Interviews and Pain

Don't worry. As the title of this post would lead people to believe, the two interviews I have gone to in the last two days were not painful. They are separate events.

I did have two interviews. Yesterday's, well, in all honesty.. I am not too excited about. I don't feel as though it was a good match for me. But today's- that is a different story. I have gone on so many interviews, at this point I do not become excited about the potential job opportunity. But I must say that today's interview somehow felt "right". I know I would be a good fit for them. It is business that is growing exponentially. Their business is booming and they really need someone to come in and juggle random tasks. I am an excellent juggler (theoretically speaking of course... hand me three balls and one would immediately drop). I called my mom (isn't it funny how Mom's are typically the person you call when wanting a life chat) and talked about this morning. It would be an all around hands on position. The liaison between merchandising, sales, the art department, and event planning. The position seems to follow no rules or boundaries, just a lot of random things. Anyone who knows me that I also fit into that category.. so hopefully I made them fall in love with me. Anyway, back to the conversation with my mom. She always helps me find a good perspective on a situation. She said, "well, you don't really need to worry about any of your interviews. You have to remember.. You already have a job. And frankly, there are too many people in this world. You can't make them hire you." It's so true. It's out of my hands.

I pride myself on my ability to be a people person. I am athletic, intelligent, and truly find joy in many things. But, I am also very talented at injuring myself.. what some would call a clutz. I just got back from the interview. I walked into my room, hell bent on getting on my computer and catching up on Facebook, my bank account, my student loan information, and to blog. I did not have my usual bowl of Cheerios or GoLean cereal. I did not have anything to drink. My hands were free. But somehow I still managed to inflict pain on myself. As I stepped towards my bed, I felt a shocking bit of pain between my big toe and the pointer toe (ha!). I looked down, kicked my foot out into the air, and immediately saw what I had done. This morning, I straightened my hair. Apparently, I had forgotten to hit the "off" switch. It had three hours to get good and hot for my foot. I had stepped right onto the sizzling ceramic pieces. Ouch.

So far this week has been a success. Two interviews, one game of volleyball, two games of bowling (I threw a 146 last night), and one night of conversation. Still have a lot to look forward to this week, including my mom's birthday tomorrow and another round of sand volleyball.

Later,

Moe

Smiling is my Favorite!

I have a knack for tapping into another person's emotions and feeling empathetic towards them. This 'gift' has also taught me that valuable lesson that happiness truly is contagious. When someone around is not feeling 100%, it is easy for me to tap into their emotion. I have learned that in order to not become susceptible to this negative attitude adjustment, I must smile. It is amazing how much better a person can feel if they have a conversation with someone who is generally happy. It does not take years and years of experience to understand the importance of a smile. Look at any child and you can see they have already learned this skill.

My mom's birthday is this week. I suppose I am blogging about Joy and Happiness because my mom's ability to remain positive has been topic of discussion a few times over the past few weeks. My mother finds the ability to smile even when she has every right not to. Ever since I can remember, she has been in pain. I will not bother you with all the details of the physical pain she is constantly in.. but a major one-- that would be hard to overcome and smile through-- is the pain she has in her feet. She does not have normal feeling in her feet. Her nerve endings are damaged, so the only sensation she has is pain. Yet, go to any family gathering and she is the one laughing the loudest.

Perhaps this is where I learned my skill of positivity. Robert, a granite company owning, tea drinking, wing eating, bright spot to my day came into my work last week. He sat down and was visibly grumpy. Despite his irritated demeanor, I sat down and had a conversation with him. We talked about his sick mom, his puppies, and just about anything that happened to pop into our discussion. Right before he left, he grabbed me by the hand and said, "Morgan, thank you for the attitude adjustment. It was just what I needed.. a smile."

Everyone has heard the statistics when it comes to smiling. Smiling is contagious, it takes more muscles to frown... and as Elf says, Smiling is my favorite!

So, Today I will smile- A LOT!

Go share a smile with someone. My guess it will make your day feel a little bit better!!

: D

True Blood

I live with Katrina. Friend, cousin, roommate. She fits into all of these categories. Verlondon also lives with us. It is a somewhat complicated story, but his kids also live with us every other week. I love living here for a variety of reasons. There is always some sort of get together happening here. When the kids are here-- I am definitely entertained by their perspective on things. The location is great. And I am living with friends. What more could I want? When, (oh please, when) I get a normal job with normal hours-- I will move out. But for now, I am so happy here.

