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Sunday, February 19, 2012

This is the day when things fall into place


A brief story about the power of social media. Or maybe the value of connecting, reconnecting. Who you know. The ending of one chapter, the beginning of another. A shift of gears. A new day. A move from a red square to a black one. Is it the Phoenix or the egg?

I'm stalling.

See, the thing is, I reconnected with a friend, a former colleague on Facebook. This friend knew that I was out of work and suggested I apply for a position with his employer. And so I did. And. And....

I got the job. I mean - I got the job!!! (Throws confetti into the air, runs around in circles making incoherent noises. Halts, realizes that she's going to have to clean up the confetti, shrugs and resumes pandemonium.)

And it's not just a job. It is a position I really, really wanted.

I start in a couple of weeks.

After being out of work for two years and two months (you bet I've kept count), I'd pretty much given up. My friend's timing was perfect. Having him as an internal reference surely helped. Without his connection, I may have been overlooked for this position because of my old job titles, but during the interview process it became clear that my best skills were well-suited for this position.

In other words, I'm beside myself with joy and gratitude for my friend who knows from experience what a toll long-term unemployment takes on a person.

Thanks to all of you for the support, kind words and patience as I've struggled to hold on to the belief that things would turn around. There were many days when this blog felt like the only thing I'd accomplished, if you could call it an accomplishment.

When it comes down to it, I'm here because you're here.

Thank you, all of you, for being here.

53 comments:

  1. woohoo congrats on the job...that is awesome...i know the feeling of being out of work and wanting a job...and great to have friends point you in the right direction....

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  2. YAYYYYYY!!! So happy to hear about that. Just another reminder that networking does help -- sometimes when we least expect it! CONGRATS!!! *showers you with more confetti and then convinces Fiona that it is actually kitty kibble and she should Hoover it up herself*

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  3. OH MY GOD!!!!! Congratulations!!!! What a relief, what a welcome bit of news. I'm so freaking happy for you and all the little Goldens. I can't wait to hear about your forays back into the work force.

    XO

    {throws confetti, helps you pick it out of your hair}

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  4. That's great news. I'm really really happy for you. I hope it works out and this bodes well for all you Goldens. ;o)

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  5. THIS IS FABULOUS NEWS!!! /does a Mia Hamm, suddenly realizes she is NOT wearing a sports bra--or any bra for that matter/

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  6. Oh Lisa! I'm so happy for you! What a relief! How exciting! Pandemonium. Yes, well deserved pandemonium. Crying tears of joy for you. (and yes. I'm a big baby. Quit staring.) xoxo

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  7. Congrats, Lisa!

    Heck, throw up some more confetti. We'll make more!
    ~

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  8. Lisa, that's so wonderful! Can't express how happy I am for you. Big hugs!!!

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  9. Woo Hoo! That is AWESOME! Congratulations!

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  10. two years and two months= too long!
    if you are half as much fun @ the workplace as you are on the blog, you will make life worth working, I mean job worth liking, I mean paycheck good.
    Let's hope it's a keeper and they suddenly realize how in the world did they ever get along without YOU!

    I bet you are one happy camper to end the @#@$@ unemployment chapter. Whew!

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  11. Yay! Where do I send the celebratory champagne? :)

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  12. Squeeee! [It took me a while to run in circles and scream in glee.] I am beyond words happy that this is happening for you!

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  13. Yes!!!! This is the best news I've heard in so long! I'm so friggin' happy for you!!! I'm going to do a little jig in your honor. You so deserve it. xo

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  14. You've put in so much effort both to find a new job and to remain positive in outlook for your friends and family that I will always be amazed by your energy and great heart. Now you've found not just a job but an actual position, I'm fit to burst with pride in knowing you.

    I hope you'll enjoy these weeks of freedom.

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  15. I'm doing the happy dance and tossing de-boned Milky Ways like really sticky confetti!

    Congratulations, Lisa!

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  16. Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. :-)

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  17. Hot damn, if I were a drinking woman I'd have a toast to you right now!

    Oh, wait.

    So well deserved, my friend. I'm happy beyond all get-out!

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  18. Absolutely wonderful, Grrrl!!! Congratulations, and Knock 'Em Dead!

    I'm similarly "without," but just started that schtick in January, so I'm not desperate yet (though I'm a bit anxious.)

    Again, HOORAY FOR YOU! :) :) :)

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  19. Lisa,
    CONGRATULATIONS!! YES I AM SHOUTING!! YES THIS IS WORTHY OF EXCLAMATION POINT OVERZEALOUSNESS AND ALL CAPS!!

    I've been trying to hook a dear friend of mine up for a job. He's been out of work for three years now, and I've done all I can which may not be enough. This brings hope, that maybe just maybe it'll work out for him too. He sent me a note about how it has put such a strain on his marriage, from his depression about being out of work to the daily struggle with finances...I know you get that. And that fact that people still matter. Here's hoping I can wield as much power as your friend.

    HAPPY DAY MS. GOLDEN!

