Friday Five

Where do you currently work?
I work at the Dickson Stree Bookshop, a used and out-of-print book store in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I'm pretty sure my official title is 'book elf' (cool).

How many other jobs have you had and where?
Memory is counting 8 others before this one. I worked at E-Z Mart, Natural Wonders, Mr. Burger and Auntie Anne's since moving to Arkansas, The Nature Company, Imaginarium, St. Mary's College of Maryland and MaryPIRG before that.

What do you like best about your job?
Ooooh, that's pretty hard. There are so many things I like about this job, but if I could sum it all up in a phrase, it would have to be the unconventional, personable atmosphere in which I work. This is a wonderful little microcosm where people still matter, and we all are pretty accepting of each other's personal quirks and baubles. I've never felt so comfortable with my fellow employees, or bosss for that matter.

What do you like least about your job?
Hmm. This is being pretty selfish, but the only beef with my job so far is that it's very hard to get time off, so I can't travel as much as I would like to. Beyond that, everything is groovy.

What is your dream job?
My knee-jerk reaction is to say 'writer,' but thinking a bit more on it I would love to be a professional storyteller in any kind of capacity, whether that be singing, or acting, or writing, or directing, or teaching, or painting, or whatever. Telling stories, keeping myth and legend alive, making sure that imagination and the idea of wonder remain intact is what I live for. I'm very fortunate because my dream 'job' is something I can do anywhere, at any time. I need to brush up on a lot of skills before I can make a proper run at it, though.

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Oh Crap

Hey there, all...

Just when I thought I could avoid it forever, two letters were waiting for me when I came home from work (and an excellent sub) today. Who are they from? The US Department of Education. *insert horror noise here*

Of course, they made it sound a lot scarier than it really is: you owe us $4,901, so give it to us *right* now or...or...we're really going to complain about it! The amount is even much smaller than I thought it would be; I thought I owed something in the five-digit range, at least. So this? This is like being raped with only *one* fist.

I figure that I could have the entire thing paid off in 4 years if I pay $102.11 a month...that is, if they're not charging interest rates or anything on it. If they are, the rates are pretty low so it shouldn't double the payment or anything stupid like that. Hopefully, they'll be reasonable and calm when I call them up on Monday; they *can* take my tax refund if I don't get this cleared up soon.

All in all, it's not so bad really. My one regret is that I actually got more out of that money than just two really awful years of college before I was ready for it. I've been thinking about going back to school now, but there's no way I'd go to the University of Arkansas if I did. It's more like a football and basketball team with a Sam Walton School of Business attached to it. If I did go back, it would have to be to my beloved St. Mary's College of Maryland or a similarly left-leaning liberal arts college. St. Mary's was a beautiful campus when I was there, and I very much took it for granted while I was there. I really do miss the place and the people there.

Never thought something like a threatening 'give us war money' letter from the government would make me sentimental. I must need sleep badly.