Monday, November 9, 2009

Quick Catch-Up

Oops. No post for a while. I would like to say that I've been super busy. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. I haven't been busy enough. Unemployment tends to leave you without much to do. I know: when you're employed you dream about having weeks and months of unscheduled time in which you can do whatever you want. You'd get so much done! Read all those classic novels you've never read! Clear out the storage closets! Paint the spare rooms! Learn new hobbies! Work out every day!


Pattern: Bamboo Socks by Lorraine Ehrlinger
Yarn: Trekking XXL











In reality, my days are more like this:

Get up.

Check email.

Read blogs.

Answer email.

Work out.

Run errands (if any--I try to spread them out over the week so I have something to do most days).

Scour employment boards and apply for jobs.

Knit.


Pattern: Ethereal Fichu by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
Yarn: Buffalo Gold Buffboo










A couple weeks ago I was thisclose to getting an interview for a really good job. Not my dream job, but one that pays more than I was getting as an undergrad 10 years ago, which is the best offer I've seen since the economy went down the tubes. After working for a week on the written portion of the interview process (creating a two-page newsletter and writing a three-paragraph press release), I was not chosen to proceed. Whatever. Usually I don't even get a confirmation that these places even received my application. I've tried leaving my Masters degree off the resume but that doesn't seem to make a difference, so for my own pride I'm leaving it on.

I'm still getting test- and sample-knitting jobs from time to time. The above lace shawl is for Buffalo Gold, and I have another sweater in the works for Hannah Fettig as well. I am very grateful and happy to have this work. But DUDES, I need a job soon! Even if it's only for my sanity because I tell ya: I'm getting a little stir-crazy down here!

I'll try to post a review of my yarn swift up here soon. Preview: I LOVE IT!!!

P.S. Thanks for letting me whine. (Letting me? It's my own blog! LOL) It's been a long couple of weeks.

7 comments:

Briley said...

I'm so sorry to hear that the unemployment is getting to you. It must be really frustrating. I hope something works out for you soon.

The shawl is beautiful. How do you like working with the buffalo?

Jacey said...

Yep, you can definitely use this space to whine whenever you feel like it. I don't blame you for going stir-crazy, either. I would, for sure. You're being more productive than you think, though. You've been churning out FOs, and they all look fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I used to make jobs for myself so I wouldn't go crazy. I volunteered to babysit my friend's kids, I would make regular trips to the library, or I would at least take my knitting on the road to my favorite café. Made me feel human again.

Don't worry! It'll get better! And remember that getting rejected for jobs isn't a reflection on you personally...unless the person rejecting you is your personal acquaintance or maybe if they gave you a personality test. They are meeting lots of strangers and trying to figure out how skills-on-paper match up to skills-in-real-life, and I'm pretty sure there's no real system for that.

Also, that shawl is gorgeous :)

Yarndude said...

Hmmm, I didn't notice any whining, I don't know what you're talking about. That shawl is pretty.

Hilary said...

Of course you're "allowed" to whine! I don't even think it's whining. I would be so frustrated! I'm so sorry to hear that the job market hasn't gotten any better. But I'm sending happy employment vibes down to Southern California!

Erin said...

Oh man, hope you find a job soon. I was unemployed for a few months once and I experienced the same sort of anxious boredom.

pacalaga said...

Unemployment sucks ass. I had ten months of it, and even though I'm wondering how the hell I'll get everything done most days, it's still so much better. I hope something comes up for you soon. I'm the opposite, though - I'd go all hermit and wouldn't leave the house for DAYS.