The Gift That Keeps on Giving: 2010 Census

As this is now my 4th post on the Census, I have given it its own Label.

I'm adding Census Worker to my list of alternative careers. :) Today I saw a notification that the US Census Bureau was hiring part-time Census Workers and was immediately drawn to click on the link. After all, the forms were all supposed to be mailed back on the first...why are they hiring now? The answer...to be one of the people that gets to go door to door of the people that didn't complete their form and mail it back and gather the information from them (can we say ENABLERS?!)

In case you are interested in applying, I pulled the job qualifications from their FAQ section:

You may qualify for a job if:

• You are able to read, write, and speak English. check
• You are a U.S. citizen. check
• You are a legal permanent resident, or non-citizen with an appropriate work visa, and you possess a bilingual skill for which there are no available qualified U.S. citizens. check and wow
• You are at least 18 years old. check
• You have a valid social security number. check
• You take a written test of basic skills.check...at least the practice version (see below)
• You have a valid driver's license. check
• You pass a background check. check...at least I should...I'm boring that way
• You commit to four days of training. You will be paid for training days. Training can be held either during daytime hours or during evening and weekend hours. check...4 DAYS?! Um, the form took me less than 4 minutes to complete. I'd only need to knock on doors and gather the info.

Local Offices can be found here. Pay varies pretty widely from $11.00/hour up to $22.00. My local office:

Diamond Bar
Pipeline Avenue
Chino Hills, CA 91709
Phone: 909-438-2498
Census takers start at: $16.50/hour

Things that I'd like to point out: Why is it called the Diamond Bar office if it's in Chino Hills? It's not like Diamond Bar is the bigger city. You are required to call the office's number, get their address (because they only give you the street...um, Cost Savings Idea #4381: list the address number and eliminate the person answering these calls...if it goes to a recording, just skip this step), go down to the office and hand in their application and take a test.

The Practice Test can be found here. In reviewing the questions, Striker said "Are people really this stupid?!"

The Application can be found here. My personal favorites are Questions #22 and 26a.

If you're interested in applying, the instructions can be found here. No, you may not apply online or via email. Cost Savings Idea #4382: electronic transmission devices/PDAs for field people. Less processing, fewer errors...I'm assuming if they can find the information online about how to apply, they could operate a PDA basic enough to collect Census data.

I mailed my form back, but now I wish I hadn't so that I could interview and report on the person that knocked on my door. I think I shall apply for a "temporary" position, even though I know I know that "all applicants may not be selected for a position". Wish me luck! ;)

Alternative Career Take 3?

Not sure how many alternative careers have been posted, but I'm adding another - the Hints from Jenn version of Heloise.

Participants:
-------------
Jenn,Brenda(better known as Auntie)

Messages:
---------
Brenda: So I'm at security checking in and my bag of liquids opens up and my foundation fell and broke on the ground
Brenda: Its on my pants, top and suitcase
Jenn: Ugh!
Brenda: And the stuff (edited from original version - this is a family blog!) doest wipe out
Brenda: I look retarded
Jenn: Shout wipe or tide pen?
Jenn: Don't rub
Brenda: I hope this isn't the start of a f#*@ up week
Jenn: Do you have time?
Brenda: I don't have any of the above
Jenn: Is there a mother with a baby?
Brenda: Nope
Jenn: We're looking for baby powder
Jenn: Um
Brenda: I will try tomorrow
Jenn: Only option is damp cloth
Jenn: Dab
Brenda: Didt work
Jenn: Must be a lot
Brenda: I board in 5 minutes
Jenn: Just soak when you get to hotel
Brenda: A bunch
Jenn: Club soda on the plane?
Jenn: Grab paper towels from the bathroom
Jenn: Stupid napkins won't help
Brenda: Good idea
Jenn: Thank you
Brenda: I will go grab some in bathroom now
Brenda: Thanks
Jenn: Apparently a new talent I offer
Jenn: Might make the blog
Brenda: Guy (this is a term exclusive to my aunt - sorta means "that's not nice, stop picking on me")
Brenda: :'(
Jenn: Under the premise of alternative careers

And really, I'm sure someone will have time to Google and will comment the perfect foundation removal method, but that was on the fly without time to Google! :)

Alternative Careers?

I'm dabbling in being a florist and baker this week. The boat load (ok, 40 pounds) of roses, carnations, baby's breath, and leather leaf (not pictured) arrived today. Striker did all of the heavy lifting and cutting requiring excessive force while I once again provided instructions. We got all of the stems cut and put into water so that they can drink until Friday morning when I begin dividing and conquering. I need to create: 1 brides bouquet, a toss bouquet, 5 bridesmaids bouquets, 6 men's coursages (Mr Pearl cannot spell the correct word, and neither can I), 9 centerpieces, and 7 cocktail table mini centerpieces. I have assistants (family and friends) coming, but they will likely be put to work baking and frosting cupcakes, for the cupcake cake. I've never created this stuff on my own before (I had a teacher and I was the direction follower), so I'm not confident in my instruction giving.
I am making 75ish cupcakes and a 8 inch round cake for the top of the cupcake cake. White cake, green/lime/kiwi frosting to match the wedding colors with little pearl sprinkles or frosting roses depending on the tier and my mood/ability.

Yes, there will be pictures, and yes, I am taking the entire day off on Friday. :)

Another Alternative Career

The Queen and I spend a good portion of time contemplating alternative careers, as evidenced both here and here. Recently we've added "customer service critic" to our lists.

First there was Sprint, then Michaels, then Sirius, and now we have Circus Circus.

Twice this month I have stayed at Circus Circus in Vegas because: 1) they were a sponsor of the tournaments that the hubby bowled, 2) it's the closest hotel to the Cashman Center where he bowled other than the Stratosphere and downtown, and 3) it's super cheap.

Yes, I am aware that you generally get what you pay for when it comes to hotels. However, I didn't pick the hotel. ;)

The first time we went, I was less than thrilled with our view. The rooms were kinda dingy, but the beds were okay.
This time, we had a view of the Adventuredome, the rooms was newer/nicer, but the BEDS WERE TERRIBLE!!!! We literally felt every single spring in the mattress. We've never been happier to get back to our own bed last night!

I made Striker promise that we'd NEVER stay at Circus Circus again!

Back Up Careers

Like Queen B (shocker), I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but there are several random activities that I excel at:

1) Dog Grooming - Oskar has never been to the groomer and, ever since the "tail incident", has looked respectable. Not bad for a long haired dachshund.

2) Scheduler/Organizer/Coordinator - I created a 3 page itinerary for my trip/surgery in Colorado. I will be creating the itinerary for our vacation to Pennsylvania/Ohio/Virgina/New York in August. While probably not as fancy as The Queen's, it will be just as detailed.

3) Wedding Planner - A direct result of #2, not only did I plan every last detail of my own wedding, but I am now the wedding planner for my uncle's wedding in February 2009 - and he just doubled the guest list from 50 to 100.

4) Cupcake Baker - I owe my delicious cupcakes to Pilsbury. People rave about them at work, which makes me laugh - it's mix from a box.

5) Medical Field - No real skill, but thanks to my plethora of medical conditions/experiences over the years I'm pretty well versed in basic medicine.

6) Tech Support for AT&T Pearl's - At least I have been for KFuj, LilDahl, and LilDahl's friend Cassie.

If you can figure out a way to combine them to make a decent income, please let me know!