I went up to Kentish Town last night to find out more about volunteering for London Open House. The people there seem really great and I hope to start working soon. The director was already trying to talk me out of becoming an architect, and with the 7 (YES SEVEN) years it takes to become qualified in this country, it does seem a bit daunting. I took home a guide from last year's event and was amused to find out that this cool building that I jog by every other day and peek into, enviously wondering who works in it and what they do, is the studios and HQ of none other than Foster & Partners! Now if only I could work there not only would that be a dream come true, but a dream that is within walking distance from my flat. heh.
The Self Winding Clock Co, New York
Time Piece above the platform at Kentishtown Tube Station
Time is running out. It was my birthday on Tuesday. (If you want to know how old I am, I was born the same year as Speedo of RFTC, so listen to this and do the math, hey, I'm not going to make it easy.) It was just sort of a depressing event. I bought myself cake and flowers and deliberately put off doing the dishes (although now there is a huge pile) to make it a festive occasion, but it didn’t work too well. I am just not in a good position right now, being an outsider in a strange country, not having any money, any job, any purpose, any anything. I'm thinking of selling my ultra-hip puma roller skates on eBay so I can fund a much needed pair or running shoes. (Anyone interested, drop me a line, they have only been worn twice!)
I could go on and on about my work and work-related dilemmas, but it would be a bore. I often think if I wanted to do something more selfless, something with more of a social conscience like teaching or law enforcement, social work or medical care, that motivation would materialize and doubt would evaporate. But I just can't get excited about such stuff. So, I'm curious, I'm going to ask you: What do you do for a living? And, more importantly, is it what you WANT to do? If not, what? I anxiously await your replies.
here's my comment. i'm a receptionist. it's no great job, in fact, it's scarily similar to your description of a HELL job. it's boring, redundant, i'm chained to my desk, i do the shit work that other people get the money and credit for. want to know something weird though? i don't hate it, at all. i kinda like it! it's soothing. it's dependable. the people i work with are mostly intelligent. i have a crush on one of my bosses and he's very nice to me. i get to schedule my work and priorities for the most part because i am limited in my ability to run errands and go about the office so i get all the odd jobs that usually don't have much of a deadline. at the same time, i have that damned ringing phone to answer and have to smile at every jerky who walks by.. but that mainly keeps me on my toes. i have done jobs that were a lot more work and paid a lot less. i get paid pretty well, have great benefits and i get a lot of time to myself to read, doodle, pay my bills, organize and plan my life, research stuff online. it's pretty great!
i won't be at this forever. i am taking a program for graphic design and hopefully at some point i will work in a cool, creative environment instead of a stuffy consultant office but for now it's fine. i'd say mainly because i am still so relieved to be employed. the eight months i was unemployed was possibly the worst period of my recent life. easily my worst time since i've lived in california since 1994.
today i was just thinking, "i bet i could go visit shannon in a few months." crummy office job makes that possible.