Something's Got to Budge!

I have internet access for a moment, so I thought I should quickly blog before I go to bed. Lots of crappy stuff and a little bit in the option department make for a bit of progress. Or at least a shimmer of optimism.

I started the bright and sunny day heading down to the Herald Square area for an interview at another temp job. I filled out all of the paperwork and it seems like there is some work to be had. But the recruiter was afraid that my resume would scare people away. According to my resume I have not done strictly Admin work in over 10 years - not since Coke. So, she encouraged me to "dumb" down my resume and make sure to add the temp work from the East Bay that I did in 2009/10, as well as the personal assisting work I did in 2010/11. I am getting more catering bookings from the 2 companies I work with, but I really need more. And in fact tonight, I worked another of those parties where I felt like "the help." The Hamptons set that were above it all and just felt privileged. For a moment I wished I was a guest at the party, but then I thought "why would I want to be friends with these people?"

In any case, I have not looked at my balance statement from March and April, but I am pretty sure that my expenses outweighed my income - especially due to the move.

Speaking of which, I found out today that my sofa will not be delivered for at least another month, the moving company is offering a measly $50 in settlement for my damaged armoire and my Oakland landlord never got my letter requesting the monies taken out for painting from my security deposit.

I am also still owed money from 3 other sources.

Maria and I talked about this last night since she is waiting on settlement money from her old dentist.

WHY IS THIS ALL SO STINKIN' HARD?

I am doing more work with Spoons Over America and hope to work with more event planners in the area. I know that something is bound to budge soon.

How 'bout some gratitude?
1. sunny days
2. the library (and movie rentals)
3. internet at McDonald's and right now at my apartment
4. a nice big kitchen
5. wine

Saturday Gratitudes

Greetings from LI. I came out yesterday to watch David while my brother and sister-in-law went to a wedding. I had fun with my nephew playing in a fort, watching Scooby Doo and walking around the block. Right now it's quiet while he and his mom nap. I just finished reading The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest and am excited to start reading Sara's Key when I get back into the city.

A few things to be thankful for:
1. a great meeting with an event planner that may lead to Namaste Gourmet work
2. a good yoga class yesterday and talk of an audition to sub at the studio
3. great wine
4. hearing "I love you" from my nephew
5. 3 catering jobs this week

Transition - A Photo Journal

The lack of internet at home has caused me to truly pick and choose what I spend my time on. That and working the Yoga Journal Conference for the past 4 days, updating the blog has not been much of a priority. I said I would post photos of my new place, so here you go! These were taken on April 11th.

The view from my entrance way into the main room. You can see a hint of the threshold that leads to the bathroom and kitchen at the left edge. Those were the last of the boxes. And yes, they are my last to unpack. 

 The air mattress I slept on the for the first month. The chair enabled Lincoln to climb up onto the window sill.

 And the delivery of the new furniture. I moved the tall IKEA bookcase further to the left along the same wall. Isn't it pretty. There are 4 drawers in the bed platform that certainly assist with storage.

Maxie already found a good place to hang out!

The bookcase in it's final place. The floor is also pretty even here, so it no longer looks like a leaning tower!

More unpacking and organizing.

but I've started to hang art!

The bathroom and the "hallway" that leads to the kitchen.

No news is no news

Access to a free wifi connection has not returned to my apartment, so it's been more difficult to post on a regular basis. I promise to upload some photos tomorrow, but I have not been hugely motivated.

I am having a down day since I did not get the restaurant job I interviewed for on Friday and I don't have any paid work coming my way until NEXT WEDNESDAY. I did have a good few days with my first Seder night at my house and then playing with my lovable nephew on Saturday and Sunday.

I tried to watch one of my library movies last night and after repeated attempts the disc got caught in my computer and didn't come out. My big excitement today was finally getting out of bed (where I could easily have read The Girl Who Played With Fire all day) and heading down to the Apple Store on Broadway and 67th. Luckily the replacement of my optical drive was covered under Apple Care so I just had to wait about 45 minutes for them to fix it.

I was able to check my email and start downloading some TV shows at the library today and continued my online adventures at the Apple Store and now at the local McDonald's. Nothing else to report so I will just head home and continue my reading and try and stay optimistic.

Photo Delinquent!

I've taken a bunch of photos, but the Internet is spotty at my apartment and I have yet to upload and post. Of course, I have a strong connection now, but am too tired to get out of bed and grab my camera. Sorry.

I worked another Cleaver event on Monday and this evening did my first for USE. It was a big dud. A party with wine and water and some fried plantains for the bar. That's it. My job was to replenish the bar snacks and bus. As is typical, the crowd did not move so it was difficult to maneuver around them.

How 'bout a little gratitude?
1. sunny days
2. catering leftovers
3. an extra bottle of white
4. the return of WIFI in my apartment
5. a super comfy mattress!

Late Night/Early Morning

Worked my first Cleaver gig tonight and it didn't suck and neither did I. Actually, it was great and a fairly easy ride. No unloading of the van. The cool thing is that they were able to drive it into the building and up to the 15th floor to unload it. I also didn't have to help break everything down at the end of the night and load the van. Once the party was done, we already packed up the kitchen and I LEFT with the rest of the kitchen ladies.

The view out the window of our make shift kitchen was pretty great. We were all the way over on the westside, so views of NJ and the Hudson. And construction down by the World Trade Center. It did remind me of views of the Bay Bridge from some of the parties I catered with Hugh.

I was a little nervous going in tonight and I did feel a bit apprehensive in places. I worked with veterans, so they were kind and showed me the ropes. I just need to feel more assured of my work and not worried so much about proving myself. I am totally skilled and capable. And I luckily left with lots of leftovers - which comes in handy because food is STINKIN' EXPENSIVE IN THIS CITY.

Kim offered rides to us which was very generous. She dropped me at 42nd and 7th. I think she took Dianna to the train and Valere all the way up to 125th but closer to the east side. The 1 was crowded, but luckily I got a seat when folks transferred to the Express.

Some gratitudes before slumber:
1. nice co-workers
2. strong coffee
3. connecting with more Atlanta folks
4. catering leftovers
5. possibilities

Working Girl!

Let the river run, baby!

While I did do a bit of work as part of Agriculture Literacy Week, my true first job starts tomorrow. I am working culinary for The Cleaver Co. and hoping that I can handle the demands. Jossie lent me her knife roll and Dianna has a jacket for me to borrow. My clogs are too big so I have to exchange them, so I hope that my feet will hold up in my black Doc Maarten's. Yesterday I was hired to do front of house work with Union Square Hospitality's catering arm. I am back working on Souper Jenny's cookbook, so I think I will be able to pay rent for April on income and not savings.

Which is a great thing.

I have 2 potential musicians for my cabaret, but no takers on Funny Bone. I did see Sara Zimmerman's show on Monday night and I love Dixon Place where she performed. It's a perfect intimate venue.

I am still looking for more full time work, but so far nothing that's even worth applying. I will be doing my Work Exchange shifts for the Yoga Journal conference in a few weeks, so I cannot accept full time work anyway. I am looking forward to working with the conference, but hope I get a chance to actually take some classes. I think it's weird that we have to pay $100 to do it, so hopefully I am not too tired and overworked to actually enjoy the programming.

Things for which I'm grateful:
1. access to high speed internet
2. the sunshine
3. food in the fridge and the ability to cook it
4. taking my first yoga class where I was the only student
5. snuggly kitties