The Hunt

Last I posted, I lamented that it was all going by too quickly. Case in point, I last posted over a month ago, and I didn't even realize it had been that long. So I've decided to fill you in on what I've been up to during my first month of summer, underscored with a focus on one aspect in particular: finding a job.

It all started when my mother was driving me back home from Villanova on the morning after my last final. She commented, "Hey Erik, there's this great tutoring place right next to Clemens where you can get a job." I wanted no part in it at the moment, though. I was ready to take a week or two off before even thinking about getting a job. But I did store that in the back of my brain.

Then one day the next week, I get a letter from this place called Vector Marketing, advertising great summer work with flexible hours and hefty pay. Interestingly enough, they really didn't say what the job would entail. I thougt to myself as I perused the letter, fresh off of watching the season finale of Lost, "Maybe THIS is destiny." I didn't call them right away, though, because I had no desire to commit to anything yet. But maybe the next week, I called them one morning with the intention of discovering what kind of job this was. The first thing I specifically asked to the young lady on the other line was, "What kind of job is this?"

"Well, it isn't telemarketing," she replied in her peppy tone, "and it isn't door-to-door sales." That's nice, I thought to myself, but you didn't answer my question. At this point, I had all but lost interest in acquiring this job, whatever it was. I don't want to deal with a bunch of sketches. But then she started asking me questions. "Would you say you're a people person?"

Without any intention of telling her what she wants to hear, I reply, "I guess. Sometimes."
After peppering me with more questions of that breed, she tried to set up an interview with me. "How's 6 o'clock tonight?"

"Oh my," I replied, ready to lie, "that just won't work for me. I have plans for this evening." (I didn't).

"I'll call back on Monday then," she said, enthused, "when I have my interview times for this upcoming week."

I hang up the phone and then forget about it. There's no way she's going to call back, I think. I definitely came off as unenthused about this mystery job. But then Monday rolled around. I get a call in the morning, from the same cheery girl, asking me when I wanted to set up an interview. Without even thinking about how uninterested I am in the prospect, I reluctantly agree to an interview in the afternoon. I hang up the phone and ask myself immediately, "Why didn't I just say no?"

I showered, put on a nice collared shirt, and came back downstairs. I absolutely don't want to do this. It doesn't feel right. But why not? It then strikes me that I could Google "Vector Marketing" and find out what the hell they're all about. It turns out they look for college students to go into people's houses and try to sell them Cutco knives. I laugh. I call back and confidently cancel the interview. That feels good.

After this saga, my mother had suggested applying at Sesame Place. They're always hiring, she says. A week or two later, when we're driving back from applying for new passports, my mom suggests that we stop at Sesame Place and get an application. I reluctantly agree. It's wierd like that. I would like to actually do something this summer, but I have zero motivation to deal with the bureaucratics of it. Nonetheless, I go in with my sister, who also wants a job this summer. To my disappointment, the lady tells me that they've filled all their positions for the summer, but that they're still accepting applications. I think to myself, whatever, I'll just fill out an application. I do a terrible job with it. Numerous times I need to consult my sister, who's four years younger than me, on how to fill in certain sections. I skip entirely the prior work section, which I learn later was a poor idea. Apparently you can fill in academic accomplishments and co-cirriculars if you have no professional work experience. Oops!

Later in the week, I finally decide to call the tutoring place next to Clemens. The guy tells me that they have all their positions filled, but that he's always looking for new talent. If I want, he told me, I could cook up a résumé and give it to him. Basically the same deal as Sesame Place. I'm not even going to bother.

And finally, the other morning, I wake up and come downstairs to read the paper. Next to the newspaper is a nicely filled in application for the movie theater. We had picked one up on the way back home from Sesame Place. Quite a hint, huh? So later in the day I take it over and drop it off with some girl behind the desk. She assures me that her boss will get it when she comes in later in the day.

And I haven't heard anything yet. Admittedly, I have not tried very hard to get a job this summer. My "hunt" has been something closer to a lion going around the jungle asking small animals if they'd like to be eaten, instead of simply eating them by force. But who knows? Maybe this movie deal will go through, and I'll be employed. Or not.

Yesteday Lunch:
Frozen Pizza and Sour Cream & Onion Chips.

Yesterday Dinner:
Veal Parmesian, Bread & Butter, Sliced Potatoes.

Today Lunch:
Grilled Ham & Cheese, Baked Potato.