My mind is in chaos at the moment. I need to sit down with my notebook and write all my feelings down.

Sunday was a great day, for the most part. Joey was kind enough to help me in this adventure. Both he and my father, independent of each other, were determined that I would do this. They both didn't care if I got the job. They just wanted me to show up to an interview and go through with it. I met Joey before I left. He had to give me directions to his folks' home. I didn't have a place to stay for the interview. I really wasn't going to do it with it being so late minute and early in the morning. Not because I didn't didn't want the interview, but because this week, I didn't have the money for a place to stay. As soon as Joey saw the interview offer Friday, he arranged for me to stay with his mom and step-dad. So, Sunday, I had to meet him and get directions to the place. I now know my way to his folks' home from 3 different ways and won't get lost.

I did get a little insecure on the way up. It was while I was on the phone with my dad. I was scared. I had good reason. This was my first solo trip to Atlanta. Also, I was driving a manual transmission. I had mentioned it to Joey before I left that I had never done this before. He kept telling me we've made the trip twice before. Yes, I have made the trip twice before to his folks' home. The first time, my brother and I drove an automatic van. The second time, yes, I did leave that house in my manual car, but Joey drove to it. So, in effect, we were both right. He told me he had confidence I could do the trip. But, I feared driving I-285 in my car and all the other hills in the Atlanta area. I had never done that before. And, I mentioned this to my father on the phone. I needed to talk to my father to cheer up. Not even 5 minutes after I got off the phone with my father, Joey called me. He knows me well. I hadn't even had a chance to start changing my attitude from the phone call with my father. That reflected in my voice, and Joey called me out on it. He basically told me the same things my father told me. I swear at times they are the same person. I ended up having my father call me once more on Sunday, and Joey calling me twice. And don't ask me how, but both times Joey called me back, it was like he knew where I was. I was minutes from my destination when he had to check up on how close I was to my destination.

However, they both were right. I did need that trip. I needed to drive my car in Atlanta. I needed to get on I-285. I needed the interview. I needed to get away from the house for a bit. And because of it, I feel better and more positive about my outlook. I can do Atlanta, provided I can make enough money at a job. I can drive my car in that city. I can drive it on I-285.

Sunday afternoon was spent driving from Fayetteville to the Dunwoody area finding the place the interview was at. Harold, Joey's step-dad, went along with me. I was glad he did. We just talked and talked about many things. We even spent most of the Super Bowl talking once we got back and had dinner. It was nice to talk to an older man that's seen it all. I could tell him my worries, and he understood. He won my heart over, and I think in a way, I won him over, too. I was treated like family. And he told me to come back and he'd show me things and introduce me to people. We found out, besides caring for Joey, we love history and have the Army as a background experience. He was in the Army. I'm an Army brat. I also spent some time with Joey's mother, Mary, with genealogy stuff. She helped me track down some information on my great-grandmother Latta. My great-aunt's been helping me with that stuff, too. But, I was welcomed into their home and I'm so grateful for that. I thank Joey for letting me share his family. Not just the folks, but his Uncle Bob, too. They've become family. Family doesn't have to be blood.

Monday was spent at the job interview. It went over well, but the HR lady and I came to an agreement the more I found out about the job, it wasn't a fit for me. She feels I would be better suited working with people than behind the phone. I can agree! There were also other issues that just didn't make this job fit, but I tried. I wasn't too sh, just reserved. I made jokes and tried to relate to comments. I wasn't a brick. I think my being a brick in the interview was the fear that both my dad and Joey had over it. I came straight home when the interview was over. Harold said I could stay another night if I wanted, but I needed to get back to Savannah. I need to go more job looking.

So, while I didn't get a job, I did gain experience and confidence on the trip. And that's all I needed from it. And that's all the 2 guys that care for me most wanted for me. And of course, more questions have been raised in my mind. They are questions I can't answer. But, I can go ponder about them in my notebook. But, yes, things are starting to look up for me.

[♪ Listening to: "Once in a Lifetime" - Chicago]

Posted by Shawn at February 5, 2008 10:58 AM in General.