The Move
As some of you know, I've taken some time off from writing to move to Wichita Falls to be with my kids. The twins (boy/girl) are about to turn 18 <HOLY FRACK! IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE!> and are in their senior year of high school.
Morgan (my son) is classified Autistic, though he's very high-functioning. He enjoys Transformers, Lego, and TF2. His mother and I agree that though we want him to get more real-world skills, he should focus on finishing high school first. So, for the time being, he goes to school, and has wish lists of what he would love to collect. He has a dog named Nero, who is a weiner-dog mix (don't ask what he's mixed with, no one knows), and though Nero isn't an emotional support dog for Morgan, you wouldn't know it to see them together.
Brenna (daughter) - and her name is spelled B-R-E-N-N-A!! -- is bi-polar depressive. She's had some serious low points, but this last couple of years have been really good thanks to doctors who have found the right combination of meds for her. Yes, she has problems remember to take her meds because she feels fine, but she also understands that it's the meds that help her feel that way. Brenna has an emotional-support dog, named Lilith. Lilith is a blue(somthing) mix. Again, no one knows the other part.
My ex moved out at the beginning of the month. For the first couple of days, it was hard on the kids. After all, I was always the one they always left or dropped them off. Their mom was always there for them for the day-to-day stuff. I offered to talk, to listen, to simply sit there and let them cry on me, but Brenna focused on cleaning her bedroom and Morgan played with his transformers and legos. Both with their dogs nearby. By the middle of that week, the two of them felt better and things went back to the normal routine.
Looking for a Job
I have to admit, it's been a very long time since I hit the streets to look for a job. Of course, now, most applications and initial contacts are made online - don't have to hit any streets for that!
I made the mistake of believing those online job search sites would help. Nope. I really understood just how bad it was when one site listed a job I wanted to apply for, but the link sent me to another job search site. That site had a link for the same job, but it sent me to a third site. That site had a link, which sent me to a fourth site. The link on the fourth site led me back to the original site and link. So, I unsubscribed from those sites and looked into getting help at the local unemployment office.
Signing up at the UO was about like filling out an application for work. The information was used to build a resume, but they suggested - just as everyone else does - that I customize my resumes for the specific job I'm applying for. What I wasn't sure about was why my resume wasn't helping me. It helped me land one job after another before I became a stay-at-home parent, but suddenly no one was biting. It was like I was using old bait and the fish in the lake had gone though a change of taste. So, I signed up for a resume class at the UO.
The resume class pointed out what used to happen and the current trends were. Used to be, you gave unique descriptions of your skills, talents, and abilities. You might even list some of your relavent work history to help give prospective employers a good idea of where you applied yourself. Now, while the work history part is still applied, anything more than ten years worth is overkill. For me, I needed at least one previous job for call centers since the last ten years have been stay-at-home. As for the skills/talents/abilities part, it's now recommended you pretty much copy from the list of requirements employers give for the position you're applying for -- something that used to be a big no-no!
So, I completed the class, had a resume, cover letter, references sheet, and thank you letter, and had to customize them to the particular job I applied for. Plus, I had links to the sites they used to help do this. I felt fired up and more prepared than ever.
A friend of the family suggested a couple of companies that were hiring for call center work. Since most companies who offer tech support completely outsource that area of expertise, I had to settle for customer service for other companies. Which basically means all my knowledge it computers is for naught!
Well, I started with the call center that would allow me to work from home. I didn't even get through the application. I got to looking over the details for the job and found the system requirements. I would have to own a current gaming rig to keep up with them. And I don't. So, I filled out the online application for the local call center, plus attached an updated copy of my resume. Two days later, they called me. After a few questions, they sent me a link for an online assessement. No problem. Then I received an email for an interview, which took place this morning!
I completed the interview, filled out some documents online, and start work next week!
Getting back to Writing
Since I start working next week, and I don't know what my days/nights are going to be like just yet, I'm not going to make any promises. I want to work on continuing the Sex Magus series, especially considering how I left off in Orphan Magus. However, once again, I feel like things have gotten away from me in the story, and in this world I've never really settled on a system of magic. Everything is "too easy". All Seth has to do is focus on his intent, let the power flow, and ... anything he imagines is possible!! There are no limitations!
Maybe what I need to do is spend the next month, both getting used to my new schedule and building a storyworld that I can write in where things won't get out of my control.
I could bring back my Powerborne stories. I started a sequel to Crushed Heart, but I've never finished it. I don't know yet. I'll have to give it some time.
Anyway, I thought I would drop this in so everyone knows I'm not dead. Take care all. I'll blog again in December.
Thank you for reading,
TD