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| Thursday, March 01, 2007 |
| I'm A New Yorker |
It's official people, I'm staying in New York. I have accepted the position of Online Content Manager for a nonprofit here in the Big Apple that works for a cause that I happen to not only feel strongly about, but am also personally connected to.
This was a tough one. Up until a few days ago, I was completely convinced that I was ready to move to Boston. I was. I thought I would have no problem uprooting my life, and hauling ass up to the city I always said I would move back to.
And then something happened ... I got the offer down here ...
Suddenly, there really was an option for me to stay in New York. I wouldn't HAVE to leave. I could make the choice. And thinking about moving suddenly made my heart hurt. Sure, the position up in Boston was better for my career, but it turns out, faced with the reality of leaving a city I always said I'd leave ... I wasn't ready to do it.
So it came down to what was going to make me happiest. And while the decision was hard, harder than any I've probably had to make to this point, I know I made the right one. Turns out I am NOT a Bostonian who just happens to be living in New York as I previously thought. Turns out, I'm a New Yorker with the heart of a Bostonian. A small distinction, but an important one.
It was a really stressful last 48 hours. Lots of phone calls. Lots of worry. In the end, the Boston position wasn't even offered to me. Not because they didn't want me, but because they couldn't afford me. So while I had already made the decision to turn them down (though it was a decision that I was wavering on at times), in the end, I didn't even have to make it.
But I AM very happy with the position I took. It's a sizable raise over what I was making in my last position - something I was not at all expecting. They seem like a good group to work with, and like I said, it's a great cause (though I am not going to go any deeper into that since, well, I probably shouldn't mention EXACTLY where I am working). It's going to challenge me, push my writing, and my career. The benefits are fantastic, the location is amazing, the list goes on and on.
So a week from today, I will no longer be unemployed. Now who wants to celebrate with me?!Labels: NYC, Unemployment |
posted by FINY @ Thursday, March 01, 2007   |
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| Update ... |
Well, the deadline for the decision was pushed back. I now have until noon. Still some phone calls that need to be made, and discussions that need to be had. I'd post something more coherent, but all I want to talk about is this job issue, and I can't talk about it yet!
Soon, dear readers, soon.
**update on the update ... this is driving me insane. Waiting for the phone to ring. Juggling the two positions. I am going nuts. Pacing the floor. Noon really can't come soon enough. I think I am going to have a heart attack.Labels: Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Thursday, March 01, 2007 |
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| Wednesday, February 14, 2007 |
| Happy Hearts Day! |
Well, I made it back from Boston in one piece. The 36 hour trip was tough but worth it. The interview went VERY well, and they've already been in touch via email to let me know that they are trying to figure out when everyone would be free to see me for a second interview. But now I am just trying to finish prepping for my interivew here in NYC in a few hours, so you'll have to excuse me while I change the subject.
So Happy Valentine's Day everyone. This is one of those holidays that whether I am in a relationship or not, I always completely forget about it until it's almost here. I've got plans tonight with my buddy Ryan to play pool. We made the plans last week, and until Monday, I hadn't even realized we had made the plans for Valentine's Day. Oops. Luckily we're going to a tiny little dive bar that is not exactly going to be packed with VDay dates so it shouldn't be too crowded.
Anyway, I hope you all have a very Happy Valentine's Day. Update later today on how the interview this morninng went.Labels: dating, misc., Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Wednesday, February 14, 2007 |
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| Sunday, February 11, 2007 |
| Back to Boston |
Well, wish me luck. I'm on my way up to Boston for my interview on Monday.
I've had a lot of conversations with people about the potential position up there, and reactions have varied quite a bit. From friends who always thought I was more of a "Boston girl" to others who were wary that the position would be at a catholic girls school. It's impossible to find someone in my life who is unbiased, and that's totally understandable, but it'd proving hard to get myself some perspective.
