August 10

I made a trek up to Waltham today, to Bentley University, to participate in a "one-on-one paid interview" at their Design and Usability Center. They were looking for people with photography experience to review some kind of digital photo thingamabob, and they were paying $100 for sitting through a 90-minute interview. What's not to like?

So I made it there -- early -- with my 200 digital photos carefully saved to a USB drive as requested. I met the interviewer, and then I waited. And waited. And waited.

Turns out they were having technical problems with the new device, and I frankly ran out of time to sit there. I ended up leaving, but with my $100, since I'd done everything they asked of me.

Honestly, it was probably for the best that I didn't do the interview. After 90 minutes of technical difficulties, I probably wouldn't have an unbiased opinion on the stupid thing any longer -- whatever the heck it was.

222/365 -

March 05

Given my druthers, I'd either be independently wealthy or working as a successful photographer with a studio and a high-end clientele. Unfortunately, I've neither won the lottery nor discovered the secret to becoming a successful photographer, so I must work a real job to make ends meet.

It's payday today, although my paycheck won't be direct-deposited until midnight. But on Thursday, I get my "Earnings Statement," which is a paycheck except for the "not a check" notice stamped on it. Every 14 days, my pay goes in and I begin another two-week cycle of budgeting, making sure I can pay the bills and still have some money to put into savings (usually too little), plus pay for small luxuries like dining out from time to time.

It's nice to get that regular paycheck, even if I'm doing a mundane job instead of working in an artistic or creative field full-time. And it certainly beats not getting the check.

64/365 -