Dos and Don'ts when driving with paint

• DO: hammer the paint lid shut solidly before you put it in your car.
• DO: check and see what fell over in the trunk when you are driving with half-full paint cans in your trunk. (Or: DON'T wait to check, only to discover the spill when you finally get home after running errands all day.)
  
• DON'T: attempt to wipe the spill up with rags. It will take forever, and you'll spend much more time rinsing out rags than actually wiping up paint. And you won't get it all.
• DO: drive to a self-service car wash, after having emptied out the trunk of all the other garbage that's in there (and now yellow).
• DO: take out the spare tire and the jumper cables before washing out the trunk.
  
• DON'T: pull the trigger on the power sprayer when spraying out the paint in your trunk. It will squirt paint and dirt back in your face.
  
• DO: figure out a way to drain the water/paint from your trunk. If you don't, read on:
• DO: use the vacuum hose to suck up the paint puddle in your trunk, where your spare tire used to be.
• DO: drive away inconspicuously as the yellow water starts leaking from the vacuum machine...
  

Long shot?

Just sent this cover letter with an application for a UW position of managing editor for a public health publication:

"Dear Hiring Manager,

Thank you for considering my application for the position of Managing Editor for Northwest Public Health.

My resume lists my extensive experience in technical writing and editing for local software companies, which may not be the most likely or obvious background when applying for a managing editor position. I still believe that I am a qualified candidate.

As my work history shows, I am focused on and passionate about excellent publication. Whether writing and editing marketing copy, proofing instructional materials, or drafting newsletter articles, I am a stickler for quality writing and editing. Regardless of the medium (online or print) or subject matter, I will always read everything with two perspectives: the reader's and the editor's.

A "content manager" is in many ways a managing editor for corporate publications. I work with the director of marketing to determine what written or online materials are needed, then produce them with the help of subject-matter experts. I have always been a successful team player, working with designers, writers, programmers, and managers, to produce the final product and meet strict publication deadlines.

I have worked with software developers for years, yet I am hardly an expert on the subject. What makes me a good writer and editor, though, is my curiosity and eagerness to learn. I think from the readers' perspective and ask the right questions, to make sure the final article is accurate and accessible to everyone. I am certain that, although having little previous knowledge of public health, this same skill will serve me well with your publication.

Thank you for your consideration, and best wishes!

Dina Trageser"

May update

Where did May go?? Oh, I remember...

• I visited my mom in Eugene for Mother's Day, and stayed a couple days. Had such a great time -- I crashed her symphony rehearsal for Verdi's Requiem (oh.my.god.), hung out with my grandpa (he's 93!), and visited with my mom's good friend Worth (who is also in his 80s). It was so nice to catch up with the elders; I'm really happy I don't live that far away.
• Immediately afterwards, I flew out to New York to watch Rusty play with Ottmar Liebert at the Blue Note. They had a week-long run there, two shows a night, twelve shows in all. I caught about six of those. Wow! I used to be a big Ottmar fan when I first discovered him 20 or so years ago; it was great and amazing to catch him live. His new stuff is equally as good as, if not better than, his old classics. The whole band (Ottmar plus another guitarist, bass, trap set, and hand percussion) was super tight and polished, and Rusty (hand percussion) fit in perfectly. I had no problem watching their set six times! (Photos are uploaded...)
• And when we came home, it was time to pack up and move! Ack, moving. Well, the move itself got done in record time -- we had plenty of help, and it took just under four hours to load the truck, drive over to the school, and unload. Yay! But now: everything is in boxes. I still need to finish painting, the kitchen still needs some wiring, there's lots to do... only the bedroom is functional right now. (Thank god for that!) It'll be so great when it's all done... yes, I'll post some pictures (as soon as I find that USB cable...!) (and get a desk again... right now I'm on a folding chair in the half-painted living room, balancing the laptop on my lap).

I'm still job hunting in the midst of everything. While I can't take any Microsoft contracts just now, I've applied for some long-shots like marketing writer for Sur La Table (how fun would that be!), International Student Advisor, and News Publisher/Editor for KOMO TV.com. Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get a response from someone...

Back on UI

My contract with Microsoft ended officially last week. It was kind of anticlimactic... I had completed and submitted my rewrite of the content two weeks prior, and was waiting for the publishers to come back with feedback and suggestions. They never did, so I spent several days waiting and checking e-mail... and then my time was up. I hope it all turned out ok!

So I reopened my unemployment claim, and am back scouring the Internets. News arrived this morning that Microsoft laid off 3000 more people...that hurts the neighborhood, it does.

