I went to the airport this morning to turn in some long-overdue medical paperwork. I went there anxious & rather happy. I left feeling some depression, resentment, and yet in glee, knowing I'm not missing much over there, and might be better off without that job, now more than ever... even with Michigan's economy continuing to take a tumble.
I didn't recognize half the staff that was there. And the half I did recognize took their sarcasm routines to a new level in which I only wished I could have dropped the paperwork off and did away with the socializing. Nine weeks away have shown me the bad attitudes I was working with, and they stick out like a sore foot the more I'm not there. If they're in misery, perhaps they deserve it.
No one knows to this point how much more therapy is needed for my back and waist nerve, and no one knows how long the worker's compensation will last. If in fact it runs out on me soon, I do have a safety net in place: a possibility of two jobs waiting for me. Combined, they can earn me more than the airport ever gave me.
The immediate hope is as a taxi dispatcher in Romulus. I have experience as a dispatcher in 1999-2000, and I did enjoy it with the exception of the hard-nosed boss. On one of the early April cab rides from the clinic, I struck up a conversation with Karl, an older driver. Turns out he's the father of one of the new company owners. He asked me then if I wanted a job; repeating the request later in the month when I needed the service to attend a funeral. I said sure, keep me in mind. He took my number and I thought nothing of it, until he made some calls to me within the last week.
Apparently they like the way I conduct myself with others; a value I have held dear since childhood. They are on the lookout for dispatchers as they move to a new building. I'm not crazy for the hours, since they are night hours, but it might be a good start.
Then my friend Jackie alerted me to a job in my career field at last: a videographer for weddings and such. Just think - a possible $200 per night doing what I specialize in. Now there's the salary that the field demands! I have had to put the call to the lady on hold until I found out about my transportation situation, which is technically good now. This week, I will be putting in a call just to test the waters.
Money is nice, but happiness is the most important. Should a person enjoy what they do for a living? I believe the answer is yes, and I hope I can be one of those yes-men in due time.
