June 16, 2008: The Day I was Set Free

Monday, June 16, 2008, 8:30 a.m. Lovely morning. Had a fun weekend. Sunny. New Pay Period. What else could I desire as I bid farewell to my precious cats and headed to earn my hard-won $$$. The sun was shining and the breeze moved gently along the lake cooling the city. I savored my favorite part of the work-day which is taking in the view of our gorgeous Chicago skyline as I creeped south on I-94. As usual, I greeted my boss warmly asking him if there was anything I could do (of course I knew there would be nothing for me to do but I hoped for a response that would make the next 8 hours move swiftly and painlessly). I sat down at my computer workstation and tried desperately to drown out the dull-gray cubicle world that engulfed my. . . let's just say. . . *more than free-spirit*. I found cubicle land to be less than satisfying but the paycheck that was deposited into my account every other week was definitely more than satisfying. So, I plugged along thinking that maybe I was wrong and that this is what life was going to be like. Steady paycheck. 401K. Cushy health insurance, vacation and sick pay. Nice.

10:30 a.m. My boss approached informed me that the CEO would like to see me in her office. I grabbed my pen and yellow memo pad and marched bravely into the chamber of liberation. At this point, all I remember is a string of disconnected phrases. . .we hate to have to let you go . . . this is not performance based . . budget crisis. . . you are endeared by your colleagues . . . we will pay you until the end of the month. . . letter of recommendation . . . enroll in COBRA . . . collect unemployment . . . you can get your things together today. . . any questions . . .?

Relief.

11:45 a.m. My apartment. Listening to voicemail. My friend Joanie (this is not her real name but in order to maintain confidentiality with my former employer, I can not reveal details of my previous job except for the color of my cubicle. Really. It was clearly stated in the confidentiality agreement I was reading while I sipped my Corona) had just left a message asking me where I was and if I still wanted to have lunch with her. Needless to say, Joanie and I didn't have lunch that day. I sipped my Corona (and then a few more) as I scanned the electronic pages of craigslist and npo.net in search of my new job and the adventure began. . .

It has been 45 days since I was laid off from my first *real* job and every day I move further and further away from wanting to find a *real* job. . . I have applied for *real* jobs and *not-so-real jobs* and have been learning a great deal about myself, the world we live in and what can happen when one becomes *too* qualified for a job. The following stories are based on real situations. Some of the details and names have been changed and some stories may be slightly exaggerated. My ultimate hope is to make a few people laugh along their journeys, and yes, to find myself a job.