Friday, February 8, 2008

Dear Wealthy Benefactor, If you were looking for the perfect time to show up, this would be it. Love, Rachel

Here's a fun conversation I had yesterday:

Me: Hi dad
Dad: Hi
Me: I just quit my job
Dad: (blink,blink)
Me: (weep, weep)

And then we went out to dinner and saw Blast! at the Orange County Performing Arts Center because if anything was going to cheer me up it was a stage full of band geeks.

I really did quit. This is not me being funny. It's true. It's also a long story, full of me being unhappy and stressed for 6 months and knowing that I needed to do it but convincing myself that I should stick with it because that's what grown-ups do. They have good paying jobs with benefits. So I don't have benefits anymore. Or a paycheck. But this morning I woke up unemployed but happy, and I didn't freak out in the shower like I have almost every morning for the last month. And I went to sleep last night without a knot in my stomach. And all day today I've still felt like it was the right thing to do, even though I would almost rather give myself papercuts with cardboard boxes than go through the job search process.

So, does anyone know of any job opportunities? My skills are:

1.) Writing funny blog posts
2.) Making silly things out of felt including a.) stuffed birds and b.) stockings with b-list celebrities on them
3.) Drawing humorous versions of famous paintings for my own amusement

I can also type fast and answer phones and I handle being yelled at by really angry parents surprisingly well. In fact, yesterday, while I was trying hard not to chicken out of quitting I got a phone call from a parent who called me some rather nasty names and I thought to myself that it was very telling of the job that this was the most exciting part of it.

I've got a few plans, most of them leaning towards the creative - which may not ever really support me but will make me happy, and boy do I want to be happy. But I need something to pay the bills so if you hear of a job with a window let me know. And let's all pray that when I look back on this I can say it was the bravest thing I've ever done instead of the dumbest.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Housing costs in Ogden are a lot cheaper than Southern California. And there's a pretty good job market right now too. Plus we have a lovely basement spare room with a bathroom that you're welcome to stay in while you look for a job here. Just so you know. By the way, I'm really proud of you for quitting a job that was causing panic attacks in the shower. No one should have to deal with that.

Amanda said...

Wait one minute Rachel!!! Do not try and sway her with your guest sparest of spare rooms. I have one of those too!!!!
Rachel, come live in the frozen north!!!
We have cable, already paid for subscription to NetFlix, um...I cook homemade bread 2x a week, I'm fun, you like me, we have raspberry bushes in the summer and strawberries and I now make homemade ice cream, um...cherry and apple harvest. Doesn't it sound lovely? Ignore the fact that we have lots of snow (so does Utah) and no cute Scooter to kiss on. We do have two fabulous dogs!
Think about it! : )

Anonymous said...

You go, girl. Good health is more important than the grown up thing. You can be dedicated and stable and not be subject to abuse. Been there, done that. Keep positive energy around you after the glow wears off. So glad you want to keep your sanity. Ask for reinforcement any time (although I don't have a spare room in Ogden to offer!!).

Ms. Liz said...

Oh my goodness Hero Rachel -
If it were possible for my love and respect for you to grow it just did. I didn't have the ovaries to quit my panic attack inducing job until I had secured another. Wow - I'm so blown away. I will keep both eyes and ears pealed for worthy opportunities for you. My old bishop is Head Honcho man at LDS Employment for, like all of California and his office is really close in Colton. He'd have a few leads too, I'm sure. I could give you his contact info if you'd like.

Laura said...

Wow! I'm proud of you too! I was stupid enough to move half way across the country for a job just so I didn't have to go through the job search process! You have some very tempting offers here! Unless you also love mathematical calculations, being responsible for large sums of money and talking to multi-millionaires on a daily basis, I don't think I have any leads for you! Good luck!

Gina said...

We have a futon and an extra bathroom, that is handicapped size...and since you seem to be 80, might win you over. We have a pretty view of a carport and Chris makes good desserts and lasagna. Best of all, we have the most random ward and imagine the posts you could create just from our ward alone (i.e. cross country skier).

