July 09, 2004
Ah, work.
I start my job today. That will be nice. It's very good to have a place to go everyday and something to do with my time that isn't walking all over Manhattan throwing myself at potential employers. I will be quite happy being calm and relaxed, especially after the wild-eyed freak out I've been having during this job hunt. It only lasted 2.5 weeks, but that was more than enough for me. Now I can get on with my knitting. I'd also like to pick my Japanese up again. I'm losing what little I had quickly. I went into a Japanese bookstore the other day only to find myself in way over my head. I understand that I wouldn't have done very well even when I was in classes, but there were signs that I knew I should have been able to read, but was not able to. I would like to find a conversation table or something to keep my language skills up while I'm not taking actual Japanese classes. I also wouldn't mind brushing up my French. Recently I've been remembering more French vocabulary, but it's bad because it usually only shows up when I'm trying to remember the Japanese. My mind is a very strange clutter lately, full of strange languages less than half-learned. Aren't our brains such odd things?... Perhaps since I'm only working part-time, this this would be the perfect time to bone up on my languages.
I watched The Station Agent last night. I've been wanting to see it since October, but it never came to Tallahassee and then with the move and job hunting, who has the time? I had a very relaxing evening in with a rented movie, a couple ciders, and the Wavy-Line sweater. I was very pleased with the movie and it actually lived up to my hopes for it. That's very difficult for a film. I'm quite often disappointed in a movie, because I want it to be so much more than it can be. The Station Agent was excellent in an "everyone deals with depression in different ways" sort of way. Funny, sad, makes you think, makes you want to watch it again. If you do watch the movie, I strongly suggest you watch the cut scenes on the DVD. Often, you can see why the cut scenes were cut and they don't really add to the movie. I thought these cut scenes were excellent, though, and would have loved for them to be in the movie. 8 thumbs up for The Station Agent. ;)
I'm done with the first sleeve of my Wavy-Line sweater. I will have pictures for you soon.
July 08, 2004
OK, I lied...
So I said the other day that I would have knitting content for you yesterday. Sorry about that. I do, however, have knitting content for you today:
The body of my Wavy-Line Sweater is done. And I'm working on the first sleeve now. I really enjoy this sweater. It is an engaging and interesting knit. I like lace and might have to find another lace pattern to do. Perhaps a walk around the block to Purl SoHo will be in order when I get my first paycheck. heh.
Go check out Jen's version of our R2 hoodie. It looks great!
July 06, 2004
Hallelujah!
I HAVE A JOB! After walking all over Manhattan everyday for the past two weeks, sending out 30 resumes, two interviews with Swatch, and some seriously weird interviews with other strange companies, I have a job. Swatch finally called me back. Yeay!! If you live in NY or come to visit, come find me in the SoHo Swatch store. I'll be happy to sell you a watch. Not to mention that I am a block away from Purl SoHo. That's certainly dangerous.
Yesterday, I had the weirdest interview ever. I'm not going to tell you the name of the company here, but if you're interested, let me know. This interview was for a part-time sales position at a small shop that designs and sells pearl jewelry. I found the position on Craig's List and emailed them my resume. The manager emailed the next day to set up an interview. So far, so good. From the moment I walked in yesterday, the manager was talking to me as though I already had the position (strictly on the basis of my resume, I guess). She wasn't interviewing me so much as apologizing for the weird way that the store is run. We talk for a bit and she then says, "If it were up to me, I would hire you right now. But the owner likes to have input in everything, so we have to do another interview with him." That would be fine, except that the owner is in China and won't be back in the States until the end of the month... Strike One. I need a job now, not to have to interview again for a position in 3 weeks. Plus, why the hell are you interviewing people now if you can't hire them for a month?!? Right, it goes on. She then tells me that they are looking for someone who can stay for more than 6 months. So, to insure that they get someone who will stay more than 6 months, they are splitting the salary into a base pay and a commission. Problem being, you don't get the commission until the end of the 6 months and if you leave or they fire you before that time... no commission for you. I thought this was odd for a 2 day a week job, but then she really threw me for a loop. She says that since they aren't paying me very much for the base pay ($7 hourly), they're going to pay me under the table. Strike Two. I don't like jobs where they don't claim you as an employee, it's a little scary. Not to mention that I doubt I will ever get that commission, I'm quite sure they will find a reason to fire me before then. But, it gets even worse. She's telling me about the policies they have in the store (as though I'm already working, btw) and tells me about the "10% Cash Discount". If anyone wants to buy something over $200, they are welcome to go get the cash for it and they will take off 10%. That 10% is not coming from the store's pockets, but from the government. "They get a discount, we don't claim that sale, it's better for everyone." Strike Three, and I want to run screaming from the store. Basically, I interviewed for a position that I can't get for a month, but when I am there, I will be working for next to nothing (illegally,) and selling stuff (illegally) with the fun possibility of being arrested everyday. That's exactly the kind of job I want. What I really don't understand is why this woman is telling me these things in the interview. Does she want to go to jail? Thank you, no.
I'll have knitting content for you tomorrow, I promise. I realize that's why you come here.