On FAILING and Transcribing 101

Remember the list of places that I applied to? The ones where I left multiple copies of my resume in hopes of getting at least a part time?

Ha Ha Ha FAIL!

The only interview I had in the past month was the Reckless one, and clearly that resulted in me NOT working for them.

I mean, what did these retail places want from me??? Especially after they ask for resumes?? Also, how freaked out was I when I found out that Urban Outfitters was having a JOB FAIR?? A JOB FAIR??? YOU'RE URBAN OUTFITTERS!! I wasn't applying to any high level positions! I just want to stand at the entrance and just say "Welcome to Urban Outfitters" and fold overpriced t-shirts! WHY DO YOU NEED A JOB FAIR??

But yes...

I plan to reapplyto the museums in hopes that something will happen after September. I'm also still waiting for Nick's position at the reg to be available to apply for so I can FIGHT AND BEAT OTHER USELESS PEOPLE FOR IT.

Luckily I still have transcribing for me. Although I STILL need to finish these transcriptions, which are still not done due to 1)my schedule 2) my inability to stay awake one I get home at 6pm 3) my computer and all of its dying glories and 4) my perfectionist attitude towards the way the annotations should be done.

Which reminds me:
*If you're transcribing a speech, don't try to figure out what the speaker is saying during those seconds the whole audience is clapping. It's a lost cause. No one speaks loud enough to be understood over an auditorium of applause.
*If you're the one recording, for the love of god, don't play with the recording device. You'll get weird noises that drown out what's being said. So far I have audio that starts of with

Thank *THUMP* you all f*THUMP*or com*THUMP*ing

*Transcribing on a computer will make you cross-eyed and suffering from the worst case of I HATE EVERYONE and migraines this side of the Mississippi.

Reckless Records and Love is a Mixtape

So while I was having lunch with Victor today in the quads I get a phone call from a number I didn't recognize. Usually this meant telemarketers or something along those lines, but hey, I answer anyways.

Turns out, it was Reckless Records. With a open position.

So what I thought was going to be an annoying phone call became a PHONE INTERVIEW. ONE THAT I MANAGED TO SCREW UP. All because the guy on the other end decided to go straight to the "so what music do you listen to" question. What do I answer with??

mumblemumbleArtBrutmuble

I mean...REALLY, NATALIA?? Was that REALLY the most COHERENT thing to come out of my mouth as an answer?? While I love Art Brut, I couldn't think of any other bands in my collection?? Los Campesinos?? Fugazi?? The Pippettes?? Now this guy is going to think that I was desperate to sound cool.

So it's safe to say, that I'm not going to get hired by Reckless anytime soon.

However, to make up for this massive example of FAIL, Victor gave me Love is a Mixtape (in hardcover!) as a late birthday gift. I've been wanting this after reading the first chapter one day at Borders (hey, don't knock my methods. I've managed to read both Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey at Borders). I was going to start reading today...but I fell asleep after getting back from work...and woke up like now.

Also, I like how one of the samples for labels is "scooters."

Job Hunt Initiated

Let's think of my current employment situation. For the summer (at least) I'm working at the Joseph Regenstein Library Acquisitions department at UofC. I've had this job since arriving to campus in 2004, and the only reason why they haven't kicked me out right after graduation is because we're allowed one extra quarter of employment. So because of that, I'm in desparate need of a full-time position come September.

For full times, I've applied to:
*The Art Institute
*The Field Museum
*The Museum of Contemporary Art
*the...reg....

Ok, the reg is not a long term goal, but if I can't find work anywhere else, I would like to be able to work there at least. They wouldn't have to spend much time training me, since I'm already used to the software. Plus, I like to be able to have health insurance.

Besides, I've blown off Teach For America and Progressive Futures. I've already corrupted the youth of America through booze and other illegal acts. I shouldn't add TFA to my list. Plus Progressives Futures was paying less than my job at the reg.

Also a more pressing issue is the need for a part time job. The reg pays enough to live, but I'll need more wages to cover living in Chicago. I already have a side job transcribing for a PhD candidate, which pays well, but again I'll need to supplement that.

So in the area of part time, I've applied to:
*Reckless Records
*Hugo Boss
*Vosges Chocolate
*Lucky Jeans
*Georgio Armani
*Belmont Army
*Tulip
*Tabu Tabu
*Urban Outfitters

Yes it's all retail. Hey, I have minimal experience in retail working as a folder in JCPenny summer before junior year of high school. Funny enough, they ALL REQUIRED RESUMES!

So let's keep the time table in mind.
I have until NOW to find a part time.
I have until late September (or until Aaron and Martin DRAG me out of the department) to find a full time.

The Post UofC Life: 3 weeks later

This past Saturday, July 5, marked 3 weeks after I graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Anthropology. Right now, I'm sitting in my new apartment in Bridgeport (an area in Chicago next to the White Sox Stadium), listening Devandra Banhart and drinking Goose Island. Michael, one of my new roommates, is washing dishes a few feet away from me, while Vanya the cat just sits and watches (without the usual yowling!). Life wise, however, is not so easy and mellow. How did I get here?

Let's go back a little more than four years ago.

When I graduated Downey High School in 2004, I was in the top 4% of my class. I had a GPA above 4.0, plus extracurriculars up the ass. I was to go to the University of Chicago, graduate, then go to Veterinary Medical school to become a vet. It was all planned out.

Oh how naive was I.

Instead, I realized 1) how much I hated chemistry 2) how horrible I was at math 3) how extremely lazy I am when it came to general studying 4) how panicky I became in general. So I diverted from the bio to the anthro (after dabbling a bit in history), and instead of getting ready for vet school, I'm on the job hunt, with the possibility of flirting with grad school in museum sciences.

Back to now now.

So yeah. Here I am. In the pending need of a job. Problem is no one wants to hire anyone with a degree in Anthropology. May it be from the UofC, but I just pretty much set up a hipster image for myself when I add on that field (there will be another entry on my denial of hipster member ship in the future). It's pretty much useless. Except for museums (which is my ultimate #1 goal!).

And that's when this blog comes in.

I decided to create this blog for a few reasons.
*It was alot easier than having to repeat my employment status over and over.
*It will help me keep track of all the places I've applied to.
*This is easier for people not in Chicago (specifically Juanita and Camilo) to keep up with my life
*Out of the old apartment at the Plaza, I am the second to last one to start a blog (I bet Max won't start one, but whatever).

So without further ado, let the good times roll.