You are incredibly brave! I think that this will prove one of your most triumphant moments. Remember in the movie Apollo 13, right before they were about to bring the shuttle back home. One of the workers said, "This could be one of the biggest disasters in NASA history." Then Ed Harris says, "With all due respect, I believe this will be our finest hour." That's you in a nutshell. Go out and get 'em!

Anonymous said...

Allow me to queue up and congratulate you on a very brave decision. I believe we should all be able to wake up in the morning and actually like where we're going that day. (Or, attend what Gina calls "Camp Lisa" where nobody really knows where you are that day. Works for me.) But, it'll be so sad in the office not to pass by for the head-nod, and random conversation. As long as whatever it is, you keep on bloggin'. There are some things we just can't live without. You go girl!

Andrea said...

Way to go Rachel! You've had offers from the frozen north and Utah so I'm going to put my plug in for Arizona. There are so many job opportunities out here, not to mention Macayos, Sprouts, and an emergency chiropractor on every corner (and you know thats no joke)! Plus if you come now you'll be here just in time for Chandler's annual ostrich festival in March. :)

Anonymous said...

Did I mention the walk-in closet in the guest room? And Dish Network, which is available on the TV in the guest bedroom? Just some things to think about...

Heather said...

WOW!!!I'm impressed, and excited about your opportunities. My vote is on the felt stocking making. You can make it a christmas felt-
empire!!!

Liz the Poet said...

Holy Toast!

I can't believe you did that.

Maybe I should quit my job, and then we could start a traveling Vaudeville act?! You could make us some felt puppets, and I could paint a little puppet theater! And we could travel across the lower 48 and then on to Europe, where we would become as famous as David Hasslehoff in Germany or Jerry Lewis in France!

Yes! We should do it!

Sending prayers your way...

Karina & John Calderwood said...

Awesome! Way to go. Hmmm...the company that I work for is probably too far away for you (located in the mid-Wilshire district), but they may be looking for a Creative Associate (folks who come up with the wording for job postings, etc.) If it interests you at all, go to Hyrian.com and see if there are any openings. Then let me know and I will hook you up.

Anonymous said...

Rachel I'm so happy that you voluntarily quit instead of being martyred for the cause of racism and opression of women. I know you've been unhappy for quite a while. They're actually looking to hire another OA in my section, want me to ask if it's still open? You'd have to do silly things like ask me where the restroom is and have a party every Friday.

Emily said...

Way to have the faith to take care of yourself, even without a path all lined out in front of you first! Trusting is hard, but I truly believe that God leads us to our path when the time is right, not before, and when we've given him the space to do it! I'm putting in a vote for the felt stocking empire! I would buy them. :) Or you could try lia sophia like me and have plenty of free time to endulge in your creative side. I'll teach you all I know! I hated my job and was miserable for years, until I was forced to quit. (I wasn't brave or trusting enough to do it on my own!) Turns out it was as huge blessing in disguise. Now I do something I love, gets paid lots more and have time to do the things I want to do instead of punching someone else's time clock.

courtney said...

every truly wonderful person has to do this sometime, and i'm glad it's finally your turn! so excited to hear what you decide to do next. and thank you gina and ed harris for today's inspirational moment--i agree with you both (and i may or may not have teared up a bit).

Anonymous said...

I must (belatedly) tell you a true story. I'd told my friend Anne (one of the funniest people I know)about your blog. I knew she'd appreciate your humor and connect with so many clever observations. A couple of weeks ago, she was at my house and I said, "I must show you Rachel's blog." When I read about your brave decision that night, the timing was amazing. You see Anne had been at a dead-end, unhappy desk job for many years and bravely quit a few years ago to pursure screen writing. Scary? You bet. In the past 2 years Anne has placed in several screenwriting competitions and recently won a big one. She has stepped out to pursue her dream, risked so much, and is happy, successful and doing what she loves. You are courageous and talented. Your courage will be rewarded.