Things have been relatively quiet on theMaykazine (I even ignored alerts about my domain mapping running out until the very last day I had to renew.) because a torrent of change came swooping down on me. I’ve been hired and, a few weeks later, promoted for separate positions. Billiam and I received a thumbs-up on our dream rental house and I received a new job offer, all in the same 24-hour span. I’ve been very anxious, really overwhelmed, and nearly completely distracted. What follows is what I believe explains the horrific acne that’s been attacking my face since recovering from my Cabo sunburn. Altogether, it also informs my own curiosity about when my next bout of depression would be. (Answer: Not any time soon! I’m guessing I won’t even have time to feel for the next couple of weeks.)

So today was my last day at the Apple store, rounding off three iPhone launches that I’ve been around for. (Yes, I’m actually thinking of throwing down some money for the 3G S. Eventually.) Things are on the upswing! And now, it’s time to get my (new[er]) life back on track.

April

07–Going through Craigslist, I see the San Francisco Bay Guardian (SFBG) is searching for its next round of summer interns. I applied for an opening three years ago but didn’t hear from them. I try once again for Style Editorial Intern.

08–I find an opening for Editorial Assistant (EA) at Aplia, a company that makes Web modules to supplement college textbooks. A friend of mine works at the parent company. I contact him and he agrees to be my referral. (I used to be very interested in higher education administration. After an internship at Seattle University, I decided that though I want to contribute to education, I didn’t want to be the “young one” who gets mixed up with students.)

May

08–During my lunch break I interview over-the-phone for the EA position with the Talent Acquisition representative.

12–I interview with the SFBG Culture Editor. She offers and I accept the internship right on the spot. Three years in the making!

13–I interview for Family Room Specialist at the Apple store, a position that isn’t yet thoroughly defined. When the question about my availability comes up, I just say I need two days off during the week for my brand new internship.

June

01–While I’m working on a story at SFBG, I get a phone call from a recruiter at Ask.com. They’re looking for a Client Services Editor, a more sophisticated and focused version of my previous Web marketing job.

02–While I’m on the floor at work, I’m pulled away by a manager and (future) supervisor and offered the position of Family Room Specialist. Full time with benefits, finally! I can get sick again!

03–Hiding in my car parked outside of SFBG, I interview over-the-phone with the Managing Editor for the EA job.

After work, Billiam and I go to our first housing visit. It’s not what we want, but it’s good that we got the ball rolling.

04–I interview with three people at Ask. The fourth person I was supposed to meet, the department manager, had scheduling issues. I am told we’ll coordinate a separate time to follow up.

09–I interview for EA with eight different people in-person, on-site, one at a time. The entire process takes about four and a half hours, including an hour-long lunch that ran twice as long as it should have. I win brownie points for knowing Ed Helms as Andrew Bernard and having recently seen a bad zombie movie (Reel Zombies, in case you’re wondering.). I am told to expect to hear from the company in two weeks.

On the ride home, a message in my voicemail informs me that Ask.com is putting the CSE position on hold until Q3. I’ve been strung along before. Instead of feeling disappointed, I welcome the decrease in options.

10–B&I visit three places, two of which we really like.

11–B&I visit a condo that’s really spacious and nice.

13–I start my training as a Family Room Specialist! I take apart two iPhone 3Gs and it totally makes my day.

B&I visit an awesome townhouse with two really fat cats lazing about. It’s homey and lovely.

14–Before heading to the San Raphael Italian Street Art Festival with Mama Tai-Chi, B&I visit one more house in North Berkeley. We are both in love. It is our “reach” house.

15–In the best interests of my own sanity, I tell my editor I’m working from home.

I submit three applications for housing (one via post, one via realty agency, one delivered by hand), including the townhouse and our reach house.

In a follow-up call with the Talent Acquisition rep, I am told that they are ready to make an offer. I do a piss-poor job of trying to negotiate my way to the highest salary possible. I am told I should hear from them by the end of the week.

The owner of our dream house calls us to let us know she’s ready to rent to us. It’s like getting admitted into Harvard and Stanford at the same time. And Oxford and Cambridge, too.

16–During my FRS shift, I miss a phone call from the Talent rep. I call her back during my fifteen-minute break. I receive my EA offer at the salary I was shooting for. Literally, as I am being asked by the rep “Would you like to accept at this time?” one of my coworkers walks by me and starts making faces. I hastily run away. He probably wonders what was going on.

After barely two days of training for FRS, I pull my manager aside and tell him I’ve got a new job.

18–B&I sign our new lease!

I turn in my two weeks’ notice to Apple. (Again.) Fifty-one weeks come to a close.

Which brings us to now. I’m packing and moving, continuing contributions to SFBG, and getting ready for working a 9-to-5(ish) schedule and getting my weekends back.

When it rains, it pours.