reviewing old posts for references to “seattle” to find what clues i left myself from the past. found this post that i never made public for some reason, written the day before leap day last year, the day that i will always recognize as the first day of the rest of my life.
just put it up.
here it is.
los angeles returned to gray skies today. fall is calling me. fall is the season where i’m the most creative, most poetic, my soul driven by the thunderstorms and the rain. i’m feeling this fall is going to be one filled with electricity, rain and words.
everything is still echoing towards seattle. september in seattle. live there for a couple of months. get a whatever job, menial if it has to be, that puts me in contact with the public while i write. got to get it all out. feeling the inner storm.
i need the rain. i’m going to need the rain for this.
brian is going to freak when i leave again. he hates living alone. but this is something i have to do. i need to establish seattle as my secondary location, the place where i go when i disappear. my writing cave. my privacy.
brian asked me to write out a plan the way i would write a blog entry that details what kinds of things i would be good at, what kind of corporate structure i would fit, etc.
i told him, i want to get paid doing exactly what i’m doing now…talking to strangers, writing. i don’t want to fit in the corporate world again if i can help it. but i recognize i need/want a job because i need a place and people who see me consistently, so i can anchor my life while i push my mind deep. and my book takes place in the pacific northwest, for god’s sake. i need to get to know it.
so per brian’s demand, here is my job projection:
a job that allows me to be helpful and talk to strangers, related to hospitality, travel, restaurant, fitness, art/entertainment, learning/empowerment or customer service/relations. a job that challenges me creatively, and puts me in direct contact with people open to a positive experience. a job that opens my mind and gives me inspiration, as well as gives me “details” that help me flesh out my book. i would like the job to either have fixed hours limited to the daytime (no weekends), or a flexible schedule where i don’t feel time-oppressed. i would like to work for an established, thriving organization, or a small company with strong ideas, leadership and direction.
i am not above temping, since my character starts at a temp agency. but i will only do this if my financial situation supports it. if not, i will get two part-time jobs if i get to a point where i feel it is pertinent for me to have this life experience.
i am willing to range from working as a barista at a coffee shop, to doing inside sales, business development, marketing, corporate communications/pr. i would probably be happiest in an office job that uses me to create written content and communications.
but again, i want to have direct contact with customers and clients.
my plan:
1. in mind, set sights on september in seattle.
2. scouting trip, early sept. find furnished apt with short term month-to-month lease.
3. research job market, send out resumes, test the waters. if i know where i’m going to be living, i’ll be able to provide proof of intent of relocating to seattle as a resident.
4. rejoice
5. freak out
6. accept my calling
7. get ready to live life and write.
