Well, I'm off.  Off for a week's stay in the pristine wilderness -- with essentially NO internet access.  (Imagine!)  I mean if I GET to internet at all, it'll be an unexpected treat. 

I mean we're not gone YET -- Precious Princess has to graduate from Safety Town, after all -- but I'm now embarking on a frenzied packing extravaganza, and should NOT be procrastinating on the web, any longer!  Should NOT.

***

Eh - applied to 3 more jobs since last update.  The 6th one is a bit of a stretch, given the nature of my experience; I'm quite sure I could DO it, but not sure I can convince THEM I could do it.  I'm hopeful that I could at least get a callback or an interview at any of the other 5, but not so sure about #6.  But what the hey, reach for the stars, right?

Decided that 2 others that at first looked decent, aren't right for me.  One of them was just -- not a good fit.  Couldn't rustle up much enthusiasm for either the company or the job, and, well, that's not a good attitude to sell yourself with.  I'm definitely overqualified for the other one; I could do the job that job would report to, or maybe the one above that.  But, the company itself looks like an excellent fit, so I favorited them & will check back frequently to see if anything more senior opens up.

I gave them all my cellphone & will follow up with them over the next couple weeks while on vacation, and hopefully have some interviews lined up for when I get back. 

Depending on how all that goes, after that I'll begin Phase 2 if necessary:  Personal local networking.  *shudder*  You know I'm an introvert, and I hate the idea of begging my friends for jobs; but, personal networking is what really works.  And if they already know me and like me, then, they can at least tell me if their employer is hiring, and who to send the resume to, and give me the skinny on the corporate culture, and put in a good word for me, and all that.  Well -- time enough after vacation to tackle that.

***

Okay, cheers, everybody!  Take care of yourselves, & your loved ones, & your various and sundry pets, and the world!  Back with ya in a week or two!

Day-Before-Yesterday's Weird Observation:

What is wrong with our society?  A minor wrongness, given all that could be wrong with it, but symptomatic, I think.

Scene:  In car, driving Precious Princess to Safety Town.  Drove past the street on which Eldest Son's First-Grade teacher, Mrs. R., lives.  I pointed this out.

"Hey, Eldest Son," I said, "Look, that's the road Mrs. R. lives on."

"Neat!" he said.  "Can we go visit her?"

"Well--"

"Not right now, but someday.  What I mean is, can we just drive up and ring her doorbell and say hi?  Someday?"

"Well--  We'll see.  Do you miss her?"

"Yeah."

And we drove on.  I chuckled inwardly.  Dear Husband chuckled, outwardly, when I told him this later, in private.  The Counselor chuckled with us when I told it again.

And then I got to thinking, WHY?  Why did we all chuckle?  WHY is it such an innocently outrageous suggestion to make in our society?  Why CAN'T we just drive up and ring the doorbell and say hi to a woman who spent the majority of Eldest Son's waking hours with him over the past 9 months?

How weird is that?  Spend 9 months with him, and then, boom, THAT's all over with.  Time to move on!  New teacher next fall, everybody's off doing their own thing over the summer.

And why do we need to pre-call to set up such a meeting?  I mean, as an adult, I know that you can't do that -- that she might be busy, that it's an invasion of privacy, that it presumes to invite ourselves in. 

But my question is, Why?  Why does our society value privacy over friendship?  Busy-ness over closeness?  Why so many boundaries?

And is it a healthy society, that does those things, makes those assumptions, values these things so differently?

Thinking back to pre-historical humanity, living in small kinship bands for life -- with no doubt some ritualized switching of clan allegiances to avoid inbreeding -- you would always know everybody.  Eldest Son's quirks would be known from birth, I wouldn't have had to write my little "letters" to the schools begging for the right teacher for him.  All ages would be mixed together, and would learn skills at whatever pace was appropriate for each one.  "Teachers" would be part of a child's life, and would be there for life.  No woman by herself would be expected to be the sole caregiver, entertainer, feeder, and clother of all her own children, and only her own children, for most of each day.  There would always be grannies, aunties, and almost-mature young women to help, and other mothers. 

Not to say there weren't some less-savory aspects to pre-historical life, but this is what our brains and emotions are wired for.

Isn't there some way to get back to the good parts of this, while keeping literacy, modern medicine, and other good things?

Okay, got 3 jobs applied for, and the adrenaline rush is still buzzing along. 

Not sure I can focus enough for the next hour to complete any more cover-letters / applications today, but think I will still make a few phone calls before close-of-business.  Just to get the right names to put on the cover letters.  Then I can come back to it after the kids go to bed.  Email never sleeps!

(Might be a good idea to go for a walk soon.  The top of my head feels fizzy.)

