work possibilities

Do you remember the song by Donovan with the lines "First there is a mountain, then there isn't"? Job prospects seem to be like that. The other day interviews and possibilities seemed to be sprouting like mushrooms. One job disappeared when the company decided not to follow up on a project. Another interview bombed on the way. That group had never sent me any information about location or time, then seemed a little snippy when I called about it. A combination of their lack of professionalism and my mind being distraught. Another place is going for bioinformatics and preference to people who had studied science. That despite calling the job a reference librarian. So, I've gone from riding a crest to being in the trough between waves. If nothing else, this is the closest I've gotten to getting completely wet in water outdoors this year!

OK. It's not all bad. I did have a phone interview last week and another one tomorrow. The first one I thought went well, but they all kept a poker voice, as someone put it. Now for the anxiety of waiting to see if I go actually have an in-person interview. I hope so because, even with the possibility of moving, I think this would be a good fit.

Moving also means more separation from my children. Yeah, they're teens and in boarding school, but still.... Well, maybe I'll become more acquainted with Skype.

Let's hope someone makes a decision soon.

going back and the right thing

The job I had for a long time was in a hospital. Being a lifelong blood donor, already being in a hospital made donating much easier. For most of my donating career, I gave whole blood, but I switched to platelets some years ago. You're able to donate platelets much more frequently than whole blood and can donate up to 24 times in a year. The people in the donor center are like a family within a family and I missed that feeling after I left. So, even though it had been emotionally hard for me at first, I decided to keep going.

I had made it a point to talk to the "little" people when I was working - housekeeping, maintenance, security guards, cashiers. When I donated yesterday, I had to sign in and get a visitor's badge and had a chance to talk with the security guard. It was wonderful. She asked how I was doing and we chatted a little. Nothing profound, but it was a connection.

Over the years everyone had become bu sier at work and it wasn't always possible to see people as often as I had before. Some have said that they haven't seen me much, not knowing I don't work there anymore. But they are all so glad to see me. I realize that I really did make friends. Is it leaving a legacy? I do know that this has been an outstanding example of how doing the right thing has rewards. So I'm going to keep on doing it.

Interviews

Today Is really about being unemployed. With luck that status will change in the near future if the number of interviews are any indication. Two this week and another next, plus one last week. And there is a possible short project as well. It has been too close to a year and a half - 2 consecutive birthdays without work. Recently I went a month without unemployment assistance while the Senate deliberated and then went on vacation before voting.

Over 20 years ago I had a fun job and, when I was laid off, I was making $8/hr. Has anyone noticed that that's what a lot of companies pay now? How is anyone expected to survive on that? Even in the mid 80s it wasn't spectacular, but it went farther than it would now. I accept that a pay cut will be inevitable and, quite possibly, a move. A move to the right part of the country could mean more sense if the cost of living is lower. I will keep you posted.

Recent adventure

Last week I paddled my kayak on a stretch of the Ipswich River which is very low, despite the biblical amount of rain we had this spring. One advantage to being out of work is that I can go when there are very few people and the animals are comfortable. There were turtles on every other log sunning themselves. It was amusing to think that while humans would have submerged themselves up to their necks, the turtles want to get warmer. Anyway, I was going downstream so there were places I could just go with the flow, literally. This was great when I was stalking a great blue heron. The current was gentle enough that I didn't approach too quickly. It got nervous a couple of times and flew a little way downstream, before leaving for good.

Once I went around a slight bend and startled a young muskrat on shore. It scampered through the grass so fast. I saw a pair of downy woodpeckers and a goldfinch, one of my favorites. Farther down some Canada geese were having a late lunch on the bank; I saw them plop into the stream on my way back.

The most exciting sight was, what I am quite certain, was a mink. Sightings are rare,apparently. I checked one book I have to compare minks and weasels. I did not see any white underneath, so I think it was a mink. Cool! I had never seen one in the wild before.

When I'm out, in my boat or walking, I'm in a different world. Even in this populated area, I feel like a pioneer, wondering what I'll discover around the next bend or that rise. I think of my father and how he tried to teach me to walk so quietly in the woods. I become an old 10-year old. It keeps me excited about whatever I see. Now, it isn't just seeing deer or heron, but sitting and watching them and how they move, behave. There's no scorecard.

Intro

While I am a librarian and am unemployed, this is not just about those topics. I want to talk about nature and what I've learned and experienced since I became unemployed. Walking around in the woods makes me aware of how little I know and how much there is to know. I've been thrilled to see deer and great blue herons, beavers and muskrats. Kayaking on the river and a couple of times in the ocean. I'd like to share my thoughts and feelings.

Til next time. Ciao.