Storming the Castle

My job search continues. I have long been a member of three job/resume sites. I actively visit them every day despite having activated email alerts regarding possible job matches. I am also exploring the Canadian Job Bank site and Craigslist.com. The process is very time consuming and, in its own way, exhausting. It seems every couple of days or so I find a couple of new positions to apply for. Those days are good ones. I can only hope that an employment agency or company emails or calls me regarding a position they feel might be suitable.

I am also signed up with a recruitment agency. I don't hear from them often but every once and a while my phone rings and they check in with me. My partner tells me that a very knowledgeable contact of his, who worked in this field, states that recruiting firms drop like flies during recessions. I can believe it. At the very least I am impressed by the phone calls I am getting by "my" recruiter, even if she hasn't found an appropriate job for me.

Navigating through the job sites isn't rocket science or particularly original but it still has to be done. One has to work as many angles as possible. My creativity in the process seems to be growing. One can only look unsuccessfully (depending on how one chooses to perceive it) through job listings so long (not that long actually) before they start thinking about how to work it a different way. I am enjoying this part. I won't elaborate the details but the research angles are endless. One has to make it all as interesting as possible if not fun. I might as well learn something more than I know about the process. I've always had fun learning, so...

A largely depressing situation occurred with two resumes submitted, where, during the process I found that both companies required the candidate to be either a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. I am neither but do have a valid Canadian work permit. It's heartbreaking because the positions were ideal for my skill set and interests. Argh!

I've written previously about the notorious difficulty of finding first employment for new Canadian immigrants. Both Eric and I understood this when we made the decision to move here. This would be a great place to mention that I am not regretting that decision. Not. At. All. Canada is amazing and Toronto is a great city. The only piece that is missing is employment. Life is good. Challenges abound but they are those that opportunity created. I can't complain.

Perhaps this post has become "train of thought." Choo! Choo! Or a string of non-sequiturs. Or perhaps it's just ending that way. LOL ...But it is very stressful to not have active employment for an extended length of time. In the past I have watched friends and family physically and mentally break down during a lengthy bout of unemployment and its accompanying job search. For various reasons I have never had this experience. I have never had to work hard to gain employment. I have not suffered physically but definitely notice the mental effects. I joined a gym as a healthy outlet to my frustration. It's just a matter of time before I look to become a barista at Starbucks. I love coffee and it's an honest buck. Hopefully I don't need to be a permanent resident.

"Lights, camera, guest list...just do your best darling"

Last week I took the opportunity presented to me by my sister-in-law to work as a production assistant on a two day corporate event her company was producing here in Toronto. The show was a "sales kick off" simultaneously broadcast by satellite between five cities: San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Toronto and Dublin. Lights, cameras, screens and a stage were all set up so company big wigs could interact in real-time with the sales people in all the cities. The Imperial Ball Room at the Fairmont Hotel was the site location in Toronto. Approximately two hundred people attended though much larger groups could be seen in several other cities. I worked alongside a dozen or so "techies" and was basically paid to be an extra two hands (and mind, as it turned out) for the on-site director.

The job met almost all of my expectations. I retrieved coffee and food for the director and some of the crew. I waited around and played on my iPhone. I stood on-stage and assisted with the sound and video check. I waited around some more - thank god for smart phones. I helped to acquire the internet connection needed for two laptops and a video conferencing unit being utilized to run the event. I even got to trouble-shoot those connections when they failed to meet the mandatory specifications. 

I am glad for the computer/IT background knowledge I had. Thanks to very knowledgeable friends, a partner replete with IT background and my own moxie over the years, I have probably accumulated more than your average Joe's amount of computer knowledge. I can only say, "thank goodness." I was not clueless. At least I understood the basics needed to achieve the results. Despite clearly being the least qualified person for the task considering those around me, I managed to successfully communicate with several off-site IT experts and coordinate one very long conference call. All but one of the issues was resolved in the end. We had done all we could. Despite our lack of success on that one point, the situation ended in a strangely satisfying way.

It was not hard work. It was actually very easy money. I am not sure "crucial" is the correct word for a PA but there were obvious unexpected moments the director needed an extra set of hands.  I had a good time despite the boredom of sitting around. The crew and site director were all very easy going and friendly. There were one or two moments of intensity but otherwise the show went smoothly. They all clearly know their jobs. And now I have a handle on what is going on - the flow and atmosphere. It was a good experience.

Update of Sorts

Our lives in Toronto this February have been good. Work has taken Eric away and back for a couple of weeks now. I won't be seeing much of him until, I think, the second week in March. He returns on weekends which makes for rather lonely work weeks here on Oriole Parkway - just me and Caesar the cat. I can't really complain. He has a very stable job with a company that is doing well considering the world economic crisis. Every week I have a relative or friend in the states ask me how Canada is fairing. "Better than many countries," I say. While none have been personally affected, friends of mine here in T.O. have spoken of concerns regarding staff lay-offs at the companies were they work. The U.S. lost approximately 600,000. jobs this last January. Can anyone imagine the entire population of a city losing their jobs in a months time? How 'bout next month? 

I continue to pursue employment. I am sure that like everyone else in my position I regularly visit several job/resume web sites. I receive updates on saved searches from those that provide them. I scour Craigslist job ads regularly. I have to admit I have never, ever worked this hard to find a job. I find the frustration building and manifesting into unfocused anger. It's interesting. So far. Nothing my partner has had to deal with but when I speak of it he becomes concerned. He does not generally know me as an angry person. To deal with this negative energy, this week I joined a gym. It feels good. I've become more my normal self. 

