Day Seven Hundred and Fifty Nine of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Sleep Problems

I had trouble sleeping again. I fell asleep watching TV and then I woke up with a start at 3 AM. I couldn’t get to bed so I tossed and turned for a while. I gave up and got up to work on the computer.

I finally fell asleep at 5 AM and managed to sleep in until 9:30 AM. It’s weird, it’s almost like I’m sleeping in two shifts. I know that my anxiety and depression exacerbates my sleep issues. It is frustrating because I never feel like I am refreshed. I have been feeling half asleep at times. I don’t feel much energy either.

Unmotivated

Once I did wake up, I did not feel motivated to do much of anything. I felt depressed and anxious. The last thing that I should do while feeling this way is to try to do any work, like job hunting or writing. Time just seemed to go by with little to show in the way of any accomplishment.

I did manage to get some chores done, like laundry, loading and unloading the dishwasher but little more than that. I’d do a little work and then I’d go lie down and feel sorry for myself. And then I’d feel guilty that I wasn’t getting anything done. This has been a vicious circle.

Call from Extras Casting Director

I got a call from the Extras Casting Director’s agency. I had run into one of the extras casting director last week, at his garage sale. He said that something was coming up and here it was, a day’s work tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a holiday, Canada Day. I didn’t have much planned so I was happy to hear that I could work on it! And I was even happier to hear that it would be filming fairly close to me so I wouldn’t have to drive far.

I would play a teacher at a school. I spent some time gathering up all of my wardrobe for tomorrow. They warned that it might be an early start so I didn’t want to have to be rushing when I woke up. I packed everything and put it beside the door.

Spending Unnecessarily

I had found a bus pass a couple of weeks ago and it was expiring today. I posted it on Craigslist under the Lost and Found but nobody ever claimed it. I decided to cheer myself up and use the pass to go to shop in the suburbs.

A big problem that I have when depressed is shopping. I never buy anything particularly extravagant, I’m not that stupid, but I do buy things I don’t necessarily need that urgently. Today was one of the days when I couldn’t resist.

Two hours later, I had several bags and was on my way home. I only spent around $40 but that wasn’t the point. It was that I really didn’t need any of this stuff, really. This was shoppertainment for me. It did make me feel better during that time.

Did I feel that guilty when I got home? Actually, no, I didn’t. I felt better. Given my present financial situation, it is not the rational thing to do. But then again, even if I didn’t have money pressures, I really shouldn’t buy stuff anyway, given my hoarding tendencies. I have to find a better way to react to my depression than buying my way through it.

Day Seven Hundred and Fifty of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Mystery Shop Report Submitted

I woke up this morning so tired because I had been up until after 3 AM trying to submit my online mystery shop. I had been so frustrated because I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it and it kept coming back with an error message.

There is a 12 hour deadline for getting shop reports in so I was quite anxious about making sure that I met that, especially since this was my first time. I had sent an email to the head office which said that office hours were Monday to Friday. Despite that, somebody did get back to me and since they were three hours ahead, out east, had replied to my plea of help by the time I woke up.

The problem had been that there were two questions which only had two answers, ‘yes’ or ‘n/a’. I don’t know why they didn’t have ‘no’ as a choice because that’s what my answer had been. It frustrates me when surveys and forms aren’t written well, that is, don’t give all possible choices. I studied research study design in university decades ago so I know how to do it so I get annoyed when poorly designed forms show up in ones that I am answering.

Now that I know how to submit the report, I think I feel comfortable about doing it again. Unlike my last mystery shopping job that I did where I did get paid for my time, this was strictly being paid in trade (in this case food and drink). I think I would be willing to do it again.

Garage Sales

I was groggy when I met my friend for our Saturday garage sale hunt. Luckily, the first was a lane sale that was just around the corner from me. Neighboring condos set up tables outside along the lane. I was late but she was still looking around.

As I was looking at all of the tables, I couldn’t help thinking, gee, my neighbors have really nice stuff! One guy had the most amazing things and I couldn’t resist buying a running fuel belt and waterproof shock resistant camera for only $30! That was supposed to be my budget for the whole day.

Unexpected Meeting with Extras Casting Director

I was really surprised to spot an extras casting director I knew setting up tables with his stuff. He is a prominent extras casting director and has hired me for extra work for over twenty years. He has a reputation for running a tight ship, making sure extras arrive early.

