Employment – West Seventh Freelance

The United States Postal Service, Travel Writing and so on…

WOW! I am starting off the New Year with a bang. The results are in from the latest job entries:

*In house Travel Writer: “Thank you for your interest in the Associate Travel Writer (in-house) position at D****P***G*. We have reviewed your application, and unfortunately we are unable to offer you a position at this time.” (I suspected this would be the outcome due to a rather nascent interest in travel writing, but one never knows.)

Rockers at Chestnut Street Inn

And then…

After an amusing visit to the post office, I also decided to apply for a position as a part-time mail carrier. This is a very straightforward process, all online. After a standard employment application one takes an exam via a computer delivery method. 180 (or so) questions later, I just knew, unless I lied through my teeth, the outcome would be bleak. The (desired) employ-ability factors seemed to be: absolute emotional fortitude– no matter what scenario might be unfolding, accepting authority without question, saying yes to repetitive tasks, and so on. Here is a snap shot of my immediate, automated rejection letter (in PDF format). I will not bore you with all three pages…

CITY CARRIER (2310-2009) INELIGIBLE

CITY CARRIER ASSISTANT 1 (2310-0045) INELIGIBLE

Brava! My sense of humor is in great shape and I am on to new adventures. Day 3 awaits!

2014: Just A Number?

The New Year is already hours old in Australia and coming quickly to friends in Europe.

I am thinking in terms of retrospective. How did I get here and where am I going? What started the writing/ blogging life?

In first grade it was “The Busy Bee” poem, published on the ditto machine by Mr. Polakis. I can’t even recall the stories I wrote for the High School paper… Somehow, I lost my way in college (so many of us did in the ‘70’s– ;)). And then, ‘grown-up’ voices whispered about practicality and a degree in social work followed.

Fast forward to 12/31/13…a dozen years volunteering for community newspapers and over the last fourteen months, attempting a freelance business launch and helping out local organizations and individuals with photography services. Recently I decided to add travel writing and photography to my repertoire– with stories about Minneapolis and Asheville, NC, St Augustine & Tarpon Springs, FL and Rte 61 Minnesota.