My sister-in-law has hired me for two days this coming week. The company she works for does gigs all over North America and Europe. They have a show here in Toronto and I am to be a production assistant. She is wonderful to think of me. I am happy to accept. 

The rest of the week I will continue my job search. I am going to try something different but I am not sure how that will manifest itself. 

And I will keep going to the gym. 

February 06, 2009

A wonderful hand-made holiday decoration made by my friend, Steven.

Ah! Found Photos!

Fortuitously found photos of my friends; John, and his husband, Steven - taken this last New Years 2009. It was wonderful hosting you guys here in Toronto. Eric and I look forward to our next visit with you both in New England.

Is it me, or are layout issues on Blogger universal? Is it solvable?

Belated Notes on the Holidays

The holiday season wouldn't be complete without a visit to or from the family. This year I decided that a trip down to Long Island was needed. While we lived in San Francisco, Eric and I were both lucky enough to have family live nearby. This is something I am truly missing here in Toronto. Despite having no relatives here in T.O., we are now within driving distance of both my father, who lives on Long Island, NY, and my mother who lives in Pittsburgh, PA. A very exciting prospect not having to plan or jump on a plane to make a visit. Toronto, like San Francisco, is also a city family and friends seem to want to experience, so Eric and I have high guest room occupancy expectations. Indeed, we have already been hosts.

Now, one of the joys of living in California is that everyone you know wants to visit. Let me translate; guest rooms get a work out. California is beautiful and, compared to much of the country, the weather is gorgeous most of the year. With both my brother and his family and myself living in the bay area, I saw my parents visiting regularly from the east coast. Much of the time there was a extra bedroom for them in both San Francisco and Berkeley. It's good to have options, eh? In any case, because I saw them so much in California, I hadn't visited them in NY or PA in five or six years. My bad.

As I mentioned, the upside of moving to T.O. is that we are now within driving distance of both my parents as well as several good friends in New England. On that note, I decided a trip to my father's house on Long Island was long over due...so, Eric and I hopped in the car, made the drive and spent a couple of days over Christmas with my Dad.

It is approximately nine hours to drive to the island from T.O. The trip is several hours longer than flying to NY from San Francisco. I would still rather drive. Both have hassles but I think I'd still rather travel by car than fly. Crossing the border can be a trying with long queues and surly agents asking questions. I don't expect our car will ever be searched - but it could happen. And navigating through New York City and it's traffic is nothing short of a test of patience. Gods forbid one has to face holiday or rush hour traffic or a traffic accident. Any one or combination can add hours to your trip.

A nine hour road trip is easily manageable with two drivers. Our travels were uneventful despite holiday traffic in New York City.  We spent three full days with my father who was a great host. Fortunately, my youngest brother, Christopher, was in town and we were also able to spend some time with him. I took his picture but the image was unfocused, probably because I shook the camera...so no pictures of Chris - this time.

The weather was great - seemingly warm and balmy compared to that of Toronto. It was still cold, though, and to get out of the house and show Eric, who had never been on L.I., something of the scenery, we all drove a short distance to one of the great beaches on the south shore - to Robert Moses State park. Time was limited, and, again, it was cold, so, aside from going out to dinner, this was the only excursion.

An enjoyable trip. We returned to Toronto just before New Years so we could host my friends from Providence, RI, John and his husband, Steven. I think they were the only ones taking pictures during their visit. So, again, no pictures. Alas. They are great friends and, in warmer weather, we'd find some mischief to get into, but, thankfully, we are also all quite content just sitting around in a (warm) room with each other just being. That we got plenty of - but when extra social stimulation beckoned, we did some bar hopping in the Church/Wellesley "gay village" here in T.O. as well as traipsing around the Royal Ontario Museum. Perhaps the highlight of their visit was bringing them to a New Year Party some Toronto friends of ours threw. 

To come full-circle and wrap it all up, being able to jump in our car for a last minute weekend holiday to see friends and family in Boston, Providence, Pittsburgh, NYC, Long Island or wherever is a wonderful benefit to moving to Toronto. Eric and I are looking forward to some "easier" traveling to be with our loved ones.

*Yawn*

A new year; a new look.

But, alas, the choices. Or lack thereof. Blogger doesn't seem to add new templates often - if not at all. And the formats of those same templates - the ones we have been choosing from, say, forever, often can't be modified as completely as one (I) would like. I whine. I know - it's free. As free as anything is in this world. But the lack of choice and personalization bores me. I've been to Wordpress. I've been to Live Journal. I am still looking. *yawn*

As I write this and indent specific words, the "i" icon doesn't seem to know when to properly highlight. It is highlighted now and I am not indenting my words. Interesting. I also made some changes in the elements. Simple ones regarding titles and wording. I didn't actively alter the pictures and yet they automatically got smaller when I saved my changes. Not happy. User friendly? I have to laugh. I even work on IE to mitigate the odd behavior often found when using alternative (and usually preferred) browsers. Alas...not the answer.

I know. Stop whining. OK, I'll try...

The new look isn't that great and I am not satisfied. I will take my victim mask off and learn how to create a more personalized blog. I will find a new blog host. And I will migrate and park my blog there and finally use the URL that I paid money for.

Apparently I have too much free time on my hands. But I knew this. And I've probably had too much coffee this morning. Again...I have to laugh.

*yawn*