The last time he had booked me a couple of months ago, I hadn’t confirmed my details until late on Sunday for the next day Monday’s shoot. I had been doing a long run and didn’t arrive home until after 5. With my agent, it’s no big deal, they’ve known me long enough that they know that I’ll get back to them. But for this casting director, he and his staff were leaving anxious messages for me!

I was mortified! I don’t carry a cell when I run. I confirmed as soon as I got home but I was still past the deadline. After that I hadn’t been booked from him. I assumed I had been black listed. I summoned up the courage this morning and approached him to ask him.

He told me that I wasn’t blacklisted. He said that the shows he’s been booking on have only needed younger people. He said that he had a show that I might be appropriate for next month and that he would call me. I was glad to hear that. I hope that he will book me next month.

Resting Up for Tomorrow’s Race

After a day of garage sale-ing in the sun, I was pretty tired. I did not want to run at all before tomorrow’s half marathon. I didn’t buy much else for the rest of the day but it was fun spending time with my friend.

I rested up for the remainder of the day. I had to get up early the next day, so I made sure and got everything ready. Since I didn’t get much sleep last night, I wanted to make sure and get to bed early. I haven’t trained as hard as I had for the full marathon, but I figured it would be okay.

Day Six Hundred and Forty Four of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Still Feeling Under the Weather

I woke up this morning still feeling under the weather. I feel betrayed by my body because I make such an effort all the time to avoid getting germs and doing healthy things. I could barely hold my head up today.

I had a fever, sore throat and coughed a noisy cough all day. I tried to sleep as much as I could but when that didn’t come, I just lay there, watching TV. Even reading was a little painful on my eyes.

My Dad had given me a lot of suggestions when I talked with him yesterday but I tend not to take antihistamines  or any other over the counter medications if I can. I hate the dopey feeling the antihistamines give me, even if they claim to be anti-drowsy.

Possible Schedule Conflicts Between Extras Agent and Extras Casting Director

So I was booked for next Monday with my agent on a continuity gig from a pilot I had worked on last year. Then, I was booked on Wednesday with my extras casting directors for Wednesday. I was glad that I would have two days of work this week finally after not working for so long this year.

Then, I got a call from my agent saying that they needed to push the Monday gig to Wednesday because the main actor who was in the scene was not available until then. He asked me if I could change it to Wednesday. He had noticed that my online calendar had shown blacked out for Wednesday.

I explained about my booking with the extras casting director. But I told him that it wasn’t a firm booking and that I wouldn’t know until later in the day. So he suggested to call them and ask when they would know because his was a firm booking and theirs was not.

So I called my extras casting director and explained the situation. She said that they were still waiting to hear if they might change their day of filming so she suggested that I take the firm gig for Wednesday. She said that if it was on another day, she would call me back.

I called back my extras agent and accepted the firm offer for Wednesday. There have been times when I had tentative bookings which then disappeared due to one reason or another, so I hope that this one will hold firm.

Try to Rest All Day

I tried to rest as much as I could all day. I didn’t have much energy to do anything other than lie down. I was just getting back into my marathon running schedule and now this cold or flu seems to take me off my track again. That has really brought me down because I had to run less because of my running injuries for so long and I was eager to get back on track since there’s less than two months to go before the marathon.

The last thing that I could consider today was running. I continued to have this fever, sore throat and constant coughing. I was worried because I am scheduled to volunteer for the Women in Film and TV film festival tomorrow morning. I really hope that I’ll be able to honor my commitment.

I finally reluctantly decided to take my Dad’s advice and took an antihistamine. It did manage to make me fall asleep sooner. I hope that it helps me. Being sick really sucks!

Day Five Hundred and Forty Three of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Slept Late

I wasn’t able to get to sleep until almost 4 AM last night and I’m not sure why. I usually wake up around 7 AM even when I go to sleep late but this morning I was shocked to see that it was 10:30 AM when I woke up. I guess I must have needed the sleep or I wouldn’t have slept in so late.

Skipped UBC Volunteer This Week

I’m glad that I had cancelled my UBC Volunteer gig this week. Usually, I would have already run to UBC and have been narrating for an hour by the time I woke up this morning. I am going to cut down on my running this week just because I want to concentrate on getting organized at home. So multi-hour runs are out this week!

Home Office Set Up

Since I am almost finished with my home office set up, I decided to concentrate on that rather than in other areas in my home. As I added more and more inventory, I realized that I had overestimated just how much room is in that office. I’m not sure what I will do with the rest of it.

