nyj20: new job


Feels like I haven’t written in a while (to the relief of many, I’m sure ;) ). I have a few vignettes-in-progress about recent adventures, coming soon to my website if not your inbox. In the meantime, I wanted to apprise you (briefly) of my big news: come May 19 I start a new job at Pub. Co.
 
I’m still in something of a shock, but yes, that job I came to New York for now shimmers on the near horizon. I’ll be working in a long-term temporary capacity (1 year but probably renewable) as an “associate editor” in the children’s music-education division. I’ll probably be assigned to the 7th/8th grade curriculum.
 
How did I get this job? At a church music function last September, I “happened” to meet a woman (Melanie) who works at Pub. Co. She encouraged me to apply for a project then in the planning stages, which I did. Weeks passed with no word from her boss. I kept calling that woman (Alice), but she always sounded a little put out with me. Finally in late November, she was ready to interview. Making my way to offices adjoining Madison Square Garden, I had my doubts whether I wanted to work in that congested area of Manhattan. About the same time, I had another interview – with Artist Boss. Comparatively, his spacious Chelsea office seemed a lot more attractive.

I took a copy test at Pub. Co., but they were still waiting for budgetary approval and the salary seemed uncertain. I knew the job included health coverage, but I decided to accept the immediate opening at index though forgoing all benefits beside a daily catered lunch. I knew editorial publishing jobs typically paid badly, so it seemed I was better off this way. After I took the art-mag job, Melanie saw me at church and mentioned Alice had been disappointed as she really liked me. I consoled myself that I had a casual dress code and flexible work hours, if an increasingly psychotic, irascible boss.
 
Come tax time, however, the walk-to-work past pairs of hand-holding men (part of Chelsea’s notoriety) was losing mystique, and the Warhol portrait of my boss loomed over our office toilet in increasingly ominous fashion. We had a major falling-out that I defined in ethical/practical terms, and he as my youthful arrogance. My idle job-board browsing became serious. About that time, I emailed Alice to mention I might be available should any of her contract workers have to leave at the end of the 6-month contract term.
 
The following week, minutes after a conversation with my boss in which he casually mentioned the possibility of my quitting because he “doesn’t like to fire people” – perhaps I could think about two months or six weeks? – Alice responded. She still had openings. Perhaps I might call her?
 
I rang her up the next morning and we closed the deal. Turns out this contract will not only be for a year, as I mentioned, but pays significantly better than what I’m making now. I am, needless to say, incredibly grateful, humbled, blessed.
 
It wasn’t until today, when Alice confirmed she put in the job order, that things began to feel “real” and settled. It seems too good to be true, but sometimes God obviously is that good. How does that fit with all the other suffering and disappointment? I don’t know. It’s troubling, a mystery, a riddle. But knowing that I have no kind of worthiness or merit on my own part to credit for this windfall, what can I do but give thanks?
 
And so I write you all, to share my joy and gratitude.

posted @ 10:57 PM on Tue - April 22, 2003 remark! Email |  as quoted:
before I said ...  but more recently: 

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