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>Who didn’t feel the quake today? Well, maybe those who weren’t within a 100 mile radius of Chino Hills.

I was at home (for once) rearranging my closet (another activity that occurs once in a blue moon). My first take was — “That feels like a giant big rig hauling by!” But I knew better, especially since my parents house is on those “frames” that hold the house about 1 foot above ground to absorb any swaying or shock the house might endure.

It was a jolt and a roll, then a bigger jolt then a wave. I immediately turned on my TV as I went to grab the house phone to dial my mom at work.

“Folks, we just experienced an earthquake,” says a very intelligent and observant news broadcaster.

I dial and my aunt picks up. I ask for my mom and she sounds fine. Half way through our convo the phone dies. I figure I should go back to the news for some….news, sorta.

Its so strange to me that most news programs feel that they are exclusively delivering late breaking news. Fires, floods, earthquakes, car chases — you name it. What’s worse is how nearly every channel is showing the same image with vaguely familiar dialogue. I mean seriously, how many different questions and answers can you air of an earthquake that just occurred?

Reporter: Where were you and what did it feel like?
Witness: It was like a shaking and then a rolling.
Reporter: How long did it last?
Witness: 15-20 seconds
Reporter: What did it feel like after that?
Witness: Nothing.
Reporter: And there you have it folks Quake ’08.

This ridiculousness goes on for the next 2 hours on each channel. Same questions, same obvious responses. What I love is the shots in stores with items toppled over or teetering on shelves. Like what else would happen after an earthquake?

>No interviews today. After the marathon yesterday, I needed a break.

I got a chance to sleep in and relax — which is always welcomed and much needed.
I had nothing planned for today except to attend the OC ADclub event in the evening. It was held at the Buddy Group which had a campy theme — literally. http://www.thebuddygroup.com/

It was informal and kind of not what I was expecting. However, customary to my previous Adclub attendances, after I make my one contact I’m outtie. Unless its super fun and I know people. Which, yes, is actually the whole point of a networking mixer — but again, I got my one and I was happy.

>The hunt is on. 3 interviews, 1 day. It was exhausting but a much needed change of pace.

The first interview was in Lake Forest and it went unbelievably well! Well, let me back up a bit. Lake Forest is far. Maybe not for most. Maybe not even realistically far. But for me, with every freeway on ramp, merge, exit and turn means more changes to get lost. (Side note: my gas tank depletes rapidly not because I drive a lot or I’ve got a far commute — its spent on U-turns.)

So anyways, it’s a great company — from the little research I’ve done so far. My first impression of the office and location was equally pleasing. I arrived at the office early and was happily greeted by the receptionist. Very cordial and attentive. I waited only 5 minutes before the interviewer popped her head out and welcomed me in her office. By the way, another plus — its a Marketing/HR position!

Fast forward to the interview. The questions and answers flew left and right in a very casual conversation style. She asked me to describe the work I did at my previous employment. Blah, marketing software and blah supporting sales team, blah. Well, of course I didn’t say it like that. She was very interested in what I was telling her. She said that’s basically what this position I was interviewing called for! Great. The salary is decent — no nearly as much as my last job I left, but it seemed like a much more chill environment. Not to say anything bad about my last job, but I seriously think that salary and stress are directly related.

The interview was over and I had a really good feel about this one, but I had 2 more to go to before the day’s over — so I didn’t want to fall in love too fast.

Interview 2 wasn’t really an interview. I’ve been applying to everything (see previous post) and this position I was applying for was an education outreach assistant. With actually was kind of misleading. It was basic clerical position that I knew I was overqualified for, but I applied and went to the interview anyway. But I was pleasantly surprised of what happened during the interview. He was straight up with me. Said he felt I was way overqualified and hesitated to bring me in for the interview — but he wanted to fair and lay it out like it was if I still wanted to continue with the questions. Needless to say, I took his influence into consideration and thanked him for his tact, honesty and fairness. Thankfully the office was 10 mins away from home, otherwise I would have been pissed to drive 30 mins just to walk out of there without an opportunity.

Interview 3 is a whole ‘nother story. Office was located in Tustin. It was just a weird experience. I can’t even explain it. I don’t even know what the company did, I do know that it looked like an office suite that could be packed up and disappear within minutes. Not an very easy feeling…

>So its been awhile since I sat down to write out my thoughts and I figured why not do it tonight on the eve of my being unemployed for one month straight.

This has never happened before — not having a source of income, co-workers or hour lunch breaks. I’m too antsy, too ambitious, too driven to let this happen — but it did. Now, I didn’t think it would take this long to actually get calls for interviews since I began browsing craigslist, hotjobs, monster and careerbuilder for jobs.

I only started getting calls last week and these calls were actual companies and not agencies. Which was a relief considering the extreme enthusiasm then infinite let down in in split seconds while dealing with agencies when another resume comes through the email with a slightly lower salary requirement or better qualifications. With this in mind I figured, why not do something I enjoy. Chasing the money isn’t all that hot to me anymore. It never really was.

I applied at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport beach for $8.50/hr. That’s wage is barely eeking by poverty level — simply devastating, but it’ll be a job I’ll be happy to wake up in the morning for. I have my second interview sometime next week.

Stay tuned…