I guess since it’s been years since I worked in this office, I don’t have a good feel of the space in it. I really want to make an effort to organize it well before I start working in it.

Ran to Class

I felt guilty for missing my long run this morning. I would only have a short run to and from the recording studio tonight so I thought I’d make it a fast one. It has still been dry out and most leaves have been blown away, so it made it easier for me to run faster without the fear of falling.

Last Voice Over Class Tonight

This was the fourth and last class of this workshop. The time went by quite quickly. This workshop was different from my first one that I took a few weeks ago. The first was my introduction to the voice over business. This one concentrated more on studio time and how to take direction.

Because of the number of people in class, we didn’t get as much mic time as I had the last workshop but that was okay. Even if it wasn’t us in the booth, we could still learn from the comments made to the other people. I did get another chance to be in the booth with another person, so that’s good practice though I hear most work is done solely with the one person and then they add the other later.

During the break, I had brought up the subject of getting an agent. I asked the instructor how she had broken into the business. It was twenty years ago when she did and since then, she’s been able to support herself and even pay a mortgage at this business.

She used to take her demo (a cassette tape in those days) and make the rounds to the different agents and recording studios. I had read the same thing from how another voice over actor got started. And as with what my last instructor had mentioned, we shouldn’t get discouraged trying to get into the business. Yes, it’s super competitive but there are some openings for the persevering type.

I had explained what my experience was when I was at the gala on Sunday and how discouraged I was that I didn’t feel all that encouraged when I approached an agent whom I knew for many years. But everyone in the class took it a different way. They said that as long as I didn’t get a door slammed in my face, I should view it as a possibility.

I felt more comforted after hearing that. I am too sensitive for my own good. That’s the main reason why I haven’t stayed in principal acting, I can’t take the constant rejection. It’s not always the most talented who succeed but often the most persistent.

I left the class with some contact information from other students. I also was encouraged by the instructor to keep in touch. I’m glad that I took this class, I got some more information, more mic time and made at least a few contacts.

Day Five Hundred and Two of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed –

More Cleaning and Clearing

I woke up early this morning to another sunny day. I was feeling a little cheerful. I think I was feeling happier because of the voiceover class that I signed up for yesterday. I was also feeling a little hopeful because of the possibility of another day’s work on a movie, even though that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Ran to Class

I started out on my run this afternoon and before long, I was getting quite hot and sweaty. It was a lot milder than I thought it would be. Although it wasn’t warm enough to be considered a summer day, it was pretty nice.

I haven’t been having any pain from my Achilles tendon, which is good. However, I have been having a little trouble with my upper hamstring area. The pain is minimal but the strain is there. It’s not enough to even bother taking a pain medication for. I guess I will just continue stretching post run and mention it to my massage therapy student at the next appointment.

Clutter Organization Class

Today was my clutter organization class. We are at the half way point of the program and to my surprise, I have yet to miss a class. I’m not sure how much I’m actually learning from this class. There isn’t anything in particular that I didn’t already know. The trick is to actually put it all in motion.

I have to admit that it is good to be able to discuss my problems with other people who face the same challenges. It’s also good to be able to report my progress to them and to have them encourage and support me. I still have a long way to go and I hope I can step it up in the next weeks.

Ran into Old Co-worker

After class, I ran downtown to meet up with my old co-worker. We meet up almost every week and I’m glad that our friendship has survived my leaving the firm. She was on her way home.

We chatted a while and then, a few minutes later, another old co-worker came by. We hadn’t seen each other since I left the firm a year and a half ago. Oddly enough, at the beginning of our conversation, I really couldn’t remember much about her. It took me a while before I remembered all the names she was mentioning, her son, her husband and the rest of her family.

Then I also remembered how she used to always talk to me when I worked there about all of her problems. I was the only one who allowed her to go on and on about her life. The others cut her off or walked away. So here it was, happening again, where I’d let her talk on and on, and I was too polite to end it. After at least three attempts to get away, I finally broke free.

I had an odd feeling as I walked away. I couldn’t believe how much I had forgotten about my work life even though it’s been five hundred and two days since I left. And also, for all the angst and anxiety that I have experienced since losing my job, mostly due to financial worries, I had forgotten the good about losing that job, no longer having to put up with aggravating people at work and this encounter reminded me of it!