But it's a busy month, already. Rusty and I will be moving into "the principal's office" -- the office rooms of an elementary school that is being leased to local artists for studio and living space. We'll have both -- living space and a music studio. Rusty is on tour with Ottmar Liebert again, so my job is to pack up the old apartment and paint the new. Next week I'll be visiting mom for Mother's Day, and flying out to New York to see Rusty play at the Blue Note (!!), and when we both return, it'll be time to move!

My own Web site!

I've finally done it. After years of tinkering around with other options, I've registered my name as a domain and put up a (rudimentary) Web site, dedicated to my singing, writing, and editing work.

Check 'er out!

Suggestions are more than welcome. I know I need to put up more samples, and a testimonial page would be nice too some day. I'm using a basic template provided by Yahoo, so don't be too impressed with my design skills. Again: someday...

Work? There isn't much. My Microsoft assignment wraps up this week, but realistically, I haven't had anything to do for them for over a week. I've reopened my unemployment claim yesterday; let's hope it's still good and valid.

Singing lessons

I've been slowly starting to teach singing lessons. At first it was a rare lesson here and there, and now I have one regular student who comes by every Sunday afternoon. It's a blast. As with teaching high school way back when, it's really energizing, and I suddenly discover how much I know and how much I have to teach.

So, I've made it official and created a posting on TeachStreet.

Not sure how this will all fit around having a regular day job, but then again, I don't expect my door to get beaten down for this. How many people, really, are into singing Balkan music?

Contracting for Microsoft

I've been a contractor at Microsoft numerous times, including now. There are many, many agencies that place contractors to work for or at Microsoft. Non-compete agreements abound, and Microsoft has its own policies to make sure the contracting game is played straight and contractors don't take the place of (permanent) FTE employees. Well, those policies are catching up to me all at once.

A couple months ago I took on a short writing assignment for Microsoft, through Volt Technical Servies. Since this assignment is short and I'm working directly for a Microsoft manager, not doing work remotely, this is an a-dash position. Oh, let me back up:

There are (basically) two types of contractors: a-dash and v-dash. The names refer to the letter before your e-mail alias at Microsoft when you're a contractor. In the past I've been mostly v-ditrag (I know, great alias), and now I'm a-ditrag@ms.com. The difference between the two is that a-dash contractors work on site, are managed by a Microsoft manager, and have to take a 100-day break after working for one year. Yup, one hundred full days. V-dashes are "vendors" and (usually) work off-site, being managed by the Vendor company managers, and don't (usually) interface with Microsoft directly. (Though they can.) Vendors don't have a limit to their assignment, and can stay on indefinitely. I was a vendor for almost three years a couple years back.

So now I'm an a-dash again. If I want to take on another contract after this is up, and it's another a-dash, but through another agency, I have to take 30 days off first. That's Volt's non-compete. If I find another contract and it's a v-dash, I have to take that 100-day break. That's Microsoft policy. Hmf!

So pretty much my only option/hope is to find another a-dash contract with Volt. Of course I have other leads and possibilities; Volt is not the only fish in the pond. A former manager wants to bring me on through another company as a vendor -- nope. I'll be available for that August 10.

But even if I find another Volt assignment, sooner or later I'll come up on that 100-day break thing. 100 days. That's a nice long vacation if I manage to save up money for it. Of course there's no guarantee if the position I left would still be there -- Microsoft would probably fill it with someone else. Or hire a v-dash.

Well, that's the bind I'm in. My assignment is winding down, and I'm looking for work again, and I'm hoping something *other* besides Microsoft pops up. There's gotta be other employers in town...!

Silly day

This morning R woke up with vertigo. Which was a bummer, since neither of us has to work today and we had a long list of things to do together. After sitting on the couch and breathing a bit, we decided to go ahead with our plans and take it one step at a time. Well, here's how it went:

1) Drove to bank, made boat payment. Success.
2) Drove to REI to drop of installation CDs for R's coworker, who is trying to restore my old tablet PC for us. Forgot that laptop does not have CD ROM drive -- and forgot the external drive at home. Fail.
3) Picked up boxes for packing from REI. Success.
4) Went to bike shop where R has built some wheels, to meet owner to get paid for previous work. Owner wasn't there. Fail.
5) Drove to ActiveSpace studio, which we were going to pack up and move today. Loaded up my car with one load, and drove it to Artwood (our future home). Success, but small.
6) Drove to Credit Union to open up joint account, but realized we didn't have our exact new address yet. Fail.
7) Then also realized we were going to take photos of Artwood to post online, and had forgotten to do so. Drive back? Nah. Fail.
8) Back home, R lies down on couch, still feeling dizzy. Wah!

