Yee hah! Guess I DID get a job as a birthday present!

Just got the confirming phone call -- have to stop in tomorrow between my physical therapy session (in Somersworth) and a luncheon date with two friends (in Hampton) and grab a packet of paperwork that needs to be filled out so they can pay me when I start on Friday morning after my check-up with my surgeon. (Whew!)

Okay, it's something completely different, at least for me. Meaning it's not graphic design or editorial, etc. but it DOES use my retail, sales and customer service experience. And it's a JOB, which is a bit hard to come by these days. The work environment seems good, the pay scale has potential (that means it's not great to start out with) but the benefits are decent, and I'll be working with a friend (who basically got me the job -- she's a fine musician, too.) and she's assured me the manager has a great sense of humor and is fun to work for. My friend is a real estate broker who's been working there because the housing market is, uh, less than optimal. Her boss was looking for someone mature who has a brain. Nice to be thought of in that context when every other employer, it seems, appears to be looking for a 20 or 30-something -- a brain is optional equipment, apparently.

I'll be stuck working some Saturdays, but it looks like I'll have no problem taking the Saturdays off that I need. Actually, sounds as if the manager is quite willing to make accommodations to my schedule, such as my physical therapy sessions and Friday Press Room sessions, etc.

What's the job? you wonder...optical technician at Sears Optical at Fox Run Mall. I'll not be employed by Sears, but by US Vision, which also owns the optical shop at JC Penney in the same mall. Customer service, fitting glasses, selling frames and upgrades, etc.

And it's air conditioned -- definitely a plus with the weather the way it's been lately. And no parking hassles.

An income is GOOD! It'll be nice to be gainfully employed again.

Linn