new blog.....

since i use friendster a lot already, i have decided to move my blog to there......please follow =)

http://tdprestridge.blogs.friendster.com

and now it's out of my hands.....

the deed is done.......and now I patiently (okay not so patiently) await the final decision......I had my interview with NSMT on Wednesday and met with Jon and Julie to talk about the job with them. Both interviews went really, really well and when I spoke to Carolyn she said they were only considering myself and Matt the PR intern. UGH! I feel somewhat guilty about potentially stealing the rug out from under this guy when he is already interning there, but I suppose you gots to look out for number 1 right?...part of the interview was to take a position profile and edit it for NSMT and write a cover letter back the search firm who initially put it together. I think I really rocked out on it, but I'm afaid to get to excited......on paper I really think I have he background and education they are looking for.....not to mention my existing connection to the staff......but for all the signs that seem to point in my direction, I get that much more nervous....almost like a too good to be true thing.....and they could absolutely choose Matt too because they said that they were impressed with both of us! He must be a great guy too.....sigh....

so for all who may read this.....please keep your fingers crossed for me.....they will make a decision around Wednesday of next week.......i'll update when i find out......

"i can see the light of a clear blue morning....."

so there seems to be some light coming thorough my job gloom and doom.....i'm not being overly hopeful at this point because a few places are now at interview or pre-interview stages, but at least it feels like things are moving now....below are the current opportunities and their advantages/disadvantages......keep your fingers crossed all!

#1 Merrimack Repertory Theatre - Box Office Manager - I have an interview with them on Friday of next week. (March 25). Honestly, I am a little nervous about this job for many reasons. For one, the company doesn't have the best of reputations when it comes to employee relations. I've heard that people are kinda bitchy and rude. Aside from that, the company has been facing some major financial issues of late. Earlier this year they let go their Managing Director to free up funds. They issued a statement in the Globe that said if that didn't work they would be forced to raise ticket prices or ultimately close their doors. Do I really want to step into a situation like that? Especially when their programming is not something that typically appeals to me? The money would be better than Suffolk and it would be good managment experience, but is it worth it?

#2 American Repertory Theatre - Asst. General Manager/Human Resources Officer - This one I feel is kind of a long shot. While I feel that this position is great and one I could learn a lot from, I'm not so sure that I am qualified at this point in my life. The money is amazing and it's a wonderful company, but I'm just nervous about my background, etc. I was sent a pre-interview questionnaire the other day (along with 30 other people) so that they could screen more specific experience and then decide who to bring in for an interview. I should hear by next Wed. or Thurs. if they would like me to come in for an official interview. I am definitely going to pursue this one with full force, but it has it's drawbacks too. I can't say that A.R.T's programming is my speed either, and I have heard from a lady who works their that they are less than friendly at times too. Very snooty, etc. Again, is this the kind of environment I want to work in?

#3 North Shore Music Theatre - Producers/PR Assistant - This is the job that I am most interested in. And of course it's the one that pays the least. Go figure! This would entail me working in Kimbell and LaRock's office and then assisting Julie and Mike on the side with PR. I feel like I have the best shot at getting this job. I mean I know everyone there, I have ties to the theatre already because of Derek, and Jon K. told me from his own mouth that they are big on hiring couples there. He is already afraid of losing Derek, so I feel like that is on my side. If they feel like that can get a good employee and keep Derek too that would be in their best interest. I will have that interview sometime next week. Carolyn sent me an email to say she would call and set that up soon. The main drawback to this job is the pay. But I love the organization and its programming and feel like I could learn a lot from Jon and Julie. It's EXACTLY the type of organization I would love to work for and be affiliated with. Deep down, even though the pay is lowest, I think this is the job I want the most. For so many reasons. Derek told me last night though, that there were A LOT of resumes sent in and that Matt the PR intern had applied as well. Pray! =)

I guess it all boils down to, do I go for the money or do I go for the organization I like best? I never want to take a job that I am going to hate just for money. I've been miserable in this job at Suffolk long enough to know that a bad workplace environment is unhealthy and miserable. I don't want to spend the next couple of years in that type of situation. And who knows, none of these jobs may work out. It's not like I am batting a thousand lately. Any insight would be appreciated! =)

"How did I come to this...This should have been my time..."

so before I start ranting about the few small things that are not quite how I want them to be in my life let me begin by saying...i'm happy....i really am....there are just a few things I wish were working out a little differently for my life....and maybe now that I am seeing them....I can work to fix them.....

job....still at suffolk....enough said.....still waiting to hear about NSMT.....only been a week so I am still hopeful....

