Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $330

Slaying My Goliaths

Source: www.arcadja.com

Today was meant to be productive. I had an interview and tour of one of the portfolio schools that I'm considering. Last night, I'd made my list of other tasks and decided what outfit to wear--nothing too uptown, nothing too creative. I settled on creatively-uptown with a simple carnation pink skirt, tan shell, and canary yellow cardigan paired with my favorite leopard print wedge heels. I chose my favorite accessories, a sterling silver link bracelet and somewhat tarnished silver bubble necklace to tie it all together. And, my purple cat-eye glasses, of course. I thought it subtly screamed I'm serious but not too serious and I have a bit of style. Plus it's my day for walk-ins at retail stores again so I needed to also scream "Hey, I fit in at [INSERT STORE NAME].

Up at 7:10 A.M. As usual, the first thing I do; rain or shine, is open all the curtains. I open the door to the backyard for the dogs and shuffle to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. After fishing for a filter-the cabinet is barely tippy-toe reach and I'm too lazy to keep my only step ladder close. No, the step ladder is home base for the caddy holding my massive array of unused nail lacquers, varnishes and such. Creative laziness...but, I digress. 


While coffee is brewing, I do my usual face scrub and leave the cleanser on my face as usual. I'll rinse in the shower. I glance around the living room and realize none of the dogs have made the journey out into the semi-wet backyard and are perfectly content to laze in their various favorite spots. Coffee in one hand, unlit cigarette and lighter in my free hand, I step out onto the deck and partake. Daisy meanders out too, while Millie makes her way to the door, then decides better of the journey. This is how I started my day.

Out the Door & On My Way

One stop before I head to my interview... Local utility company to make arrangements on my upcoming bill for services. At this point, I still have no decision on collecting unemployment, so better to be ahead of the eight-ball, I think. Make my way inside and 30 minutes time, success. Now onto my interview.

After a rather uneventful drive through midtown and into SoBuc, I arrive at the school and meet with the director of admissions, Claire. Claire is pleasant and humorous. We get on well and I tell her my advertising life's story. I meet with a few others, talk dogs with one--if you know me, you know I'll take any chance I get to talk about them, and took "the" tour. At this point my decision comes down school and curriculum, since I'm already saying yes to portfolio school. I walked away feeling good about this new season. I know I wouldn't have easily made the choice by faith to drop a 9-5 and go back to school on my own. No, the choice was made for me... I just imagine the good Lord looking down and saying "Alright, child of mine, time to put up or shut up. I got you. Time to step out." 

I feel good about this new season.

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $330

I made my 3rd stop at the labor department to shore up some unclear details about my claim. After a short wait and some confusion as to which noted company was my last, I got the news. DENIED! A company that employed me for 8 days, one who was dishonest about the circumstances of their choice to sack me, has the power to keep me from collecting unemployment insurance. Not the company that employed me for a year-and-a-half, no... the one that will not remember me this time next year. There's an appeals process...A 6 week appeals process.

My good feeling about this new season just took a right uppercut to the jaw and a knee to the groin... 

Stepping out in faith seems a lot harder when your source of income is wrapped in hurdles erected by an obsessive, micro-managing, elitist troglodyte. Stepping out on faith seems a lot harder when you're told you have TOO much experience for an hourly wage job, despite the fact that one needs a job and Stewart Avenue is not on the short-list.  

Yes, stepping out in faith seems a lot harder. Much harder. But, it stands to reason that if I'm being called to step out on faith in this new season of learning, stepping out in faith also includes embracing, creatively accepting and overcoming these frightening Goliaths in my way. After all, it's the strength and wisdom you gain that makes the struggle bearable. Let go and let the multiverse. 

Got my slingshot loaded and ready...


Peace
~ Michelle Suzette

Canon EOS 7D 18.0MP Digital SLR Camera - Body Only - Digital SLR Cameras (Google Affiliate Ad)
Sony DSC-Hx200V 18.2Mp Digital Camera With 30X Optical Zoom - Black - Long Zoom Cameras (Google Affiliate Ad)
Nikon D3100 18-55mm VR Lens 14.0 MP Digital SLR D3100KITOM (Google Affiliate Ad)