So . . . I finally got a job. A real job.

I interviewed with a technical staffing service a month ago for a job that pays really well, but after the month went by, I started having my doubts as to whether it was going to happen. The recruiter guy told me I was at the "top of the list" of who he was recommending for the position. But the company hadn't decided to hire anyone just yet.

My wife said to just collect unemployment until I get the job, so that's what I did; in the meantime I continued my job search and wrote and wrote and wrote. I believe I started my manuscript in May and to date have 190 pages written, over 51,000 words. At this rate, I had hoped that by August I would have the first draft complete.

I finally interviewed today. It went really well, and I start on Monday at my new full-time "contract" job (they may not need me past November. Or they might. I won't know til then. I also might get hired on full time then.)

The job pays literally twice what I was making before. The hours are 530 a.m. to 3. Saturdays and Sundays too, 6 to 2. Tons of overtime.

I'll be working my butt off, but I'll also make more than I've ever made before in my life.

Thing is, this will require a complete life change, which I'm still trying to get used to. No more Simpsons at 11pm, no more drinking, new bedtime is 8. Also, no more 3,000 word writing days. I'll be lucky to bang out 500 to 1000. So much for getting the first draft done by August.

This job is a heavy machine wiring job, a skill I'm good at, although I haven't done it in a while. Very hands-on, no computer. The truly ironic part is that I did wiring and installation in my first job out of college and swore I'd never go back to it. I've come full circle in my career.

So, that's it. I've been on these boards griping about my job situation in the past, and now I'm still griping about it, in spite of the fact that I'll finally be making more than my wife. Heck, with this job, we'll finally be able to pull ourselves out of debt.

I'll just be working my butt off to do it.

I'm not "happy" and celebrating yet; I'm just trying to get used to the idea.

allen

I appreciate the comments. I'm certainly not opposed to doing the work. Plus, this is apparently the biggest machine tool company in the world, and there is steady work. Time and a half for overtime, double time for Sundays.

It's just going to take a lot of getting used to. Up until now, I've been going to bed around 11 and getting up around 7. Now I'll have to go to bed around 8 to get up at 4. And it's only about a twenty minute drive so that's not bad at all, considering the locations of other potential employers.

And I had a choice, of course. I could have turned it down so I could sit and wait for the "perfect" job to come along. And eight months from now when I'm still unemployed, I would be thinking about how I let this one slip by. And my wife would be upset. Very upset.

So, it'll be a big change to be sure. But career-wise, it's a step in the right direction. I'll just have to adjust my writing habits and schedule, and will still be able to finish the first draft of my novel a little bit later than planned.

allen