Earthquake Preparedness Class

I ran to a community center to attend an earthquake preparedness class. Since living in Taipei and Tokyo where I experienced many earthquakes, I have a different perspective about them than your typical Vancouverite. I have a keener awareness of the dangers and want to try to learn as much as possible to prepare for the possibility.

I take these classes every couple of years or so, just to keep me current and as a refresher. There were around 8 women, all around the same age as me, which I thought was curious. There were no men at all, whereas at other classes I’ve attended, there have been some men. I’m glad that I took this course and even won a book on BC earthquakes as a prize!

Notice of TV commercial audition

I checked my messages and discovered one from my extras agent. She said that she wanted to send me for an audition tomorrow. I was surprised since it’s been quite a while since I’ve done one.

This one tomorrow is for a TV commercial. It would be SOC, silent on camera, which is good because I hate memorizing lines! The character is to be a 50 something woman who is cooking with her late 20 something daughter. My agent suggested me and although I am 51 years old, the casting director had reservations about my looking too young.

That’s nice to look younger, but I’d rather get the work! I was instructed by them to wear a blouse and a cardigan and put my hair up. I could totally do that! My audition isn’t until after noon, so I’d still have time to get ready tomorrow. I went to bed hopeful.

Day Five Hundred and One of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed –

Woke Up to do Last Minute Reading

I woke up to another beautiful sunny day. This is unusual for Vancouver at this time of year. Usually, it’s rainy and dark at this point. Instead, it was a crisp sunny day and there were lovely colorful leaves all over the streets.

Voice Over Scripts Selection

I had arranged to do my demo recording later tonight, so I spent the morning going through possible scripts to read. There were several scripts and I could see myself doing any of these well. I think that I would do conservative, voice of reason, confident characters the best.

I also read the demo chapters from two of the books on voiceovers that I had taken out from the library. I was able to renew them for two more weeks so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to finish them by then. I managed to finish the first book that I had taken out a few days ago.

Voiceover Class Offered

I happened to check my email before I was leaving for my UBC volunteer gig. There was notice of a class being offered by my actor’s union, UBCP. This one would be 4 classes and it would concentrate on commercial narration. It will be taught by somebody who has had many years experience.

I was surprised that this class was offered so soon after the first voiceover class that I had taken a few weeks ago. I couldn’t resist and I sent in my reservation. I figured that since I was sending it in only six minutes after it was offered I would likely get in.

Now that I was taking another class, there was no point in rushing with my demo. I would have to postpone it yet again. It’s just as well since I don’t feel completely confident enough to produce the best demo that I think I could.

Ran to UBC Volunteer Gig

I was in a happier frame of mind when I hit the streets to UBC. Although it started out a little chilly, it was nice and sunny and I was happy to be wearing my shades! As I ran by the golf course, I noticed a few diehard golfers taking advantage of the sunny, dry course. I was able to run a fairly fast pace, too.

When I got to UBC, I explained what had happened to my friend who was going to produce my demo. He used to produce demos when he worked at a radio station. He agreed that it was a good idea for me to defer doing the demo until I finished this second course.

Ran Back Home

It was still sunny but a little cooler when I ran back home. These days sunset is fairly early. I knew that I would have to dig out my head lamp if I was going to be running in the dark. I have a whole get up with blinking head lamps, glow in the dark striped clothing and even strips on my running shoes.

I don’t care if I look like something from the Las Vegas strip with my outfit. Vancouver drivers are really distracted and need something to make them pay attention to runners and their driving. I don’t like to run in the dark usually but sometimes, I have no choice.

Email from Extras Casting Director

When I got home, I was happy to receive an email from an extras casting director about a shoot coming up. It said that if I had a particular wardrobe or look, there was a chance that I could get booked for a day. I had plenty of costumes for this very occasion.

I gathered up some photos of me dressed up in those costumes. Although I had worked on this production before, I was convinced that I could get away with working on it again since I don’t think I was prominently featured and I had a totally different look.

Although it is only a chance for a single day of shooting, I’m still feeling lifted and a little optimistic. Given my gloomy disposition lately, it’s a welcome feeling. I send he casting director the email with my photos and cross my fingers. I hope she will seriously consider me for it. I need the work even if it is just one day.

