Life is strange, isn’t it?
Monday I was feeling so down that I basically spent the day sitting on the couch, binge watching Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. I spent almost as much time dozing as I did actively awake. This wasn’t something new. I’d been gradually feeling worse about things for the last couple of weeks. I was not getting phone calls about jobs or I was getting the kind of calls that go nowhere. I mean, who wants to move from New York to Idaho for a two-month contract?
Tuesday
Tuesday wasn’t much better, but it was November 1st, so I got up and started writing my novel. I got over 1,700 words, more than the 1,667 that they recommend you do daily in order to finish on time. At the end of the day, I went out with my husband and son for dinner, we had a nice time and I was beginning to feel better about things in general. When we sat down, I said, I'm going to get a job so don't worry about what you order. (Ominous, fore-shadowing music!)
While we were at dinner, I had a call from a recruiter who worked with someone I had spoked to earlier. He asked me if I would be willing to take a C# performance test so he could look for development jobs for me. I agreed.
At about 9:00 Tuesday evening, I had a call from a recruiter with whom I had spoken before. He apologized for the last minute call, but he said that a company that to which he had submitted sample for me was now anxious to interview me the next day. I agreed to the interview, which was in the city.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning I woke up, took the C# test, and then got ready to get on the train. I did what I usually did and seated myself in the quiet car. Then, remembering that I was supposed to get a phone call from the recruiter with LinkedIn profiles for the people I was to talk to, I got up to move back one car. As I did, I received a phone call telling me that I had turned in a strong performance on the test, doing better than most other people who took it.
While on my way to the city, I was also contacted by a recruiter who had submitted samples for another job. She told me that they loved my samples and would like to do a phone interview the next day. At that point, I had not been to the interview yet, I had no idea what was going to happen, so I agreed.
I arrived in the city and went to the interview. One of the people interviewing me was someone with whom I had worked years earlier. I didn’t recognize his name because, face it, I’m horrible with names. But I knew that he remembered me from the earlier job and was looking forward to interviewing me. When I saw him, I remembered him too, so we had a pleasant few minutes talking about the other company.
The interview went really well. The person heading p the project talked to me for about two minutes and then declared that she had heard enough to make her decision. The interview ended on a high note. I talked to the recruiter and then hopped on the train to go home.
About 90 minutes later, I got a call from the recruiter for the job I had just interviewed for, saying that they wanted to hire me.
A short time after that, I got a call from the first recruiter saying that she had successfully set up the interview for me for today. When I explained that I had an offer on the table, she begged me to take the interview anyway. I agreed, more to not make her look bad with her client than anything else.
Thursday (Today)
How weird that, after two months of nothing, I’m suddenly the belle of the ball. While it’s nice, it means that I have some tough decisions to make, decisions that have nothing to do with the presidential election. Today I’m having trouble focusing. I’m having trouble keeping one thought in my head for more than a few seconds. Trying to think coherently is rather like trying to herd fish (way harder than cats!) and I’m just not up to it.
Of course, my novel is still nudging its way into my thoughts too. I’m simultaneously in the present trying to make decisions, and thinking about 1972 and the two girls I’m about to set on a grand adventure.
Needless to say, I did no writing yesterday. I don’t know if I will write today either because I have the interview and then a doctor’s appointment.
Will I catch up? Yes. I know that I can and the story is real enough that I know that I will. If I accept the job for which I interviewed yesterday, I won’t start until the 22nd of November. That gives me 19 days to write 48,000 words. I can do it. This is only a minor detour.
In the short run, it means that I have no chapter for you today. But don’t worry—I’ll be back!
Who is Irene P. Smith? I am an author, programmer, and web designer. A former Contributing Editor to PC Techniques Magazine, I have written about computers and programming since 1989, and began publishing fiction in 2003. My home is in New York State, along the Delaware River, where I live with my husband and son.
You can also find me elsewhere on the web:
- My "other" blog: An Irene Thing
- My Author's Website: irenepsmith.com
- My Professional Website: irenesmith.com
- Facebook: IrenePSmithAuthor
- Twitter: @Story_Teller
Congrats on the offers! It's that old cliche saying, when it rains it pours :)
Thanks! Now I have to decide. It's harder than you would think.
Whatever makes you the happiest would be my recommendation.
I think the decision has been made for me. I just checked and getting to one of the jobs would be four hours each way.
I forgot to mention that the photo of the girl comes from Pixabay. It said I didn't need to give credit, but I thought it would be nice if I did anyway.
Feast or Famine. It always happens that way!
Are you any closer to making a decision? Have you gone with the C# job?
I'm not too worried about you finishing your book because I don't think the voices will let you go. And when you get the job in the city, you have time to write while you're on the train! :)
Don't make me come to New York to kick your ass, woman! It's frikken COLD up there! LOL
Yes, I made the choice. I took the job with Moody's. The second job offered as well, but although they said I could work from home most of the time, on the days I had to go into the office it would take four hours EACH WAY!! In addition, the company that placed me at Moody's says that if the contract should end without an offer of a permanent job, they will find me another contract and my recruiter said it wouldn't be hard to place me. I've already completed the paperwork and have a firm start date of November 22nd. Plenty of time for me to finish my book. And you're right, Mere, it won't leave me alone!!
Well I'm glad that you've got a recruiter that seems confident that you've going to have future placement. Hopefully Moody's has good people to work with. Get crackin' on that book, woman! I'm glad I don't have to stomp back to NY. hahahaaa