My lazy habits backfired on me today. I had the day off and didn't have any definitive plans, so when Lauren said that the AT&T people would be here, sometime before noon, I was on the hook. In her defense, she asked and I said ok, so I put myself on the hook. I thought he would be working outside and just come inside to flip a switch...nothing is that simple these days. A little background, Lauren is trying to upgrade from DSL to fiber optics so that her Internet streaming videos (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) will run without interruption. Apparently, they can't just upgrade the the Internet, without disconnecting the telephone, and her security system is set up through her phone, so they were at an impasse. The cable guy was so smug and presumptuous. He is explaining it to me and I am telling him that he needs to be talking to Lauren because she is the homeowner, and this is her problem to figure out. He was all, "I know she's gonna cuss me out", and I was like maybe but you can only tell the truth. He talked so much, but all he had to say was he couldn't install it today, and he would follow up with Lauren. It took him 2 hours of walking in and out of the place to come to this conclusion.
In between the cable drama, I managed to organize the refrigerator and freezer. I vacuumed the rugs. I unloaded the dishwasher. I also read 125 pages of a Chicago history book. This book is so fascinating, it is like Forest Gump, because the man is chronicling the major events of 20th century through the lives of the author and his father. I spent the evening making dinner and listening to Lauren complain about the incompetent cable company. I had pork chops, a baked potato and a green salad, it was good. Then I watched Hell's Kitchen and Basketball Wives (LA), The Office, Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon. It sounds like a lot of television, but I wrote emails, painted my fingernails, plucked my eyebrows and labeled my music and pictures on the computer. It was definitely better than going to work.
The high and low on the job front are as follows. I followed up with the coordinator of the photo archiving project for Jet and Ebony magazine. I thought that I was in line for an interview, and I called to set one up for Thursday. The lady was like "no, there is no need for that. We still have to look at all of the applicants." I said oh, well my work schedule fluctuates and I would let her know my availabilities as soon as I knew. She told me not to worry about it, she would work around my schedule, and set something up in a few weeks. I'm so anxious! I hope it doesn't make her think I'm a crazy lady.
On the positive tip, I received an email from Coleman and his colleague. I am scheduled for a phone interview this Thursday. This position scares the spit out of me! I re-read my cover letter and it was so simple, I just explained my past experience with under-represented populations in higher education, and my focus on diversity. I keep reading the job description, managing people, giving presentations, writing articles, community outreach, interacting with students and faculty, all for one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country. I have been under employed for so long, it would be tricky to step up to the plate. I feel like Seabiscuit, someone needs to remind me of what I'm capable of. At the same time it would nice to not be six months away from abject poverty, so I will prepare and see what happens.
The funny thing is that I ran into Coleman while I was at lunch last week, and he introduced me to his colleague who is on the hiring committee too. I always said that once people meet me, the rest is easy street. How does one show sunny disposition, eye contact and a bright smile, when you are one in a million paper applications? I have an edge, it would be a shame to let it go to waste. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, there are a lot of options. In reality, this is a departure from my career goal in archives. My brother was telling me the other day, I have to act like I am the CEO already. He encouraged me to ask potential employers tough questions and force them to recognize my value and what I can contribute. Act as if we are equals in that room, or in this case over the phone, I will be taking that advice this week, I'll be as cool as the other side of the pillow, :)