So for now, I'm just rolling with it. I have a bag full of materials to study on the bus, my suit is in my garment bag, and I'm going in with an open mind. Fingers crossed, everyone.Labels: Boston, NYC, Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Sunday, February 11, 2007 |
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| Monday, January 29, 2007 |
| It Really IS A Small World After All |
It's a small, small world.
The song has been running through my head lately (and now probably through at least a few of yours). It's easy to think that in a city of a couple million people it would be easy never to run into people, never to have that kind of random coincidence type of moment. But in the last week, I've had more than my fair share. Luckily, all of them were in a good way.
Thursday of last week, I went out to drinks with my Philly Fan Friend (Let's call her PFF for short) for drinks. While we were out playing darts we ran into a guy that works at the company that I had my first job out of college. In and of itself, not random, right? Thing is this guy is based out of Boston, is rarely in NYC and just happened to be staying at a hotel across the street. Add to that that he is about four rungs up on the corporate ladder than I was when I was there, and just happened to be handed the resignation of one of his team members just hours before seeing me, and you've got a very productive coincidence. He asked me to send him my resume, which he has since passed on for consideration. Small world episode number one.
The other two both happened on Saturday night. The Midwesterner, The Guy Magnet and I went out for a night on the town that night. Just out of the relationship with Barnard Boy, wearing my glasses, and not feeling all that up to trolling for men, I was going along as the wingwoman. I just needed to get out of my apartment.
A few hours into the evening we're leaving a bar and I run into an exroommate, her boyfriend, and their friend (hi guys!) who I hadn't seen in ages. I had never been to the bar we were at, and we were just leaving as they were coming in, but it was fantastic to see them and remind myself that I really should give them a ring to hang out soon. Small world occurrence number two.
Number 3 is really the most bizarre though. That same night, at our third bar of the evening, I am starting to get sick of this scoping men out thing. Since I wasn't in the mood to meet anyone for myself and the girls were pretty focused on it, I was getting a bit bored. So I separate from them for a few minutes and head out to have a cigarette where a guy asks me for a light. We start talking, and yes, ok, kind of flirting, and he and his friend join the girls and I for a drink inside. As this guy and I are talking I ask him where he's from.
Guy: Rhode Island.
Finy: No way, me too. Where in RI?
Guy: Barrington.
Finy: *Stunned Silence*
He's from my hometown. No joke, we went to middle school together. We don't remember each other, but MUST have had some of the same classes because we had all the same teachers, and we're the same age/class (though he went to private high school while I continued on in the public school system). We know some of the same people, and our houses were probably a mile and a half apart. We spent the next THREE HOURS talking about home, who we knew, retelling stories from middle school, where we go when we go home now, etc. etc. etc. I left the bar that night and still couldn't believe it.
Moral of this story: "Though the oceans divide and the mountains are wide, it's a small world after all."Labels: dating, drinking, misc., NYC, Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Monday, January 29, 2007 |
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| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 |
| Statistics |
Number of Job Sites Checked and Bookmarked: 374 (yes, I've kept track, yes, there's an excel sheet, no, I swear it's not color coded - yet)
Number of Jobs Applied For Since January 1st: 54 (Ok, ok, same as above)
Number of Rejection Letters Received (sans interview): 4 (HA! No spread sheet there - just a file folder)
Number of Jobs Applied For That Have Since Been Reposted (aka. the most passive/aggressive rejection ever): At least 6
Number of New Recipes Tried Out: 4 (only one went really well)
Number of NYC Landmarks I've Visited Now That I Have the Time: 2 (more on that later)
Number of Games I've Watched the Patriots Lose: 1
Number of Episodes of Grey's Anatomy Watched: 28
Number of Episodes of House Watched: 6 (but another one is playing right now)
Number of Times I've Cleaned the Apartment: Approximately 15
Number of Times I've Wanted To Blog About Things I Can't Blog About: CountlessLabels: Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Tuesday, January 23, 2007 |
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| Friday, January 19, 2007 |
| Why Netflix Sucks |
| Because on top of the fact that anxiety has caused me not to sleep in the last three weeks, I am now just finishing watching Discs 2, 3, AND 4 of Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy, and I CAN'T. STOP. WATCHING. It is now 3am. This is a problem, people. A serious, serious problem. Labels: misc., Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Friday, January 19, 2007 |
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| Tuesday, January 16, 2007 |
| More Reader Participation |
As a follow up to my last post, I have found a few things that are keeping me elevated. Finding a job to apply to that I'm not only qualified for but that excites me. Cleaning my apartment and reorganizing my life (though after two weeks, there's very little left to do to be honest). My walks in Prospect Park.
