I couldn't stop smiling when I first heard the news.
I went on a job interview two weeks ago and landed the job, starting last week!
It's about fucking time!!
But here's the thing. The job is quite STRESSFUL. A lot to learn and do for the little I'm being paid. And the managers training me have been unfriendly and downright rude. It makes me not want to be there at all.
The position involves working in the back of a well-known arts-and-crafts store, managing daily receipts, price changes, and incoming shipments. The only perk is that I get a 25% employee discount. (Imagine all the glitter I can buy with that!)
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The view while walking to work! So very lovely.....
It's a mixed feeling of emotions. Being grateful to be working again yet feeling inadequate and not in control. An artist needs to be free and now I feel trapped....like my spirit is being caged.
I was so overwhelmed and frustrated at work yesterday that I actually started crying in the back office. I knew I couldn't keep working there if it's going to be this bad everyday.
After my shift ended, I headed to the Loop all teary-eyed to catch my train home and got a call on my cell phone. It was my old place of employment from a year ago! They said they're rehiring and asked if I wanted my city job back!
"Absolutely!", I told the HR department.
And once again, I couldn't stop smiling. What perfect timing!
My former job may have been crummy but it pays slightly more and I liked it better than the one I'm currently at now. Now I have to decide if I keep both part-time jobs or ditch the arts-and-crafts one altogether (that'll teach them to be rude to me!).
This is surely going to cut into my time for creating art. But I need a job. Simple as that. There are too many people out of work right now and I'm fortunate to no longer be one of them.
At least this blog's theme has been rightfully restored. Escaping dead-end jobs while creating a life in art!
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37 comments:
Dean,
Congratulations!!! That's so great to hear your former city job wants you back- even after a year- that is truly saying something. Glad to hear!!!
Wow, that's an awesome coincidence. I say keep both jobs. Because you have your old job, you might be able to be a little less stressed about the crappy one. You'll get paid double plus discount on art supplies. I'm sure you'll find time for creating art too.
congrats Dean!!
:), cheers you. Just be thankful you dont work in theatre and are somewhat always unemployed.
Congratulations! Hang in there. I happy for you!
Wow that is so lucky well done Dean! Im sure youl manage to fit in some art in your spare time:)
Congrats on landing the new job....u totally deserved it if the the arts n craft store made u feel that miserable!!!
Don't you just love when you are on a low ebb and faith just throws you a bone.
dean...
im glad to read that you couldnt stop smiling...
bonus!!
no one should be forced to tears in a crummy day-job they hate...
working for the govt. isnt all bad... after all, the last good union jobs are in government...
- cheers... david
Big congrats -- that is great news!
Hey at least your theme is consistent. There's something to be said for paying the bills.
I realized once that if I have to fight for my art time I'm a lot more productive because I know it's limited.
Silver lining?
Crazy timing!
Okay - as for the rude co-workers, I recently found an old article I had saved titled: Be Excellent To Each Other (D. Smith). A woman who was temping and sick of all the crappy attitude made posters saying: BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER and posted them at work. Some people embraced it, some...not so much...but she found it did start to change some people's attitudes. She began complimenting co-workers, trying to put her mantra in action. At one place - a cookie factory - the robots (whom they dubbed "the girls") began malfunctioning and throwing cookies around. Someone piped up: "Hey! They're not being excellent to each other!" ROTFLMAO. So Dean, there IS hope!
wow congrats my friend ;)
That's fantastic! Congratulations, Dean! W00t!
Mike!
Well, I still belong to the city-union and they started calling people back who had the highest seniority first....which was me!
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Rakesh!
I agree. Knowing I have my original job to fall back on makes me not feel so trapped in the arts-and-crafts one anymore.
Not sure I can handle both though!
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Mona!
Yay!
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ricola!
I guess the term "starving artist" applies to you as well, right?
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Randy!
I'll try hanging in there!
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Sam!
I hope you're right!
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Phunk Factor!
I was so happy to get my old job back and know I have an option to ditch the arts-and-crafts store should I want to!
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Mind of Mine!
Yes!! I could use all the bones I can get, Ian!
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David!
This is one time where my old union saved my ass!
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Brahm!
Hooray!
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Kristen!
Perhaps you're correct in that I'll be more focused/productive with the limited "art time" I now have.
Only time will tell though!
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Kim!
I'm not sure about making a sign just yet but I'll take your advice and try killing them with kindness....with an emphasis on the word "kill".
Hee hee hee.
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Steven!
I appreciate that!
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bK!
*happy dances*
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Thanks to everyone for the celebratory comments!
-Dean
Dean, this is fantastic news! I hope things improve for you if you decide to keep the job at the arts/crafts store as well. I'm so happy you're smiling from ear to ear and got doubly blessed!
