CRUSHIN' IT

Big day today - I am so incredibly happy, proud and relieved to have officially completed my court mandated community service. It wasn't easy, and it took me 1 1/2, but I did it, 6 months earlier than I needed to, no less. AND - get this: I SCORED A JOB OUT OF IT. 

Now, I'm not going to get rich working at a thrift store, but it's not just any thrift store. This one in particular is an extension of an organization that provides free health care to Chicago's LGBTQ community, especially for those that have AIDS. 

So every piece of clothing I sorted, every box I carried, all the dust I inhaled, in small way went to an incredibly good cause, at least I think so. And rather than phone it in, I leaped into, did such a good job that today, on my final day of service, they hired me. 

So cool. 

And as a cherry on top, I have an almost entirely new wardrobe. You wouldn't believe the shit people toss out - vintage Adidas anyone? Got 'em. $200 Kenneth Cole winter coat? Yep. I have more pairs of jeans than I know what to do with. 

Even better than the clothes - I can honestly say I made at least a dozen new friends, young, old, black, white, gay, straight - you name it. Walking down the street I literally bump into these people. My new "best" friend is a 70 year old German woman. I'm serious. We chill. 

In the beginning, this was something I did not want to do, dreaded it in fact, but in the end it turned out to be an enriching experience, one that will leave it's mark upon me. As a friend just remarked, "hopefully this is the beginning of an upswing for you". 

It sure feels like it. 

PS - Notice I didn't say "fuck" once? Woops!