possessions and moved from a place that I've grown to consider home. I choked my way through goodbyes I knew I'd one day have to make but tried to pretend I wouldn't. I turned in the keys to a little old house that's seen parties with friends, kisses with loved ones, movies on rainy days and laughter and heart-to hearts with a roommate that I'll cherish forever. I walked down the aisle in front of one of my best friends in the world and watched her marry an amazing man.

End scene.