Day Four Hundred and Ninety Five of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Last Minute Chiropractic Appointment

I woke up with an incredibly painful neck. I don’t know why I was in such pain because I don’t remember doing anything. Usually, I get these kinds of headaches when I carry too much on my shoulders but I haven’t been doing anything like that lately.

It’s been quite a few months since I’ve paid a visit to my long-time chiropractor. I usually make an effort to see him regularly, at least every couple of months or so. Since I have been feeling fine, I didn’t see any reason to go see him. But this morning, I felt terrible.

I called the office to see if I could get a last-minute appointment. Luckily, they were able to squeeze me in this morning. It was nice catching up with my chiropractor. I’ve been going to him for around 15 years now. He gave me a full adjustment including dealing with my neck. I felt better even as I left the office.

Clutter Workshop

I went to my weekly clutter organizing workshop this afternoon. I was a little proud to report about the big haul that I had gotten rid of earlier this week. Despite it, I realize that I still have a long way to go. It’s just as well that I’m not working full-time so I can spend the time to sort and organize things.

That being said, I don’t want to lose sight of still keeping the job search at least to a minimum. Though I admit that I am not searching as much as I had initially, I don’t want to give up completely. I simply can’t afford that.

Ran Downtown

After the workshop, I ran downtown. It was a nice day so it was a pleasant run. I’m amazed with the good weather we’ve been experiencing lately. I was able to run at a fairly good pace, too, because the elevation was slightly downhill. It wasn’t so down that I’d hurt my knees either.

The workshop ran over the time by a few minutes so I was in a hurry to get downtown in time to pick up some cheques from my extras agent before their office closed. It drives me crazy when things go over the time that they say it. I don’t want to have to come another day if the office is closed today, too.

Picked up Cheque from Agent

I was able to sneak into the office before they closed. I had to pick up a cheque for two days of work. It hadn’t been there the last time I had come so I hoped it would be there today. When she checked the first time and even second time, she did not find it.

She looked a third and final time and saw that it had been mistakenly attached to somebody else’s paperwork. While I was there, they tried to book me for a TV show but was rejected in favor of a male. When they suggested somebody from the agency, they rejected even them and asked for somebody under thirty years old. Hmmm. That didn’t make me feel good. At least my agent tried.

What was disappointing was that it was for a TV show that I actually watch and like! Now that I was rejected it makes me wonder what kind of show it is. It reminds me of what somebody had mentioned at the union meeting. One show’s extras casting director had said that the producers of that show had laid down the law, all extras would have to be under a certain age. That made me mad because almost all main actors on the damn show is over fifty or even sixty years old!

Vancouver Public Library Twitter Class

I went to the Vancouver Public Library for a Twitter Beginner class. Even though I had signed up for twitter a while ago, I never really used it. I have to admit, I didn’t really understand it very well so I avoided it.

This class was a free one put on by the main library downtown. There were around 12 of us there. As the class progressed, it was apparent that this was really a class for beginners. They were really clear about that when we started the class, too.

The first part of the class was about signing up. Since I had already done that, I was able to explore other parts of twitter. Once that was done, the instructor went over most buttons of the site, which was helpful.

However, when I had other questions, I could tell that the instructor really didn’t have a clue. It was a little obvious that she wasn’t really a big twitter user. She suggested that I go to the help section.

These free classes that the library offers are best for beginners. They said that they might add classes that were a little more advanced if there was a demand for them. In any case, I’m glad that they have them and that I came tonight.

Day Four Hundred and Seventy Eight of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Rainy Run to Free Yoga Class at Lululemon

I got up early this morning in order to do my usual Sunday run to my free yoga class at Lululemon. Unfortunately, this morning’s weather was very rainy and cool. Although it has rained before, today’s rain was a lot heavier. My glasses were fogging up during the whole run as well.

By the time I got to Lululemon for my class, I was thoroughly drenched. I knew that my clothes wouldn’t likely dry out completely by the end of it. I did have a water-resistant jacket but it’s not completely waterproof. Luckily, the store wasn’t that cold so I didn’t get chilled during class.

Last Class with Instructor

Today was the fourth and last class with this instructor. I was sad about this because she’s been a really good instructor. But this is the way of the Lululemon free yoga classes. They tend to change instructors every four weeks or so. Every once in a while, they’ll bring back an instructor for longer than that but not too often.

Dropped by Friend’s

After class, I ran home and passed by my friend’s house. She is still in the process of moving and I said I’d stop by to see if she needed any help. I’ve been helping her the odd day here and there during the whole process. I’ve been grateful for the extra money I’ve been able to earn.

