Once more unto the breach, dear friends...

Some background information...

Three weeks ago, I was let go from my position at Circuit City. It was a great job; the hours were good, the pay was phenomenal, and I worked side by side with some of the best folks ever to walk on this green earth. But all good things must come to an end, as 2008 wound to a close my store finally closed its doors.

Since then I've learned firsthand of the dearth of jobs there out there. One application after another is met with a cordial - yet obviously uninterested - nod, or with the news that despite the "now hiring" signs, the company is downsizing (thus beginning a hiring freeze).

Even my old staples here in Atlanta are bearing the brunt of this economic crisis. Keith Lauer, a friend of mine and an ardent supporter of living history events sponsored by the 104th Illinois, was recently placed on furlough from his position as Superintendent of the Atlanta Cyclorama. No place is safe, no field is ensuring job growth at this time.

Yet, on a pure whim, I checked the official job site for the United States Federal Government. And, lo and behold...there's a single spot open with the National Park Service here in Atlanta, as a Museum Guide at the Martin Luther King National Historic Site. Granted, MLK isn't my particular focus of study, but there's on-the-nob training...and also, the civil rights movement got its start with the abolition movement, and I'm pretty sure I can say a thing or two about that. Also, it's a foot in the door with an organization I wouldn't mind transferring within at all, so theres a plus thats not to be discounted.

So I updated my resume on the site and filled out the application. I have to admit...I feel like I have a strong set of documents on my side with those two. The questionnaire (the entirety of the application) consisted of questions regarding previous guiding, educating, and speaking of historical subjects to non-informed groups.

That's kinda what I do.

I'm not going to think about it, or assume that things are solid. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to follow up with this. In the two years I've investigated jobs with the NPS, this is the closet I've come to realistically getting one.

Expect future updates on the topic, for better or for worse.