0 for 2

Well, today I received official word from school #2 that I did not get hired. I'm not surprised, and to be honest, quite okay with not moving there . . . but it still hurts a little not to be chosen.

Don't get me wrong - I'm THRILLED to be a final candidate and know there are all sorts of reasons I might not get picked, but it would help to know specifically WHAT those reasons might be. Perhaps I could improve my interviewing skills and actually LAND a job.

And of course the timing sucks. I mean, I'm off to job interview #3 in less than a week and already a bit freaked out by it. It's a job I desperately want, but know I shouldn't want it because if I strike out there I'll be REALLY depressed. It's always better if you don't really care, isn't it?

So . . . I'm a little bummed and more than a little worried.

In the meantime, I've sent my stuff off to a school that didn't hire me but there's a new opening in the department and they asked me to apply. It's only a one-year gig . . . which has its pros and cons. Mostly cons 'cause it's not a place I'm dying to go to and I'm getting tired of moving. I know! ME! I'm kind of wanting to put down some roots someplace. The pro would probably be that I wouldn't have to go down to interview and considering my batting average that could be to my advantage.

I'm also waiting on two schools who checked my references (I even had a phone interview with one - of course that didn't go well AT ALL) to see if I've progressed to the next level or not. Man this is EXHAUSTING. And of course I keep looking online for jobs but things have slowed WAY down. I imagine they'll pick up again as people get hired at these places and leave their old jobs. Is this what it's like to be a free agent?

Job hunting this way is insane. I honestly don't completely understand the process.

In the meantime, I deal with the daily grind here. Some days are better than others and just a few moments ago a student of mine from last year popped his head in to say hello. He's a dear and asked if I was definitely leaving. I told him yes and he said he was very sad about it and that he and every student he's talked to will miss me. Well, I don't know about THAT, but it was a nice pick-me-up.

I suppose when I go off to my next interview, I need to hold onto that pick-me-up and know that wherever I land I can make a difference. Even if it's in just ONE life, you know? It's hard . . . I admit I have a big ego and there are those days I long to be a rock star - or maybe for this posting All-Star. It's not an easy dream to abandon . . . so I am often at war with myself about where to go and what to do. Yeah, deep down I still want to lead the glamorous life!

SIGH.

For now though I'd be thrilled to land job #3 in a town that's less glam and more earthy-crunchy. Hell, I'm a vegetarian. I can do organic. And my dog would LOVE it.

So here's to hitting one out of the park on Monday. Everybody say your prayers or Hail Marys or whatever it takes to hit this home run.

Batter up!

Time Flies

Oh my, has it really been nearly two months since my last post? Dreadful. Truly dreadful.

Frankly, I've just had too much on my plate since returning to the Wasteland.

The last of my vacation was a blissful combination of great food, shopping, visiting friends & family, and enjoying one-on-one time with my parents. Really fabulous.

Okay, so there might have been an incident or two during my stay. For example, Zoe got into the basket of Godiva chocolates my father gave my mother and ate ALL of it. Yeah, all dark chocolate. Well, she's a chocolate lab! After it was determined she would SURVIVE the feast, my mother re-christened her Godiva Girl. Zoe did replace some of the chocolate with a new box. But she ate over $80 worth of chocolates. Not so good.

And then one of the kitties (my guess is Naughty Henry) decided to do a little branch swinging on my mother's little tree in the solarium. You know the one with all the Hummel ornaments? Yeah, THAT one. One downed tree and many broken Hummel ornaments later I was surprised either cat was still in the house. Or alive for that matter. Of course, I wasn't there. It would figure.

So, we had some . . . trials. Needless to say, the kitties are not welcome back. I guess I'll have to figure something else out for next time. SIGH.

Still, I got to see great friends in Maine and my Aunt and Uncle. My Uncle let me ride his horse, too, which was a real treat. It was quick and intense . . . but so great to be horseback again! Man, do I miss riding.

My return to the Wasteland however is another story.

