Whatever Happened to the Weekend?

I know that I really shouldn't be complaining. I chose the fate that I am now living. But, really, I had no conception that participating in American Democracy meant giving up any and all hard won labor rights...small thinks...like weekends. I mean, don't get me wrong...I love my co-workers. As a matter of fact, and I think I've mentioned this a time or two before, I don't believe I have ever worked with a more dedicated and talented group of individuals. Roughly half of our field staff have Master's degrees...one is working on his PhD, and almost all of us have our undergraduate degrees. We've got folks on our field staff that speak, in addition to English, Swedish, Spanish, and Arabic. It's basically a Field Staff Think Tank going on. But, goodness, I am definitely looking forward to having my weekends back.

Unlike most of the field staff, and please note this is not a criticism, I have a long history of work and activism in the Twin Cities. Which also means that I have a community here where I have deep roots. I also have other hobbies, pasatiempos, and obligations outside of the campaign. Trying to fit even a tenth of what I usually do in addition to work into what I am doing with the campaign is crazy making. Yes it is. Add to that trying to add in a social life of some kind and exercise...and you end up with days that tend to stretch from 8am-1am or later. I'm getting too damn old for all of that.

I mean...I'm still young and pretty. Don't get me wrong. Just look at the picture of me in the duck suit if you have any doubts. I've aged well. But, I'm starting to get to that point in life when sleep is precious and when I don't get sleep I start looking like the Thing from Powderhorn Lake (for those of you not from Minneapolis...Powderhorn Lake is the small lake across the street from my house...it's a bird sanctuary...which means lots of goose shit in the water...which breeds all kinds of slimy fungi...add to that the fact that it was, during the 80s, the number one dumping spot for murder victims in Minneapolis...and you can imagine just how nasty the Thing from Powderhorn Lake really is).

There are a couple of staff members that came into the campaign with significant others...including one field staffer that is actually married. That is just plainly crazy. I have done my share of dating while on the campaign...but actually trying to maintain a long term relationship at this point would be the essence of extra crazy.

The hardest part of this work right now is my inability to spend any real time writing. Writing is what keeps me going. Hell this blog is what kept me from checking back into the mental hospital while I was living in Albuquerque. And now that my time with the campaign is coming to an end, I am in the fortunate place of being able to look for a new job that will both pay me what I minimally need to make in order to pay my bills...while also allowing me the time/space to write. I got a job notice yesterday from Patrick's Cabaret, a local arts organization where I was once offered the position of Executive Director. The job is 25 hours a week and pays $25K a year...which would allow me the time and space to write...and perform...and book performances...and finish revising my last play...and finish writing the play I started last spring...and finish the creative non-fiction/poetry project on which I am working...slowly. I also recently went through my old journals...some going back seven or eight years...and found a few poems that I'd written and about which I'd completely forgotten. Basically, I am pinning a lot of hopes on the Cabaret job. I need the space to really explore my writing and spend the time I need to be spending on writing.

Anywho...I'm currently sitting in a sinful bakery called “A Baker's Wife...” where I am managing a lit drop. Let me tell you...this place has the BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST baked goods of any place I have ever been ever (check it out...the address is 4200 28^th Avenue South)...it's not to be missed.