Outlander.

[snitchnipped]

Helloooooooooooo!

Long time no LJ, everyone! I figured it's time to list my reasons/excuses/distractions.

1. The month of August, I was stuck in Outlander land. Being unemployed, I had hours and hours of free time (when not looking for work) to read. So I did. The entire series in about 3 weeks. It was cracktastic. And because I tend to have a one track mind, I was unable to focus on anything else—online "life", TV shows, etc. But boy am I glad I'm caught up on the series now… and I'm glad to not have been roped in without as many books as there are out now!

2. Speaking of unemployment… the great state of California had deemed me as unable to file for unemployment insurance in early August. Their reasons why? Because I'm too busy being "self-employed" and therefore not available to work 40 hours a week. I appealed, and let them know that I was NOT busy sitting around paying myself for sitting around in a swimming suit and reading 6 hours a day in 102 degree heat. I made the distinction between "self-employed" and "independent contractor" and let them know that there are thousands in my line of work who can pull unemployment, so why should it be an issue for me?

I sent the appeal off, fully preparing to get a court date to meet with them in person… and instead, a week later, I got a notice in the mail: "ooops, our bad, here has some $$$, lol."

I took it. Along with the back $$ that I missed out on while fighting the system.

3. And of course, as soon as it cooled down some and I got unemployment reinstated, that's when the work comes rolling back in! Or, at least, mostly. Though I've been kicking and screaming to leave the independent contractor world, it keeps dragging me in. I had an awesome 3 day gig pop up last week out of nowhere that was both fun and very well paying. Whew! And I made lots of connections, which is even better.

Now, here's how things work for me: I will never, ever get a job that I apply for. Jobs come to me. This has always bent the case, and the trend seems to continue. But, I can't just sit around and wait for the phone call, though… I still have to go after them, for my own sanity's sake (and the fact that the great state of California rightfully insists that I do).

I've been meeting with a friend on a near-weekly basis and together, we tackle the job hunt. She hates her job, I just want one. We also bounce creative ideas back and forth, eat good food, and laugh at youtube videos, but I digress. With our powers combined, we've been getting a lot accomplished on the job hunt, helping each other out on leads and such. Which leads me to…

4. I was up for a job. A really good one. Made it to the final stage of interviews. And you guessed it, I never applied for it to begin with—I applied to 6 positions with this company, but only a 7th one found my resume in the pool and went after me.

I did not get it, alas. And the reason being is that I sabotaged myself in the final interview. I was hesitant because it would have meant transplanting myself for a couple of months, being on my own on finding housing in only 3 weeks, work out transportation with said new job because I'm carless, and basically giving up all my time for the holidays. The interviewer sensed my wariness and called me out on it, and though overall the interview went really, really well, I know deep down that I took myself out of the running.

So, last week when I got the call, I was really, really upset. Not because I didn't get it, 'cause frankly, it's a relief not to have to worry about that stuff (and I do have some smaller gigs lined up in the next two months), but it's out of principle. I recognized a running trend I have with myself, and that's the self-sabotage through fear that has pretty much encompassed all areas of my life. A fear of change, I guess. I'm not sure, I'm still trying to figure it out.

5. Now THAT being said, there is a BIG change coming up. It's been in the making all summer long, but I can confirm that in March 2013, I'm taking off for a 3 month stint (at the least) in Brisvegas Brisbane, Australia! Woohoo!

My really good friend/former roommate in grad school moved down there 2 years ago with her husband, and they've been pressuring me to come down for awhile. And the time is just right that I need something new, big and challenging in my life. And it's a test to get over that self-sabotaging fear, too… so, I'm embracing this change BIG time.

6. Of course, there was the NFE… and I promise, I WILL get around to reading all the stories I missed. Like I said earlier… me and one my one track mind. It's been hard to get focused back on Narnia and such lately. The story I wrote did pretty well, I think. My recipient seemed to really like it, and that's what's most important! Because I was dealing with an OC, I knew it'd be a challenge to get anyone's interest, but despite that, I got some lovely feedback.

That's it in very, very large nutshell! And kinda explains why I've become an Outlander in LJ-land. Fall has kicked in to full gear… I'm still reading a lot and am unemployed this week, but I'm not in such a financial hardship as I was just a month or two ago. And most importantly, it's finally cooled off! The weekend heat waves of 100+ weather in the land that "needs no air-conditioning" are over. That's reason enough to celebrate…

Though it also means I'm going to have to start wearing real clothes again and do laundry and such. Ah well. I saved a lot in quarters the entire month of August.

And I've got a lot to catch up on LJ… I'd ask how you all are, but I'm sure the answers are all in the back pages of entries I've yet to read. Regardless, I hope you all ARE well!