5ksandcabernets.. and resumes?

Last week was all about mourning the loss of my job and drinking every day and every night.

This week, beginning when I awoke Monday, is about the business of moving forward and finding a job.

With that, I spent most of the day in the Barnes and Nobles near my apartment working on my resume and signing up to receive my unemployment benefits.

It took me five hours to do my resume. Five hours! The last time I did one of those was in 1996, when I applied to be the Lakers writer for the Orange County Register. (I got the job  by the way, but turned it down when the Star-Telegram offered me more money and responsibilities to stay. Wonder how my life would have turned out had I gone to Los Angeles??)

Anyway, in 1996, you just listed the jobs you held, your education and a few writing samples and that was it.

On Monday, I had to write up exactly what it is that I did the last 14 years in short, succinct sentences. I guess prospective employees don't understand what "Higher education reporter," means. They want to know that you, "cultivated sources and built relationships with chancellors, faculty members, and other higher education officials." It's the kind of syrupy language I'd never use in a newspaper story, but it just might help me get a job outside of the field.

At Barnes and Nobles, I worked on my laptop at one of the desks they have near the magazines. The smell of Starbucks coffee _ and taste, quite frankly _ was energizing.

More importantly, there was an outlet near the desk, so I didnt have to use up my laptop's battery power. Around 1 or so, I got hungry, very hungry. I wondered if I should pack up all my things, go next door for a sandwich and risk losing my spot. Nah. There was a nice lady sitting behind me who said she'd watch my stuff while I got something to eat. I guess, for one day anyway, that lady was my "co-worker."

Obviously, getting a new job has become a top priority, even though I am still running and drinking (plenty) wine.

Maybe I should rename my blog: 5ksandcabernets... and resumes.