This week happens to be the week the kids are not here. When I got back to the house on Monday night, K and V and a couple of friends were just about to start the first season, first episode of the HBO hit True Blood. Earlier in the day, a girlfriend of mine (and old roommate) told me I should watch it. The show "reminded her of me"- There are two characters in the show, one a quiet, innocent waitress and the other a loud, speak for herself friend that becomes a bartender with her. I wanted to see these parallels for myself. So I told them all to wait, ran into my room, changed into my comfy, TV clothes and rushed down to the 72" 3D TV to watch it with them.

I will say, I loved the show. There is an edge of fantasy, sci fi, love, A LOT of humor, and just plain interest for me. Vampires have come "out of the coffin" into society. They drink "True Blood", manufactured, canned blood so they are not wanting to prey on humans. I know this sounds bizarre.. but the story, characters, and human interest is amazing.

After watching the first two episodes... I thought to myself. Why in the world does vampires, death, murder mysteries, and blood remind my friend of me? I was somewhat offended, in a I'm-not-really-that-offended kind of way. But then I thought about the two characters she told me about. Seemingly opposite, yet best friends. My guess is.. is that I remind her of both of them in some way. The waitress is a deep thinker. She walks around her job with a million thoughts going through her head (oh, and she can read people's minds.. Don't worry friends, I can't).. and she tries to keep it to herself. She is so quiet and nice.. people think they can run over her. Maybe my friend saw the similarities in her and I because I can keep my opinions to myself-- when the person or situation I am dealing with is absolutely absurd. Some battles are not worth the effort. On the other hand, the best friend.. the bartender-- gives her opinions, plays games of wit and strategy.. and is just basically hilarious. I am not saying I am hilarious by any means.. but I can see the similarities of us. She sits on the bar- tells people when they are being absolutely pathetic, and, (sadly the biggest similarity that I am guessing my friend saw) when she gets home from her bar shift she eats a bowl of cereal [haha! yes I do the same].

I can tell you there was absolutely no point to this blog. But perhaps close friends of mine can see two sides of me. I am quiet, loud-- thoughtful and provoking.

: D

I should probably get some things done before work. G'day.

Go Chicken Go, Or Don't

Go Chicken Go, or Don't.

Every time someone new comes over to visit my house, the first thing they mention is how they are excited or somehow amazed that I live 3 blocks away from a Go Chicken Go. I am amazed at their comments for a few different reasons- A. I have never been, nor will I ever be, particularly excited about any Go Chicken Go establishment. B. I find it bizarre that such a wide variety of people bother to mention it and C. Even though I live 3 blocks away, I've never bothered trying out the place.

I have never gone to this seemingly exciting venue. I will say it is because it is not somewhere that I had any particular reason to go to. I can make my own thing here, in the comfort of my own home. And the thought of chicken- fast food style, is a turn off. Which brings me to the point of this blog. In the madness of job searching, applications, and networking.. I've never stopped to think---- where do I truly want all this to happen for me?

I have a very tender heart. People may see me, judge me, and say that I try to put on an independent, fend for myself, front. Which is true, in some regards. However, nothing could be further from the truth regarding two aspects of my life A. Cars (I have no interest, talent, or desire to learn anything about the mechanics of cars) and B. My family. The internal struggle I had while I lived in Nebraska and the Czech Republic was a dichotomy. I know my family always supports me in anything that I decide to do. I will always be the free-spirited, fly on the seat of my pants, member of our family. I had a hard time dealing with being away from my Grandpa when he was sick... but I remember my mom telling me-- nobody wants you to stop living your life. Do what you need to do. I have only lived in Kansas City for a little more than a year (well, since I have returned from Nebraska and abroad) and I feel like I am just now starting to find my place here. My family can count on me for trivial matters (house sitting, picking them up, etc.) and there is some kind of beautiful comfort in that. And here I am looking to leave again. Correction.. not looking to leave. Looking to find a position in my career field. At this point in my job search, I will relocate to where ever it is I need to be to get my foot in the door. The realization that I am, and will be for a while, the person in the family that floats-- with no particular place to call "mine"-- hit me this week. I received a phone call on Monday evening, at 5pm, asking if I could be at an interview at 3pm the next day. No big deal, but considering this interview was in Chicago, it kind of was. By 8pm, I had a flight to Chicago secured and my resume in tow. I would love this particular job. I am not getting my hopes up since these interviews, followed by a pang of disappointment, are a theme for my past year. A part of me wonders. Do I want to be in Chicago? (yes!) Do I want to stay here in Kansas City? (yes!)

But the main question should be.. Do I want to do what makes me happy? Figuring that out is another story... one that is still "to be determined".

