In search of some extra work…

I’m looking for extra work.

Not a replacement job; I love mine. Nor is this a blatant attempt to get my boss to give me a raise. Far from it—he has said if he could, he would. Simple truth is that I make an Indiana paycheck, but live in Oregon…and Oregon is simply more expensive. The sad reality is I need about $500-$600 more a month, to cover things like rent. And food.

See, the missus and I have been living with her folks since we moved from Indiana some 3½ years ago. Now, they’re looking at wanting to fix the place up and sell it, so they can move into something smaller with less gardening to do. I can’t blame them, though I think their timing’s juuuuuust a bit off. However…it’s their house. And right now, a mortgage isn’t looking too appealing. Something about an unstable economy.

So, I’m looking at retail work, about 16-20 hours a week. At Oregon’s minimum wage.

The problem is, I have a lot of education, and am working on more, and the fact that I’m 43 isn’t helping. (One company asked the question about extra-curricular activities while in high school. For a guy who’s looking at his 25 year high school reunion this year, that’s a bit silly to be asking, I think.) I know what many retailers are looking for: bright, good looking 20somethings that won’t argue with a manager 8 years my junior who has a BA in Political Science who is frustrated that some kid wants her job and might just get it because the Regional super, who started with the company as a clerk in high school and never went to college (or dropped out), would be willing to give it to him because he (the 20something) is a guy and she’s not. Who needs a 43 year old with 2 doctorates and working on a third to come in and try to take everything over? After all, the more education, the more top brass is likely to promote you.

Which, like I said, is not what I want. I already have a job I like.

All I want is 16-20 hours a week at Oregon’s minimum wage…$7.95 an hour. (Or, barring that, a winning lottery ticket. Or about $16,500, to pay off enough debt so I won’t need to work outside my other job, which I really do like.)

**sighs**

I’ll let you all know—all 30-odd of you who actually read my blog—how it’s going.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Enough for now.

(posted 3/24/08)