Rae Roy's Blog, page 77

Thoughtful Thursday – Another week already?

Well, here we are at Thursday once again. Things are looking up. I hope I’m not jinxing myself when I say that.

I’ve nearly finished editing my novel for its next submission attempt. I’m checking through the grammar before submitting it. I expect I’ll include a synopsis in the email to them.

I continue to apply for jobs, but having gone to a workshop I learned that Networking is how most jobs are acquired, not applying for them. As such, I’ve been switching tactics. The hidden job market is accessed through who you know and accounts for most of the job market, apparently. Through a friend I’ve gotten a meeting set up with a recruiter. The meeting is later today. I hope it goes well.

My severance was more than I expected. I’m hoping I won’t have to use all of it to survive and can dump some into RRSPs. We’ll see how this all goes. One day at a time.

I’m meeting with my job coach tomorrow morning. We’ll see what the thoughts are for me in the coming week with respect to job applications.

Once I’ve submitted my novel, I will take a day or two off to clean my house and then delve into the next short story as I have another deadline. Oh, I should probably let them know I intend to submit a story for that anthology

Merry Monday – Direction

I swear at one point in my life there was a thing about a compass that wouldn’t stop spinning. That’s how I’ve been feeling over the past week. I went to a workshop on job searching strategies this morning and I realized I don’t need a new career. Writing is my passion. Writing is my career. What I need is a job that ensures I can pay my expenses while I write. 

I took a career aptitude test today and it came out with almost only writing careers. How is that for confirmation? Not that I didn’t already know it with every fiber of my being. There is an ache in my heart when I think about writing. It’s a yearning so deep that is only eased by writing. 

Only artistic pursuits engross me so completely that I forget to eat meals. I enter a time warp when playing guitar, when writing, and when painting.

The weekend was spent in the company of good friends, or mostly their toddler. He’s rather fond of me. Adorable little tyke. I watched his first ever martial arts test. He wasn’t nervous about it. It was just another class to him. There’s something to be said for just going and doing what needs to be done.

Today, I returned a library book, cancelled my gym membership to save cash, set up a business blog to talk about my professional writing experience, posted an ad on fiverr for story commissions (which I see needs fixing as it lost the additional options), sent in a form to register for French classes, did a load of laundry, and edited another novel chapter. I also responded to a meeting request that might turn into a job. 

I’m staying hopeful mostly. There are those moments where something upsets me and I burst into tears, but I keep moving forward. 

It was an exhausting day. I’ll fix the ad tomorrow.

Ciao,

R~

Fortifying Friday – 2 Weeks Later

What is my life looking like two weeks after being laid off?

Well, I have a job coach that is hopefully going to help me become reemployed. He’s set me up with this job site that emails me new jobs everyday. He has also informed me of a place to take French at reduced costs and I’m trying to get registered for the fall session.

I’ve had some really low moments where all I could do was cry about the unfairness of it all, but I don’t languish there because I know that won’t get me out of this situation.

There are some really good things happening for me with my writing. I have 2 short stories placed into anthologies and opportunities to write more of them. There are 10 chapters left to edit on my erotica novel before I submit it somewhere new.

I’m really enjoying seeing more of my friends and of the city. Also naps are wonderful.

My spirit is not as high as it usually is, but I’m working on it. I have always been a mostly optimistic person who sees opportunities or work arounds rather than total blockages.

My house is very slowly getting cleaner. I hate cleaning.

I better do some homework on my graphics course if I hope to pass it. This module is due by Sunday.

Ciao,

R~

Merry Monday – Time to Breathe

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I’m a little late on noticing this, but my calendar contains thoughtful statements. Indeed, my Josephine Wall fantasy calendar is stunning and thought-provoking. For August it says, “When we listen to a shell we hear the distant roaring of the sea: when a mermaid looks into one, does she see a scene from the world ashore? Whoever, wherever we are, whatever our limitations, all of us can make the effort of the will it takes to imagine an existence beyond our own.”

