Perpetual Beta, or, Waiting for the Plateau

In the computer world there is the phrase "Perpetual Beta." It means something that's never quite finished, always changing, that can still be improved.

Back when I was much younger, my goal was to graduate from college, get a good job, and live happily ever after. During my undergrad years, I began working at the Goodell Library at UMass/Amherst, decided I liked the work and added getting a Masters in Library Science to my goal. Since I was going to school part time, it took many years to complete the goal.

Soon after beginning my professional career, I realized that finishing my MSLS and getting a job as a librarian was only the beginning, not the end. Somehow, though, I kept waiting for that plateau where I'd achieve what I wanted and live happily ever after. I thought I'd found it many times at different jobs, but after a few years I'd become restless in that position and move on to something else. When I began work at CMRLS, I figured I had a good job (regardless of the long daily commute) and would stay there until retirement which wasn't all that many years away.

Surpri-ise! Even though I was still happy with the job, the Universe decided I was ready for a change and here I am becoming an Independent Consultant. I'm finally becoming comfortable with that status and thinking about ways I can market myself and my skills. I have a couple of new projects starting soon that will likely continue for a while and a few others in the works.

Still, after all these years, way down deep, I can't quite rid myself of the feeling that there is a plateau not too far away even though intellectually I know that life is Perpetual Beta.

Problem Solved - Again

For the moment I'm in good standing with the Unemployment Office.

Even though I tried calling the 800 number 3 times yesterday, I never got through to a person. I arrived at the Career Center a little after 8 a.m. this morning and I was #26 in line. We weren't allowed into the building until about 8:15, but I (and everyone else) was bundled up. At about 11:00 I was led into the cubby of the representative who looked at my information on the computer screen, made a change to one piece of data, and fixed the problem. It took less than 5 minutes.

Instead of a thriller from the local public library, I had brought along the textbook that I'll be using for LIS415, so I got a lot of necessary reading done.

What relief. I expect I'll have a better night's sleep tonight than I've had for the last couple of days. I don't know why I worry about this stuff so much and no amount of deep breathing seems to help. Perhaps I should be thankful to the Unemployment Office for providing me with blog material.

The Saga Continues

I arrived at the Career Center a little after 8 this morning to learn that there is no Unemployment Representative on January 3 (today). I'll try calling later today. I understand it is easier to get through if one calls after 5 p.m. Many people assume (I would have if I didn't know otherwise) that the telephone service ends at 5 but it continues until 6:30 - at least during this time of heavy use.

So it's back into my play clothes to prepare for Wednesday evening's Library Trustee meeting, a consulting job I have this week, LIS415, and to follow up on some other stuff. I may also have a chance to read my current book.

Watch for the next installment of this adventure.

Oh, No! Not Again!

I logged onto the Mass. Department of Workforce Development - Division of Unemployment Assistance earlier today to file my weekly claim. I answered all the required questions and upon submitting my claim, a Red Message said "Call the Telephone Claims Center. Additional information is required to determine your eligibility for benefits." I thought this was all straightened out.

So I guess tomorrow I'll be back at the Hampshire/Franklin Career Center talking to a representative trying to find out what's wrong. The upside to all if this is that I'm in the middle of a really engrossing book called Die For You by Lisa Unger. I get a lot of reading done at the Career Center. I wonder how early I should show up?