"If General McClellan did not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it."

[beboots]

"If General McClellan did not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it."
-Abraham Lincoln



"Ce ne sont pas les pas d'une personne qui danse!" ("Those aren't the steps of a person that can dance!")

So I have a few things to glee about, and a few things to be anxious about. Sadly, more of the former than the latter.

First thing's first: I have the interview at Fort Edmonton! <3 (In fact, it was the handsome Kevin Spaans who made the call - I love his voice!)

Anyway, I'm hoping to apply for historical interpreter. So, no more running Midway games and rides - I would get to be a full-time historical persona, you know? I've groomed myself for the position of Country Wife at the Fort (1846) era. I think that I have a decent chance of getting it, as they always run short of country wives (that's Métis or Cree women, married to white (or later, other Métis, fur traders, to those who haven't studied the Canadian fur trade). I've grown my hair out long, and taken several Canadian history classes... including a native history class. The paper I'm writing right now (2,000/3,000 words written, due a week from this Thursday) is actually on the topic of Cree-Blackfoot-Métis-white relations around Fort Edmonton from 1800-ish-1850s. I think that I know my stuff.

BUT I have two problems.

ONE: I'm going on vacation this year - just over three weeks, to Ireland and Scotland. This would not normally be much of a problem (quite the opposite - I love travelling!), except that I was told over the phone that I needed to have the exact dates of any time off that I require, because they're being extra careful about vacation times... because they're hiring so few employees this year, because of the recession, they need people who can work the most time. Which means that if they think that my vacation is too long... they won't hire me, but they will someone who will work all of the summer.

I'm going to pitch it as "I cut this six week vacation of a lifetime in half because I desperately want to work for you guys". Also, I hope that their desire for people who would fit in really well in the role of Fort women (and a hopeful continuation of the trend of a shortage thereof) will work in my favour. I really, really hope that I'll get the job, guys... I'll be miserable all summer if I don't. :(

I suppose that I could ask to be on the Midway again, if all else fails, but... I won't have nearly as much fun. :(

SECOND: Well, this hopefully shouldn't be too much of a detriment, but... remember how I used to work at Superstore? For four and a half years? Well, I called up my old boss at work to see if I could use her as a reference. I mean, I worked hard under her, specifically, for two years, and I was a great employee for another two and a half... BUT, first of all, she was like "wait, I can't give you a reference, you quit two years ago! It's been too long!" and I then had to explain that no, it had only been eleven months, because I quit around this time last year to work the summer at Fort Edmonton. Then she said that it was actually illegal for her to give me a reference, for some reason, because she was now the Store Manager. I was actually almost in tears - I was counting on that four-year job to be a good reference for at least two years. How does that look, when I can't use the longest term of employment on my resumé as a reference? D: I think that she heard the tears in my voice, and she agreed, but stated that she was moving to a different store in two weeks, and she didn't know it's phone number, so... yeah. I'm kind of screwed for that reference.

And I need to bring THREE to the interview. One is fine - my old Midway supervisor already agreed. I could probably wrangle a second out of the 1920s supervisor, who has seen me work. But the third?

I eventually thought of my research supervisor for my honours thesis, Professor Smith. I've sent her off a quick e-mail asking/pleading for a reference. I actually think that she would be a better reference for this job - I mean, at least she can tell them I'm organized and do good historical research, right? Right.

Also, I was even more anxious because the internet at my house stopped working for two hours, so I couldn't send off that e-mail right away... yeah. Nervous.

I think - I HOPE - it will all work out. But if it doesn't... I'm definitely going to cry myself to sleep at some point. I have no backup plan for another summer job if this one falls through. D:

On another note... I'm making progress on my papers and readings! Not quite AHEAD, per se, but definitely not behind. Stuff is getting done. I'll feel much better in three weeks' time, though. I'll have then handed in two of my papers, finished a presentation, and had the interview.

Comments

[anyjen.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope everything turns out alright, sweety. And congrats on your holidays! I'm envious... Ireland and Scotland sounds dreamy. X3