I wish I would hear back from Chicago Cares. I would be an excellent addition to their team and I would put all my heart into the organization and my position as Service Events Coordinator. I know I am up against so many amazing people. Mostly who are locals to the Chicago area. However, I hold on to the 5% chance that they will call me back. How amazing would that be? But if their call ever comes, do I respond like I do to the Go Chicken Go on the corner? Acknowledge its' presence but not 'go' to it? Or take a leap of faith and dive right into something ordered from somewhere I'm not sure I want to be?

Go Chicken Go, or don't.

I say I will go.

Both to try this infamous restaurant that all my friends rave about... and to where ever it is that offers me a position that utilizes my talents. So yes, I will. Go "chicken" Go.

Here's a toast to the Classy

This past week has been a real test of my patience, energy, and understanding. I currently work at a local, Irish pub as a server/bartender/party host/trainer/and occasional decorator. In the past two weeks, we have lost two full time employees and one fellow was out for a week due to an injury. We are a locally owned business, without many employees, so losing three full-time employees for a week took a toll on my body, work schedule, and life.

I worked 9 straight days. I was supposed to go 13 days without a break, but a wonderful woman decided to take over one of my

days, because her trip was cut short. So here I am. Recovering.. and typing.

I've had a lot of time to think about my current schedule, my job search, and the nature of my current job. Some people may look at my life and say, wow, she has it so easy. Which, it is true. I work 40-50 hours a week- make more per hour than most people right out of college, - and get to meet amazing people at the same time. It's true. If I were to find the kind of job I am searching for now, I would more than likely take a small pay-cut (but I would have more hours in the week to live a life). No matter how amazing the people are that I meet.. it is a reality that I do not have any sort of reliance in that job. I cannot get injured, sick, or take a vacation without it directly impacting my income in a huge way.

Back to the patience thing. This week I ran across a few people upon which I immediately thought to myself, "now that is one classy person". For giggles, I'll fill you in on these experiences-- most of which happened on Fourth of July (a crazy night at J.Murphys):

1. I am fairly busy. I'm listening for drink orders from behind the bar and a man orders a round. I make them, look up to start his tab, when I realize he just knocked over another mans drink. Not too terribly unusual.. Until I took in the entire scene. His shirt was bloody. Really, really, bloody. I look up and he has a huge bandage over his chin. He blew up some of his chin from the fireworks and had his neighbor (gasp!!!) put stitches in. I don't know about you.. but the last time I blew up my chin the FIRST thing I want to do was go to a bar and continue drinking and bleeding. Seriously, give me a break. I kicked him out. What a classy man.

2. I was cussed at in front of all my bar guest by a "regular". He said very perverse things to me, hollered to others to never come in there again.. and proceeded to question my intelligence. Thank God my grandfather taught me a little about patience.. I wanted to pull out my mad street fighting skills. In my head this was happening, but in reality....I pointed at the door, and made him leave. Again, a classy man.

3. I find it HILARIOUS when a (not to stereotype-- well, actually I will) white, balding man orders a Curs Light. Come on man. I always take it a little too far when I hand 'him' the beer-- and over-pronunciate the word Coors.

But, as much as I complain about my job.. I love it in a small, bizarre way. I really want to thank my Grandpa. He is, to this day, my best friend. When I am having a tough day at work.. I think about the quiet way

he lived.. living by example, living with love.. and living with patience (although he was the biggest worrier I've ever known). So, here's to him. Here is to all the times I am dealing with Classy and I let him guide me through my next step. Whether in my current job, my life, or my job search. Thanks G-pa!!

Trapped and Free.. Who knew?

These past few days I've had a chance to think about my relationships with all the loving people in my life- how they can change my perspective, how full I feel with their company, and the things each and every one of them have the capability of teaching me. I am lucky to call very amazing people my friends-- and their abilities in every aspect of life amaze me.

There is a woman I know who teaches me that it is so important to be who you truly are. Everyone responds to situations - hard times, ups and downs [aka. life], differently. I know I have seen my fair share of struggle and pain.. but that is what makes life so beautiful. My story is not outstanding.. not somehow a great basis of a novel that would outshine yours. However, I firmly believe everyone has a story to tell and everyone has a story with the capabilities to teach. A friend of mine left town a few days ago. I cannot say it came as a surprise. But I can say it did come as a shock.. no goodbye. Just gone in a flash. At first I was somewhat hurt that I could not send her off, give her a hug, and pat her on the behind and say "Go get 'em, Tiger". But then I realized... she left just in the way I thought she would. She left on a whim, on an eager realization she needed to get out of town. She left just as the person she truly is... a beautiful, free spirit.. somehow trapped in the worries that plague her. She reminds me of my favorite scene and quote from the movie Chocolat- "And still the clever North wind was not satisfied. It spoke to Vianne of towns yet to be visited, friends in need yet to be discovered, and battles yet to be fought." To my friend-- "Go get 'em, Tiger". I wish you the best. Thank you for teaching me to be true to myself.

