I’m taking a break from binge watching the newest season of Voltron to write this and I’m at a bit of a loss for words. I think that’s because my mind is filled with thoughts of giant robots. I’m still writing Kyuranger reviews for Geek Volcano as well…and I need to finish my latest review after I finish watching Voltron!

Today I’m taking advantage of some rare free time. It’s probably been a month since I could actually sit down and watch something for longer than 30 minutes. That’s probably a good thing, although I’d have more material to write about if I did.

It has been a nice 2 months of not worrying about money and paying off the debts I accrued during my rough spring. But I quickly came to the realization that I hate my new job because it is the same kind of work that I went to grad school to escape from. I’ve basically spent the past 8 months in a shitty cycle, where I alternated between two extremes: a job I loved that didn’t even pay my most basic bills, to a drone job that I hate that has given me excess income (that I wish I could’ve fully enjoyed this summer, but I work day shift on the weekends).

All I want is to find a middle ground, but that’s much easier said than done. I don’t need to roll in cash, nor do I need to be in love with my work everyday. But I do need to be able to pay my rent AND work at a job where I don’t cry alone at my desk on a sunny Saturday afternoon. When I’ve sought advice from friends, the most common response was “Forge your own path!” or “Make your own third option!”, as if it’s that easy.

But I’ve come to a decision that is going to affect me and my living habits in a big way: I’ve accepted a year-long AmeriCorps position with a local library. My wages will be at poverty level, but I’ll still be making twice as much as I did as a tutor (yeah, it really was that bad!) so I will be able to pay my rent. I’m also fortunate that in the past month I have finally started seeing progress in my art: I’m starting to get offered paid performing gigs and a couple paid articles. I’ve also received acceptance letters from lit mags and if I can keep this momentum going, I should be in a fairly financially stable and very healthy position.

Will this position be the ultimate middle ground? Probably not, but I’ll be a lot closer to that goal.  Plus, I will be serving my community and hopefully leaving a positive impact.

Okay, now back to more Voltron.

• Current drink: water
• Current book: Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
• Current audio book: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
• Current music: “Go to Hell” – Empress Of