Greetings from The Empire State!
Mind if I complain a little bit? You see, the truth is … I’m a bit frustrated with life at the moment. I seem to be hitting a string of bad luck on the job front. I’ve sent out a ton of resumes, sat through a bunch of interviews, attended networking events, and followed up a gazillion leads. Still, no job. I can’t seem to find the right fit. Either I don’t want them, or they don’t want me. And, quite honestly, I’m getting a little bit pissed off about all of it. And, I’m running out of money. I try to stay positive, but everyone has limits. And there are signs that I’m reaching mine …
About 2 days ago. It’s raining. I am walking along Broadway heading south toward Union Square during rush hour. A group filled with of tourists wearing matching “Sightseeing New York” rain coats is standing in a huddle and they are blocking THE ENTIRE SIDEWALK. They are talking loudly, laughing, looking at maps and generally doing other annoying things that tourists do. And, I swear I even hear one of them say something about the Empire State Building as they point up at the Chrysler Building. “Ooooh, looook! It’s the Empire State Building!”
As I walk closer to them, I try to dart through the crowd. No one moves. I try to fake left, then right, but I can’t get through. Finally, I stop and just look at them. I am irritated. I yell, “Daaaaammit, fucking moooove!!!!” The crowd gets quiet and parts like the Red Sea. As I walk through, I sigh loudly and mumble, “And, that’s the Chrysler Building, not the Empire State.”
I think my repressed anger about the job situation is starting to get the better of me, and I took it out on the tourists. Actually, no, I take that back. I’ve always hated tourists.
June 29th, 2006 at 8:15 am
Uh-oh. This is why non-New Yorkers don’t like New York.
That said, Christmas time on Michigan Avenue in Chicago is the same deal. All the tourists gawking, blocking the sidewalks, etc. I hated that, too, when I worked downtown.
Chin up, my girl. It’s like the lottery slogan, “Somebody’s gonna lotto; may as well be you!” Your time will come. And when it does, you’ll be happy with the organization and they’ll be happy with you (for a while). You’re too talented to go unnoticed much longer.
June 29th, 2006 at 9:16 am
Magaritas. They help. You’ll just have to trus tme on that one….
June 29th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Oh, man, that was hilarious! At least, you will think it’s hiliarious when things start getting better. Starting…. let me ask my clairvoyant, iTunes:
I asked it when you’re job luck would turn around. It started playing:
“Home Is Where The Heart Is” by Eurythmics.
Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all…
But good job getting through the crowd. :) Maybe I should just leave quietly and not bother you again today… heh-heh…
June 29th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Stolie you were completely within your rights. People are selfish fuckers and sometimes need to be reminded that other human beings exist besides themselves. Plus if you were really out of control-type angry you’d have been pissed that nobody apologized for being in your way. So anger management is still quite a few outbursts away. ;)
In other news, I think Howard might be lying a little. He meant
“Home Is Where The Heart Is” by Firehouse
It took me over 8 months to find a job in Atlanta, and I have 2 degrees. Keep your chin up, girl. I find renting 9 to 5 helps.
June 29th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
I know you want to stay in NYC, but would you consider a position that requires a lot (read: 100%) of travel?
If so, send me your resume and let’s schedule some time when I’m in NYC (7/1 – 7/4) to discuss what you want to do.
June 29th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
All I can say Stolie is to hang in there. I know I’m not saying much that you haven’t already heard. But you’ll make it…and soon too.
June 29th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Oh, Miss Stolie — if I had a magic wand I’d just wave it over the top of your head, and poof! You’d be a mouse! Sorry, wrong person! :) I know that things will work out, what Pegs said is true! In the meantime, continue to take out your frustration on your fellow NY’ers (I do!)!
ps — Regarding yesterday’s “questions” post, I ask all the lovely Stolie readers out there to remember that Mags and I are NOT liars! We know of what we speak! (Stolie, you may want to re-examine the definition of “phobia.” :] )
June 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
I don’t know if you’re as World Cup-crazed as I am, but it’s Germany vs. Argentina tomorrow – maybe that’ll distract you a bit? As for the ‘Empire State’ – totally understandable anti-tourist reaction, especially with the mood you were in. People sometimes forget that they’re not alone on this planet.
Still keeping my fingers crossed for your job.
Fire
June 29th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
What you did sounds like something I’d do!
I hate tourists too. But, alas, I live in ORLANDO…of all places.
June 29th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Don’t worry. When the asteroid hits, it will take out the Chrysler, just like in the movie Armageddon.
Hang in there.
MUA!
