Who the heck do I think I am?

I've been flirting with my job search for a few weeks, easing into looking, since, y'know, I have until the end of the year.

Except I don't.

I got a one-month's notice today - November 27, instead of end of December.

This sucks for a couple reasons, including that old "finding a job at the holidays" deal, one month less salary, and not least because if I'd been in 'til year-end, I might have been able to convince them to extend it by a week or two into January, to fully vest in the pension plan. As it is, my boss tells me he's going to have to "fight" for a decent severance package, let alone any kind of credit for time to vest in the retirement... which means I might lose the money I have been paying in. Argh. This happened at Mt Auburn, too - where I left about a month before I was eligible to keep the retirement benefits.

I'm so tired of having to look for work every year.

Mainly I have to remember that a. I knew this was coming, and this just moves up the timetable; b. every time before when this has happened, while it may be rough for a while, I've come out with a better job than I had before; c. this is an opportunity to work on other aspects of life - and not to get distracted nor discouraged.

I've been applying for jobs. You may have noticed me ping you on "linked in". I may cave and get a Facebook (though I may not).

I've got a list of things to take care of this month - dentist, some memberships, etc. - and I just knocked a list of stuff off my wish list - and I need to pay down the bills STAT, even if it means withdrawing a bit of savings to do it.

Man, I just HATE job-hunting. Why can't I just get discovered and land a string of leading roles, star in a movie or two, and oh, yeah, come up with an idea for a novel that will hold together for more than half a chapter?

Okay, guys.

My kitchen sink stopped draining. I am certain the trap and/or the disposal are clogged (with artichoke, to be specific). I called my landlord (upstairs, remember) to ask for help shutting off the water so I can open up the trap, empty it, and get my sink back in order.

Nope, he says, don't touch it. I'll call my guy in the morning and have him come in.

YIKES. I live in fear that someone (including my landlord) will have to come into the apartment. Because gang? IT'S A DISASTER.

What's protocol in these situations? Should I completely clear out under the sink (which includes the liquor)? I already moved several of the boxes towering up in the kitchen because I a. haven't had time to cut them up and b. am a notorious box-saver.

SHIT.