Today however, I was feeling tired and chilled to the bone after running in the rain. Although I need all the money that I can get from these casual part-time jobs, I was hoping that she wouldn’t need help today and I could go home and relax.

Luckily, my friend had somebody over who could help her pack up. My friend said that if I didn’t feel like working today, I could help her Tuesday instead. I accepted that and ran home.

Dinner Treat

I went out to eat with two of my friends tonight. They wanted to treat me since I had given them a ride to the airport a couple of months ago. We picked out a restaurant in our neighborhood that was in the entertainment book.

It was nice to get caught up with these friends. I met my friend through extra work and we have the same agent. We all love to travel so they showed me the latest album of their hiking trip in Utah.

Ageism Issue Again

My friend has been feeling discouraged because he hasn’t been getting much work lately. He is retired so he doesn’t depend on extra work as much as I do. Although he used to be busy getting booked as military or police detective roles, lately that work has dried up.

He turned 60 recently and we both think that he has probably crossed over the line for military types. He is a young-looking 60, could easily pass for late 40s and early 50s, but they are not taking that into consideration. He has been told that he should touch up his hair, which is a salt and pepper blend, but he is adamant against that.

It’s a bit of an abrupt jolt for some of us who have gone from regularly working on gigs to suddenly been deemed as ‘too old’ for a lot of work now. Although I am open for more work as a 50 something year old as opposed to an over 60-year-old, if I were under 50, 49 years old and holding for example, I would bypass the computer cut off and be eligible for more gigs. These days, a casting director can simply enter in an age range in the computer and only those people of that range will be considered.

Email from Extras Casting Director

I got an email from my Extras Casting Director about tomorrow’s shoot that I had been booked for. When I saw her yesterday at the meet and greet she had warned us that it would be an early morning and it was, 6 AM! That means that I would have to get up at around 4:30 AM tomorrow.

Luckily, this is the third day of continuity shooting for this gig, so I knew what I would be wearing so I set aside my two pieces to take with me. I was really happy to be getting this third day of work. What had started out as a one day gig has been extended due to rain to three days. I set my two alarm clocks and tried to go to sleep early.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty Two of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Woke to a Grey, Gloomy and Rainy Day

I had planned on running to UBC to volunteer this morning but I got a late email from my friend last night. I had sent him a sympathy card regarding the passing of his Grandmother last week. In the email he had asked me to attend the funeral service this morning and to help take photos.

Attended Funeral

It had been many years since I attended a funeral. I attended the funeral of my Grandmother’s cousin on Vancouver Island several years ago. I had only met her a few years before she passed away but we became fairly close.

Today’s funeral was not too far from me. I had to dig out my black suit that I usually wear for funerals and job interviews. It’s just as well that I did bring it out because I discovered that it had become too big for me. I did wear it but had to put a safety-pin in the back of the skirt. Better to know this now before I have a job interview.

The service was a beautiful and touching tribute to a woman who was obviously well-loved by her family and friends. I was able to take photos discreetly with my friend’s camera with a large zoom lens. There was a video and others taking photos as well. The camera was so heavy that it was difficult for me to balance with my weak arm and shoulder. It became rather apparent that I still need to continue my home physiotherapy exercises.

Even though I didn’t know his Grandmother, I was so touched with all of the outpouring of grief I had witnessed today. It made me remember of my Mom’s and Grandmother’s funerals so many years ago. Tears rolled down my face as I drove home.

Financial Stress Continues

I still haven’t received my pay cheque for working at the BC Election two weeks ago. I had been hoping for that extra day’s pay for the cancelled TV shoot and now would only get one day’s pay. I still have to wait for the TV commercial cheque that I did weeks ago, but I know that those ones take a long time to arrive.

I only have little over two weeks before my employment insurance claim ends. I never anticipated exhausting my claim. I really assumed that I would find a full-time job within a few weeks, at most a few months.

Talked With the Extras Casting Director

I returned the call from the Extras Casting Director. I told her that I was aware of the Force Majeure rule with productions and I hadn’t thought that I would get paid and if I had, it would just be a bonus. She hadn’t encountered this situation for quite a few years so she had to research what the current rules were.

