A Conversation with Elizabeth
1999
Re: Down, Down, Down

From:          Elizabeth 
To:            LMixson@PEC.com
Sent:          Friday, November 12, 1999 11:30 AM
Subject:       Re: Down, Down, Down
 
Thanks for replying.  Compartmentalization is a good word.  I'm not very good at that usually. I think to compartmentalize, one place has to be strong enough to overcome what's going on elsewhere.  My job isn't strong enough to help me compartmentalize.  By strong enough, I guess I mean, demanding enough, or challenging enough, or whatever.  I only get about 30,000--that's with my last raise.  When I moved to Montgomery, it was for 29 (that was good for entry level librarians at the time); then I changed jobs and really dropped, because it was a city job, not state.  Then I came up some (27) when I got promoted to head of reference.  When I started here--they did not know what to pay me, so they inquired and found what a comparable position was paying--at entry level. So that put me back up to almost 29.  BUT raises here are almost "marginal."  Less than 1000 a year. 
 
It is depressing me, because even if I stay five years, I won't even hit 35,000.  THAT IS POOR.  What is happening is that the longer I stay here the MORE AND MORE my salary will lag behind "the market."  I could leave easily and get NOW another entry level job or so at about 30,000.  Most places, with my experience I could get 35-42, but not in Alabama. The job I seriously thought about in Colorado about three years ago was 37, starting.
 
Also, though, I DO NOT WANT to supervise.  To move up in librarianship you have to supervise.  I could be a dept. head, etc., but then I would be supervising. BUT, look at how old I am.  I'm doing well on socking away retirement here, BUT, the truth is it will HARDLY add up.  I put in somewhere around 400/month, the maximum I can, but again in five years I will ONLY have about 50,000. Oh well--salary and a go no where salary job isn't ALL that seems wrong.  My job is very, very good in so many ways.  The benefits are INCREDIBLE--or I think they are.  I have very little supervision and almost TOTAL control over my own time--while I'm here.  I still have to COME IN and leave on time.  How did your ritual go?  Or is that yet to come?  I can't remember if you said it was at Thanksgiving.  Why aren't you "going home" as you have done?  I thought you didn't go with Julie anyway?  My salary is okay for Montgomery, too.  Most people making what I do can buy a house--speaking of which I kept driving by this house and saying," If that house EVER goes on sale I want to buy it."  I love it. 
 
The other day it went on sale.  It is only about 100,000,with a pool, with 5000 down. (My friend who is making less than I do just got a 110,000 house.
 
 My apt. rent is only 435--my utilities are practically nothing--electricity the other day was only 27.00 (always low when the AC goes off and before I need the heat on), but never goes over 60--ever.  I think what my life lacks is ENGAGEMENT.  I'm not engaged in anything, sports, hobbies, church, other people.  Not quite true. I am engaged in law school--or was--really.  I really loved it.  That may be what is wrong--that is/was the only egg in my basket and now it's not feeling right.  The job and law school together were "perfect"--ideal--but when one shakes, the other does too--neither then or now is satisfying.  I don't have yoga, racquetball, biking, etc.  Church would be a good thing to have here--for most people that takes care of Sundays and also usually a Wed. night.  I tried a few churches, but none of them have proved "for me."  Its interesting how you have chosen things and stayed with them--biking, yoga, racquet ball.  I saw an ad for the technical school here--they have cabinet making for 50 dollars a credit hour.  I'm paying 325/credit hour for law school.  Part of me said--do that instead.  I've got to get to feeling better though.  Finals will kill me if I don't.  It is easy to wipe out.  A lot of people do.  Well, at least today is the day I can or do eat in the cafeteria.  Its fish, and they always have a pasta either with pine nuts or with charred vegetables.  I started to suggest something about meeting at Christmas, but didn't know whether to or not.  Thanksgiving is always finals for me, but LO AND BEHOLD, I actually have early finals this time--No last final on a Monday.

MoRe: Down