But I think one of the best mood elevators I've found thus far has been music. I've always been one of those people who, when sad, turns to Tori. When pissed, turns to Alanis. Anything that I can belt out in the privacy of my own apartment. There's something cathartic about it. The pent up saddness or aggression leaves my body on the air leaving my lungs.
These days, I'm finding that cheesy, upbeat, my-god-I-can't-believe-she-even-listens-to-that-shit, songs are keeping me sane. The current playlist is below. Now here's where you come in ... what else should be added? And please, no mocking the list. I know it's crap, but damnit, I like it!
Surrounded - Chantal Kreviazuk
Takes a Little Time - Amy Grant
With Arms Wide Open - Creed
Don't Let Me Get Me - Pink
Closer to Free - BoDeans
Life Is a Highway - Tom Cochrane
I'm Like a Bird - Nelly Furtado
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
Steal My Sunshine - Len
She's so High - Tal Bachman
I Don't Wanna Be - Gavin DeGraw
Catch My Disease - Ben Lee
Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow
Bitch - Meredith Brooks
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Calling All Angels - Train
Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks
Save Tonight - Eagle-Eye Cherry
The Freshmen - The Verve Pipe
Alive - Pearl Jam
Closing Time - Semisonic
Everything Falls Apart - Dog's Eye View
You Get What You Give - New Radicals
Babylon - David Gray
Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac
All Star - Smash Mouth
Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks
Stronger - Britney Spears
Better Man - Pearl Jam
Higher - Creed
Drive - Incubus
Drops of Jupiter - Train
Black Balloon - Goo Goo Dolls
Brand New Day - Sting
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders
You Gotta Be - Des'ree
Barely Breathing - Duncan Sheik
Vertigo (Single) - U2
Unwell - Matchbox Twenty
Breathe - Michelle Branch
Counting Blue Cars - Dishwalla
Bittersweet Symphony - The VerveLabels: misc., Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Tuesday, January 16, 2007 |
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| Wednesday, January 10, 2007 |
| National Delurking Week |
Thanks to Dave Copeland for calling this to my attention. Apparently, this week is National Delurking Weekweek is , which works out quite nicely with what I wanted to write about today. So lurkers? Warm up those fingers and unveil yourself, cause I need suggestions.
See, being unemployed has it's ups and downs. I have to say that the arm chair I am now sitting in is quite a bit more comfortable than any office chair I've ever had. But one of the problems I am encountering at the moment is that, while as much as I love streaming WEEI online, listening to CDs, and watching old DVDs, I'm getting a bit bored with it all. I need cable, and yet? I can't afford it. Especially now that I don't have an income.
So I made a decision to join Netflix and simply rent the DVDs of all the shows I've been missing out on the past well, let's say like three years. Here's where you come in ...
... tell me what to watch.
No joke, I need suggestions here. Not only have I not had cable but I haven't really paid attention to television for years. I don't even know what to rent! I took gambles on Grey's Anatomy and Lost, so those are both on the queue since I hear so many people talk about it I figured I should get in on the loop, but I seriously need some help here.
So fire away, loyal readers and lurkers alike.Labels: misc., Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Wednesday, January 10, 2007 |
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| Friday, January 05, 2007 |
| Things I've Learned During My First Week Of Unemployment |
1. My cat sleeps more than I thought an animal could.
2. Lack of human contact can make a person go crazy.
3. Eventually, all job postings sound the same.
4. There's at least one hawk that lives in Prospect Park.
5. My new digital camera is fantastic.
6. I am a terrible photographer, but I still love to take pictures (ok, maybe that one I knew before).
7. It's possible to live very cheaply in New York City.
8. I really do need cable. I thought I could live without it, but I am running out of DVDs to watch, CDs to listen to, and soap operas are really really annoying.
