Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Will blog for food

As you can probably tell just from the sheer number of comments I've been leaving around the Bloggernacle, I am not exactly working at the moment (to borrow a phrase from George Costanza). I wasn't too concerned about a getting a new job after we moved, but now I have been unemployed almost two months. This should be the most enjoyable time in my life, but it's not. Sure, I can sleep till noon, but I always feel guilty when I wake up. I can lounge around the house, but all I can see is all the cleaning and organizing I need to do. I feel cheated: instead of living it up, all I can think about is the growing blank spot in my resume.

The only thing I can do is get a job. Unfortunately, there simply aren't as many companies or openings around here as I am used to. I had a hard enough time finding a job in D.C.; how am I going to find one in Stars Hollow? I think the solution is to start spending at least as much time on job-hunting websites as I do in the bloggernacle.

So, if you see me leaving too many comments or comments at weird hours of the night, just say, "Ned, knock it off and get a job!"

17 comments:

NFlanders said...

Thanks, Capt. Jack. Now if I could only get someone to yell "que vago!" at me every time I sit down, I'll be good.

a random John said...

You should blog about what you do for work. What do you do for work, BTW?

My brother has been offered jobs at conferences by people who recognize him from his blog.

Anonymous said...

When we moved here for my husband's job, and I was jobless, I prayed I could stay at home with the kids as long as possible before going back to work again.

You gotta be careful what you pray for. I looked for a job for a seriously LONG time. It was down to the wire--we weren't going to make our rent, when I finally got a job.

NFlanders said...

Capt. Jack-- I guess I'd better start shaving since I don't have any musical talent.

arj-- I actually don't really "do" anything; I don't have a career yet. I've just been taking whatever (office-type) jobs I could get out of college. Now that my wife's finally out of school, I wanted to find something I actually enjoyed doing.

RT-- I'm sorry. I would totally hire you as a Political Science professor. I hope you find something soon.

Susan-- Maybe I'll pray for a high-paying, low-hassle, job that I can do from home that I really enjoy. Surely, I can't go wrong with that?

NFlanders said...

Pris-- I'll start sending out your resume immediately. Somehow, I think it is easier to look for someone else.

lochan said...

Follow your bliss.

For some reason, I think that is simultaneously the best and crappiest advice of all time.

Ann said...

Welcome to my world. For half the time I've lived on the Gulf coast, I've been unemployed. Super yuck. I've been following DH around the country now for eight years with the assumption that it would be easier for me to find work than him. That assumption hasn't played out in Louisiana.

Good luck. Maybe you should go to graduate school.

a random John said...

Ned,

What do you want to do diddtly do with your career then? Any aspirations to a particular profession? What was your major?

NFlanders said...

Laura-- I would follow that advice if a could. Unfortunately, Krispy Kreme does not need a quality control tester.

Ann-- I feel bad now. My troubles are so insignificant compared to what you're still going through. I wish finding a job was your biggest concern. I hope you can get back to your house soon.

RT-- Everyone knows that San Cayetano is the answer to our prayers. I'm sure I have a picture of him around here somewhere. We'll coordinate candle burnings.

K.D.-- NaNoWriMo sounds fun. It would be good to have something concrete (even though awful) to show for my hours on the computer. I think fellow bloggernacle-ite Arwyn is also participating in NaNoWriMo. I certainly have nothing but time.

arj-- I feel like George Costanza when he and Jerry are trying to brainstorm ideas for a job.

GEORGE: I like sports. I could do something in sports.
JERRY: Uh-huh. Uh-huh. In what capacity?
GEORGE: You know, like the general manager of a baseball team or something.
JERRY: Yeah. Well, that - that could be tough to get.

Basically, I was an English major in college (very useful in the real world) and I like books. My dream job would be editing or copy editing. (Note to self: I'd better start spell-checking my posts.) Maude has suggested I go back to school and get a masters of library science. That way I could have a job dealing with books and research without having to endure all of the politics of academia. Right now, though, I'm just looking for a stopgap solution.

Ann said...

Ned...things are actually very, very good. I am working for a former employer, my house is lived in by a very nice lady with two disabled children who lost her house, DH is getting paid DOUBLE thanks to the fine folks at HHMI, and I'm thinking things may work out with a job for me at a local hospital. I'm properly medicated and not pre-menstrual. I'm doing great!

Ann said...

Maude is a genius. MLS? A stroke of genius, I say! You're a lucky, lucky man.

a random John said...

A guy in my ward in Boston drove a taxi because he loves books. He sat in his cab and read all day waiting for fares.

NFlanders said...

Ann-- I am glad to hear it; you are an inspiration. And yes, I am a lucky, lucky man to have Maude.

arj-- Interesting. That's dedication, right there.

Anonymous said...

Don't get a job. Jobs are a waste of time. Work for yourself! Have you thought about doing freelance writing? I make a really good living that way. I do corporate writing, ghost writing, technical writing, etc. All I did to get started was put an ad in the yellow pages.

I have no idea why I'm telling you this.

NFlanders said...

Thanks, Kaycee. Maybe I'll add that to my blogger profile. (And I'll say hi to Luke for you.)

Anonymous said...

Ned,

I don't know if it interests you at all, but I have a friend with an English BA who decided to go after a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language. Apparently it a growing field, but he's barely into his program and he's already got people knocking down his door to hire him once he graduates!

It seems you've got Spanish as your second language, a masters in TESL might be a natural fit!

NFlanders said...

Thanks, Chad Too. I will definitely check it out; it sounds like a great fit for me in what seems to be a growth industry.