jack frost's underpants

seattle, wa

biblical rain proportions rain has given way to slushy snow. driving up the 5 was a new experience, couldn’t tell where the road was so i was just looking at the tracks ahead me. there were numerous casualtys along the roadside. have a nagging suspicion that seattlites aren't so adept at navagating jack frost's wonderland. it got a little dodgy in the higher elevations, i slipped around a couple of times. can’t say i’ve had much experience driving in the snow either. it felt a bit like i was trucking through outer space.
at first it was novel, a bit like a bing crosby white christmas, never mind having to drive anywhere in it. i myself have a pretty lengthy commute through it. it was a bit surreal to be listening to fresh air and suddenly notice an onslaught of snowflakes against my windsheild. snow probably appears to be magical to children, but i’m sometimes terrified by losing control and hitting the wall. this morning was quite nice actually, the sun was out drying up all the loose pockets of resistance around the base, but by midday i noticed the flakes falling on the skywindow.
anyhow, winter has definately hit seattle. let's hope it lets up a little. `

reversal of fortune

Ft. Lewis, WA,11/02/06

Here I am
I'm back on my feet again

It’s truly amazing how quickly life can change, especially if you note how depressed I was on the last dispatch. Just a week ago, I was stressing out over being in the northwest. My prospects seemed rather dim and nothing was coming through. Somehow I've always maintained faith that something good was going to happen. Even though I have been working really hard at some really menial tasks, I always tell myself that now is not forever.
The morning I had my second interview, I noticed the clock said 4:56, which is perfect allignment, cause you can't have 5:67 now can you?
I drove down to Ft. Lewis on Monday, not determined to get a job, but the lead appreciated my initiative. We gabbed a bit at Starbucks, then it was in the bag. Hard to believe.
I thought that I gave a decent first interview, but I always think that. Perhaps I come off as haughty, when I'm really just being honest. I notice the lower down you go, the less frankness is appreciated.
The HR person must've really been struck with my background and skillset. I drove down on Monday and met the manager and the following day I signed my offer letter. I kept looking over my shoulder thinking "are you guys sure you want me"? I don't know why I always suspect that something really awful is about to happen. Things like this don't happen to me and yet I figure I'm as deserving as anyone really. I went round shook hands, admired the view of the chilly sound while sipping stale coffee.
Now I am working for a cyber camp on a military base, one hour south of seattle. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d get this position either. Here I am, with my badge and new life. It’ll be a good opportunity. There’s certainly a lot I can learn here. It's strange how I keep gravitating back to the government jobs.
I was busting my ass for the past couple of weeks. Fortunately, my education is starting to pay off. For a while there I was starting to wonder what I went to school for. It’s ironic that none of the low-end jobs have bothered getting in contact with me now. I probably would have settled for something really beneath me just to stay afloat. I know it's a gift, I don't need to be reminded what it's like out there.
Now I'm faced with finishing off my menial jobs this coming week. Part of me wants to do some demolition art projects, or tell my last boss to go fuck himself. I left some interesting artwork in the breakroom at the bodies exhibit. Will be glad to not have to look at that anymore.
Today, on my way to work I heard a song by The Babys called "I'm Back On My Feet Again", which I haven't heard since I was quite young. What's it all mean? Anyways, it just goes to show you, you never know what is going to happen next.