08.30.06
12:00 p.m.
Travelin'
The trip to Phoenix was enjoyable. We travelled almost 2800 miles in five days, and that included a trip down to Tucson.
As we were pulling onto the highway outside of Payson, and encountering the lower desert, I caught glimpses of the saguaros, mesquites, and desert brush. Because of the rain, the desert was green and vibrant. Beautiful sight to eyes that have been missing the scenery.
The journey was uneventful on the road until the ride home when I accidentally had my very first large animal road-kill. An armidillo was eating something in the middle of the road and I was clocking over 65 miles per hour, no time to swerve or miss. There was a loud thunk, and it must have spun sideways because when I pulled off at the next available truck stop, there was no sign of dead animal on the car. I was pretty shaken up, but recovered enough to continue driving.
It was good to see friends and family. The boy party at photo boy's house was small, intimate and fun. We had pizzas and salad, and lots of hugging and conversation.
Our host s. g was exceptional. He provided what we needed, and continually asked if there was anything else we needed. We arrived Mon afternoon, and ended up staying an extra day. Tues. morning was my interview, and there was an ironing board and iron placed where I could iron my clothes. I also contacted my former Chef to see if we could set up some time to talk about my coming back to work for him.
I went to the interview. Lovely corporate standardized questioning, and a young exec sous chef. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, nor the pay I need to make, but that's alright, at least we were there, and I did what I came to do.
I had checked other jobs online to see who was hiring, read careerbuilder, and a couple other job postings. There were several other places to turn in applications/resumes. We went to copy the letter of recommendation and my resume so that I could hand them out.
The two places were Wrigley Mansion, and The Buttes in Tempe. Wrigley Mansion was a bit confusing, and I ended up having to call them while on the property, in order to find out where to go to hand them my resume.
The Buttes had applications and a box. So I filled that out, and dropped my resume and letter with it into the box. (ewww..boxes).
The Tucson trip was fun. Master got to see a bit more of it than what I showed her before. We ate at one of my favorite little cafes, and though the owner/barrista was very rude, and not seeming to want to converse, the very cute, and dyke-looking woman who prepared and brought our food out was friendly and interested in our concerns. The coffee was strong and good, and the food was yummy, stunning, and just like I remembered it.
I turned in several resumes at places, and we drove back to Phoenix.
It was so good to be in the desert again, around the Phoenix Mountain range, around cactus, and not so scary green. (I've discovered there are certain green foliage that I am afraid of). Both the Buttes and the Mansion are up on hills, providing sweeping views of the city.
It was humid, and rained a bit while we were there, but that's not such a bad thing, considering the drought the desert has been in for several years. I just took in everything I could while there, to put it in my minds eye while spending the last few weeks in Topeka.
It was refreshing to be around another slave who defers to Master's authority. It was beyond energizing to be around friends. It's given me the armor to last through the move, and the understanding that yes, we need to be home, soon!
Driving the last 50 miles into Topeka were brutal. I was tired, stinky, and wanted lots of sleep. I did not want to walk back into the chaos of my job. During the trip, my cell phone decided to not charge any more, so for two days I was without phone. When I finally checked my messages there were several from the Chef, and one from F&B. Somehow the conversation I had with the Chef translated into I'm not coming back. Very confusing. And then I was told that the sous chef was told that the Chef hadn't even heard from me. He was the one who called me! So I called F&B back and said, yes I would be in to work, and no I would not do that to him...just disappear. The whole incident was amazingly ridiculous, and much like the child's game you play called "telephone". One person whispers something in someone's ear, and it goes through the circle, and by the time the last person gets the message, its garbled, and not even the same message/saying.
After being in Phoenix, and a work environment (twice due to 2nd interview) that I was familiar with, and around people who I consider a bit sane, walking back into the current chaos of my job was a huge challenge. I wanted to leave 30 minutes after I got there, but I hung in there, and will work the next six days, and give them the best six days that I can.
I long to be home. Master is challenged with finding us a way to get there, and a place to live once we arrive. Our funds are limited, and without jobs, she is worried that we won't pass credit checks, or be able to rent something. I didn't get a second interview for the job we drove all the way out there for, however, good things are in the works.
Yesterday I recieved call-backs on both the resumes I turned in. The Mansion is looking for a Banquet Sous Chef, and the Buttes is looking for everything. Both are willing to talk to me after I get back to Phoenix. The mansion is supposed to email me some information, and my direction is towards them. Both environments could possibly pay more than PVCC (my old job). I want to talk to them both before I commit to going back to the CC. If I can get a better position and better pay, that would be worth it.
However, apparently without a job, or garunteed income, one can't rent an apartment. We spent this morning checking craigs list for sublets, and found several promising ones. Master has sent out emails, so it is a waiting game.
In the mean time we have started to pack up stuff, and organize so that we have somewhere to put all the boxes we fill. We really have no where to put empty boxes except for the living room. I feel bad for mamasita, but there's not much we can do until we get the truck, load it and move out.
It's all about challenges, and overcoming obstacles, and listening to your gut, and paying attention to the signs that the Universe gives us.
And in the middle of all of this, Master had arranged for us to go meet someone last night. We drove to Lawerence to meet this cute little redhead that is very cocky and full of attitude, and a potential.
At least Master and I travel well together, and we had no major incidents, problems or hassles while spending five days in a car together...!
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