My talents are not all that great, but I am becoming quite a braggart in regards to many things as I try to find meaningful work. I feel like I am twisting my cover letters, resume, and interview question answers to be tailored to the needs of a potential employer. I'm selling myself and it can sometimes be fun.
Of course, the employment I've applied for are not "real jobs." My interest in sustainable agriculture is still very strong, so I've been trying to find an internship in southern Florida for the winter vegetable season. Worden Farm was going to take me, if they had any positions. Unfortunately for me, everyone interning last year is returning, I am looking elsewhere. Mr. Worden pointed me toward another place, Bee Heaven Farm, that may have a place for me, but application has been delayed because of lost e-mail messages. I've spoken with other smaller farms, but can't really see a way for these positions to work out financially.
Here's the interesting thing about my life right now: if I don't find a feasible opportunity in the South, I'm flying North. Far, far, North. Yesterday I had an interview with the manager of an arctic research station for a "Winter Operations Assistant" position. With this temporary job running from October to May I would go out to a remote location 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle for two weeks at a time. Doing what, exactly? Cleaning, stocking facilities, shoveling snow, fueling snow machines, preparing meals, cleaning up fuel spills, keeping equipment running, assisting scientists, etc. The interview went very well, I felt, and if it doesn't work out, I might just go North anyway and look for a job on the North Slope. I'm talking to my relatives in Fairbanks, making living arrangements when I'm not on the arctic tundra.
My father is also passing on to me the noble art of piano tuning. I'm glad to be getting my hand into this, and I know he's hoping I stay close by here so he can have me do all the excess tunings he's been called about. Don't know if he'll be quite so lucky. So far, he is pleased with my progress: I have the ear and my touch and strength is getting in better control of the tuning pins. Today I made leaps in understanding tuning by fourths and fifths and using checks. Hopefully I'll understand setting a temperament in a couple weeks and be able to take on entire pianos.
So what will Berty be? A farmer, an arctic custodian, or a piano tuner? You can cast your vote here if you want. Whatever I am, I'll soon be purchasing all the levels of Rosetta Stone's French course for $600 and working on this learning-a-second-language-fluently life goal. And, hopefully some essay writing . . . I need some artistic creations going on in my life again. Currently Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac" has been inspiring me. Life is just so full of challenges, possibilities, and things to be interested in!
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3 comments:
Aw man, the arctic! That's so crazy awesome!
I mailed you a long letter and a small present on Friday, so hopefully you will get that soon. I'm excited to hear about what's going on in your life! :D
One of the interns here in Salzburg makes me think of you. She's here to work on a sustainability initiative, and she's a bit of a hippie. I would say you should come work here, but most of us here do not get paid, which is less helpul.
Leopold rocks. As do you. :) Great having you back for a bit.
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