Moral: Just Keep Going

The night before Thanksgiving my boss laid me off via email. The company had to close its doors for the holidays. Lovely. Happy turkey day to you too *****.

I’m now freelancing, which I do love. I've made some great connections here in San Diego and I'll continue to network. There are ups: I have a flexible schedule and I get to work from anywhere. There are downs: I have to pay for benefits and the money I earn isn’t guaranteed to show up every two weeks.

I’ve started to look into some alternative job options to steady my income such as bartending, babysitting and retail sales*.

*In 1999, Banana Republic on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont was lucky to have me.

Most recently I saw that BCBG was having an open house to fill several sales positions. The ad read “Open House Interviews Wednesday, February 8^th from 2-6pm”.

It was marked on my calendar for 2 weeks. I wasn’t gonna miss this one and most of you probably understand why I could really love this gig.

I started following their Facebook and Twitter feeds more closely researching the new trends so I could be thoroughly prepared. Memories would flash through my mind of the great times I had in my very own BCBG purchases. Their shoes ARE the most comfortable, no doubt. I was finally going to get the chance to gush and make a nice commission - utopia.

Tuesday, the day before the interview, was here. It was time to pick out the interview outfit.  Lot’s of poppy red, bright yellow and rich coral flooded their website so that’s just what I picked out. It was lookin' good.

I take job-hunting very seriously.  Later that day, in between networking for more freelance and working on current projects, I crafted a custom resume for the BCBG interview. It took about an hour or so. I was sure to include snapshots of my life in my favorite BCBG dresses… after all I needed a little extra somethin-somethin to make up for the fact that I have a 12 year gap in my retail experience. I drove to Office Depot, printed 3 copies and headed home to make a nice Caesar salad with grilled shrimp. 

Left: Maggie in BCBG (Chicago, IL)  Right: Maggie in BCBG (Owasco, NY)

Ben and I enjoyed our dinner together and at 9:03pm we were snuggled on the couch. It was the night before my big debut, I was ready. Ben flipped through the channel guide and I reached for the fresh Manhattan I just poured and sunk deep into the couch. Best night ever.

As I peered above the glass at the TV I suddenly felt something hard floating around my mouth… just so happens it was my tooth. 

My. Tooth. Fell. OUT.

Top row, five over. Gone. Hole.

(About 3 years ago I had a root canal and crown on this tooth and it just didn’t hold.  I’ve always had shitty teeth; it is what it is. BUT COME ON!)

I spit the tooth into my hand and ran to the bathroom to investigate. It was true. I cried. Who am I kidding? I was absolutely hysterical. Panic is never pretty.

We went to bed.

The next morning, a little depressed, swollen and foggy from crying, I took a poll on Facebook to find a good dentist recommendation. By 11am I was in a dentist chair having my tooth evaluated. They cemented that sucker back on and by noon I was headed home to change for my big interview. BCBG here I come!

I made my way through the large outdoor mall in my highest heels with my awesome resume in hand. My eyeballs still felt like they were bleeding and my gums were throbbing but I stood tall, put my game face on and I walked in toward the woman behind the counter. 

Maggie:     “Hi! I’m here for the open house.” (Smiling)

Associate:     “ Ok, just fill out this application.”

Maggie:     “Absolutely!“ (With a bigger smile)

           

I went out into the courtyard and filled out the application referencing my custom made resume every few lines. When finished, I headed back.

Maggie:     “All set!” (With a big smile)

Associate:     “Great, thanks.”

She takes the application and puts it in a folder.

Maggie:  “Is there somewhere I should wait?” (Still smiling)

Associate:  “Wait for what?”

Now I’m really confused.

Maggie:  “For the interviews?” (I imagine my brows may have been furrowed at this point but I can't clearly remember because of the dizzy confusion I was experiencing.)

Associate:  “Oh we’re just collecting applications. There are no interviews.”

(What the… You mean to tell me…)     

                              

             Maggie:  “Um, ok. I must have misread the listing." 

I was hoping that would trigger some sort of explanation. It didn't.

         

Maggie:  "Well then, I would like to submit my resume with that application.” 

It took everything I had left in me but I smiled big and I handed her my sparkling resume. Without so much as one glance she shoved it in the folder with the others. I picked my jaw up off of the counter and I walked out of that store a little slower and a little shorter. My eyes were still sore, my tooth still throbbing and I was mentally limp.

            

I sauntered back to my car, drove home, kicked off my shoes and sat down in front of the computer once again. "Part-time bartender needed asap in Little Italy" 

I'm on it. I got this one!