derek.....things are wonderful....i love him more everyday and everyday I am more convinced that marrying him is the right thing to do.....despite our issues of finding a location for said wedding....that being said.....i really miss him....he is working soo much now that Marty has left.....he hasn't had a full day off in forever.....he constantly works to keep things going in the Education Department.....and I sit at home watching movies and eating on the couch.....that's another reason why I am semi-hopeful about this job at NSMT...even though I would not be working directly with him.....i would have the chance to see him occasionally if I really wanted too.....and that would help....

friends.....lord knows I have them......and they are all amazing......but it seems that the ones I truly care about and enjoy spending time with......are all miles away.....i spent the early part of my life making friends across the U.S. and now when I have chosen to settle down.....my friends are scattered across states and no where near me......it makes being alone when Derek is working even harder because I really don't have anyone here in Boston that I can just pick up the phone and talk to, or go visit, or grab a drink with, etc.....Is it my fault.....I'm sure.....I haven't taken the time to make friends or put myself out there and make friends.....it's easier to sit at home with take out chinese food and watch Big Business for the millionth time...*grin*......okay so I know it's an issue......and I'm the one that has to fix it....i'm working on it.....

so now with all that being said......again.....let's talk about more exciting happy things.....

I did get to see my friend Jamie the other day! He stopped through Boston at South Station and I was able to see him, give him a big hug, chat, meet his best friend Kevin, and spend a few minutes with him before they had to leave out again for Portland, ME. I have to say that Jamie is probably one of the coolest people I have met in a really long time. He's shy as all hell, but when I really need to talk about something, no matter how strange or bizarre it may be.....he let's me ramble and then gives me advice and makes me feel better by the time it is all said and done. Within the next month Jamie is supposed to move to NYC.......sigh.....that makes me happy......finally maybe we will be able to hang out in person more!

I talked to my Mom for a few minutes the other day....it's always amazing to hear her voice.....I miss my mother so much......she is quite possibly the one person who has always been there for me.....even when I didn't deserve it......living so far away from her is so hard sometimes.....i am so excited for her to come up here for her birthday and for my wedding......she can finally see the place that Derek and I have put together and spend more time with him......she sent him a Valentine's Day card this year along with mine and wrote in there "Thank you for making my son so happy".......don't you love her......

so as you see....life is good.....i'm happy....and things are going well.......i just need to ramble about the same things over and over.......

a myriad of topics........

Tuesday I officially applied for the job at NSMT.....I sent Carolyn my resume/cover letter and she said she would make sure it got on top when she passed it on to Jon and John.....I have no idea what will come of this, but like everything else, it's worth a try....something has got to give eventually.....I can't continue to merely exist at Suffolk.....there's nothing for me to do and no room for me to grow......it's quite depressing at times......all keep your fingers crossed that something good comes out of this NSMT opportunity.....

My trip to DC was great.....it was so good to see everything and everyone.....and the weather was beautiful.....I finally met Kevin's boyfriend Darek.....and he's wonderful.....handsome, funny, intelligent.....Kevin did really well.......the only downside of our trip was Bill......he is so not the guy I first met so long ago.....I blocked out his chronic lying, but when we were there this weekend he just bellowed over with lies.......I guess he doesn't realize how involved I am in theatre and how much I keep tabs on shows, tours, etc....but he knew nothing of what was going on and tried to lie to me about it......one thing I cannot abide by is someone lying to my face just to look good......drives me crazy....

So I'm supposed to meet my friend Jamie for coffee later today. He is on his way through Boston to Portland to visit his family. I will finally get to meet his friend Kevin too that he has told me so much about. I haven't seen Jamie in probably 6-7 years so I'm excited to see him and catch up, if only for 30 minutes.....hopefully he will be moving to NYC in April so I will get to see him more often as Derek and I make trips to see shows and such....

headed to DC....a trip in the past....

Tomorrow I leave for a mini-vacation to DC. It has been over a year and a half since Tricia and I packed up our shit and moved to Boston from DC. We decided that we would take a weekend and spend time seeing old friends and visiting the places we used to hang out in DC. I am really excited to see Kevin, Bill, Polone, and Dan and have a drink at JRs and step back into the world that I left in a quite unhappy state. I know I am going to miss living there once I visit, but life here in Boston is treating me very well and I am happy and progressing well in my life and career....for the most part.....The one sad thing about going to DC is that I won't get to see Jim D. I'm really sad that we lost touch so easily once I moved....

On that note I was talking with Carolyn (who is head of HR at NSMT) and she gave me the inside scoop on a job that they would be posting soon. She sent me the full PD and after looking at it I really think I would like it. I know the people I would be working with very well and I feel like it could be a great opportunity and I would finally be working with professional people in a big professional company. That has been my goal for quite a while now and it's where I want to be. The trick is now bridging that gap of being friends with those people and getting them to hire me now as an employee of the company. And Derek works there as well, but I talked to him and he said that he would not feel invaded and if that is what I needed to do then to do it! So we are gonna keep our fingers crossed and hope this works so I can get the hell outta Suffolk! =)