Tuesday, March 27, 2007

What Lassie??? Are you telling me that Lindy has a job??

That's right, folks. After a grueling four months, I have landed a job. And, as I had anticipated, it is through someone I know. I will be an insurance agent's assistant. There will be boring paperwork to do, but I will also get to design literature, select menu items for his seminars, and captivate his audience with promotional extravaganzas. My dad would like that part.

At the time, the job will only begin as part-time and work into full-time; however, I have in the last week been named babysitter, personal interior decorating consultant, and wedding photographer. Life is picking up speed again and I am getting excited.

Thank you for the prayers...this has been a long road with curves, bumps, and lots of beautiful scenery.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

When Thrifty Attacks

As you may know, my roommate and I attended Copeland and Switchfoot. A fabulous, free concert is right up my alley. I bumped into the guy who had put the show on - we had worked together last Spring for a Jars concert. We exchanged a few obligatory words and as I could see he was earnestly trying to recall our connection.

My expectations for the concert were not as high as they probably should have been, but the last time I saw Switchfeet was nearly four years ago at the Illinois State Fair - some New Englanders tend to assume they were playing banjos with cobs of sweetcorn - but lets be honest it was the State Fair. Regardless of their performance then, the one last night was fantastic. I happily left without qualms of the money I hadn't spent on tickets.

Kristen and I exited the Palladium Theater to be met by a strong, icy wall of winter. I snuggled more deeply into my coat and allowed my scarf to hinder my face from any more brutal attacks. Picking up speed to make it into the parking garage before turning to pillars of ice, I noticed that no one was following us. Ha! Silly little people, they had no idea that only two blocks away had been a $1 parking place, instead they succumbed to a closer place that must have cost them at least five times as much.

I'd like to take a moment to give you some background. My dad is the king of bargains. He will drive thirty miles to find a cheaper gas station that may actually save him a mere 15 cents, he takes great pride in his Walgreens mail-in rebates and he has sadly trained me to be thrifty when the situation allows. Such was this night. I had already landed free tickets, why would I jinx that fortune by paying more than a dollar for parking?

Finally, we arrived at our corner, turned and found the garage dark. Empty. Closed. Locked.

Screwed.

After a choice, but appropriate word slipped out with my breath I immediately began thinking worst case scenario. Kristen and I with our combined weight of 220 lbs huddled against a homeless guy in the second most dangerous city in western Mass. Call the police? Not yet. Call Brad for moral support and standby. Return to the Palladium and pray that someone is still there.

My adrenaline kept me warm enough to make it back to the Theater. The joke-of-a security bimbo almost didn't let me through, but once I pleaded my case and allowed tears to well up in my eyes, being quite certain to tilt my head so the above lights would conveniently glisten the ready-to-pour droplets, she let me through. Miraculously, Roger from Soulfest, was still tearing down. He would have to go slightly out of his way, but happily offered us a ride back to Derry.

I believe God allows things like this to happen to humble me. And so other people can earn jewels for their crown.

Update:

Brad and I drove down to Worcester tonight and retrieved my car.

The overnight lock up cost me $17.

So much for being thrifty.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

My Favorite Four Letter Word

FREE

A lady from church gave me two free tickets to see Switchfoot and Copeland tonight.

Can't refuse free.

Maybe unemployment has it's occasional perks.