Better luck at productivity tomorrow...!

Perfect Day...

Beautiful, sunny, warm day in Seattle. I'm at home, sitting at my desk by the open window, working on a freelance project -- helping a consulting firm apply for a grant. On the side I'm pulling together the final pieces for the Dunava CD and our concert in Shoreline this weekend. In a few minutes I'll take a break and go for a run. This is what my working day should always look like. Inspired and productive and sunny.

Prayers for today

That my friend Jill wins her fight (or her dance?) with cancer.

That my favorite radio station KBCS meets its pledge drive goal by Sunday.

That I finally figure out how to balance my need for stability and security with my desire to do all the unstable, unpredicable things I'm passionate about.

Bad news...

Just got this in my inbox, about my upcoming contract to publish a German pop culture Web site at Microsoft:

"H Dina! (sic)

Jennifer is no long with Comforce and as such I have taken over the management of her candidates. Yes this is a strict policy from Microsoft and since you are A- you cannot become V- until a 100 day break. I am sorry to break the bad news but this is a firm MS policy. Are you currently still working? Also, the client did send us a last minute candidate they have worked with in the past so as of today this role has been filled. Let’s keep in touch for the future and let me know when your 100 day break begins so we can be marketing you to hiring manager a bit before your break ends!!

Cheers,

New Recruiter"

Back to plan, uh, no plan...

less traffic for the still-employed?

I liked this entry from the local Seattlest blog:

There are some up-sides to unemployment. For starters, you can sleep in a little bit and take as long as you want in the shower (at least until the hot water runs out). You can make your ramen noodles at any time of day, and you have a lot more time to psychically deal with the stresses of commenting on vicious message boards (or the Daily Weekly, which extends an official invite to now-homeless Sound Off commenters). You also don't have to fight traffic, and as the Times helpfully points out, all the laid-off people not fighting traffic makes the commutes of those still employed just that much easier. How nice for the still-employeds, you're thinking! It's especially kind of the article to highlight the venti cinnamon dolce latte one of the interviewed still-employed, still-commuting people purchases daily, an extra that costs just about as much as two week's worth of ramen. Ouch.

I'm commuting again. Not as far -- only to downtown Bellevue. But I must agree, the 520 bridge doesn't seem quite as congested on the way home as it used to.

rocking weekend

Dunava just sang as part of the Columbia Choirs Invitational Friendship Concert, in Seattle's Town Hall. Town Hall is a wonderful acoustic space, and we've never been there before. Among the five other choirs, all of whom sang traditional choral repertoire (my favorites were a Ugandan folksong and a piece by Morten Lauridson), we sure stuck out as the "different" group. But good different. Loud claps and shouts of bravo after nearly every song!

I am so proud of Dunava. Starting this group is still the best thing I've ever done.

Last night Orkestar RTW introduced Cafe Babel in Fremont to Balkan folk music. It was snowing throughout the Puget Sound, so we were worried about people coming -- but the dancers didn't let us down. We filled the place up, and at one point had at least 30 or so dancing around the tables in a line. The "new" people who had never danced a Lesno or Pravo before clearly had a great time!

Not a bad way to spend a weekend.

and we're off!

This is it -- my last unemployed day. Well. It's been fun.

Tomorrow I report for duty at the Lincoln Square Microsoft office in Bellevue. (And then I *won't* go shopping at Bellevue Square Mall across the street to celebrate.)

Today, on my last free day: Read. Knit. Work on a Web site project that my former co-worker JR got me. (Thanks, JR!) Hang out in my bathrobe as long as possible.

Gigs. Lots of gigs.

This is not just about lucrative work, after all... Check out what Dunava is up to this spring. Town Hall next weekend -- woot!

And Orkestar RTW is breaking in a new venue for Balkan music and dancing: Cafe Babel in Fremont. Love the front-page billing!

And at the same time, the paid-work end of it is looking nice, too. Almost too good. My writing contract start date is still not certain, but I do have a verbal agreement to start another contract as soon as this shorter one is complete (about mid-April). And yup, it's publishing the German site for windowsmedia.com. I am endlessly psyched about this.

In addition, I have an inquiry about teaching voice/singing lessons (just one student) and tutoring (one or two high school students). I'm still not sure if I can take those on, although it sure sounds fun.

Got a Job!

... for a bit. I just accepted a contract position at Microsoft that involves rewriting some Web pages for their intranet. Should take about three to six weeks. But actually that's perfect; it keeps me busy while I'm hoping something longer term works out.

