I have a job prospect for tomorrow through next Friday so I got up to get my hair cut. By “got up” I mean rolled out of bed at 11:30, and by “hair” I mean the unruly mass that’s gone unchecked for at least 3 months.
Since I’ve moved to an entirely new area, I had to find a new hair stylist. I could go to my trusted stylist from the pre-unworked days but I think a cheaper option is still the smart way to go. So cue the new stylist and of course she lops off way more than I asked for. Siiigh. I try not to be too bossy with people cutting my hair and trust their expertise. I mean, I don’t go into a restaurant and tell the cook exactly how to cook my food, right? Still, I didn’t want much done and “much done” was what I got.
I was near Beacon’s Closet so decided to pop in there to see if I could find any new clothes (or new to me). Lately I’ve had the roughest time finding anything that fits my taste. It’s either too expensive, too cheaply made, too bland, or too gaudy. I seem to have a very limited area of acceptance when it comes to clothing.
I’m also trying to reign in my spending. I got a little cash flow coming in again and I let loose with the purchases. Recently, I bought a new bed frame, new shoes, a new jacket, and new glasses. None of them were cheap. As a defense, I tell myself that I’d been wanting each of those things for a long, long time and it was just simply due. I don’t think I put myself in any financial trouble because of them, but they definitely didn’t help me shore up my credit card debt any sooner. But what’s life without a little reward once in a while, right? Right?
In the afternoon, I get another job offer which would overlap the one I’m anticipating. I still need a 100% confirmation from the first that they need me but can’t get a speedy answer. So rather than deal with a messy double-booking, I respectfully decline the second job. Which is always a guarantee that the first job falls through. Thus, I have seemingly the rest of the week off and not sure when that first job will be starting up.
NOTE: Pissed off looking librarian chicks with glasses in an 80′s music video? Hot.
Daily Panic Level: A tad higher
Financial Outlook: Still fine
Job Scorecard (Interviews – Freelance Work – Freelance Busts): 8 – 8 – 38
Last Night’s Meal: Chick pea salad
Look who’s back! And unemployed again.
I never forgot about this blog, but amazingly, I was employed every day since the last post (excluding holidays and a short trip out to San Fran last week). I even worked on New Year’s Eve day which was extra rough since my roommate and I had decided to throw a New Year’s Eve party.
So much has happened and it seems as though there was absolutely no time to do anything, yet somehow it also feels like I’ve accomplished very little for myself in that time. How is it January 18th already? New Year’s felt like 2 seconds ago.
My trip to Cali was a short, blur of activity since it was mainly for a wedding. I’ve managed to avoid the wedding barrage unlike most people my age, but it looks like my friends are relenting and getting hitched. I already have two other weddings to go to this year. Plus I’ll be back in San Francisco in September for my grandmother’s 90th birthday. I can’t wait to go back. Looks like this year will continue the last’s trend of traveling, of which I have no complaints. I may even try to squeeze in a Vegas trip in the fall.
And that’s one of the best benefits of not having a full-time job. The freedom is amazing. Well, as long as the jobs and money keep coming in.
Today, I’m trying to gather myself back up again. I’m fighting against the feeling of neglect towards all the little things in my life. The plus side is that I’ve already read two of the books in my Winter Reading pile.
I’m hoping to work on a few projects, which includes tweaking my portfolio site. I revamped it not too long ago so am wary that I’ll turn to an annoyed Vic to help me out. But that’s lower on my to-do project list which is tough because I feel as though that should be a higher priority. Alas, I’ve made some promises and I need to make good on them.
One thing I needed to do first is paint this page of a Chinese bible that my mom gave me. Not sure if “bible” is the right term since it’s Buddhism. The official name is the “One Million Heart Sutras in the Buddha” and I have a “Sutra Transcribing Kit”. In simple terms, I have a piece of parchment with faint chinese letters that I need to trace over with a calligraphy pen. Once done, I’ll mail it back to some temple in Taiwan to be among a million other transcribed pages. It’s pretty cool once you think about it.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. I hadn’t used a calligraphy pen since college art class and my hand was unnervingly shaky. I told myself, “Okay, so the first few lines will be a bit sloppy, but then I’ll get better and the rest will be awesome.”
I didn’t take into account that fatigue would set in after about 40 minutes and my jittery hand would stay that way for entirely different reasons. In the end, it took me a better part of the day, about 4 hours to do the entire transcription. And it doesn’t look too bad. Some splotches here and there but overall, I’m pretty proud that I pulled it off without any major disasters. I have no idea what I was writing which makes me wish I had the motivation to learn when I was a kid.
Daily Panic Level: Low
Financial Outlook: Decent. A few checks are expected
Job Scorecard (Interviews – Freelance Work – Freelance Busts): 8 – 8 – 36
Last Night’s Meal: Tabla shrimp, veggies and brown rice
