just gotta keep at it

I admit I'm starting to get a little down about looking for a job.  It's been over 9 months now, and even with one offer and a couple more close calls, it feels like I've run dry on what could happen next.  Not a great feeling to have.

Actually, I think I've been looking now for almost as long as I did when I was fully unemployed, which is depressing.  Things started off pretty well but every additional day I spend stuck at my desk doing grunt work is starting to wear me down. 

September's been a pretty slow month resume-wise.  And with the holidays coming up it looks like things will be slow for the rest of the year.  Dammit.  I really didn't want to spend another holiday season in this office.

There's a job open in the university at a different office and I'm on the fence about applying.  I've had a bad experience doing so prior, and I don't really think a lateral move does me much good right now.  So it sounds like I'm not on the fence anymore.  That's progress, I guess.

Current beer-scale: TNF 7.1

now that's a lunch

I might not be crazy about having to come in to work these days, but after a MNF win and some good burgers for dinner last night, there are ways to make a day feel a little better. 

Now if only I could break out the emergency bar and get away with it. 

Current beer-scale: 9.9

Yeah, that about sums it up

This was the third in a series of him sprinting directly at me, but strangely enough the one with him racing out of frame somehow feels the most fitting. 

We had another great weekend, and the unsolicted "I love you Daddy" I got between picking apples and going into the play area is one of the highlights of my life.  I melt for that kid.

I just have to keep remembering that as I slog through another Monday high on anti-histamines.  Ugh.

Current beer-scale: a MNF-friendly 8.2

little/big picture

Being a parent is ridiculous sometimes.

Ignore the diapers, the not sleeping, the gibberish cartoons and conversations.  Every once in a while a moment will stand out to me and I'll realize just how crazy it is to have kids.  This was one of them last night.

But I made a crazy-good In&Out replica sauce to go with these mini burgers, and in a few days I'll have enough apples to make pies and cakes a for a month.  It'll get here, I promise.

Current beer-scale: 8.5

Day trip

This is the most post-friendly pic from my overnight to Indy for the shamrock game in that at least the beer I was holding isn't in the picture.

It's always good to see the guys and catch a win but man that made for a rough weekend. Crappy car, early Sunday morning, hung over...ouch.  Monday is going to be even less enjoyable now.

Current beer-scale: 3.3

yeah, maybe I'm not so interested

Why is it the interviews you're least interested in keep you waiting the longest to get started?  It's only a chance to work myself into saying "Thanks, no thanks" before things even get started.

Obviously I had a phoner today, and actually I think I conducted myself quite well considering my initial look at the description had me wondering why exactly they were calling me.  But it was a director-level position and it might not have gone too poorly.

The best thing about it was as I was talking, two different people came by to shush me.  Yeah, fuck you.  I keep thinking I want to move into a more student services-focused role, but every interaction I have with actual students tells me that might not be the case.  I guess it's good that I just applied for a Dean of Students role then.

I'm drinking this weekend, but I'm going to try and keep it level.  "Try" being the operative word.

Current beer-scale: 7.3

Take a walk stretch

There are few things I enjoy more at work these days than taking a long walk to Binnys to pick up some alcohol.  Especially the day after a shitty long workday.

I couldn't decide what to get someone for this weekend so I figured this was a good option.  It'll be a nice surprise at the tailgate Saturday.

Even better, this was at Marshalls for 20 bucks.  Mitchell & Nell, for real?  In my size, doesn't seem to be counterfeit?  Done.  Now that's a successful shopping trip.

Current beer-scale: 8.1

finally, a use for twitter

So Tuesday I shook hands with Sen Durbin, Thursday I see a tweet about Parks & Rec filming down the street from my office and who do I see but Andy and Tom, chatting in the rain.

I admit I felt like kind of a tool standing around taking a cell pic, but what the hell, it's my favorite show and I could use the walk.  And hey, I finally found a use for twitter.

Current beer-scale: 8.1 & bring on the NFL!

thank god for football

So how to survive another case of summer ending...

I picked up after Labor Day fitting two interviews in for jobs I wasn't too interested in but was happy to set up after a long dry spell.  I have a good feeling about at least getting an offer from UChicago, although I'm not sure I want to head down there every day and I don't think the salary will be where I need it to be.

The same could be said about the salary at the WTTW job, and that's potentially only a two year contract with part of the job being working to secure additional funding.  But Sen. Durbin was in the lobby as I was leaving, and I took the chance to say hello and shake his hand.  It made for a slightly more interesting interview story than usual when I got home.

Ah, home.  Where I'd much rather be right now.  Taking yesterday off meant I was home for 5 glorious days over the weekend, putting up closets and taking care of kids.  It was fantastic.  Now all I have to do is hang on until the NFL opens tomorrow night and keep my fingers crossed that Michigan goes down in flames on Saturday.

Current beer-scale: 9.1