So THAT'S what the Monkey meant...

[kukla_tko]

Remember. Year of the Monkey. The Monkey likes to prank you, but only to teach you a lesson.

It's sending me back to my roots.

I just worked for the Condo for over a month, full time, cleaning on the side. It was my only "real" source of income. Hint: Not enough to live on.

So... cleaning... condo... temping... one more step back:

Halloween.

Spirit Halloween Stores just hired me as an assistant manager for one of their northern stores. I just came from my interview. I knocked their socks off. Of course, I have seven seasons of Halloween industry background to draw from (not counting my very brief stint with Mall of the Dead.) I know my stuff, I am scrupulously honest and trustworthy, and I have management experience.
They are offering me almost what I was making at my last "permanent" position. Plus, they have a bonus program, and the last three weeks of work I will get an additional $1 per hour.
So... provided that I make the bonus... over the next three months I will bring home more than my SO.

Thank the LORD. I can probably get caught up on the bills now. (Whew!)

Problem 1:
Seasonal work. This means that I have to have something lined up by mid November or I am totally hosed. It also means that I won't be able to work on Grant stuff during my shift. Plus Halloween is the toughest season to work, harder than CHRISTMAS! (Who am I kidding? I love this crap. Bring on the stress!)

Problem 2:
I still work for the Condo, and if I give up that day shift it won't be waiting for me when I finish Halloween season. Plus, I have a matter of days to find and train my replacement, or my boss there is going to be REALLY pissed at me. Since he's also a friend, I have no desire to leave him in a lurch.

But it's a $4 per hour raise. Its a job I really can do and do like, this time in a BUILDING!!!
Did I mention that it's almost close enough for me to walk to work?
Did I mention that they told me I could have the weekends off that I need, including Archon and the Goblin Ball?

By the way, I will be reviving my old Halloween panel at Archon. Spirit is looking for promotion possibilities, so I might even get paid to go to Archon and promote Spirit. Heh heh heh.

So... Who wants to work for Spirit? (Go to specersgifts.com and apply on line, or come to my store in Florissant.)
Who wants to work for the Condo, particularly if you only want to do so through early November?

Comments

congratulations

[minidoc.livejournal.com]

On your new job opportunities. I was wondering perhaps if you liked working for Spirit enough maybe you could work up the ranks, smooze with some people and see if they need a buyer? Then you might get work beyond the immediate season because you need to be planning, going to the "shows" keeping up on trends etc... Maybe this could be the springboard for a new career doing something you like.

Think about the possiblities.

Re: congratulations

[kukla-tko42.livejournal.com]

I did do.

I am already considering possibilities beyond "the season", but let's see how the partnership works out first. I mean, when I started working IN HELL for THE DEVIL, I thought it would work out to year-round seasonal work. Instead, I wanted out of there as fast as possible, and only stuck it out through the season out of loyalty to "my kids" (the employees I hired.)

And yeah, I would love to CONTINUE to do buying in the Halloween Industry. I used to do so for Halloween Express. (And boy, do I miss that trade show. Whoo!)

We shall see...

[bradhicks.livejournal.com]

Hmm. You worked with me for Debbie, can you stand to supervise me again? I kind of miss the Halloween store, and could use some extra cash. I could work store opening to around 1:30 pm some number of days per week, probably, quite conceivably including Saturdays.

BWA ha ha ha!

[kukla-tko42.livejournal.com]

I see that you caught my disease.

See, "Halloween" seasonal sales works one of two ways: Either you crack from the pressure and swear it off forever (after quitting)...

Or...

It gets in your blood, and you start to jones for it. Heh. Last year, I specifically told my SO that he was to stop me from trying to do this ever again.

The little stinker actually encouraged this manuver.

Of course, he was thinking (correctly) that I needed more income.

It is to sigh...

Anyway.

Yeah, Brad. I am more than willing to hire you and have you work for me. If you want something closer, there will also be a store in Bridgeton (the old Circut City building) also. I would put in a good word for you there, too.
Heh. Or you could apply to be an assistant manager there, as well. Ok. It's seasonal work, but I promise that it will be more fun than the Salt Mines...

Hee hee hee!

Re: BWA ha ha ha!

[bradhicks.livejournal.com]

I don't know about the Bridgeton store; that I'd be working for a boss I'm already familiar with is part of what makes me willing to consider this.

I could also use the money, and on top of that, I'm sort of vaguely jonesing not specifically for the Hallowe'en business (for all that I do like the merchandise) as for retail in general. I miss customer contact.

Re: BWA ha ha ha!

[kukla-tko42.livejournal.com]

So, come out and APPLY already!
I will be there tomorrow during the day. I don't know what my schedule will be after that, but we will see.

Most likely, I will be working days until next Friday. After that, I am not sure what my schedule will be except that I will be full time (they promised me that.)

We have the store most of the way set up, but we could still use some help, and so could the Bridgeton store. (They just got the keys to that one.)

Ugh.

[kukla-tko42.livejournal.com]

No thanks.
I have no use for an employee discount at Babies R Us. That's the perk that makes it worth dealing with the otherwise demeaning job of a Retail Drone.

Plus...
I have no real interest in full time, year round retail. If I ever want THAT I will apply at Target. (Used to work there, they take very good care of their employees, and I might be able to break into management and make real money.)

Also, anything that requires a 30+ minute commute is really not interesting to me.

Thanks for the tip, anyway.
:)

And do I know you?
?:)

[codeb6.livejournal.com]

I just gotta hop on the congratulations bandwagon here. I'm very glad to hear your situation will be improving financially. And the fact that you're going to be doing something you enjoy is just too keen.