"There is nothing like employment, active indispensable employment, for relieving sorrow..."

April 19, 2016

Dear Jane,

If I am to be completely honest with you (which I have decided to be), I have nothing new to report in regard to my life in Queens. My jaunt with the Miss Nelson is Missing tour came to an end at the end of March, and I have returned to my life as a "temp." I dare say you shall agree with me when I conclude, that life has once again become a quick succession of busy nothings. (Your brilliant words, of course.)

Before I move on, I must state that I heartily agree with the quotation above from your novel, Mansfield Park. Unfortunately, there has been no "active indispensable employment" to be had, so my sorrow has not been much relieved as of late. Let me explain.

When I say that I have returned to temping, I must also admit that I did not work a single day last week. How is it possible that in a city as giant as New York, not one office needed a last-minute, fantastic receptionist, such as myself? I was all astonishment...and anger. I must again agree that single women truly do have a dreadful propensity for being poor. Now, whilst this lack of work is not necessary sorrowful, it is not exactly wonderful either, so I implore you to "just go with it."

(Side note: How are all of your words still so relevant today, Jane? It is a true testament to your genius, that one cannot go a single paragraph without referencing something you wrote two-hundred years ago.) 

To be honest, there have been some days of work since I returned from the show (just not last week). Luckily, on one of the days that I did find work, I happened to write some poetry to describe how I was feeling. (Please excuse the shocking use of the phrase "greasy-ass-hair" below.)

1. Back to the Grind 

Back to the grind,

and being a temp.

Too bad my greasy-ass-hair

looks super unkempt.

I’m sure I’ll be fine

since it’s only till five

I’ll just answer the phones

and find a way to survive.

Now I’m armed with my coffee

and a resolved attitude

so when I’m told to do something
I’ll say, “You got it, dude.”

2. Reading at Work

Alone at the front desk

I have nothing to do

because I can’t read my book

and I really want to.

There should be no rule

against reading at work.

In fact, it should be required

it would be such a good perk!

Yes, there really should be

a quiet reading hour

and then maybe your workers

wouldn’t be quite so sour.

At this particular moment, I must quickly ready myself for work. Though it was rather last minute, I was asked to do some (poorly paid) clerical work in an office this afternoon. Beggars must not be choosers, Jane. And seeing as no other offers were thus presented to me today, I figured that this sort of active employment would surely relieve my sorrow of being penniless.

I do not believe there is much more to add at this time, Jane, so I will conclude by saying that I hope you (and all of my gentle readers) enjoy this marvelous Spring day! I confess that it is such a pleasure to see such a fine season finally arrive in New York City. 

Yours Faithfully,

Amanda