A Success!

The Royals/ J.Murphy's outing I put together was a huge success. Thirty-four people from J.Murphy's attended the White Sox/Royals game. The party bus was beautiful. The weather was perfect. And all those who attended had a blast. I met a man in Chicago. He told me, "never throw a party you wouldn't want to attend." Trust me. I will never throw a party I would not want to be at.

Oregon, Chicago, and some Inspiration

My trip to Oregon was absolutely beautiful, relaxing, and much needed. The Pacific Northwest is a quiet, non-flashy, hidden gem in the US and I am so glad I visited there. The coastline is home to some of the most gorgeous sceneries I've ever seen.. and I've been to many coastlines. You can walk along the beach, not one other person in sight, and witness the waves coming in to the sandy beach, the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and mountains in the distance with a few houses nettled up in them. Oh, and I finished the marathon! 26.2 miles!

Now, Chicago was a complete switch but equally needed. I feel as though I did a sprint-tour of the city in 3 days. Istayed in Lincoln Park, went to a few little bars in Old Town, played sand volleyball, did a speed boat tour, shopped in downtown, went to happy hour at a brewery in downtown, and even managed to find time to catch up with my bestie, Jackie.

I feel like these trips ignited that fire I have always had.. it just was running on empty for a few months. This job search has proven to be a test of my patience. It is very frustrating and beautiful at the same time, to apply for jobs that I would be a rockstar at.. and never hear back from the person or company. I know its all about who you know-- but those connections are never quite what I am looking for. I want to event plan, organize, coordinate, work PR, blog, entertain, and work communication channels. I am looking for an internship to get myself an "in", but even that is proving difficult. I will keep applying and networking. One day, I'll find it.

Off to finish laundry and clean. Tonight I have a wine and lasagna night planned with a few friends. Tomorrow is the big Royals party bus day. I need to finalize a few details with that. Busy next few days.

-moe

Finishing UPright!

Can I please just write on here that I absolutely love planning events? : D I just finalized a night out-- and it is going to be a blast. I just booked a LimBUSine to take us from J.Murphys to the Royals game. I managed to land an excellent deal on the bus, as well as the Royals tickets, so for each person the grand total is 45 dollars. I already have 21 people confirmed with me. If I am able to sign up 35 people, that 45 dollars will also include some beer on the party bus. Woo! How fun!

In T-PLUS 1 week and 1 day, I leave for Oregon. My family and I are heading up to the Pacific Northwest to get away for a week. Oh, and by the way, I'm running a marathon while I am there. The marathon is in Newport, Oregon on June 5th. My goal is to finish the 26.2 miles- standing UPRIGHT with a smile on my face. The day after my sissy turns 27! (Insert shocked look here).

So, my recent idea is to plan night out and events like this for a living. Why not? People love to get together and do amazing and fun things like the JMurphys/Royals night I planned, but from my experience, no one actually wants to plan it. I would be the liasion between the company/group with the designated party place. This sounds promising and I will have to look into it and see if there would be interest in my services.

One week until Oregon! Until then, I will basically be living at JMurphys. Feel free to come and visit me if you would like.

: D

Struggling artist with no canvas!

With the inspiration coming from Jena, Mallory, Breanna, and Jackie, I have decided to start this blog. Yes, I had an amazing blog that documented my European travels and studies. However, when I went to access that blog this morning- Google so cleverly and nicely informed me that the host account no longer existed. I took this as a sign. A sign to start fresh. Start an entirely new blog, and yes, start an entirely new life. You can access my old blog at morgankenney.blogspot.com. But for me, this blog is the one that matters.

I am a post-grad. I love running, talking with people, laying in the sun, and over-analyzing just about everything. I have always worked incredibly hard my entire life. Whenever I set my mind to something, I achieve it. No matter what. But! This blog will document the one thing that has proved to be an obstacle, finding a purpose for that beautiful college degree I have hanging in the hallway. Finding a purpose to me paying hundreds a month to suffice the college loan collectors. Finding a company, organization, or individual that will appreciate and give me the opportunity to lend them my skills- my passions-- and my heart.

So, without further delay- I welcome you to this blog. My tell-all, heart-wrenching acceptance of the rejections I have gotten in the past year.. and my joys and pains that will sure to continue on this search. It has been one year since graduation-- I do have a full time job-- but it is in no way where I should be. I did not bust my ass for 22 years to be tending bar for a living. Sure, it is fun *most days* but my heart is not happy there. I need more and will find it.

: ) And so the story of the struggling artist- with no canvas, begins!