I haven't worked more than a few days a week for most of the year. Things just got too overwhelming for a while there, and I went through a lengthy recovery period. Overdrafts have grown, late fees accrued, and after that crazy lost-mail-double-phone-bill fiasco I was beginning to really worry. One afternoon it occurred to me that something really had to change, immediately, because the numbness was not going to pay the rent.
Less than an hour after than epiphany I was at a family lunch. Mid-conversation with my brother's father-in-law, he suddenly changed the subject. We were discussing his trade, which happens to be building and maintaining stringed instruments. He gives me advice on fretting and nuts for my cigar box guitars every once in a while, recommends good books and the like. "Call me later," he said, "between eight and nine."
That evening I made the call and he suggested I try and get a job at the shop he works at, "not this week but next." I agreed, and nine days later I went in with the best resume I could cobble together, feeling entirely unqualified for whatever job he thought I should be applying for. I imagined front of house, though of course I emphasized my experience with tools, woodworking, and the mechanics of sound. I was prepared to bluff, but more prepared to be sent on my way. I had no idea what to expect or what was expected of me.
They hired me on the spot. To be an apprentice luthier. A full-time violin technician, basically, to start.
My first day was like receiving every Christmas present I've ever wanted all at once. I still have very little understanding of what happened, or why, and can't quite believe someone is going to hand me a check two weeks from now. I absolutely cannot believe that someone is going to pay me decent money to learn how to set up, maintain, and repair violins and violas.
I have a desk, and I can wear jeans to work. I don't have to deal with customers. In a few months I'll qualify for health insurance, paid vacation, and paid holidays. Due to the circumstances, I have a heavy hand in making my own schedule. I really do not believe that this could possibly be happening for me, that after such a dark and stormy year the clouds could open up like this. I knew things could only get better, but...to be this phenomenal so suddenly?
I can't call this my dream job because it never would have occurred to me to dream up something so ludicrously indulgent. But I have been expecting to wake up for nearly two weeks now.
I resolve, of course, to get my financial ducks back in a row. This is what I want to do from now on, so this is the financial outlook I will have for pretty much now on. I began by taking the bus to work on Monday instead of driving, and bringing my lunch (but not enough lunch for my ten hour day, unfortunately, I splurged on a soda and chips during a blood sugar crash).
This has been the worse year of my life, but, insanely, kind of the best year as well. I have a new niece, I have an amazing job, I live in a wonderful home with my fantastic husband, I'm involved in multiple creative pursuits with various friends, I play games and hang out and go to birthday parties, I even have a camping trip coming up. And soon enough I'll be able to meet my financial needs comfortably!