I don't have a starting date yet; it'll either be later next week or the week after. So I still have a few days to sleep in. :-) And that's just as well; my jaw still doesn't feel right, I've got some minor numbness in my lower lip, and I'm tired all the time... is this normal?

The teeth

Ok, well, what is there to say about the teeth.

A looming deadline for my insurance benefits motivated me to get a long-overdue check-up. The check-up went great (and now I *swear* by my Sonicare toothbrush, which reduced that awful scraping time in the chair to almost nothing), but the dentist took a look at my x-rays and said, hm, you may want to do something about those wisdom teeth.

No one's ever mentioned that before (well, I haven't seen that many dentists, ahem), but he made a good case. They were practically wrapping themselves around the roots of the adjoining molars. So, given the pending insurance cut-off, I was referred to an oral surgeon, who scheduled me pronto.

Last week went like this: Monday: consultation. Tuesday: replace old filling (with dentist #1). Wednesday: fix the new filling (a bit too much of it in my toof). Thursday: get nervous. Friday: surgery.

I was only nervous because, when you mention to people you're having your wisdom teeth removed, everyone has a horror story. Either about the anesthetic or the painful recovery and risk of dry sockets. I was more worried about the former. I haven't been under general anesthesia since I was 4 (and all I remember there is that it smelled funny). Being put under by inhaling fumes, that's just creepy.

Well, that part was easy. Doc is such a pro. He said, "think of someplace tropical," and I said, "Hawaii!," and he said, "yes, Hawaii," and I imagined myself and Rusty on a beach in Hawaii, and that was all. When I woke up, I was soooo happy and calm and peaceful. Oh, there was still surgery going on; the doctor and assistant were still wailing away on the last tooth with mighty gusto. But I didn't care. They could have pulled all my teeth right then and there, and I would have been just fine.

The happy drugs wore off in the recovery area, where they kept me for about two minutes, and this is where I'll stop going into detail, because none of it is pleasant or entertaining and even fun to remember. I spent the rest of the day on the couch, and decided by evening that the prescription pain killer was not worth taking either. Ibuprofen will do just fine, thank you.

So now it's five days later, and I think I've dodged the dry-socket-bullet just fine. Phew. I'm still on soft-ish food, and nothing too hot. Actually, I think I'm just reluctant to let the ice cream and pudding diet go. But the swelling is mostly down, although there's a yellowish bruise spreading on my jaw, especially visible in fluorescent lighting.

I had a job interview on Monday, and the interviewer also had a horror story about her wisdom teeth extraction: She went playing tennis a few days later and got hit in the mouth by a ball. I think I'll wait with tennis until, oh, August.

Laid off in Seattle?

This is interesting, and I hope this tally continues: Independent online newspaper The Seattle Courant is tracking layoffs in Seattle alone. (Should they expand to surrounding areas, since so many Seattle residents work on the East side? I guess that's up to the editor...).

Meanwhile, I'm recovering from wisdom tooth extraction and have one, perhaps two, offers to contract at Microsoft. More about both of those later...

unscheduled days

There's a turning point in the "unemployed" phase. At first, I was full of motivation: clean up my space, catch up on old business, have lots of ideas of what to do. But over time, the absence of a regular work schedule leads to aimlessness: sleep in, futz around, make a to-do list that has one item checked off on it for days. Motivation? Where'd you go?

Part of it may be that the required job search is not that tough. I've updated my resumes on Monster and Career Builder, and still have recruiters pinging me regularly. And good prospects too: tomorrow I interview at Microsoft for a contract publishing their German Windows Media site. How sweet would that be...!

Of course, in secret, I'd rather become a Fundraising Intern at the Kirkland Performance Center. If there's a career switch imminent, I think fundraising and art promotions is it. If the German gig doesn't come through, I'll apply for KPC. If nothing else, it's a good use of my unscheduled time.

In other news, I'm having my wisdom teeth removed on Friday. Yup, all four. Which means that today I'm going to the library and picking up lots of DVDs to watch over the weekend.

Pay Cut. Harrumph.

Had a conversation today with Marianne, a recruiter at a staffing company that hires for contracts at Microsoft. The news is that since last September, the hourly rates Microsoft is paying for vendors and contractors has gone down, and while she was able to place people at the top of the payrange, she's now only able to secure the low- to medium-level pay rate. (Never mind that several contracts have disappeared, as budgets for projects are getting cut.)

So, if I land another contract with my favorite software giant, it'll probably be at a 20-25% pay rate reduction. Not happy news, this. Nope.

