This afternoon, I received a call from an HR representative at a social service agency, whose craigslist posting I'd answered. I'd heard of the agency, which administers health and recreation programs for seniors in various nursing homes and residences; they were seeking a Program Assistant, who would oversee the general administration of the programs and supervise volunteers. Not exactly what I'm doing now but close enough. And the hourly pay they were offering was double what I'm making now (meaning it was actually a respectable pay rate for an educated adult). So, I was psyched! HR Lady asked when I'd be available for a 'phone interview and we scheduled one for 5:00 PM (this afternoon). I figured that would give me time to get home (I leave work at 4:00) go to the loo, eat a yogurt and catch my breath before the interview.

So...I got home and did all the aforementioned; then called the number HR Lady had given me. She started asking about the degrees I'd earned, the schools I'd attended; normal stuff. But then she said, "I notice you don't give dates next to your degrees; when did you earn them?" So, I told her the dates  and admitted to having been a "non-traditional aged student." Since she seemed to be probing for my actual age, I decided to just go ahead and admit it to her. You'd have thought I'd said an "F-word" worse than "fifty!"

 She started going on about how the job was "very physical" and "required a lot of energy" so would "probably not be a good fit." (In other words, she thought I'd keel over at work because I was SO OLD). I felt compelled to point out that the resume, which had intrigued her enough to make her call me, included description of my current job, which involves teaching daily exercise classes and playing sports with the residents and also mentions that I'm a former professional dancer and certified fitness instructor. (It didn't actually say that I could kick her snotty little butt but only because I hadn't realized that would be relevant when writing the most recent edition of it).

I said a quick "Thank you for your time" and got the hell off the 'phone so I wouldn't be tempted to say what I really wanted to say. I then got online and wrote a venting email to Lady Lucia (who was still at her office). Lady L wrote back with sympathy, and also the information (which I had suspected) that HR Lady's interviewing tactics had been borderline illegal.

Right Livelihood has continued to elude me. I've been at this sub-poverty wage job for nearly two years (my second anniversary is July 1st) and am getting tired of having my hopes raised; then dashed, over and over and over again. I try to cultivate detachment in this process but have never been any good at it.

Well, onward. I wouldn't want to work for anybody who considered me so decrepit anyway.

Blessings, well-wishes and struggling hopes!

Eva T.