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My biggest fear when I moved to Virginia in the winter was exercise. I know, I know. But in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles I did a lot of walking and hiking. To move and immediately get hit with single-digit temps was scary. Five additional pounds later and I developed a solution based on my…
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The welcome to Virginia sign was a relief after traversing Tennessee. While Virginia may be open for business, I hope Virginia also has jobs and single, emotionally evolved men over the age of consent. Dixie and I travelled 2900 miles and everyone was right – as long as she was with me, she was fine. …
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With a good night’s rest, Dixie and I set out to see The King first thing in the morning. We were there early enough to get lots of dog humilating pictures in before the old folks came for their 10 a.m. tours. The mansion is preserved to its 1970’s glory – lots of shag and…
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I wish I could say it’s hard to believe I’ve been out of work exactly a year today, but it’s true. I mentally assumed, based on the economy, my age, and my salary expectations, that my job search would be long. That’s why I immediately dubbed myself the “Layoff Lady of Leisure.” My new “job”…
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I’ve said it before. Interviewing for a job is just like dating. Do you have the same interests? Do you like women? Is there long-term potential? The downside to interviewing is you can’t give a fake name or sneak out the back door when you see you’ve made a bad decision. I had a funny…
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In the mail on Monday, I received one of those friendly reminders from the local Honda dealership telling me that it was probably time to change oil. I realized I didn’t come close to hitting their high mileage estimate. I have become the little old lady of West Hollywood. Being laid off, there are days…
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This is probably just me. My little problem, you know, because I was born before 1980. But when a help wanted/job ad says “profitable online startup,” that is not a positive selling point to me. It’s about as appealing as a partner telling me their Valtrex copay is only $5.
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With my focus on my career, I’m sure you were worried that I’d never write about guys or dates again. Not to worry, this is Los Angeles, so there’s always going to be a story. I just haven’t had the time to write this one. Houston (let’s call him that instead of nutless) and I…
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I love my friends and my network that alert me to jobs I might not normally find through my channels. A writer girlfriend emailed me about a Twitter post she was following. “They are going to announce a job,” she said. I immediately signed on and followed the Twit to find out what was going…
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This is going to be my last unemployment summary because not much changes from week-to-week. I meet unemployed friends for drinks, I make calls, I send resumes, and I have interviews. One thing that was reinforced this week was how much interviews are like dates. And selecting a job is like choosing a husband –…
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As I continue to network and build my LinkedIn empire, there is an undercurrent of panic. I know I have about 45 days to find a job before everything stalls until 1Q10. I had four dates with my Outtie friends this week. Three of them aren’t even looking. They are enjoying their sabbatical away from…
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OK, where has the time gone? It has really been a month since I’ve lost my job? Really. If I were to describe this week I’d have to say “socially bananas.” It was Labor Day week, so there were a few cookouts. In between all that, the boyfriend decided to infuse some music in my…
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I have to get a job soon, if only to rest. My availability is creating severe social distractions while my tan fades. My week started out of town. The boyfriend took Tex and I to Vegas and then up to UT to check on a condo he’s trying to sell. My excitement was centered around…
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I don’t envy phone customer service reps in any business. It is a thankless job. But it has to be especially painful if you are working the phones for the Employment Development Department for the State of California. My claim form hasn’t arrived, so another Outtie friend supplied me with a way to bypass the…
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Since my first week of unemployment was unseasonably cloudy, I gave myself permission to extend my slackness into a second week. I was on a mission to be less white as well as to socialize with my other out of work friends (outties). I was very excited on Monday when it was hot and sunny,…
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It is fun to watch the expression on people’s faces when I tell them that every career move I have made, with the exception of a move to Richmond, Va. for grad school and my California move, has been a result of a layoff or to avoid one. Confusion and concern are dominant reactions. Like…