Ok 2009 Economy, I'm Beginning to Get My Feelings Hurt

Hmmm.... how to describe the 2009 economy? Withering, soul-sucking, frustrating, scary, unfamiliar, uncomfortable, unfair, blah. How to describe said economy coupled with a job search in an unknown market filled with brainiac competition? Let's just say that it isn't fun.

So, should I still be a lawyer? Or should I follow my preschool dreams of being a cleaning lady in Hannibal, Missouri? I think that commute costs might be a bit prohibitive for that dream to be fulfilled, at least as long as we live in Boston. If only I had wanted to clean houses in Quincy, then I could maybe bend the rules and do so in Quincy, MA. Sigh. Also, my cleaning skills are pretty sub-par. I don't think that I could charge someone in good conscious for my "services" since they would probably have to clean up after I was done. I would do a great job, however, of monitoring their DVR, playing with their dog, and drinking their Diet Coke (and raiding their chocolate supply, just like I did as a superstar babysitter).

Day in and day out, I apply for legal jobs. I network. I'm pushy and do all the things that you're supposed to do in a job search. I've had a few nibbles, but nothing has really come of them. I met today with a recruiter and she was very encouraging about my resume, my job search, my overall awesomeness---she said to hang in there and that something (fingers crossed) will come along soon. Stupid 2009 economy.

So in this downtime, I decided to start working on some of my interests. I'm taking a creative writing class, joining a weekly yoga group on the Esplanade, working out with Bill, started a book club, cooking... it's all fun and dandy, but I really miss working and doing something valuable. I'm not going to lie and say that it hasn't been nice to finally get a tan after too many summers of being holed up inside and catching up on 90210 has been amazing. I had no idea that David is bipolar--I must have missed that episode somehow in college. Good thing he has Donna to take care of him.

So here is a list of some other careers I'm thinking about:

• Ferry boat captain
• Lottery winner
• Facebook updater
• Beach finder/tester
• Diet Coke sommlier
• Photo taker (not to be confused with the talent required to be a photographer)
• Bar trivia night expert participant
• 90210/Friends/West Wing resource
• NYT Real Estate Section critic
  
• Electronic equipment setter-upper
• Sleep study participant (if study involves amazing ability to sleep late)
• Office supply store shopper
• Professional highlighter
• Singer of only parts of songs (lyrics aren't my strong suit)
• Bubble bath taker/tub reviewer

So, that's what I've come up with so far. I know that those careers are lofty aspirations, but a girl can dream!