Tired, ill, or angry, or numb?

The search for the start of a career path is like the search for the start of a roll of tape -- you need to have fingernails.

I've kept up with my applications, submitting 5-10 per week - only applying for jobs that I actually want (which seems like common sense, but is really a bit of a skill - when you're hungry, everything looks good - plus there's the temptation to revert to 8 year-old thinking -- "I want to be a policeman! I want to be a vet!"). I've had a couple interviews and met with recruitment agencies. Surprisingly, I'm hearing back about the jobs that I seem less qualified for, and being instantly rejected for the jobs I'm certain I could already do... But maybe that's for the best.

Yesterday, as part of an extensive application process I was asked to complete some online tests like data entry and basic computer skills. These tests I did quite well at, despite the inherent distractions of taking the test at home among the cats. The other online test was more of a personality test - self-reporting of what you like, what you've done, and how you see yourself.

My favourite question: "how often have you owned merchandise someone else may have stolen?"

One entire section of perhaps 30 questions asked me to choose one word from each group of three words that I feel best describes * me *. For example, am I -- cheerful, brave, or clever? It seems like an easy test until you're 18 questions in and you begin overanalysing every option. I got completely stumped on: Am I eager, skillful, or honest? It reminded me of a game collegiate-friend Valerie and I used to play -- giving two incongruent options, asking eachother: "Are you hungry or are you distracted? Are you tired or are you valiant?" So now this test was asking me: "Are you eager, skillful, or honest?" Are those qualities in any way mutually exclusive?

I have an interview tomorrow morning... I'll likely be asking myself beforehand whether I feel nervous or if I feel lucky... if I'm honest, It'll be a mix of both.

bag, man, bag.

The big birthday has come and gone... featuring japanese dinner for sixteen in a tatami room ("wear nice socks, just in case" I told party guests). I'm always amazed at the wonderful things people find as gifts. Especially since I have a hard enough time shopping for myself... so anyone who asked was told -- buy me something disposable, something that gets used up or experienced, some kind of guilty pleasure or vice... lottery tickets, alcohol, drugs.

Today a package arrived from UK-based Shiloh... with an entirely different sort of contraband.
Fascinating! - you're thinking... but... what is it? Never one to shy from the trendy terminology of the day - not only is it a manbag in the traditional sense (click on the "manbag" link and see definition #1), but also the leather is treated in such a way that the bag keeps its shape and its wrinkles (thus also referencing "manbag" definition #3). Sorry Shi, but it's true and very funny and very wonderful!

That connection reminds me of 90s pop group Dubstar and the original cover to their album Disgraceful with the controversial coin-purse image which was later replaced with a single bunny slipper.

Strangely its my first experience with such a fashion accoutrement... and I expect when I first venture out in the street and someone says "nice manbag" I'll be laughing while I work out just where they're looking.