Potential new job. But don't get too excited.

I might might be getting a new job. But not in magazines. (sad face.)

I've had two interviews at an advertising company. The position is for an "account coordinator," which basically means "administrative assistant." They need someone to answer phones, organize schedules, help with PowerPoints, etc. Definitely a job I'm qualified to do, but not one I'm thrilled about.

It's just such a tricky situation. On the one hand, it'd be nice to get a paycheck again. I'm getting unemployment benefits, but that can only get me so far. I'm pretty much eating up my savings. So, it'd definitely be nice to have some money coming in. (And do a little spring shopping!) And the pay is actually pretty nice. More than what I was making before. Oh, and it's in Manhattan, so that's a major plus.

But, on the other hand, if I take a full-time job, I feel like I'm just getting further away from my dream. It'd be easy to get caught up in this new job and stop looking into magazines. And I'm not ready to give up yet. Technically I can afford to keep looking, so maybe I should.

And the worst part? I haven't even been offered the job yet. So, of course I'm really hoping to get it. Otherwise, it'd be just like on Sex and the City when Charlotte tries to set up Stanford and Anthony at Carrie's fashion show, and Stanford says, "Great. I've been rejected by someone I didn't even like. I hate when that happens."

Exactly, Stanford. Fingers crossed.

Blah...

My blog has been a little slow. And it's because I'm having a hard time finding anything to say other than, "This sucks."

I'm usually a really positive person, but having nothing to do every day, while everyone I know goes to work, is pretty miserable. I've done everything I can think of on the job front, and I've started watching America's Next Top Model marathons on Oxygen. Not exactly productive. It's funny, when I had days off work before I was thrilled to just lay in bed and watch movies. Or get out and walk around the city. But somehow when you have all the time in the world, all you want to do is go to work. Meh.

In an effort to get out of the apartment, I met my old magazine buddies for lunch at the Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Center. Their treat of course, on the corporate card. It definitely cheered me up to chat with them and catch up on industry gossip. And they helped me brainstorm fun ways to fill my days. "Ooh, there's an Alice and Olivia sample sale today!" one of them said. Hmm...probably not the best idea for my unemployed budget. But then the other suggested I spend my time going to museums. My old company ID card still gets me into all the city museums for free. And it'd be pretty cool to go during the day and skip the weekend crowds. Plus, can you believe the only one I've been to is the MoMA, and I've lived here for almost two years?

So that's the new plan. Museums. And I'm hoping it will soon be warm enough to actually enjoy the outdoor parts of the city. Seriously. Is it really snowing in April??

Go Heels!

So far today I have applied to three jobs, two of which I'm grossly underqualified for, and watched four episodes of Sex and the City. And, I talked to my big sis on the phone. She told me to stop feeling bad about myself and get my butt to the gym. So, I'm taking her advice. Although, instead of taking the train for 30 min to Reebok, I'm going to take advantage of the nice weather and run outside by the East River. Hopefully burning some calories will make me feel like I've accomplished something today.

And tonight, I'm putting on a happy face to go to Brother Jimmy's and watch UNC beat Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen. Unemployment is nothing a few PBRs can't fix. At least until Monday...

Totes loving temp work

Today was my first temping gig. Actually, I'm still here -- 10 minutes to go. And, I have to say...Not a bad deal!

My phone rang at 9:18 this morning. The Brit had left for work about a half hour earlier, and I had just fallen back asleep. My phone was set to vibrate, but luckily it was on the night stand right next to my head, so it still woke me up. It was the lovely girl from the temping agency asking if I was available to work at a hedge fund...RIGHT NOW. I jumped up and said I could be there in 45 minutes.

Given that 35 of those minutes were allocated for the commute, I decided to skip the shower. Luckily, I just showered last night at the gym, but failed to wash my hair. And it's definitely looking pretty ick right now. Anyway, I started getting dressed and realized I had nothing to wear. She told me the office was "business professional," and at my old job I was more of a Leggings, Boots, Belted Tunic kinda gal. I have some nice skinny-leg black pants, but zero corporate-looking blouses. (Keep in mind I'm working with a limited wardrobe, shacking at The Brit's, and all.) Always resourceful, I ran out the door in the pants and a white cami (and a coat, of course) and high-tailed it to The Gap. I went in and bought a short-sleeved white button-up...and then realized I'd need to add a colored cardi to avoid looking like waitstaff. So, I added a "jewel sea" sweater, bringing my total to $70. Yes, almost all of my day's wages.

So, I arrived here, on the 50th Floor overlooking Central Park. And the other receptionist chick is wearing...Yep: Leggings, Boots, Shift Dress, Cardi. Ughh...70 bones, wasted. Oh well, at least it was an excuse to break my shopping hiatus.

But, back to the point. I settled in for a great, easy day of answering the phone when it rang once every 15 minutes. And, they even paid for my lunch. And it really was a treat to order a salad from Tossed without mentally adding up the cost of all my toppings. All in all, a pretty sweet day!

Goodbye, Blender

It was announced today that Blender magazine is folding. Another sad day in the magazine world. Although, they did put Kelly Clarkson on the cover of their final issue, so they probably saw it coming...

Manhattan Only, Please.

Okay, so I'm not exactly in the position to be picky about my job offers. I have a very small cushion of cash thanks to a well-timed tax return, and the fact that I'm subletting my apartment right now. But, that's going to run out real quick, and I need some money coming in. I'm looking for my next magazine dream job, but I'm trying to start some temp work in the mean time. I just got a call about two hedge funds that are hiring receptionists/admin assistants...but they're in Connecticut. One in Greenwich and one in Westport. I think I could handle the commute, but if I'm trying to find a mag job, working in CT isn't really conducive to sneaking out midday for interviews. But can I afford to turn something down right now?

Also, side note: Some of these hedge fund admin jobs pay almost double what I'll make if I land another magazine assistant job. So frustrating! I just have to keep the long-term in mind...

My hair is making me depressed

I usually love my hair. It's long, but not too long. It can be stick-straight, or slightly wavy, or crazy curly. And it's a great dirty-blond color. Unfortunately the color is fake and comes from spending $200 at the hair salon, ideally every two months. Right now it's been about three, and my hair is looking much more dirty than blond. My roots are almost three inches long, and it seriously always looks like I need a good shampoo.

Yes, I'm desperately in need of a trip to the salon. But, I happen to be funemployed right now. Can I justify spending $200 on my hair, when I have no income? I actually went so far as to make an appointment and then cancel it last week. I guess maybe I should wait awhile and just try to avoid mirrors.