(Wow -- this is what I used to be like at work.  No wonder I got so much done.  I did go through a lot of coffee back then.  But the adrenaline -- the adrenaline now, that's what gives it that little extra oomph.  I had no idea I would find my job search this exciting!)

(Actually -- I think it's because I always felt ambivalent about that last job -- always -- whereas these jobs I'm applying for now I could dive into whole-heartedly.  Plus, I'm feeling more confident in this search -- since the people at the last job did give me an offer.)

zzoooommm!

-- I'm hyped on coffee and chocolate.

Last week (in a fit of child-induced freakery) I actually made a special trip to the EXPENSIVE grocery store (NOT the Big Box) and bought Reese's.

For myself.

Not the kids.

(I can't even remember the last time I bought candy for myself, rather than snitching it out of the kids' candy buckets behind their backs.  The guilt of which at least keeps me from doing it more than once a day, or taking more than one little piece at a time, so's they won't notice.)

AND, I've been eating it.

UGH, I hate myself!! 

I'm self-destructivizing on my weight-loss goals!!

And I'm not walking enough either, ON TOP OF the candy!

UGH, UGH, UGH.

(In case you didn't figure this out, I'm a stress eater.  Oh, how I WISH I were one of those sickening people who forget to eat or can't eat when they're stressed!!)

And I'm hyped on coffee and chocolate RIGHT NOW because I'm about to kick my job-search into high gear. 

I've done my web research and identified 7 decent-to-cool prospects (2 of them less than 2 miles from my house!  Imagine, I could ride my bike to work!!!).  I've collected contact info and job descriptions, and now I'm about to make phone calls, learn contact names, craft killer cover letters, tweak resumes, and shoot those babies out there!

YEAH!!!

(I'm hyped.)

(chocolate & coffee)

But I'm not giving up on the writing. 

Tomorrow I'm shipping out a piece that hasn't been tried with a pub since last summer -- and that (IMHO) is much improved since then. 

So at this point I have 3 pieces out at various pubs, and 2 more up on my crit-group wiki.  Hopefully my fellow wikians will give me some constructive crit there before I leave for vacation.  I have pubs in mind for both of those two after the wikians have at them. 

Tomorrow my in-laws are taking the kids, and I'm going to spend most of the day applying for jobs. 

But, I'll also take the kid-free opportunity to drop that story in the mail -- although they love the Post Office.  We have a nice man there who gives out stickers and lollipops to urchins.  But, I will find it easier to wait in line without them!

Oh, PS -- my brother's wife had the baby this morning!  Yay!  -- Precious Princess's FIRST GIRL COUSIN!!  (Yes, she did turn out to be a girl.)  Too bad they live in Tennessee and we won't get to see much of them.  But, I also have to get my baby-gift in the mail tomorrow as well. 

Now all 3 of us are parents, and my parents have 5 grandkids.  Whew!  This time last year, my 3 kids were the only ones. 

It's very weird to be this old.  I don't feel as old as I am.

My Personality Type is:  Reliable Realist (RR)

Stole this from Jacolily, who got it from Mello.  

Here's what the testing site has to say about it (My comments in Blue) .  It's downright scary:

Reliable Realist (RR)

( Take the free test and determine your personality type!)

Reliable Realists are down-to-earth and responsible-minded (yeah... if I had to pick one word to describe myself, it would have to be "responsible") . They are precise, reserved and demanding (yes indeedy!  My suppliers in my former job would have agreed wholeheartedly... and possibly used less polite terms) . Their most prominent quality is reliability and they will always make every effort to keep any promise given (yup) . Reliable Realists are more quiet and serious persons, they do not talk a lot but they are good listeners (Here's where they get it wrong about me.  My husband would tell you I never shut up; the only reason you wouldn't know what I think or feel about something is if you weren't listening.  What I actually am is a talkative introvert -- not all introverts are quiet -- and this test could not make a distinction between the two) . They sometimes seem reserved and distant to outsiders although they often have a great deal of wit and esprit. Their strong points are thoroughness (y-e-a-h... thoroughness, that's it) , a marked sense of justice, doggedness bordering on pigheadedness (oo!  ouch!) and a pragmatic, vigorous and purposeful manner (yup -- pushy broad, that's me) . Reliable Realists do not dither about if something has to be done. They do what is necessary without wasting words.