Want a donut to wash those tears away? Chocolate frosting is always a healer.
Really Dean, I know exactly where you are at - my husband has been out of work for 3 years and I'm picking up whatever and wherever I can. It's a hard road. So congratulations and keep plugging away with your art in any "spare" time.
I'm happy for you. I guess a crappy job is better than no job at all -- At least that's what I keep telling myself. I'm paid (very little actually) based on production, and it seems like I have to spend every minute working just to get by with no time at all for anything else. Glad you have a choice now -- really hard when you have to hang on to a totally sh*t job because the only other choice is being homeless.
WOOT! WOOT! WOO-HOO! Yay, Dean! And yes, if you're old job suits you better, take it.
The Universe always tests our resolve, and this past year, with having to care for your uncle and everything you've gone through is that test. And I think you came through with flying colors, boy.
Many times we are faced with a situation where we have to choose between being practical and following our heart. There is something to be said for being practical (having to deal with the change of a new job), but the heart will always win out (an affinity for your old job and the people you used to work with).
All best. Whichever decision you make, I'm sure you'll make the best one.
Besides, you're young! Follow your passion now while you have time, financial rewards will follow later.
yeay!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm hoping the good news just keeps snowballing.
Tammy!
I hope things improve at the arts-and-crafts store too!
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Susan!
I LOVE chocolate! A chocolate-chocolate donut sounds great right about now!
In all seriousness, I'm sorry to hear about your husband. I'm aware I'm not the only one who's got it rough in this economy.
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WOL!
Yes, I have a choice now and that feels great!
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madtexter!
I will follow my passion, Corey!
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Jason!
Could things get even better?!
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All of your encouraging words are greatly appreciated!
-Dean
Yay, Dean!! I knew things would come around for you!! Do the happy dance, my friend!!
So glad to hear. That is terrific news!!
that's great news! Not a perfect situation I know, but one stepping stone forward rather than back, maybe? I really wouldn't stick a place where people are being rude and disrespectful to you... and I've worked a few of those, but not for long. They don't deserve you.
Now come on. How could you give up a job where you get 25% off glitter?! Sometimes you just have to put up with the bad to get all the good. Seriously, it's wonderful you got called back to your old job. You deserve a break. Well, I actually don't know if you deserve a break, but I think you do. :O)
Manon!
I'm dancing right now!
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WannabeVirginia W.!
Yippee!
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Alex!
No, it's not the best situation but I'm trying my hardest to make it work.
I'll stick with both jobs for as long as I can but eventually I'll probably drop one....namely the terrible arts-and-crafts job!
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William!
I deserve a break, Bill!
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I appreciate everyone's supportive remarks!
-Dean
This is the best news I have heard in a long time, so overjoyed for you, Dean, choices but choices that bring in money. You know what this means, more glitter!! You are worth all the good fortune that comes your way. Smiling, you're smiling, YES! The best in whatever job/jobs you have.
Congratulation, Dean!! When I read the first sentence, I thought it was referring to the news about Mayor Daley.
Dear Dean,
Congratulations! Take it easy. One day at once. Hope you can get good friends.
Kind regards, Sadami
Congratulations on getting your job back! If it gets too bad you can tell the rude people to stick it, not a bad place to be:) I enjoy both of your blogs. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving comments! I used to work in Chicago, it's a great city:)
Good for you Dean. Sometimes you have to get away from something to realize that it was actually benifical to you all along! Keep your chin up!
Congrats Dean! I am happy for you :)
Hey, Dean - just ran across your blog via Ian @ Mind of Mine and I just wanted to say congrats on finding a job! Being out of work over a year myself I know how it feels and it's nice to have choices now!
Wonderful shot, Dean! Great contrast of concrete and blue sky.
My best wishes for your new job.
Glad you now have choices. Came over by Ian.
Oh Dean. I am so happy for you to have the option of not only one job but two. Good for you. Keep both if you can - and bite your tongue a lot. People can only get to you if you let them. If negative comments ride off your back, you are in control. Take control of yourself and I found that praying helps quite a bit. Anytime and anyplace.
Congratulations, big time!!
Stan!
I'm smiling!
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Aries!
LOL. I'll actually miss Mayor Daley now that he's not going to run for mayor anymore!
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Sadami!
I hope to make some good friends there too!
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bricarwaller!
Carrie, I didn't know you used to work in Chicago!
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Alvin!
I'll try keeping my chin up!
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Prabha!
(^_^)
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trinity2!
So glad you found me! Having choices feels great!
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JM!
My photos aren't as good as yours!
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Bucko (a.k.a., Ken)!
I appreciate you dropping by!
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Dolores!
I shall remember your sound advice!
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Thanks to all of you for the kind thoughts!
-Dean
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