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  20. YAYAYAAYAYAYAYAYAY...i am SO glad i finally got over here to read this news...i can sleep happy. this is wonderful, lisa. you are a wonderful inspiration to many.
    xxx

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  21. Way to go. Good luck to you in your new job.

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  22. Aw man, we have to acknowledge that the very tool of Satan himself, Facebook, actually proved useful in meaningfully useful way? You suck, thanks for thinking only of yourself. I mean, thumbs up, and I'm gonna toast thee with adult beverages, who cares if it's not yet 6 am.


    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO x 32

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  23. YIPPEEE!!!!!! SO THRILLED FOR YOU LISA! YOU SO DESERVE THIS. GO GET EM GRRL!!!

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  24. Fantastic news -- here's hoping you'll still have plenty of material to entertain us with!

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  25. Congrats on the new job!! Hope it works out well for you.

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  26. I'd dance around in my underwear if I had any on.

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  27. Woof! woof! woof! Woof! woof! woof!

    Good luck with the new job!

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  28. OMG... so much happiness for you. Congrats. I know the long road of being out of work. I went 18 months back in late 2001 to early 2003 and it was a stressful period of time.

    And the fact that you are getting a position that is something you want is even better.

    Major congrats!

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  29. OMG, that's huge! And how lucky for the company/organization who had the intelligence to hire you!

    I want to hear all about it, of course. And that job better start AFTER AWP!

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  30. FUCK YES!!! FINALLY! HOOORAY!! I am THRILLED for you!

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  31. Yay, yay, and yippee!! :) Big congrats, Lisa!! :)

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  32. Thanks for helping me celebrate! I love you guys more than I love the cats. Just don't tell them I said that. They haven't been fed yet.

    xoxoxoxo

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  33. I just opened your email to find THIS! WOW! Congratulations, friend! I am so freaking happy for you. Please send me a message when you get time. Details! WOOHOO!

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  34. Hooray!!! I couldn't be more happy about this news! Hooray!!

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  35. Wow, I am really happy for you Lisa!!! You deserve this good fortune and I know you are well qualified. They are lucky to have you! You had all but given up and now WOW, you got what you wanted, what you needed, what you should have at long last. :) Good luck and a toast to you!

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  36. Holy shit, CONGRATS!!! I wish I had read this earlier because it just put a huge smile on my face. Good for you! And while I imagine you will probably not blog in detail about your job, any tidbits you can throw our way about how it's going and maybe what you're doing would be awesome. So happy for you!

    I admit that I am a little worried about what will happen to you once the cats find out you won't be home as much. Will they take this as an opportunity to plot more in secret, or will they avenge you? (Totally worth it either way!)

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  37. As I already told you, Lisa, I'm incredibly happy for you! I am in awe of how you have persisted against a lot of odds to finally land something that is truly worthy of your talents, instead of the first thing that came along. I'm also in awe of the fact and wish it were the same for me, that you have a life beyond being a mother that you can be proud of. While I don't regret it, I did make the choice of putting most of my eggs in that basket at the expense of other aspects of my life. Now that they are grown and have lives of their own, I attribute as part of my current problems, an apathy and boredom toward life in general. There is that empty space.

    Sorry to go on on such a bummer note. I am currently writing my 9,300th post where you are mentioned. I hope you can take a moment to come by and check it out. I don't usually ask people to do that but since you have been a formative person in my blogging life, I wanted to tell you about it.

    Warm regards,
    Gina

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    1. Gina, I understand what you're saying. I've had two years of being a stay-at-home mom/wife and I'm a little torn about giving that up and my fantasy of being full-time writer. I'm grateful to have found a job that aligns well with my personal beliefs. I spent so many years liking the people I worked for/with, but feeling guilt about many of the policies they supported.

      Now I have to figure out how to do my best in the paid position and balance that with writing at night.

      I hope you can find that thing that stirs you, that fills that empty space.

      You know I'll be over to read you. Thank you for letting me know. I'm so glad we've had a chance to know each other through this medium.

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  38. I am overwhelmed by all of your kind words. You all rock!

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  39. Correction - it's not my 9,300th post! That's the number of comments!

    I'm glad too, Lisa. And so glad to see in such a good place in so many areas of your life. :-)

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  40. thanks Lisa for stopping by my blog. Always thinking of you :)

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  41. Wow. Congratulations. I hope that you get to treat yourself to something after some milestone. How about a week?

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  42. Congratulations, Lisa! I know that they will love having you, as an employee, I mean. I know how great you are to work with.

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  43. Hooray! I'm so happy for you. :)

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  44. WHERE IN THE FUCK have I been???? HOOOORayyyy!!!!

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  45. Hope you first day was great and that this works out for you and hurrah!! Looking forward to any news you can share on what you are doing! I am so thrilled for you!

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  46. wow! wonderful news. much happy for you I am.

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  47. Okay--I've been out of town for a bit, and not really on the 'nets for a while.

    I cannot believe I missed this! I am so stoked for you!
    Love, love, LOVE this awesome developement!

    Woot! Hee-hee!

    :-])

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