Pride cometh before a job

I've been looking for a job. I already have a church job, a good one, that I like and that pays pretty darn well. I have the singing thing, that pays well when I'm doing it. I teach now and then, when parents can wrangle their schedule with their child's schedule. This is not that kind of job.

I just bought health insurance from Harvard Pilgrim. I think it's an okay policy. It's not hideously expensive, but that also means I really should try to keep my non-life-threatening illnesses to a minimum. It's more expensive than my car insurance, and I don't get any discounts for training for a half marathon or not smoking or eschewing skydiving or anything else that would indicate I'm a good 'driver' of my personage.

What do these two things have in common? The job I'm applying for. Scratch that - I've sent my resume and cover letter and the person doing the hiring wants to meet me tomorrow.

I'm applying for a job at.....*deep breath*.....Starbucks.

Twelve years of post-secondary education. Two years at a competitive math/science/arts prep school. Four degrees. Four languages. International opera debut. Would you like whip?

I've gone round and round on this one. Here's the "pro" column:

1. access to lower-cost health insurance

2. a job that might actually have enough flexibility to accommodate my gigs

3. proximity to husband's work = transportation possible

4. more regularity in my daily schedule = better practice ethic

5. a job that pays money for showing up and doing my job

And here's the "con" column:

1. I am too smart for this job.

2. I am naturally polite and engaging to strangers, but less so when they are rude to me.

3. I am too smart for this job.

4. Will I be bored asking people what they want to drink and potentially making it for them?

5. I am too smart for this job.

***sigh***

All of the reasons in the "con" column smack of pride. I am proud of what I have accomplished. But my mortgage company does not care. My husband has a good job, but I want to contribute more than I am contributing now. I do not want us to fret between gigs. I want us to be able to contribute to our savings and our retirement on a regular basis. I want good things for us and for the dog. I would like us to go on vacation together. I want Sam to get a new dog bed from LL Bean for Christmas. The nice one.

Is it hard to swallow that I have a doctorate in music and no job? Yes.

Is it harder to swallow that I have a doctorate in music and no job because I won't take a job as a barista? Yes.

I'm going to meet the manager tomorrow. If he likes me, and thinks I will be a good fit for the job, you can find me behind the counter in the green apron and the comfortable shoes. Because if there's one thing I'm good at - and I mean really really good at - it's following directions in linear processes. You want that latte? I will for sure make it for you. I will practice and it will be the best damned latte ever.

I can do this. (oh please God, give me the strength to do this)