... week 3....?

Um, hello... yes, I'm still here.

Job hunt? Yes, well... that's happening. But not with much success. I don't see many postings for jobs I'm qualified for in the usual locations (Monster, Craigslist, Careerbuilder). I've sent out my resume about a dozen times, total, and either got no response or (in just one case) a flat-out rejection. "Not enough management experience."

(Which, if I think about it, is a reflection on how poor my resume is. I've been a teacher, a choir director, and a seminar manager. Is any of that on my resume? Noooo...)

But I secretly know I'm going about this all the wrong way. Sending e-mails with attachments isn't getting me in the door anywhere. I need to come a-callin' or a-knockin'. But, truth is, I'm not sure exactly where I want to call and knock. Or, to be really honest, I know where I'd like to call and knock, but those would be jobs with gigantic pay cuts for me. And now is not the time for pay cuts. I'm on a mission to pay off debt and support my boyfriend through some schooling.

Sigh. So, back to knocking on the big doors. We'll live in poverty and save the world another day. But if you know a job that would save the world and needs exactly my skills (including management!) and might even compensate me adequately, please send them my way...!

The Next Gig: Music, of course. Orkestar RTW is playing at Georgia's Greek Restaurant on Saturday evening. Admission is free, but do have some dinner. Best Greek food in town!

Unemployed, Week 2

I know I've been unemployed enough times when I just settle into my routine effortlessly. I'm not even fazed or at a loss of what to do. This is just second nature, now.

Sleeping in: yes, that happens. But also regular gym visits, and eye and dental appointments while insurance is still good. Desk is tidy, e-mails are answered, Monster is updated, and I've filled my week with things I'd do more of if I didn't have to work (such as now):

• Hosting two radio shows this week (Tuesday and Friday, Daily Planet on KBCS, 3-5 p.m. PST)


• Performing in a school show with my choir Dunava


• Going skiing! My uncle is in town, and he's taking pity on me and getting me a lift ticket. Yay!

I've also edited my first article for the Seattle Courant (although the article I edited looks quite a bit different than the one that got published—fortunately). Not much money, but I like mucking in online journalism.

But, while I'm in good spirits and confident that this is just temporary and I might as well enjoy myself for now, not all is rosy. My partner, who has been working for REI for almost twelve years, is having employment issues of his own. His hours, which are supposed to be full-time, are being cut to 14, 19 or 27 a week—with not much advance warning from week to week. Seniority and experience don't seem to count for who gets how many hours. In addition, he tells tales of co-workers who lose their benefits because of being reduced to part-time, or whose departments are being closed and who have to work on the sales floor for reduced wages. Wha...? They hire people for a specific task, cut their job, and tell them to work for a 50% pay cut doing something that's not their trained skill?

I'm only getting one guy's perspective, but it sounds fishy. Smells fishy. Just lay people off already; don't reduce their hours and their wages. Sad to be disillusioned about an institution we're all so proud of in Seattle...

Free time?

I know I should be scouring the Internets right now, sending my resume around, updating my Monster account...

... but instead, I've gotten drawn into to more domestic tasks. I suddenly can't take the little and big messes anymore. So I dove into my filing cabinet with a fury (really, how many files does one single person with little property need?), and am now halfway through my "inbox" -- the inbox that was supposed to be "stuff to do now," but turned into "stuff to ignore indefinitely." Bills from last year? Old account statements? Yikes! No more!

I figure this is all part of the new clean start, whenever that happens. When another full-time gig comes around, at least my home will be in order, and I'll be caught up on all that non-work stuff. (Smothering cynical voice...)

In terms of gigs: I'm talking to the editor of a local online publication tomorrow. That might be some fun freelance work. And I'm also taking on additional radio shows. I normally host a world music show just twice a month, but hey, now I have time, I can fill in for others!

The next gig: Tuesday, January 27, Daily Planet on KBCS from 3 to 5 p.m. PST.

Irony

On January 20, 2009, the United States inaugurated a president who seems a beacon of better times to come. Barack Obama will end the recession, end all wars, and end racial injustice once and for all. Well, maybe. But what is real is that, for now, the country is swept up in a feeling of optimism, hope, excitement, even motivation to do our part, pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and do the right and necessary things.

The day before the inauguration, I got laid off from my job. I'm sure this is not big news; several people at my company were laid off with me, and layoffs continue to happen across the technology sector. (Microsoft layoff rumors abound...) And while I have no delusions that President Obama will turn things around on a dime and start the next technology boom, just in time for me to get swept up in it, I do wonder:

When's my next gig?
What is it?