Personal Challenge: Day 4

I filled out my first three applications on Thursday, and I'm happy to say that things are right on schedule. I have been active at this thing for four days now, and I have filled out exactly twelve applications. I must admit that at first I was ready to bail completely, shut down the blog and go into hiding (not really, but I had forgotten how burdensome it is to track down, fill out and turn in three job applications, and in the dead of summer), but I am determined like never before to remain completely diligent. Here is my list, thus far, of the businesses I have applied to:

99 Cents Only Store
Payless Shoes (Foothill Blvd.)
Sav-On Drugs
Virgin Megastore
Rainforest Cafe*
Big Dog Sportswear*
Sizzler
Kragen Auto Parts*
Rite Aid
Ross
Payless Shoes (Slover Ave.)*
Burke's Outlet

The businesses indicated with a * are those that claim to be currently hiring. The rest are "accepting applications." At this point I kind of have my heart set on Rainforest Cafe (it's inside of a mall, the atmosphere is amazing and I'll be earning tips!), but I would be happy with any of the above (actually Virgin Megastore would ROCK, but that's more of an unrealistic fantasy job). If I can't see myself feasibly working at a given location without wanting to blow my brains out, then I simply don't apply. Peace of mind is everything.

Today I made the mistake of filling out my applications right in the heat of the day, around 2PM, and I can assure you I'll never do that again. For over an hour I dragged my way across the Target Shopping Center looking for potential employers, and by the end my brain was basically fried. I wanted to say "Screw it!" right then and there, and just forget the whole thing, at which point I wandered aimlessly around the wrong side of the parking lot, completely freaking out because I couldn't find my car (if I haven't already mentioned it, the heat and I do not get along too well). The problem is that I'm usually tired in the evening, and I'm never awake in the morning, so that basically leaves me with the hundred-degree afternoon. Tomorrow, however, I am determined to get up at a decent hour and take care of business before the rays come down to drown me in yet another river of heat-induced hallucinations.

On the plus side, this challenge has inspired me to go above and beyond my normal course of actions. In my right mind I would never bother applying for a commission job, and yet as I sit here I am writing a resume to be given to Cingular Wireless. Also, I've never been the type to remain focused on a task when presented with a more fun (but less important) opportunity, but on Friday night I did just that. I opted to be nearly half an hour late for an engagement so that I could finish filling out my three applications. That's not like me at all, but I'm glad I did it. For once I feel like I'm actually getting my priorities in order, and for that reason I already feel somewhat successful.

Anyway, I'm going to start calling places back tomorrow. Perhaps if I annoy the businesses to death, they'll remember my name. And that's always a good thing, right? Right? Come on! I'm sort of pissed off about this minor roadblock in the form of a court appearance that I must deal with on Wednesday, but that will be over soon. It's really annoying that this court thing is keeping me increasingly unnerved, shifting my focus and determination away from my personal challenge, but like I said, it is merely a minor roadblock. It's only a silly traffic infraction anyway (running a stop sign; I intend to win), and I'm not about to let it get in the way of my objective. I just hope that I'm not held up in court so long that I'm too exhausted to go out and look for work later on. Not that it will matter. As I've said before, I'm committed to this thing, and you can bank on that.

More on Thursday...