Single What? Female...

Economic Indicators, Health Care and the Hustle

As I have mentioned in a previous post, the Brian Lehrer show on WNYC does a segment on "Uncommon Economic Indicators"...well, here's one for you: I'm actually working.

It's not full time, but after months of not hearing much from the temp agencies, I suddenly have a two day a week gig, got to work an extra day Monday (and that may turn into something more regular in a couple of weeks) and the lady I alternate with at the two-day-a-week job is on vacation so I got an extra day here. (Could have been three but I was supposed to hit Boston Monday and we've got 1930's Idol finals Thursday...I'll get to all that...) I am still a little shocked that I am sitting in an office again and getting a paycheck from someone other than unemployment (still getting the unemployment but at least I am hopefully weaning myself off of it)

But before I get into all that, I have to talk about the Health Care Reform bill and the fearmongerers that are trying to stop it or mangle it.

why, Why WHY are people buying into the fear and misinformation again as they did with Iraq and back when Clinton was trying to institute health care reform and why Why WHY can't the Democrats stand up to the fearmongering bullies and speak properly to the American people about this?

For all those freaking out about the "public option", last check, the public option is AN OPTION for those without insurance and who cannot get it through work. If you have insurance through work and you like it, you get to STICK WITH IT.

For all those freaking about the government "taking over my medicare!" um...Medicare and Medicaid are government run...and last check, they don't plan on messing with it.

For all those freaking out over the co-op option...I don't know enough about that one yet, but it sounds like they don't either...so far, it sounds like some compromise to make the GOPers happy so they don't have to vote for that scary public option.


I really think it is time to CALL, WRITE, FAX, EMAIL your Congressfolk about making sure that the public option is in there and that proper reform HAPPENS. We can't risk it NOT happening.

Now, back to uncommon economic indicators...

*My husband, who has had long hair since well before I met him, got it cut off yesterday.

Why would this be an indicator of the economy?

My husband has worked for an investment firm for about 8 years, grew out his hair while there, and still has his job. He has essentially made himself indispensible (knock on wood) and no one has complained as he maintains a professional demeanor and does his work well.

He has been looking for a second job, had two interviews and he has felt that while his resume and interview skills are stellar, the hair may have actually been an issue. (yes, someone may have actually looked at him and thought, "you dirty longhair!")

Four ponytails later, he is clean cut and ready for interviews. Now, he had other reasons for cutting the hair - just a change, for one - but the job issues were indeed a large part of the decision. We shall miss is long locks, but a) this could lead to a second job, b) he still does look mighty good and b) Locks of Love will LOVE him.

As for me, the jobs, and life in general aka the hustle is slowing down a little bit an admittedly I am okay with it. Allow me to give you an idea of my last couple of weeks:

July 30th
*work at new financial job: skip out on other plans that evening as I have had no time to clean and the sister is coming into town for the weekend. I clean, meet the man downtown at our friend Sam's place for drinks, go meet sister at Bolt Bus stop on 34th.

August 1st
*12-2 Work for Dianne (personal assistant position)
*2:30ish - 8:30ish meet sister and man at The Natural History Museum and then hit Central Park. There is much walking, people watching - where else can you see acrobatic b-boys, Thoth, a drum circle, beach volleyball, disco dancing roller skaters and end with some tango before hitting Topaz for thai?

August 2nd
*Sing at MABC - the wiccan sister comes, does not burst into flames and likes the minister. I think we have a meal at the diner in my neighborhood at some point...late brunch. Sister is too tired to hit MoMA so we chill before...
*meeting mom for birthday dinner which is followed by a walk through Times Square. Sister, for some reason unbeknownst to me, actually wants to go into the madness of the M&M store. She ends up overstimulated from the whole weekend.

August 3rd
*train at new job
*run up to Whole Foods for picnic food and gear
*run down Brooklyn for picnic for friends for husband's b-day...for which he is sadly late due to MTA craziness. We drink enough prosecco to cover for him.
*Watch fab variety show at Galapagos and eat rest of picnic (they allow food!)
*drink rest of prosecco by water

August 4th
*first official day at new job
*do errand for Dianne
*run home for disco nap (which barely happens)
*do some emailing and such for BNO
*go to poi class
*see midnight Roots jam - leave at 2ish - am up for 21 hours.

