Dear all,

Am not dead, but due to (insert worst expletives you can imagine) incompetence of employers, the telephone in my company-owned flat has now been cut off. Thus my delirious re-entry into the world of the 'net-having has been summarily curtailed.

I am very, very, very very angry about this.Very angry. Right now I could really do with talking to people, and I'm buggered.

I hate my employers. Lots. Although I'm still enjoying the job v. much.

Anyway - not dead. Would appreciate any 'net-having-ma y'all can spare.

So, it's an idea that's been cavorting in my brainstem for a while: check out the old company I left due to the laying off the sales staff, see if they're still around, see if it's something I might want to go back to. Well, they're still around and thriving, still run by the same man who is apparently doing something right despite having great cluelessness about the functioning of the world outside Utah. Today being my day off, I thought, "Go in, Connie, see if they're hiring. See what they're paying, check the benefits, all they can say is, 'Sorry, we're full up, but check back in a few months.'"

In I walk. The receptionist says "We're going to be hiring in a few weeks, I know. Starting wage is $8.00 an hour." Damn, I think to myself, I cannot afford another dollar-an-hour paycut, oh well--then what do I see to my left but John, the president of the company, who's looking at me like, "It's Connie--isn't it? Could it be?" And the first words out of his mouth are "Are you thinking of coming back?" I admit the thought is crossing my mind. We chat, and someone else I remember comes over. John says, "Trevor, look who's here, it's Connie." Trevor: "Is she going to come back?"

Yes, not unlike the Prodigal Son, the idea of my returning to the fold made them smile. Trevor, being in charge of hiring, sat down with me to go over the details. "You were making, what, ten something an hour when you left?" Me, thinking of the $9.14 an hour I'm pulling in, says, "Something like that." "We could start you at $10 an hour, if that's OK." Me: "I think that would work." "When can you start?"

So, yes, my brethren and sistren, I am the possessor of a brand new job, which doesn't involve phones and angry people but the card catalogs of prestigious international research libraries. Intricate subject headings spanning centuries and continents, in unknown languages, covering obscure subjects. Yes, once again, my knowledge of minor saints, the parts of armor, and the names of cities as they were known in the 12th century will be useful, as well as my knowledge of the guts of computers. And not one telephone headset will be involved!

The catch (you knew there was one): Health insurance will not kick in until three months after hire. They have lots of turn-over (people think that because it's data entry it must be work where you can coast your brain), and John hates setting up people with insurance only to have to un-set them. If I go for more than sixty days without insurance, everything Hubby's been going through will be ruled pre-existing and not be covered for two and a half years. So I need to find something supplementary for one month that won't bankrupt us. Or, maybe (please, goddess) the new company will make an exception. It's a small company, and I was with them for ten years, multiple corporate structures, and two near-goings-out-of-business. It's a thought I shall drop in their ears tomorrow when I call them up and say, "Yes, I want that job."

Gosh.

So I need to find something supplementary for one month that won't bankrupt us.

Since you're in Utah, check out IHC. Also, tell them that you'd like them, since they know you, to bridge your eligibility date. It seems like they're hot to have you, so ask if they can please pretty please do it for you.

already on IHC, we have talked to them, time frame is too short for supplemental through them. Going to investigate COBRA, beg the company to be nice. But thank you.

On a different note, I can't remember who-all wanted to know when I'm performing again, so here ya have it, soon dates:

This Saturday night, Jan 24 at midnight(ish), at Apex! (20something and P NW, near Dupont)--I'll be performing as a girl (with a couple kings), shockingly! I think the cover is $7, it's a dance club.

and

Wednesday, February 4th, at Chaos (17th and Q NW), 10pm (as a drag king) ($3 cover goes to your first drink, show is usually over around 11:30, there's dancing after)

All are welcome....

Please send me some more jobma for the second step from the jobma you sent me about two weeks ago around 5 pm Eastern time.

I was wondering if there might be some LAista willing to offer a bit of hospitality to a travelling Buffista the weekend of Feb 21st? I bring gifts for hosts, am somewhat quiet, don't take up much space, I'm rather like a sea monkey, except you don't have to worry about the cat swallowing me, unless it's extremely large and feral - then all I ask is the loan of a taser.

I had a job pre-interview with a woman at a contract house wishing to present 6 people to a hospital helpdesk for 3 job openings. It will be a 10 month contract as helpdesk.

Next week, if the hospital likes what they get from this woman, I will be interviewing in front of a panel of hospital helpdesk personae.

Wish me selection-ma and interview-ma that I get the call and get through the interviews.

Meanwhile, the contract house discussion was supposed to be a short 15-minute pre-screen and turned into an hour of chatting and discussion and basic geek talk. I'm assuming that's a good thing.

If I could request some -ma - life-ma, I guess - for a dear friend of mine who has found herself in a situation that she needs to extricate herself from, though part of her doesn't want to have to.

I don't want to go into details, as I promised I wouldn't say anything to anyone about this. I know, I know - semi-to-wholey-anonymous internet board, but a promise is a promise.

Thanks, and -ma for anyone out there who needs it from me.

Buffistas, I owe you an apology. I have joy that I have failed to share with you, joy that is partially a result of -ma that you have shared.

It is my joy to inform you that Jacob Treebeard, my friend's infant boy, is home from the hospital, with full recovery from his infection. They still don't know (will never know) what the problem actually was. But they did not have to do terrible invasive surgeries, they did not have to transplant bone marrow, or really anything drastic at all. But he has recovered from his life-threatening illness, and is happily at home. We, of course, are praying for his continued health.

Thank you for your prayers and vibes. They do make a difference.