So it's a two day drive with critters and when you're the only driver that can be grueling. So when I got to my home, two days before classes were to begin, I was relieved. I could crash and then get down to work the next morning.

The universe had other plans apparently. When I opened the back door of my house to begin unpacking the car, I was hit with the most AWFUL smell. Seriously - it was the smell of human waste. UGH! It nearly flattened me.

Well, I placed the cat carrier down and raced down the stairs to the basement and - lo and behold! - it was FLOODED. STANDING WATER. AND THE STENCH WAS UNBEARABLE. I guess it had rained - a lot - while I was away and I got a lovely combo of rainwater and sewage backup.

Welcome home.

S0 I spent the rest of the weekend dealing with my flooded, stinky basement instead of getting ready for classes. Fortunately my rental company handled the standing water and ripped up the carpet, but the CLEANING had to come from me. I spent two days BLEACHING the floor to get rid of the smell. Exhausting work if you've never done it.

Then classes began, rehearsals began, and I had to prep for my on-campus interview in Alabama! All the first week back.

Then it snowed and got cold.

And then I went to Alabama and had yet ANOTHER travel adventure 'cause this time it snowed in ATLANTA of all places! My flight was delayed and nearly canceled, but no, we boarded anyway. And spent HOURS going nowhere - not even an inch away from the gate. As it turns out, we did get to fly, but by the time I landed it was after 10pm and we had a 40-minute drive to go. We finally reached town, looking for some grub, and ended up at the Huddle House. I swear I thought somebody was playing a practical joke on me. I got to my room at the guest house very late and guess what? The heat was BROKEN and there isn't anybody hanging out at the front desk. So I ransacked my room looking for every spare blanket to sleep under. Next morning we were off for breakfast at a funky little coffee house . . . until it was closed. Guess where we had breakfast? THE HUDDLE HOUSE! No joke. By this time I couldn't help but laugh. Fortunately the rest of my interview was uneventful - that is until my 4AM departure for my 6AM flight . . . which was DELAYED on the runway due to a technicle problem. I tell you folks, you couldn't write a life like mine.

So I got back, started into project #2, and have been busting my butt to try to leave here early to do a gig in Colorado I was invited to do the end of March. Of course, this being THIS place, it isn't happening, but that's for another post.

In the meantime, I've had more phone interviews (2 very good and one kinda bad) and I'm still job hunting. It's enough to drive one mad. I leave in a couple of weeks for an on-campus interview in Colorado.

I'm really hoping to get this gig . . . but am determined should it not pan out that SOMETHING will come up . . . even if it's returning to DC . . . which to tell the truth sounds more and more appealing.

The good news is I get to go back in a few weeks for a good, long visit. I'm spending my entire Spring Break there (unless I get an audition in NYC about which I am waiting to hear). I'm so looking forward to being with friends, eating out, drinking, and just getting my fill of the city vibe. It's been too damn long.

This Friday, one of the projects on which I've been working opens and the Fight Guy and I are going out for SUSHI to celebrate! Yippee! Sushi on my fabulous friends from DC - they sent me a gift certificate for my b-day that I'm finally getting around to using. I can't wait.

And just after my on-campus interview, and just before my trip to DC, project #2 opens. And then I look forward to having my life back. I'll have my evenings free, just in time for the weather to improve. And I'll be able to get my shit in order to pack up and be ready to leave - for wherever - May 31st. I'm really looking forward to getting the hell outta Dodge.

So that's about it. I realize I've nutshelled another post here . . . once I get my life back I'll be able to post more regularly.

OH! I nearly forgot. I'm running again! I'll be running the Nashville Half-Marathon at the end of April with my brother and, I'm hoping, my nephew. I'm happy to be back in my shoes on on the road, but admit that this freakin' freezing weather isn't making getting out to put in the miles easy. I'm really tired of wind chills in the -teens and -twenties. YUCK. BRING ON SUMMER!

Okay, enough babble.

Time's a-flyin and I gotta get going.