June 29th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
Got plenty of clueless tourists here in Bath too. The worst part is some of these dim-wits actually bring prams with them. Big huge double prams with snotty whiny little brats that have feet long enough to touch the ground so the lazy shits can walk but they seem to prefer to block the whole sidewalk…Grrr!
ps: Sorry about the blues, chin up! It has to get better soon right?!
June 29th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
That’s actually kinda funny. Probably wasn’t to you at the time though.
Your job is out there. It will find you eventually!
June 29th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Stolie, that was a perfect response to the situation. What’s more, it proves you are acculturating properly. You can now pass as a native New Yorker!
Chicago will now seem relaxing and slow-paced to you when you visit.
June 30th, 2006 at 12:30 am
Just to let you know…
I’ve moved my blog to a new address.
http://hidingfromthekids.blogspot.com/
Can you guess why? :)
June 30th, 2006 at 3:45 am
LOL, are u sure it wasn’t that time of the month? Dumb ass tourists btw, or should I say tourguide.
June 30th, 2006 at 7:01 am
Pegs: I certainly hope you’re right! :) … And, yeah, I *remember* the Woes of Michigan Avenue. ESPECIALY that area right by Borders and The Hancock, just below Oak Street. Oh, yeah, and that strip just above Jackson by Field’s. Tourists. They’re everwhere.
lala: I’ll try this out tonight. I know a place that has REALLY GOOD $3.00 margaritas during Happy Hour.
Howard: “Home Is Where The Heart Is”. My heart is in New York, so this could be a good thing. It could have been worse, your iTunes could have played “My Kind of Town (Chicago).”
Anita: Yeah, I don’t think I’m at the anger management stage just yet … but, give me a month and I might be singing another tune. When I moved back to Chicago years ago, it took me 6 months to find a job. The good news is that it was the best gig that I’d ever had. I stayed there for years. So, maybe a really good job is on my horizon …
Carlos: 100% travel??? I can’t do it. I once had a job that was something like 50 – 85% travel and it almost killed me. At any rate, you, Sid, and I should definitely touch base when you’re in town. Monday works best for me.
Mitch: I know, I feel like my luck has to change eventually. Supposedly perseverance always pays off, right?
The Original Bro: Phobia = Fear. I’m not fat phobic because I’m not *afraid* of fat people. When I see mice on the streets of NYC, I let out a huge scream and I run for my life. That’s phobia. By comparison, when I see a fat man, I don’t scream and I don’t run. See??? I fear the fat man not. I even looked phobia up in the dictionary: “PHOBIA: (1) A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous. (2) A strong fear, dislike, or aversion.”
Firefly: I’m sooooo watching that game!!!! I wanted to watch it at Zum Schneider with the Germans (I’m supporting Argentina), but the tickets were all sold out.
Kelly: Orlando?!?! That’s like Tourist Hell.
Raymond: I’m trying. Thanks for the support.
Darwin: I was once a tourist in Bath. Beautiful city! But, you say “buth”, we say “baaaaahth”. You say “pram”, we say “stroller”. Buth, baaaahth, pram, stroller … let’s call the whole thing off! :)
Mel Chickk: I hope so!!! I keep hanging on. Each week, I wake up on Monday and I say, “Yay!!! THIS is the week that I’ll find a job!” The optimism really worked for a while. Now that I’m somewhere between week 15 – 20, my patience is wearing thin and my spirits are starting to dip …
JohnJEnright: I went to visit earlier this year. And, you’re right, it did seem quiter. It’s true what they say about, “you can never return home”. You can return to where you once were, but it won’t be a home anymore.
Mel Chickk: That’s too cute!!! I’ll add that one to my Bloglines too.
Papigiulio: Yeah, tourists (and tour guides) suck. And, by the way, I’m sure you were joking about the “time of the month” comment. For the record, never ask a woman near you that or else she might bitch slap you to the high heavens … :)
June 30th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Hahahaa! OK, so sorry you are having a tough time and had a bad day, but this visual was priceless. Taught them there tourists a thing or two about what it’s like to REALLY live in the big city! ;o)
Hang in there – your hard work will pay off. My belief is that you haven’t gotten a job yet (or a man, for this matter) because there is one out there that is just perfect for you, and if you settled for something less, that would be a shame. So don’t settle. Please. You are worth way too much for that.
June 30th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Still pulling for you girl. Maybe you should check into modeling underwear.
Don’t take it out on the tourists, I could be one of them soon.
June 30th, 2006 at 11:32 pm
AmyD: Ooooooh, sweetie, that’s one of the nicest things that I’ve heard in a long time. :) I hope you’re right. :)
AWE: You’re coming to New York for a visit?!?!?! :)
October 9th, 2006 at 7:25 am
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