Working Girl

I was so desperate for money that I actually thought about becoming a stripper.
Okay, maybe I didn't think about it for that long but the idea did cross my mind.
I’ve been unemployed for a year as of January 1^st and it isn't like I haven't tried to get a job. I applied to several jobs every day. Out of that I got one interview a while back. It was actually for a job I really wanted, as an Office Manager for a historic small theater company in the West Village. I even got a second interview and then it came down to me and one other person. Well, obviously I didn't get it. Of course.
So a few months later I found myself working part-time at my school (I'm going for my second masters, this time in Educational Theatre) as the attendant for the Computer Lab. I was there for two months before I quit. It paid practically nothing, was boring as hell and it took me 3 hours travel round trip. Not only that but I couldn't believe the behavior of my fellow college students. One guy came running in and started tapping on the keys of all the computer, then huffed his way over to me and angrily said "Do any of these computers work!?" I smiled back at him politely and responded with " Yes. All of them, but you have to turn them on first." So much nonsense! And then they fought over printers and paper and “Excuse me where is the on button to the computer?” (This was the Education Department. These people will be teachers, responsible for shaping the minds of our future leaders. I found it all so depressing, so I left.)
I tried to get back on unemployment but the Lady who got to decide if I go on it again told me I shouldn’t be turning down any job and take anything offered to me at this point. Anything? Why do I have a Masters Degree with tones of experience to take anything I can get? Where did all those cushy jobs, with no real responsibilities go?
So, just when things were getting really bad my friend asked me (out of the blue) if I wanted to work for her. It's a lot of data input, really boring stuff she tells me. Like I care? I was just considering taking my clothes off for some money. Like Gary Coleman I even went online and sold my possessions on EBay. Unlike Gary Coleman, I'm not a morbidly fascinating freak show and didn't sell a darn thing.
So, I started this week at the Commercial Real Estate Office. It is boring work but you know what? I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I get to put on big girl clothes again, go to an office everyday, fight fellow commuters for the last seat on the train, over eat at my desk, have way too much candy, listen to office gossip, have my friends as my boss and most importantly… make a normal salary! (But it’s only temporary. That’s how they get you.)
I always thought 'No, I want to be starving artist and live in NYC!' But listen to me when I say that is horseshit! Soooo overly romanticized. First of all, I live in Brooklyn, not Williamsburg or Park Slope Brooklyn but way out in BFUSA Brooklyn. And for the record, no one can live without money, and there is nothing good about having to owe every one, while dreaming of all the artistic things you want to do but can't because you don't have any extra mullah and when you do earn it you know you don’t get to keep a single dime. Well let’s see how long I can stretch this temp job money. Although, there is an Off Track Betting store by me... hmm