9. It is not possible to reset your internal clock to nonworking hours when you've been waking up no later than 8 on weekdays for four and a half years.
10. There is MUCH less to write about when you sit at home all day.
The most exciting thing I've done all week? I took an hour long walk in Prospect Park yesterday, which is right across the street from my apartment and I took pictures. And what's the fun of taking pictures if I'm not going to share them. So here they are:
 
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| posted by FINY @ Friday, January 05, 2007 |
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| Wednesday, December 27, 2006 |
| The Beginning of ... The Beginning |
In just a few short hours I will walk into the office and start taking things down off the walls, packing up boxes, and wrapping up projects. By Friday, the office will be clear, my inbox inexistent. I'll be gone. In a way, today feels like the beginning of the end.
But in a completely separate way, it feels like the right time for this to be happening. December is a time of year when we all reflect on the past twelve months and look ahead to what lays waiting for us in the coming year. With the start of 2007 comes a completely different way of life for me. Sure the unemployment thing scares the bejezus out of me, but hey, at least now I'll be searching for jobs from the comfort of my favorite arm-chair, sipping on my coffee, while in my PJs! Instead of while in the office pretending to do work. And I am sure eventaully there will be interviews, and freelancing gigs to fill up my time.
Yeah, this is going to be a-ok. But someone quote me on that in a few weeks when I'm going stir crazy and am in a fit of hysterics ok? Great, thanks.Labels: Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Wednesday, December 27, 2006 |
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| Monday, December 18, 2006 |
| Happy Holidays, Here's Your Pink Slip |
Well, it's official. December 29th is my last day on the job.
I thought it was going to feel better than this. But then again, I thought there was the possibility that I would have a job lined up, and I don't. And I wish people would stop saying "But you knew this was coming ..." because honestly? Forewarning does not make being unemployed feel any better. Being laid-off feels shitty any time. Maybe moreso since it's the holidays.
I've now lost my job twice in the span of a year. The last time I was lucky, I was offered my current position just 18 hours after my last day. This time I am not optimistic. Sure I've been on interviews, sure I've got prospects. None of that makes being laid off feel any better. I know that financially I'll be ok. I know that I'll find something eventually. I know that I'll land on my feet, I always do. But you know what? I'm sick to death of HAVING to land on my feet.
I was listening to Sarah Mclachlan's Wintersong cd this morning on my way to work. There's a line in "River" that feels very appropriate at the moment:
"I wish I had a river, I could skate away on ..."Labels: Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Monday, December 18, 2006 |
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| Tuesday, December 12, 2006 |
| Brain Dump Part ... 23475 |
Really isn't everything I post here a brain dump? I've used that title so many times I don't even know what number I'm on now. So on with the brain dump:
* The interviews are going well. I had a second interview with one organization yesterday that included a writing test and providing them with writing samples (shockingly none of which I took from here). Today is the second interview for the position that I am REALLY excited about, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
* An unexpected up-side to the interview process? I had to go out and buy a new suit. Now, spending all that money, not so much fun. But on the whole, I tend to hate shopping. Seriously, I hate it more than most things. But shopping for a suit? Holy hell is that fun! I'm serious, it's fantastic. There's something about putting on a really nice suit. You feel so polished, so accomplished, so ... professional. Sure I wouldn't want to wear one every day, but a night of trying various suits on was actually quite a bit of fun!
* The holiday season is officially kicking my ass though. Between the interviews, the job hunt, trying to still be productive in my current position, the increase in social engagements because of the time of year, the shopping, the card writing ... I'm stretched a little thin. Ok, a lot thin. To the point that there's the possibility that I had a teensy weensy break down while in Maine with my family this weekend that carried over into my Monday. The Holiday Blues have taken themselves to a whole other level with me this year, and I attribute most of it to the stress of trying to look for a new job while in the middle of one of the most chaotic months of the year. I'm really looking forward to 2007 at this point.
