Truth and Numbers

We're getting all raw and honest today. Every two weeks I get $860 courtesy of unemployment.

Yesterday while on my way to the library after volunteering, I got a phone call from a recruiter, asking if I could work tomorrow (that'd be today). I said sure. He was more chatty than usual and after a while I recognized it as nervous chatter. So while we talked about how great the weather's been lately and how sad it is that Michael Jackson died, my mind was racing. Then it hit me.

"So Tony, what does this pay?" It's so nice that you can ask recruiters and headhunters flat out about money instead of having to play the "I am confident you will offer me a fair wage commensurate with my skills and experience..." card.

I knew I'd hit the mark when Tony hesitated. "I don't want you to think this is what we think of you - Patty and I know you're worth much, much more. You're at the top of our list for all jobs that come in. They're only willing to pay this because they don't need someone with a lot of experience, but we don't have anyone with such a little bit of experience." And on and on.

$14. That's right. $14 an hour (normally when temping I get between $25-30 an hour). That's $98 a day. That's $980 for two weeks (not that this was a two-week gig, but for math's sake, hear me out). $860 from unemployment. Or $980 BEFORE taxes from a job. I'm in the "take about a third out" tax bracket. So if you're following along, that means I get more from unemployment than from working today.

You may want to tell me, "But Green! This was an opportunity to sharpen your skills! Possibly learn a new program to put on your resume! NETWORKKKKKKK!" Ummm, yeah, you're right. It was an opportunity to do all these things.

Here's what I learned today: Jergens makes a cherry almond lotion that smells really good! I used it in the bathroom after photocopying bills to go out to over 100 clients, and stuffing, stamping and closing envelopes. Because paper dries skin out. Which I learned from Sandy who I worked for at the tennis club in New York.

I did not learn to use any new programs, though I did un-jam the copier and figure out how to use the fax machine without any assistance. My skills are as sharp as the two paper cuts I got. The Ivy league educated partner said hello to me in the morning and then belched as he walked past me, so there wasn't much networking going on.

But hey, positive thinking, right? I had something to do today that involved leaving the house! That's two days in a row. Plus, because I was working today I didn't have time to read all day, so now the books I took out from the library will last one day longer than they would have otherwise. And let's not forget that Jergens cherry almond lotion. Because that was a great find.