Back to Work?

For the last week and a half, I've had a chance to chill out and enjoy the Holidays. But today is January 2nd, and the Holidays are officially over. It's time to face one cold, hard fact: I am without a job.

Another cold, hard fact: It's cold.

My search for a new job has been compounded by the weather. At least in the fall, I had the advantage to commute back and forth as I pleased. But it's January now, and so far, this winter has not been kind.

I filled out the application for H&R Block online a week ago today, and as soon as the local office is open, I plan on following up on it. I also looked into becoming a sales associate for Procard International, which sells health care discounts. While this might give me some real security, it's also based on commission. It may be worth a show, but with the economy being what it is, is anyone interested in buying these sorts of things right now?

Of course, there's also my unemployment hearing. The last time I heard from the Department of Labor was the day after Thanksgiving. I may try to follow up sometime next week, and put together some notes for my hearing...whenever that will be.

I'm not as worried as I sound, but I am concerned.

Homeless?

Well, as it turns out, I will have to leave where I am come Christmastime regardless. The woman I am staying with is used to being on her own, and it's very cramped for her. I will be spending the remaining week and a half here looking for a place to stay. House sitting situation or an affordable place to stay doesn't materialize by December 23rd, I plan on showing up at at the Red Cross emergency shelter, and hopefully they'll find me a place that I can stay, or someone who can take me in.

It stinks that it has come to this, but it will be January and commuting an hour to Geneva will not be an option.

Winter Drive: A Mixtape

Tonight I made a mixtape that will accompany me on my trip to Ithaca tomorrow. The mixtape I have had for driving isn't suitable for the cold winter coming, so I made a new one which I call "Winter Drive":

"Soft As Snow (But Warm Inside)"- My Bloody Valentine
"Birthday" - The Sugarcubes
"Kim's Chords" - Sonic Youth
"Lazy Calm" - Cocteau Twins
"Unchanging Window" - Broadcast
"Lost Message" - Air
"Seeperbold" - Stereolab
"Clowns" - Goldfrapp
"Love Song" - Vashti Bunyan
"Winter Lady" - Leonard Cohen
"Song To Bobby" - Cat Power
"Guinnevere" - Crosby, Stills & Nash
"Riders On The Storm" - The Doors
"Shine" - Joni Mitchell

I was a little reluctant to put Joni Mitchell on this mix, since I spent the better part of the summer listening to her music, but I thought "Shine" fit well.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Brrr! It was very cold and blowing all day! I went outside to run errands, but I didn't stay out for long!

I have another interview on Thursday, this time at the Ithaca Bakery at Triphammer Mall. It's full time position, plus benefits. I'll try to keep an open mind.

One of the things I'm working on having some sort of freelance career as a website designer. My only client so far has been Brian. I've tried to advertise my services for free on Shooting People's NYC Mailing List, but so far, the results have been inconclusive. Maybe advertising it for free was a bad idea.

Anyway, right now I'm trying to expand my web design skills by reading up on CSS--something in which I have peripheral knowledge, but no real understanding of. I'm hoping to brush up more on my PHP and Flash skills in the near future, but one step at a time.

I'm off to make a YouTube video announcing this blog, then It's on to watching The Love Guru. Having enjoyed the Austin Powers movies (at least the first and the third), I'm curious about this movie, but I don't have high expectations for it.