Message in a bottle: Don't quit your day job

So it's like this...

I've been on this rock since December 2006 and it's now March 2007. To date I haven't gotten a state ID, a Hawaii driver's license or a new social security card (my original one went to micronesia). These are things I've had all the time in the world to do but haven't for one odd reason or another. As important as these things are though, each one of them has taken a backseat to the bigger issue: NO JOB.

At first it was a matter of pride. "I made THIS much back home doing THIS kind of work and so it shall be unto Honolulu". Snap back to reality, the places I wrote to and called couldn't care less whereas the offers from retail stores far and away were more than happy to offer starting salaries of $7.45 and up.

Barnes & Noble and Starbucks were the first to offer and the first to not work out. More pride I guess. I didn't think I had any left after seeing my living conditions and day to day lifestyle but turns out there was still enough to keep me from taking the jobs. So I kept looking.

Next up were the Applestore and FedEx Kinkos. These were the upper-levels of retail as far as I was concerned. Both made offers and even though I would've preferred Apple, FedEx Kinkos offered more money ($12/hr...I made more as an intern) and a full time position as opposed to apple's part time. But a weird thing happened on the way to the mall and a couple of friends suggested doing both jobs simultaneously. Suicide I thought. But on the other hand, it would've meant more money, so I caved to the idea that more money was worth the time served.

I took the FedEx job with the intention of becoming a signs & graphics/prepress guy. What they gave me was higher paying, more prestige and absolutely NOT in line with what I had applied for. They wanted me to be a sales guy.

The manager said, "I see something in you, I haven't even looked at your design work but you've sold me on your ability to communicate. I want you out there suited up and growing FedEx Kinko's presence on this island".

Riiiiiiiight. At the end of the second week, before completing my training but after the staff meeting where my boss told everyone how key and integral I would be, I walked into the office shook his hand and said "thanks but no thanks" and walked out. In at 8:30 am, out by 8:45. That was a good day. A surprisingly very good day.

Downsides to that move:

1. Less money from a part-time job
2. That place is right where I catch my bus so every day I'm outside the window hangin around
3. The same day I walked out I had to go back a couple diff times to send faxes (nice and awkward)

Upside:

1. Chance to find another (better) job
2. Focus on screwing up at Apple instead of screwing up both
3. More time to get all the aforementioned documentation I didn't get already

So now it's just the applestore, so hopefully I can smile and make some money while looking for another 9-5 job. Funny little anecdote from the FedEx Job: A coworker mentioned how Hawaii has the lowest unemployment rate of the entire country, but what they don't tell you is that people here are working at least 2 or 3 jobs just to get by so of course there's no unemployment! It was even funnier when she said it because she's Thai and has a wicked accent.

Yesterday when I came home from work I got a call from my cousin Cindy. She heard from her sister in Guam who heard from my mother's sister in Micronesia that my dad was rushed to the hospital out there. Words like "Dad" and "hospital" in the same sentence make me feel helpless. I should've known better than to trust the grapevine but nevertheless I ran across the street and bought some phonecards to call them. I can't even call from my cell, I have to dial a 29 digit phone number to talk to my family.

Anyway, he was fine. He went in for a scheduled checkup and his blood pressure was high enough for them to want to keep him overnight, but he opted for medication and went home. The reason I bring this up is, first and foremost, it scared the shit out of me. And second, that medication he's taking is a substitute for the meds he was on out in Washington. His supply ran out as it did many times in DC, but back there I would usually kick in and buy it for him if he couldn't afford it himself (micronesian health insurance sucks so hard). These days though, our entire family has to contribute a little just to afford mom's meds. Dad quietly bowed out of the picture until he was almost hospitalized and I just quit my day job. Some big help I turned out to be.

I'm living out of a suitcase in an overcrowded apartment but for the most part, settled now. I have a part-time job and don't have to pay any rent (yet). There's a right thing to do here but I can't seem to lock it down for some reason. Oh yeah, I missed church 2 sundays in a row. Can you believe that mess? I can't. Wtf is going on?

Here's hoping things get better in the near (post-lent) future.

Short takes from the past weeks:

This kicked ass from start to finish