Dear all,
For those of you that thought I made a New Year's Resolution to quit writing these emails, you are wrong. My actual resolution was to corner the stock market; I will let you be the judge of my success after you read this email.
Let me see, where did I leave off last issue...oh yeah, I am in the "Real World" and it is scary. Not scary like "Hannibal" scary (opens nationwide tomorrow), but more scary like I have to buy things to survive and I have to work to get this money, and I have to find a job...and I can't. Let me also refresh your memory on my luck. One year before turning 18, Iowa switched the gambling age to 21. All I wanted to do was gamble. Luckily for me I was still able to sign up for the military draft. Yes, I could operate an AK-47 assault rifle and follow orders to kill multiple Iraqis, but I could not double down on an 11 even if I wanted too. Next up, our cruise. Just 2 weeks before we go, Carnival switches the drinking age on International waters to 21. Now I can gamble (18 on I. waters) but I have to be sober if I want to hit on 19! Lastly, as I enter the "Real World", Bill Clinton let the economy slip over the last 6 months and our new President, Dubya, doesn't exactly give hope to my future. Then again if he can get a job leading our country, surely I could get a job carrying groceries....which brings me to my January adventure. I will sum this all up as quickly as possible. MY JANUARY JOB LEADS:
*Iowa City schools sub: Started out working very little and then worked almost every day. Students are great and I am already both of the Jr. High's favorite sub. Now that my checking account is under $100, the phone does not ring. They called me today to work from 10-2 and were giving me $90 to do it....then they cancelled school because a thundercloud was on its way. Tomorrow doesn't look any better.
*Shopko clerk: Put in my app. Called three days later--"We'll look at it and get back to you". Called one week later--"We'll look at it and get back to you, we're hiring!". Visited 4 days later and talked to 9 year-old who already has a building 401k for the company. He assures me that they are hiring and will look at my application. One week later, local news announces that Shopko is closing. I guess the 9 year-old ran them out of money.
*NCS: I would score essays for hours on end. Great job, great pay. Can you work 5 days a week or 5 nights a week? Possibly 5 nights. Well, it would be from 6-10 each night and won't start until late March. That means I get no 2nd income until April and I would be working from 8a.m.-10 p.m. with a 2-hour break the rest of the Spring. No dice.
*Scheel's Sporting Goods: They claim they want to hire despite this economy slowdown...claim they say. A buddy of mine that works there put in a good word for me...two weeks ago. Called them Monday. Manager will look at app. and call me by Wednesday regardless. It is Thursday no call.
*Walmart---one last shot---I put in application (Jan.15th) after I purchase videotapes and batteries. They are hiring start of February. As I walk out of this desolate store, the alarm sounds. All 50 workers and 3 employees get the same look on their face (the I hate shoplifting kids look). They search me and find nothing, but my face of shock is forever captured on their 700 pen-size cameras. Now they aren't hiring until mid-February. I am sure they will remember me if I get called in for an interview.
Well, that is it. So I work 4 days a week and don't work nights. I have under $100 in my checking account and won't see a paycheck for another 2 weeks. At the rate this weather is going, I will be teaching into July anyway. Oh well, the more I stay home, the more I can watch CNBC and imagine what I would invest in if I only had money to do it. Have a wonderful day and stay off the roads!
Love&Prayers,
Ben
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