This Town

I had a second interview for the extremely low-paying but entertainment (related) job on Monday. Liked the people but was hoping it would take a couple of weeks to hear back so I could give the library possibility some more time. Well, yesterday my agency called to say I was offered the job and for more money (although still in the low range of mid-thirties). The agency then gave me two hours to get back to them with a decision.

Given that my interviewers had stressed that they wanted a committed person, I had to turn it down. I just wasn’t sure that particular job (administrative work on union contracts) was worth the financial sacrifice, and I felt that I would need a couple more weeks on the job hunt before I could feel comfortable taking it. I had to endure the wrath of the employment agency, which was unpleasant, especially after I had made what I consider to be a measured decision and had endured a couple of less-then-ideal temp jobs for them. There won’t be any agencies left I want to work for pretty soon.

This town is getting small in more ways than one. I had a lunch date yesterday, and, as it turned out, that guy knew Mr. Grabby Hands. They both grew up in L.A., went to posh high schools, are around the same age, went to college in the area, etc. So perhaps L.A. can be a small place.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

Visited my seventh placement agency (third in entertainment) since moving to Los Angeles today. Took all the computer tests again-- Word, Excel, typing. The Excel test was actually quite difficult, and I had to struggle through it during what has become my afternoon naptime.

I was sent home with a temp assignment that starts tomorrow and lasts a couple of weeks. Front desk at another advertising agency (ad agencies falling under the entertainment umbrella), but this one is in my neighborhood, and I'm thankful for that.

I was told again that asking for a minimum starting salary in the mid-thirties is a bit much for entertainment. So crazy. The agent I spoke with, who was very nice, floated an interesting job possibility by me, but it only pays in the high 20s. The 20s!

Lonely in the Middle

I caught a movie last week at the ArcLight on the same day I interviewed with the library. My Harvard-educated date told me that he once applied to be a financial aid counselor at a community college here (that's what his background is in), and they had him take a long test and then told him if he passed he'd be placed on a list of contenders and possibly called in for an interview (which never happened). I also recall an architect I dated here complaining to me about the certification tests he had to take to practice in the state of California.

Before I moved here a friend sent me an article about the lack of a middle class in Los Angeles, and I've since read that the city is desperate to attract middle class earners back to living in L.A. They tend to leave because buying property and raising a family here is so formidable. So it seems odd that middle class professionals have to jump through so many hoops to gain employment paying in the middling range. Single people such as myself and my former dates are probably the only professionals willing to live here on those jobs, since you certainly can't afford to raise a family on them in this town.

A Plague of Locusts

There was an article on the front page of the L.A. Times yesterday about global warming that explained how the Southwest might become another dust bowl due to climate change. While I was living in Austin, debating whether I should move to Los Angeles and pondering my life on a micro level, I was also coping with the concern that global warming is going to annihilate the human race! It's difficult to take your personal aspirations seriously when that concern is running in the background.

Work was better yesterday, and I think I can hold on. I should be able to make a decision on that by the end of the month. Although, given the number of golfer types in the office, I do still think I would be better suited to working with entertainment industry misfits.

Myth Busting L.A.

Los Angeles, de-mythologized:

1) Myth: Los Angeles is filled with beautiful people.
The Truth: Most people, in fact, are average-looking, even in trendy areas like West Hollywood. At the same time, there *are* beautiful people to be spotted out and about, but no more so than in Austin.

2) Myth: You can't walk anywhere.
The Truth: There are a few walkable areas in L.A. I live near the Beverly Center and can do all of my errands on foot, which is what I love about my neighborhood. If I worked in the same area, I could manage without a car. On the other hand, parking in my neighborhood is a big pain, and I've already racked up two $45 parking tickets (a.k.a. my "warm welcome" from L.A.) within one month of living here.

3) Myth: It's a snake pit out here.
The Truth: There are lots of friendly, down-to-earth, helpful people here. Then again, I have consciously decided to block out the people who have blown me off, which has definitely happened, I just can't recall the number of times.

4) Myth: If you are a semi-competent, reliable, non-aspiring actor/actress, you are very employable here.
The Truth: It's hard to find a job, even behind-the-scenes of the entertainment industry or outside of it. Formal channels seem impossible. Craigslist/ job boards are a huge waste of time-- don't expect to hear back. It's difficult to even get a temp agency to return interest without a connection. Connections appear to be the most viable way of finding employment. I hear about jobs through friends and co-workers, so it may be easy to find jobs if you know a lot of people or once you start working here; at least, that is my hope.

5) Myth: Salaries are higher to reflect the cost of living.
The Truth: I do see a difference in librarian salaries, but overall, there are a lot of low-paying jobs in L.A. Surprisingly low-paying, and I'm not talking about dream jobs in the entertainment industry. Temp work pays well below New York wages; $10-$15 an hour is the norm. Unfortunately, jobs that are relatively easy to get will probably barely cover the rent.

6) Myth: Los Angeles is ugly.
The Truth: There are a number of amazing hiking spots smack dab in the middle of the city. Not to mention the stunning drives along Mulholland and Sunset. And there's a banana tree on my street.

7) It's sunny all the time.
The Truth: OK that one is pretty much true.