I got me a job!

OK, so after graduating three months ago I FINALLY got a job. While it isn't exactly what I want, at this point a job is a job. And it's sort of close and sounds like it could be fun.

From August 27th until November 1st I will be a Front Desk Agent at Bryce Canyon Lodge.



Basically I'm just finishing up their season for them. My job will basically be to check people in to the hotel. But I'll also have to give out information on the park. My days off will consist of biking and hiking in the park so that I'll be acquainted with what people will want to do.

It's sort of remote. The park is about an hour and a half from the nearest big city. It's about a six hour drive to some parts of California and only about four to Las Vegas. Guess where I'll be spending some weekends. Woo hoo!!!!

I don't know yet what my hours or days off will be, and I don't know how much I'll be making. I do know I'll be living in dorm style rooms. The way they described it, they are suite style rooms like in Telford and Burnam. It'll be about $12 a day and apparently I get meals too. The $12 includes my utilities and I'm pretty sure free laundry. Sounds good to me. At this point money is money and a job is a job. I need to get away from home. It was nice being here for a while, but the maternal unit is so controlling it's ridiculous sometimes.

So after a totally awesome roadtrip with Lauren, where we'll be doing the long haul from Ohio to California, I'll fly home to the Springs, jump in the truck, and drive to Bryce Canyon where I'll start work.

Busy busy busy, but I'm not too worried about it. I need some busy in my life after long days of blah in between.

For more on Bryce Canyon, you can check out the park website at www.nps.gov/brca.

I've gotta go wait for the HR guy to call me and start packing for the Lauren and Renee Roadtrip Carnivale and my move to the Canyon for a few months.

Laterz!!!!

Why living at home sucks

For the last five years I’ve been, more or less, on my own. No one cared what I did, where I went or when I got home. I liked it that way. For an independent spirit, there’s really nothing like being able to make your own rules.

That all changed in May when I returned to Colorado to live under my parents’ roof. Yes, I’d be saving money on rent. Yes, I’d be saving money on food bills. Yes, I wouldn’t have to pay for the electric, water, internet or cable.

But there are other things that come with living at home, things that make all the positives seem pretty dull and not really worth the effort.

All the old rules apply, no matter how old you are, you are now living under the parentals’ roof, and you have to play their game. Woe be it unto you if you fail to follow those rules. You have to tell them what, when, how, why, and who. You have to let them know when you’ll be back and who you’re going with. You have to let them know if the plans change. At 23, I don’t want to be living at home. This isn’t my choice. But I also don’t want to be answering to the higher powers and giving them my detailed itinerary.

House chores are obligatory. You’re living at home, most likely rent free, so now you’re guilt tripped into doing housework. I’m { } that close to being on a most viewed list at Home Depot and Lowes. But I can’t get out of it because now that I’m living at home and sucking up energy, I feel obligated to help out.

Forced social oibligations are another reason living at home sucks. I’ve spent more time with people over the age of 50 than I have with people in my own peer set. My parents’ friends can be fun, but I’m young and want to go out and have a good time. Unfortunately most of my friends either a.) aren’t here. B.) aren’t old enough to go out. Or c.) are old enough to go out, but don’t like going out. So I never get to meet anyone new, and I get to find out all sorts of strange things about “The Big Change” and teaching and the youth of America.

Case in point. I went out with my friends today to go white water rafting. It was AWESOME. I had a blast on the river. We had fun just joking around and having a agood time. When I got off the river, I failed to call my mother and inform her of that. Because I’d been gone all day (even though I got up all by myself, showered, got dressed and ate breakfast with out the assistance of an adult or anyone to hold my hand) I was expected to call home and report on my status. I was expected to report in even though NO ONE ELSE DID and I was the oldest in our group. One other girl’s mother got mad, but she’s getting ready to leave for college and mom is about six seconds from seeing her baby fly the nest. My mother has seen me fly the nest. She shouldn’t be having these problems. Instead of dealing with my not calling after one hour of frantic phone calls (I hate the electric leash (cell phone) and so didn’t have it with me) they call A FRIEND OF MINE and get the numbers of people on the trip with me and call THEM. Ugh!!!!!

Then of course, after a blow out of this magnitude, people spend days walking on eggshells. Mom bawls, or tries not to, every time she talks to me. I think she's stressing because I don't have a job, she's getting ready to start school back up, my brother just lost his job Saturday night, and then got bitten by two dogs yesterday.

It was a great weekend with some rotten side effects.

I need a vacation from life.

Best Week Ever

So usually things in my life are sort of low.

I'm currently unemployed.
I have no money.
I'm STILL single.
Most of my friends are a thousand miles away.
The only people I drink with are over the age of 50.
I have no rugby.

But this week was an upper. I loved this week. If I could live Sunday to Sunday, I'd do it again in a heart beat.

Sunday to Sunday? Why not start with friday? you might be asking. Well, because my Saturday kind of sucked the big one. I found out I was turned down (yet again) for another position with the National park Service. So Sunday is the day I'm choosing to start my week on.

You see, Sunday I got to go to the Renaissance Festival with a big group of friends.



I even made masks for my brother and I because it was Mardi Gras/Carnivale weekend. They were beautiful (if I do say so myself). His harlequin mask took me forever, but it was worth it.



We saw Charming and Dashing, a new show at the festival. They're funny...but corny but I guess that's what makes the festival great.



And of course there was the joust...


We were loud, rowdy, a little obnoxious....but all in all we had a good time, and it was beautiful. If every day could be a festival day, I'd be a VERY happy camper.

Monday was scout night, which is always fun, and then Tuesday I got some rugby in my life.



You see, the city of Glendale, CO has more or less adopted rugby as the official sport of the city. THey even built a sweet new arena for it. So the North American 4 Tournament (NA4) is being played up there.

So I got to see Canada East and West play, and then the USA Hawks and Falcons play. And get this...it only cost me $5!!!!! I was in heaven. Fine ass rugby men, surrouned by rugby appreciating peoples and a beautiful bug free Colorado night was just this side of heaven.

But wait...my Sunday to Sunday is going to get better.

Tomorrow is the finals of the NA4 and I plan on being there for it. And then Sunday I'm going white water rafting with the crew. And THAT'S only going to cost me $20 because we've got connections.

I need this week on loop because dayum, with the exeption of an upcoming road trip, my life is looking pretty bleak.