I told her how much I enjoyed working on that production (they did the make-up shoot a few days later). She asked me where I had been, either inside the café set or the exterior and said that she would keep me in mind for any future shoots. Since I had worked inside this time, she could hire me for any shoots where they needed exterior people. I thought that this was nice of her to say, that she would consider me again.

I was reading Entertainment Weekly and saw a one page ad on the back cover for this TV show. That made me hopeful. If this show does well, it may continue being shot here in Vancouver which will lead to more extra work and production work for the BC Film Community.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty One of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Ran to Doctor’s Appointment

I managed to wake up early despite having another late night. I was a little worried last night about how my day would go tomorrow at the doctor’s office. I decided to run to the office. It isn’t too far and I do my best thinking when I’m running.

High Blood Pressure Issue

My regular doctor was away so her locum was covering for her. I had seen her occasionally over the years. She measured my blood pressure and it was fine. The first one did not take for some reason, so she took another. Unlike my regular doctor who took my pressure several times at the last appointment, she only recorded the one reading in my chart.

She went over all of the data that I had accumulated in the time since I had my last appointment. She said that it was good enough that she was willing to allow me to try and go off the medication that I’ve been on for the last three months. She did sound a little hesitant so I asked her if I should finish the course of medication that I still had and come back again.

She agreed to that. Although I’ve been working fairly well toward this goal of lowering my blood pressure, I know that I could do better. I guess I got a little complacent since my present efforts were getting me the results that I wanted. I now have a month before my next doctor’s appointment so I’m going to really make an effort to do the best that I can to lower it even more before going off of my medication.

In addition to what I’ve been doing already, like plenty of exercise and cutting down sodium, she suggested that I try to lose as much weight as possible, even as little as a couple of pounds would help. I have to admit that I’ve been eating my stress away lately, so I’ll really have to watch myself again.

Mechanic’s Visit

After I ran home, I drove to my mechanic’s. I have been having oil leakage since I took my car in for the annual check up in January. I inherited my Mom’s 1985 car that I’ve been trying to maintain for as long as possible. I don’t drive very often and I admit that I’ve kept it for sentimental reasons. My mechanic has done a good job of keeping it running.

I couldn’t understand why it was leaking oil. My Dad suggested that they didn’t tighten something when they changed my oil so I mentioned it to them when I took it in. Every time I take it in, I’m always worried that they will tell me that there is something wrong that will cost too much to repair and I’ll have ‘retire’ the car.

I was in the waiting room when I recognized a woman who I had worked with as an extra. I asked her if she’s been doing an extra work and she hasn’t been busy at all. That’s been the case for most of my extra friends. I had hoped that the summer would bring more work but so far, it doesn’t look promising.

Finally, a couple of hours later, my mechanic came to tell me what had been wrong. He said that they changed something that hadn’t been replaced for four years. I can’t remember what it was. He said that I should return back to get an engine shampoo once the weather was dry. The best news was that they would not be charging me for it! I was so relieved and grateful! I was so worried that I would be facing a steep mechanic’s bill! The last thing that I need is an unexpected expense in my life right now.

Free Movie Pass

I won a run of engagement pass for The Great Gatsby. I was really glad to win this pass because I wanted to see this movie and would have gladly paid to go see it. I was surprised that the theater was so crowded in the afternoon. I was happy because I had this free pass and I was using a gift card I had received to buy the popcorn, too. I enjoyed this movie, as I do all of Baz Luhrmann’s movies but I wondered if I liked the previous Robert Redford and Mia Farrow version better.

Friend’s Job Promotion

I drove my friend home after the movie and she told me about her promotion at work. I was so happy for her! She’s been at her firm for years and she’d done very well for herself while there. I congratulated her heartily and meant it sincerely. Just because my career is in a ditch doesn’t mean that I can’t be gracious to my friends who are doing well.

I wondered how much support she’s been getting at home because her husband has been unemployed lately. I can’t imagine it being too easy for him to deal with a job search at this time. I’m sure that they both want him to find a good job as soon as possible.

Message from Extras Casting Director

I got a message on my machine from the extras casting director. She said that the cancellation of the TV show gig that I had been booked for a few weeks ago was now no longer eligible for cancellation pay as she had thought. That didn’t come as a complete surprise to me. My agent had told me not to be hopeful and it turned out that he was right.

I will call the casting director tomorrow. I will thank her for letting me know and hopefully it’ll remind her that I am around in case she has some work for me. A day’s pay would have been nice but it’s not the end of the world that I won’t get it…for now.