Facie’s Ramblings

As I have probably written before, I am a pretty open, honest person. I say it like it is (or at least how I think it is), and I am just not about pretenses. Which is why this whole job search is seemingly adding to the already multiplying gray hairs I have and further stressing me out. For all my weaknesses, I like to think I have some good things to offer. So why do I have to, in some sense, be someone I am not? Why do I have to use certain buzzwords just to get an interview? Why do I have to put on a suit and curl my hair, just to be taken seriously? Can't someone see that I would be a good editor, even though I am not technologically savvy? Does it make me a bad worker because I really want to find a job where I can work five shorter days or three or four days a week so I can spend time with my kid? I have already second guessed myself on the jobs I applied for last week. I had to copy and paste my cover letter into a text box. I did that, but I jumped right into the "Dear...

If you have followed the sports and/or Pittsburgh news over the past few days, then you know that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been accused of sexually assaulting a hotel worker while he was staying there last year. My first reaction, upon hearing it was a civil (not criminal) suit and that the accuser took about a year to come forward, was the allegations were probably false. But the more I read into, I have to wonder if there is not some truth to these charges. About 15 years ago, while I was a server at a nice restaurant, I was sexually harassed by the chef, who was notorious for doing this sort of thing. I remember it pretty well: I was walking back from the table I had just waited on with "Chef," who put his arm around my waist and into my belt loop. I thought nothing of it at first, being a friendly and "huggy" person. Then I remembered my skirt did not have a belt loop. I then realized, as I was walking into the servers' area, that he was ...

I like to think of myself as a pretty good friend overall, and most of my friends would probably agree, at least insofar as the effort I make to maintain the friendship. But lately, I am considering trimming a few friendship tree branches. Over the last year or so, I had initiated a few (successful) play dates with a woman and her daughter who was in Jordan's class. Two weeks ago, I sent this woman, whom I now consider a friend, a note via Facebook to let her know Jordan and I would be at a certain park that weekend if she wanted to join us. She posted a comment on my "wall" saying they couldn't but that she did want to get together so how about the following week. We exchanged a few posts about dates, and the last post I sent was agreeing to the day she suggested. A few days later, the date came, and I called her house that morning to figure out when and where we should meet. I ended up leaving a message as she did not answer. An hour or so later, when I still had no...

This past weekend I attended my 20-year high school reunion. It does not seem as if 10 years has (or is it "have"?) passed since the last one (well, technically 10 years hasn't past, since our 10-year reunion was in the fall of 1999). But as we all know, time marches on. Two things struck me about this reunion as compared to the last one. 1. I cared so much less what people thought this time around. Ten years ago, I was focused on my appearance. For that reunion, I was hoping to drop a few pounds, since I was pretty skinny in high school. This time around, I figured this is who I am, and this is what I have weighed for almost 20 years now, so why be something I am not. I was also not so concerned about what I wore this time, but I decided to heed my friend Jennie's advice and make an effort on my appearance, something I rarely do. Last time I also wanted people to think I was successful. In fact, as I probably have written before, I got my boss to agree to change my t...

I am still in beach vacation mode. Not vacation mode, mind you, because I have been in that mode for months. But rather stuck in the lazy, really-do-nothing state that an actual, going-somewhere vacation provides. I am so glad we went to the beach and got away. Although Jordan at first thought the ocean smelled too fishy, after a day away (we stayed on the bay), she changed her mind (or maybe the air was just better). It was truly delightful to listen to and watch her scream and laugh in the waves. And it was kind of fun for me, even when a wave knocked me down. Probably my favorite part, though, was the eating. Shocking, I know. I had seafood at every dinner. It was wonderful. Crab soup, scallops, clams, crab legs, and more. I would love to eat like that once or twice a week. I can still taste all that deliciousness. And sipping a fruity drink while overlooking the pool during happy hour the first night was a perfect way to start the vacation. That hour really was happy! And, even bet...