Being without employment has forced me to breathe. It has made me see what’s really important. I’ve seen more of my city and my friends in the last couple of weeks than I have over an entire quarter. I’ve seen more clearly what I have and am thankful for.

I barely looked at my calendar’s beautiful fantasy scenes each month. What did I miss in the previous months because I was too busy running in a rat race?

January: “Here dwells a very different kind of unicorn: beautiful, gentle, feminine, and unfathomably mysterious. She can talk as earthly women do, or communicate through the heavenly sounds that emanate from the harp beneath her horn.”

February: “Quite literally ‘one with nature’, the Wood Nymph or Dryad is half-human and half-plant: flowers, stems and tendrils tumble from her head instead of hair. The woodland creatures come to her because they know she is their friend.”

March: “Like the bird [magpie] from which she’s named , she can’t resist anything that gleams or glitters. We see her here festooned in ‘finds’ of every kind. Kleptomaniac or collector? She really doesn’t see what she does as wrong, picking up the brightly-coloured bits and pieces that people discard or lose.”

April: “Borne away upon the breeze over hill and dale, content to go where they are carried: these spirits [Gossamer and Thistledown] travel light, free of fears, doubts, and anxieties. We can only envy them their carefree lives – and do our best to emulate them, difficult as that must be in the hustle and bustle of today.”

May: “As the mermaid sleeps on her bed of sand and stone the ocean above her becomes a sea of dreams: she sees King Neptune guarding the gates of the great city of Atlantis with his trident. One day, she knows, she will enter within its walls and marvel at its miraculous sights and sounds.”

June: “Gazing rapidly out towards the far horizon – past the shore, past the sea, past the distant ship – the maiden sees a vast white cloud billow and burgeon into a flower. We should always allow ourselves to dream of possibilities that lie beyond our reach. Who is to say where our limits will actually lie?”

And for last month…

July: “A rose and a wish of love for the lady waiting by the river bank, though she herself is as beautiful as any flower. She seems as much a part of her scene as any plant, so perfectly does she blend in against her background with her diaphanous dress, her sumptuously braided hair.”

In looking back at these it has inspired some backstory for my protagonist as I hadn’t fully worked out who her mother was. Now it makes perfect sense to me.

Time to get back to editing the novel with new clarity.

Ciao,

R~

Thoughtful Thursday – One Week Later

Well, it’s been one week without a job, but it hasn’t been a week without work. I’ve been very busy applying to jobs and even busier with my writing. I’ve also been quite busy reducing expenses and calculating how much money I actually need to live. What I’ve discovered is that I can live on less.

I’ve been getting responses from recruiters and may have some interviews soon. It may be contract work ahead and that is just fine. A writer friend mentioned to me that I could take writing breaks in between contracts. Contracts often pay more than regular jobs. If I’m smart with my budget, I could take time off when I’d rather do something like travel.

I have options for benefits with my previous plan or once I am published through the authors association. Whichever plan costs me less is what I’ll go with as they are about the same.

I’m less scared today. I know I’ll get through this.

Sadly, Winchester the Amazing Betta fish is no longer with us. I found him in his tank. It was as though he was heading down to the bottom of the tank and he died mid way. I conducted a private burial at sea for him last night.

I took a writing break to call Daddy for mechanical advice on a part of my short story. Back to it now. I’m on a deadline!

Ciao,

R~

Merry Monday – Job Searching

Well, I’m not sure what to say today. I always hated Mondays when I was working. It was odd getting to sleep in and take the day one step at a time. I think that will be my philosophy during this challenge. Take it one day at a time.

I began with breakfast and an episode of Archer because I felt like I could use a laugh.

Today, I renewed my health card. Following that I attempted to call the Cardio center as they need the new version code or I’ll be charged for the visit I had to get results. They’re closed until August 2nd for summer vacation. I’ve set myself a reminder to call them then.

After that I contacted my mortgage company and made an appointment to see what my options are until I find another job.

During lunch I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1. Harry Potter movies always make me feel better.

I looked at jobs and started making a spreadsheet to keep track of where I have applied and when.

