How I'll Spend My Summer Vacation

Even though the school year is not over yet, I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do this summer. 

If I were to lay out in the sun and just relax, I'd a) start worrying that if I lay out for too long I'll end up looking like one of the Jersey Shore cast members (only not drunk); b) only be able to relax for a few minutes before I start thinking of all the things that I have to get done that day, like go grocery shopping, do laundry, and make extra large signs to hang in my windows that say, "Won't you be my ex-neighbor? Seriously, just MOVE OUT already!" for all my loud, annoying neighbors to see; c) feel self-conscious about being in a bathing suit and cover myself up with a beach towel (or three), because I do not have the body of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model (but God, I wish I did).

I've spent almost every summer working since I was sixteen, when I got my first job as a checker at a supermarket. But the truth is, I would love to be able to take a vacation. I'd love to be able to spend the whole summer enjoying Chicago like a tourist would, by going to neighborhood festivals, museums, and outdoor concerts. Even being able to spend every day writing fiction for as long as I wanted without feeling guilty about all the other work that I have to do would be wonderful. And even though I usually work two or three jobs, what's key is that they are part-time jobs, which means I don't get a full-time salary or a paid vacation. But I still have to pay rent, buy groceries, and pay other bills during the summer, so I have to work.

I've been trying to think of places where I could work this summer, but there are a few jobs that I had to rule out.

I could never work in a bar, because a) I don't have any experience or training as a bartender, let alone a shot girl; b) at many of the bars in Chicago, you have to "audition" to work at a bar, meaning you have to go down there and let the employers determine if you look "hot" enough to sell drinks. Other places require applicants to send in photos along with their applications. And again, while I don't think that the sight of me would make any man scream or turn to stone (at least, it hasn't happened yet), I do not look like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model; c) I don't like alcohol, and I don't like it when people get really drunk. So instead of trying to sell shots, I'd probably just be judgmental and disapproving every time someone took a drink, and then I just might not be able to stop myself from saying stuff like, "Do you really want to be hungover tomorrow? Because you will be if you drink another shot," or "That's such a nice shirt you're wearing! You don't want to ruin it by throwing up on it later, do you? Didn't think so."

I would like to work as a dogwalker, because I love dogs. I had my own dog when I was growing up (she died of old age), and I walk my parents' dogs, Jane Dog and Neurotic Jr., whenever I visit them. But most of the places that are hiring dogwalkers and pet-sitters require the applicants to have their own cars. I've relied on public transportation ever since I moved to the city, so I don't have my own car.

I did apply for summer jobs that are in my own field (education), of course. There was one summer program that was willing to hire me, but I didn't accept the job; let's just say that I didn't agree with their grading practices for the students. I found out that two of the educational jobs that I applied for were given to people who had way less experience and fewer qualifications than I do but also happened to be friends with the people who were doing the hiring, which made me really mad.

The one field outside of academia that I have the most experience in is retail, because I've worked in a bookstore, a clothing store, and a souvenir store. So I know that it would not be that hard to get a job at yet another store. But I don't want to work in retail, and that's another post in itself.

I actually already have one job for the summer, which is my website job that I also do during the school year. But it's only part-time, which is why I was thinking of getting another job. However, I've finally faced the fact that I can't keep working full-time if I ever want to finish my dissertation and just be DONE with graduate school already.

So I'm going to try just working part-time this summer. I've been saving money for months so that I won't have to rely on my credit cards too much. And maybe this summer, I'll actually have time to relax. (Except by "relax", I don't mean just lay out in the sun and do nothing. Because I really can't do that for too long without thinking about all the work that I could be doing instead. What? When I say that I'm a neurotic workaholic, I'm not exaggerating. It's not like my screenname is Easygoing Slacker.)

What about you? What kinds of summer jobs have you had? What was your first summer job like? Have you started making plans for this summer?