* Speaking of 2007, let's talk about what my 2007 Red Sox are going to look like. Oh wait, I really couldn't tell you. Are we going to get Matsusaka? Did I even spell that right? Do I even care? This offseason has really frustrated me. I mean, the offseason always does, I hate the rumors, the whispers, the hey-this-could-be-true shit. But this season it seems like the Red Sox, and really the MLB in general, are throwing money around like it's just paper with no value attached. What happened to the days of the Sox farm system being the top priority? Of homegrown talent? Of small-name deals instead of blockbuster salaries? The Sox are moving in a direction I am not entirely comfortable with, to be honest. I'm going to miss guys like Trot. And it'd be nice to have a shortstop stick around for more than a season. I guess we'll see how this all shakes out, but I'm not feeling totally confident in my hometown team.
* I never told you about the second Ryan Adams show! Great set list, but holy hell was the audience annoying! To the point that he cut the show short because people kept yelling at him to play certain songs. Now, I understand that people do this from time to time, but not only was it constant, RA actually told them to stop doing it multiple times. It was bad enough that it even started pissing ME off and it's not even like I'm a huge Ryan Adams fan.
Ok, I think that's it for now, hope you're all having a great Tuesday!Labels: music, Red Sox, sports, Unemployment |
| posted by FINY @ Tuesday, December 12, 2006 |
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| Friday, December 01, 2006 |
| The End of Nanowrimo ... or: How Real Life Got In The Way |
35,372. That's as far as I got. Part of me is supremely disappointed, another part of me is just happy to be writing again. Happy to have found a project that I am emotionally and intellectually excited by. Overjoyed to have found characters I enjoy. And frankly amazed that it took me this long to feel that spark again.
In the end, my work situation was what did me in. My down time now is devoted to the job hunt. Writing resumes, cover letters, etc. Actually, if you factor all of the things I've written in the last month into my word count: this blog, the letters, etc. I've probably well exceeded the 50K goal. Just not on one project ;).
Any suggestions on looking for a new position would be greatly appreciated. I am currently using:
Indeed.com
Mediabistro
Hotjobs
CareerBuilder
Monster
HigherEdJobs (cause hey, why not try to get a job AND a free Masters?)
Idealist
plus various company emploment opportunity webpages. I've sent out emails to my friends, former employers, and family. I've posted resumes online. I've done everything I can possibly think of. Landing my current position ended up being a complete stroke of luck. A friend I hadn't talked to in ages worked here and saw a "Please Help Me" posting I put up on myspace. I don't know that I am going to be that lucky this time. So any advice, what to do, what to avoid, where to go, etc. Would be greatly GREATLY appreciated. The idea of being unemployed in NYC right after the holidays is not an appealing thought.Labels: Unemployment, writing |
| posted by FINY @ Friday, December 01, 2006 |
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| Tuesday, November 14, 2006 |
| A Little Help? |
There are a lot of reasons I don't talk about work in this space that often. It's a dangerous topic to touch. People have been fired for less. And even if a current employer doesn't mind, if a blogger is out there looking for a new job, the potential for someone to not get an interview, or not get a job because of their personal blogs is not out of the realm of possibility.
And that's exactly the scenario I'm looking at right now. The unfortunate reality of working in the non-profit world is that the money can dry up, and it can dry up quick. And that's the situation I'm being faced with right now. Less than a year into my job, a job I love more than anything, I've got to face the music and start looking for another place of employ. And this isn't me speculating. This is my boss telling me that it's a good idea to keep my options open. Because we don't have a time frame. And it might not happen. But even if it doesn't, do I really want to stay? Because there'd be very little left to work on, even if they do keep us all around.
So I'm back where I was last January. And if anyone knows of any non-profit communications positions ... well, send 'em my way.Labels: Unemployment, work |
| posted by FINY @ Tuesday, November 14, 2006 |
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