Getting Creative

Did you watch the video? If you haven't trust me, you wanna. It's freakin' sweet.

With weddings, jobs, and unemployment on my mind constantly, it's no wonder that I am becoming more creative than I have ever been before. With the wedding, I want it to be as suh-weet as the one in the video with our own twists and turns. With unemployment, I'm having to get creative as to where to find money in my life. (Trust me, I've looked for the bunny in the top hat... I keep coming up with zilch.) And of course, with the job market, I'm having to get creative as to what I'm looking for.

It's no secret that I had my dream job. Ski industry? check. Media? check. Cool people? check. Web? check. So now, any job I look for (unless it is the same) won't be as great. It took a while to come to terms with that, but now I'm okay with it and eating humble pie.

Sure, I'll take that executive assistant job. Yes I'll work for that hippy company. Nannying? Why not. Freelancing? Hell yes. It's time to get creative, and while I don't have a soundtrack like these people, I am sure trying hard.

All you need is... Softball?

I'm a terrible softball player. While this may come as a shock to some of you (Why Morgan, you are normally so graceful and athletic, I would have thought you would have had a full ride to college! Ha!), to others this is just part of my charm.

I am looking for a job everywhere. I've emailed my friends and family, will be contacting my rolodex, and frequent Craigslist often. I play on a softball team with a few ex-work friends and some non-work friends. Of course, I network there and now bug my new friends for openings at their companies. (Sorry to those of you on my team that are reading this!)

While it's a bonus that I have the ability to network with a wide variety of young professionals through this team, it's more just the blast that I have with them that I appreciate.

Having an hour a two a week to think about things completely unrelated to my unemployment is a blessing. These people don't care if I am a bum. They care if I can hit a ball. (Which I can't, so I don't really know why they keep me around.) Plus they are such a great group of people to be around, it's just a fun event that I get to go to when rain doesn't ruin it.

I really think that my friends and family are the most wonderful things in the entire world. When I got home from my softball game tonight, I was welcomed by two incredibly sweet notes from friends of mine offering their support and love. What could be better than that?

Who cares if I don't have a job. I have friends, family, and softball. Suh-weet.

You've Got to Accentuate the Positive...

"and eliminate the negative. Latch on to the affirmative and don't mess with mister in between."

I'm not sure if those are the exact lyrics to that song, but I like them and think they work just fine for my cause.

I got laid off from my dream job on May 22. It came as quite a shock to me as I thought I would be moving into busier and more involved role when I was told a meeting was scheduled for that Friday. I had turned down a job interview for that Thursday for a former organization of mine, not wanting to lead them on when I thought I would be moving up in my company. That was mistake number one. After I got laid off, I immediately called the interviewer back and asked for a spot back. They graciously offered it to me for that afternoon. Let's just say that Friday was busier than I expected to be.

A week went by before I heard of any news. That week was rough, but I had something I thought I could look forward to. I figuratively put all my eggs in this basket as I avoided looking for any other job. That was mistake number two. They didn't offer it to me and now I'm back to square one looking anywhere for a job that I'll like half as much as I did my original dream job.

I don't mean to moan and begrudge the unfortunate experiences in the last week. I want to look on the bright side of what I do have and what I can offer.

Let's start with the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am marrying my wonderful fiance in September. A life with him is a dream come true and I should be incredibly thankful for that.

I have a great support group. My friends, family, and future in-laws have been overwhelmingly supportive. They are there for me and I love that.

This is a sweet opportunity to take advantage of some true time off. There is nothing in the world right now telling me I have to stick to my original career path. I can totally go work somewhere silly this summer and then be a ski instructor this winter. I mean the economy right now certainly isn't pushing me towards a real job.

Not to mention I'm smart, eager, energetic, organized, and enthusiastic. I'm swell. Hire me. ;)