(The following two paragraphs represent a very strong, absolutely accurate description of me) 

This personality type not only expects a lot of himself but also of others (once again, yup.  My former suppliers would agree...) . Once Reliable Realists have set their mind on something, it is difficult to persuade them otherwise (darn straight!  ;-)   ) . They do not like to leave anything to chance (nope) . Planning means safety to Reliable Realists, as well as order and discipline (yes, yes, yes.  Whenever I do something spontaneous, I'm disappointed in the results.  I always feel it would have gone so much better if I'd had time to plan it out properly) . They have no problem respecting authorities and hierarchies but do not like to delegate tasks. They are certain that others would not deal with them as conscientiously as they do. (This is absolutely true of me, and this is why my former suppliers might have been motivated to use less polite terms in describing my style as a client...  Although I was getting better about delegating by the time I left... wouldn't you know)  In management positions, they are very task-oriented - they make sure that things are well done (yup) ; however, they do not have a great deal of interest in personal contacts at work.  (Gosh yeah, the networking -- the necessity of it -- was the absolute worst part of my life in corporate America -- the part I liked least, and did least well.)

In relationships too, Reliable Realists are reliability itself. As partners, they are faithful and consistent, well-balanced and sensible. Security and stability are very important to them. (Yes, yes, and yes again)  They have little time for extravagances and flightiness. Whoever has them as friend or partner can rely on them for a lifetime (Absolutely!) . However, it takes quite a while for Reliable Realists to enter into a relationship or friendship. They have little need for social contacts; they therefore take great care when choosing partners and friends and limit themselves to a small but exclusive circle which meets their high demands (yes, absolutely) . They tend to show their closeness to people who are important to them by deeds - their partner should rather not expect romantic declarations of love.

Adjectives which describe your type (yep -- all of them, except "tidy")

introverted, practical, logical, planning, tradition-conscious, organised, persistent, objective, tidy, conscientious, cautious, loyal, peace-loving, sensible, down-to-earth, responsible-minded, reserved, careful, independent, punctual, precise, demanding, ability to concentrate, trustworthy, pedantic, reliable, persevering

These subjects could interest you (yep, again)

literature, technical activities (model-making), voluntary work, music, trekking, camping, hiking, cooking, drawing/painting, handicraft work, writing, strategy games, politics

(Sorry -- sacrilege not REALLY intended.  Just couldn't resist.  Actually that was a prayer...)

This is THE BUSIEST WEEK OF OUR LIVES  (and stupid ME for signing them up for so much all in the same week -- but that's when all the programs they REALLY WANTED or NEEDED to do were happening...), and probably the most challenging aspect of it is our church's Vacation Bible School, which is held in the evenings. 

We changed to from daytime to evening a few years back b/c we could get so many more volunteers in the evening.  But, it is really quite hard on the little kiddoes.  (and isn't it supposed to be for them? -- Eh, never mind.)

Not that they're not having a wonderful time, but they get home well after their normal bedtime, and then they take a while to wind down, and then they don't sleep in in the mornings, so by today the cumulative sleep deficit was--uh, well let's just say it was CLEARLY having an impact.

Poor Eldest Son is really struggling with his allergies too, which usually manifests itself in him as a constant post-nasal drip leading to constant hacking cough, usually leading to some form of secondary infection, this time an ear infection and probably sinus too.  He's on Benedryl for the allergy-cough, and antibiotics for the infection, so don't look at me like that when I tell you that I let him continue going to his activities if he feels up to it.  (And so far, he has only missed one session of Science Camp -- that's how I knew he was sick in the first place, when he said he thought he was too tired for that...)  So tonight he was just absolutely beside himself, just completely, completely...

Lord.  Give me strength.  (I mean that.  Or maybe not strength, maybe patience and flexibility.  Or maybe just whatever the dickens you think I need -- that usually works...)

He fell asleep tonight within about 5 minutes of being dragged up to his room -- protesting he wasn't tired.  Let's just hope he really sleeps in tomorrow -- he's not real good at that.

And Princess!  Man alive, that little woman was a stinker and a half today.  It was like she did not understand English.

Littlest Brother was the only one of them who was remotely normal today -- and, of course, he's the one who stayed home with me last night and went to bed at his usual time.  Plus he still takes naps, although this week he's getting shorted on them a bit b/c of the schedule for Precious Princess's Safety Town class.  By the time we get home from dropping her off, he doesn't REALLY have enough time for a nap before we have to go pick her up again.

Ai-yi-yi, well, over the hump, anyway.  Tomorrow evening's the last day of VBS, and then on Friday we have just the two camps in the afternoon -- Safety Town and Science Camp.  A nice slow Friday morning will do us all a TON of good.

Plus, I'm tired, and when my sleep deficit gets high enough, well, let's just say that an outside observer could probably tell. 

So g'night! 

...Chevy Metro!

6-7-08 Daddy's New Wheels 1

Well, not brand new, exactly, since they quit building them, oh, say in 2000 or so.  But new to us, and with only a little rust.  A 1999 Model Year Metro, this baby's got to be one the last ones they made.

