Feeling a Little Restless

This is my last full week of "freedom" -- well, being as unencumbered as one can be when working 5 early-morning hours per weekday -- before I head out to the Iowa Summer Writers Festival then return to start my new full-time gig.

I'm super-cognizant of not "wasting" any of this precious time. I feel like I should be going for swims at the Santa Monica pool and going to spin class in the middle of the day or strolling random farmers markets or taking my beach cruiser out for afternoon jaunts. But, I haven't done much more than veg on the couch and watch TV (when not in front of the computer working) for the last two days.

I found out why I've been feeling restless yet unmotivated to make the most of my last hurrah.(Lunar cycles and all that jazz.) It's just as well, though. It's been seven months of this great hiatus. Of course, I didn't do everything I aspired to, but I did do a little bit of everything, so I have no regrets. It's time for me to get back on the career bandwagon...or at least focus on a solid job with good benefits for the time being.

And, though my new gig is not of the "sexy" entertainment-industry variety, I have a very good feeling about it, and about the people I'll be working with. They seem smart, capable and very decent. That may sound very basic, but given where I've come from, that's a luxury.

Best of all, after all sorts of sketchy experiences, it looks like I've finally gotten myself into a large company that isn't afraid or contemptuous of black people, evidenced by the sheer numbers. Besides my short stint at a black-owned and operated company (really, I have to pinch myself -- was that a dream?), I've found myself at companies large and small that I always gave the benefit of the doubt, although there were suspiciously low numbers of black employees, or my pay was suspiciously lower than colleagues with the same title and job responsibilities, or my title was suspiciously sub-par than that of co-workers with far less experience, educational background, job responsibilities and accomplishments.

Bygones. All those shitty job situations and bosses have made me a shrewder, stronger, sharper and smarter person. And, now that those lessons have been learned, I'm hoping this next job adventure will be a positive, wild ride with great rewards.

If not, at least the perks and the 401K plan are good!