August 5th
*sleep as much of the day as I can, but am dealing with last minute details and promotion of Big Night Out Ladies Night
*run to bank (I think)
*run home and make dinner

August 6th
*work for Shawn
*run over to Etcetera, Etc for quick dinner before Ladies Night. We are thrilled to find out that Daniele - owner of Etcetera, Etc - has not only purchased a baby grand piano for the room, but has had the sucker set up at least a few weeks ahead of schedule. We love Daniele.
*The open mic happens, we move into Ladies Night, go over time, and it is a fab fab evening. Thank Bo Mi Lee, Crystal Skillman, Amy Shapiro and Carla Lynn Hall.
*It is late night at the shuttle bus is running from 168th to 207.

August 7th
*work at new job
*skip Raul Midon and Michele N'degeocello FREE at Lincoln Center so I can make apartment remotely livable for incoming Mother-in-Law. Body tired. Not as much work gets done as we would like.

August 8th
*11-1 work for Dianne
*2-6ish auditions and call back discussions for Estrogenius Week 3 plays (including the one I am directing: The Dueling Princess)
*grab something to eat
*7:30ish meet MIL and Jeff at Barefoot Boogie where I am DJing. I leave early with the MIL, leaving Jeff with a cd to complete the music for the night. After getting MIL settled in, it is midnight-ish as I get to bed.

August 9th
*Sing at MABC
*run over to Estrogenius callbacks for my play. My hour is 1-2, the last hour is 2-3, from 3ish to 4:30ish - if not later - we discuss our casting and that part of the day is done.
*run back to Dianne's to finish stuff I couldn't get to the day before
*meet Jeff and MIL for...something I cannot remember...
*we get home and I make dinner

August 10th
*work for lovely lady at Public Garden Design
*run down to Trader Joe's - at rush hour - to pick up items for Dianne as well as some groceries of my own.
*get cab to Dianne's with groceries
*take my groceries and head home on subway
*have night in with husband

August 11th
*work at new job
*run down to Don't Tell Mama to meet with Jenny and Sidney about 1930's Idol. Jenny ends up being late thanks to the A train being cranky and I have to leave before she gets there so I can get to fire class.
*eat and head to Brooklyn for fire class
*have beverage before heading back home

August 12th
*work for Shawn
*get dinner
*run to Don't Tell Mama for 1930's Idol.
*I am told to write some introductions for the judges...short and perhaps witty in the vein of Dorothy Parker. This turns out to be a bad idea on short notice and sleep deprivation. I get the judges' bios off one of the judge's iPhones, scribble down as much relevant info as I can...and end up insulting some of the top members of the cabaret community. (will be more prepared for Finals and no attempt at funny will be made)
*after expenses, we make $8.94

August 13th
*work for Dianne
*see vocal therapist - we are both amazed that I have not gone compeletely hoarse. Still, I should take it easy...ha ha ha!
*meet man and MIL for dinner and then see Julie and Julia - Meryl Streep at Julia is wonderful. The movie is rather adorable and does indeed make you crave butter.

August 14th
*work at new job
*tighten up SW?F material. Only get caught once by co-worker for trying to speak it out loud and time it.
*get something to eat
*rehearse Strawberry Letter 23 by the Brothers Johnson with Eric and the band at Otto's before No Name begins
*Go over material one last time and then I get to watch before and after I perform, Aladdin Ullah, Carl Kissin, Kambri Crewes and Tom Shillue test out their own new material and just kill. It is beautiful...somehow I got to be part of this line-up. Thank you Eric Vetter.

August 15th
*work for Dianne. It is my last Saturday - and last day overall - to work for her. The only thing I will not miss is the home health aide drama which went on for at least four of the five weeks. Otherwise, a nice gig. Thank you, Jaye!
*head .. home...I don't know quite to do with myself
*go over church music
*take care of Estrogenius emails
*take a nap (?!?)
*meet the man and MIL at La Estufa. I forget the coupon we have and have to run home and get it. Luckily home is not too far away and the service, while not slow, is laid back just enough to give me time.

This week will be all about trying to properly fit writing in my soon-to-be less hectic schedule, getting back to auditioning, actually doing my vocal exercises fully each morning and...just getting organized.

Oh and getting ready for NEXT week's storytelling event at the Tenement Museum where H.R. Britton hosts LES Stories. It is an excellent storytelling event and I will be there telling a story with the theme "melting pot". Think I can put something together about that?

And don't forget to come down to the finals of 1930's Idol THIS THURSDAY AUGUST 20th!!! We got ten excellent finalists and it is going to be an excellent show :)

Lastly, people, CALL YOUR CONGRESSFOLK about health care reform and KEEP PAYING ATTENTION!

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 7:08 AM