I played a little guitar and thought about my next steps.

I posted in my alumni group on Facebook to let them know I am looking for work.

I looked around the area I live in to help narrow down some potential employers in walking distance.

I wrote cover letters *shudder*. Then I applied to 5 jobs and ran the dishwasher.

I’m now able to focus on my writing and since I’m on a deadline I better get back to it.

Ciao,

R~

Fortifying Friday – Job Loss Recovery in Progress

I’m feeling pretty good today despite being laid off for the first time ever in my life. I’m a little scared, of course, but I’m optimistic. I’m choosing to look at this as an opportunity. If I’m completely honest, the grind was getting stale and I was itching for change. As I think more about this, I’m hopeful I can work something out that will allow me to work slightly less, perhaps 1 day less per week and thus provide me with extra writing time. To do this, I will be reducing all of my expenses.

I have wonderful friends informing me of job opportunities and some have already taken my resume to help me get some attention. Yesterday, I spent time with some good friends and their adorable toddler. Between the cutie pie and the Pokemon, my spirits were lifted immensely.

First things first, I am lining up the time sensitive items such as anything to do with benefits like dental and my prescriptions. I’ve booked a dental appointment while I still have benefits. With my rheumatologist on vacation, I might not be able to get a refill while I have coverage. I’m a little worried about that and it’s about the only thing that has me crying right now.

I’ve cancelled Netflix for the time being. I’ve requested reduction of my Internet service as well, so no video streaming for a while, but I have lots of things on blue ray and DVD in the interim. I rewatch the Harry Potter films the most anyway

Thoughtful Thursday – Laid Off

Many thoughts are running through my mind right now. I was laid off this morning. It’s not something that has ever happened to me. 

I spent the morning updating my resume and talking to people who might be able to help me get a job. I spent the afternoon and evening with good friends and we played Pokémon. 

Tomorrow’s plan is to apply for EI and make arrangements for the things I’m paying out like loans and mortgage. Oh, and clean my home.

In the interim, I have a story with a deadline looming.

Perhaps this change will be a blessing in disguise. I’ve been yearning for change anyway.

Ciao,

R~

Merry Tuesday – July Martial Arts Weekend

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I know I’m a day late. My weekend was fantastic and I needed time to recover.

The weekend was spent in the Greater Toronto Area, specifically Oshawa and Etobicoke. It was filled with the merriment that comes with visiting good friends. And we worked hard. The focal point of the trip was an iaido seminar with my idol, Hatakenaka Sensei. She came over from Japan to provide technical corrections and personal insights.

But I took much more from her talks than technical points. We had Q&A sessions where we got to ask questions about who she is as a person and I learned that she and I have some things in common (tenacity, goal-oriented). She is proud of her accomplishments without being boastful and has high standards. She tries to do her part to bring peace to the world through martial arts. I hope to make the world a better place through my writing. I learned so much about why I love my martial art and feel inspired to train harder. I came out of the weekend liking her even more. She is a real life Wonder Woman and I hope to be more like her one day.

It was so wonderful not needing to bring so much food with me. I mainly packed bread.

Several of my friends had made me gluten free treats to celebrate my birthday! I have wonderful friends[image error]

We also drove out to a store that sells Kawartha Dairy ice cream. It was delicious!

I also played some Pokémon Go. I’m leveling much slower than my friends, but I’m rather busy with writing and iaido, so I don’t mind. We found Centennial Park, which had tons of Pokéstops but it was hard to get to them all as the picnic areas were crawling with people. There was a Pikachu *somewhere* but we couldn’t find it

Fortifying Friday: Week of July 15th

I really don’t know what to offer today. There has been a lot of sad things happening this week. All I can say is that there will be wonderful humans helping the survivors out; the nurses, firemen, police officers, and regular folk who do amazing things despite how scared they are too. Look for stories about those wonderful people.

I wish I could offer more today but I’m feeling quite drained and in the middle of a road trip.

Life goes on as it must. Cherish the days you have left because someone else ran out of time.

Ciao,

R~