6-7-08 Daddy's New Wheels 2

Never thought I'd see the day this lifelong car nut was THIS happy about closing the deal on a 9-year-old Metro!

6-7-08 Daddy In His New Wheels

Welp, that's $4-a-gallon gas for ya. 

6-7-08 2008 Hot Wheels

He figures he can save about 3 grand a year in gas costs by commuting in the Metro instead of his compact pick-up.  Because it's small(-ish), his pick-up gets decent gas mileage, but the Metro will double it. So, assuming it keeps running and gas prices stay at this level or higher, the thing will pay for itself in about a year. 

He's going to keep the pick-up, for pick-up-ish activities (Home Depot, anyone?  That pick-up drove my redbud tree home a year ago...), and he plans to drive it on snowy days in winter, when it will be comforting to have 4-wheel-drive.  But even in winter we get plenty of days when the roads are clear and dry, and the Metro will do fine. 

He found this car on Craigslist a week ago, and rented a U-Haul trailer and drove up to Traverse City yesterday after work in order to pick it up.  But it was by far the newest Metro he could find in the entire state, with the least rust and miles on it, and he was able to stay with my parents overnight, so it was worth the trip to him.

(Gee, I sure wish GM would dust off the plans on this baby!  In the current climate, they'd do well to shut down some FS SUV plants and start cranking out these "cute widdoe cars" (as Littlest Brother describes it) instead...  If Dear Husband was willing to jump through all these hoops just to buy one used, he's probably not the only one; and if he could have just meandered down to his local dealership and bought one new, it would have been a lot more convenient...) 

Just got the results of the contest where I entered 2 stories.

The good news is, my two stories WERE among the 12 finalists.

The bad news is, they were NOT among the 3 winners.

But, I find this encouraging.

Given the total number of entrants, being among the top 12 is pretty darned good.  It helps me believe that my own recent self-assessment is not so far off the mark -- that my pieces are better than 90 - 95 % of what's out there, but still are not quite in the top 97th - 99th percentile.  And that's where they need to be in order to be published (or win, in the case of this contest). 

So, that's encouraging b/c it says that (a) I have an accurate view of my current skill level, (b) I'm not being totally unrealistic in my dream, and (c) that a breakthrough might be just around the corner.  (Well, it might.)

And I'll never know if I stop sending things out.

And also that I shouldn't stop improving them, either. 

B/c the totally unanticipated bonus of having entered this contest was, the ding-letter included a fairly detailed assessment from the judges of what they LIKED about each story...  and what could have been improved, or, why it didn't WIN.

And THAT will be VERY helpful indeed.  Moving forward.

The judges' assessments of what could be improved about each piece -- it was one of those things where you go, "D'Oh!  They're RIGHT!  Why didn't I think of that???" 

What they liked:  In the case of BOTH stories:  characterization and world-building.  In the case of one story, its compliments included "capable writing" and "very original idea"; the other one garnered the praise, "Great villain!"  In both cases, the beginnings needed to be tightened/shortened, and the endings seemed abrupt or didn't quite fit. 

Part of that was the short upper limit on word-count:  3500 words.  I think the abrupt endings came from getting to around, oh, 3200 words and going "Oh S***!" and wrapping everything up in 300 words or fewer.  But of course, if I had shortened up the beginnings, I'd have had a few more words to spare to feather in the endings a bit more satisfactorily.  

And the other part was that I stumbled across this contest not too far in advance of the deadline, so the stories didn't get as many rounds of crit as I might have liked.  Maybe another few drafts would have helped me gain the courage or hard-heartedness to hack away whole paragraphs or sentences from the beginnings.  So next year I'm going to keep my eye on that contest and get their "theme" as soon as they release it, and give myself more time. 

(Oh, I should mention, this annual contest requires you to submit a story based on a "theme" they set.  The themes are pretty whacked -- this year's theme was "metallic feathers" and last year's was "fewmets at the end of time."  Since no one could possibly have predicted such a theme and written a story about that beforehand, this pretty much ensures that all entries are written expressly for their contest; can't dust off your old stuff and send it in.) 

Anyway. 

So. 

Onward!

Bah.

Just got another one today.

That's what you get for throwing stuff at the "qualified pro" mags.  Reality is, they have only enough space in a year's issues to print 3 out of every 1000 stories submitted by unknowns. 

Which means, my story could be better than 95% of the stuff they see... and still not be good enough. 

(Yet.)

Has to be better than 99.7% of the stuff they see.  And, has to hit the right sub-editor on the right day in the right mood. 

"Oh God, PLEASE not another vampire unicorn story!  PLEASE!"  --Toss.

(He-e-ey... a vampire unicorn!  Now THERE'S an idea...)

Well, so, the stars haven't aligned yet. 

Yet.