So, I've been out of work going on 3 years. August 20th will be 3 years since my layoff to be exact. I have had a time of it trying to find a day-job. While I am a musician, a performing singer/songwriter, music right now does not pay the bills, is not a true "wage earner". When I was signed to a label in the mid-90s I worked as a full-time musician for about 2 and a half years and made an excellent wage, was able to sustain myself 100%. When the label dropped me it was "start over", worked temp til I got a permanent job so that I could have health insurance - you all know the drill. I burned the candle at both ends, a day-job to sustain myself and worked on my music the rest of the time, writing, performing earning whatever I got on any given night. Since my layoff, I don't work any less on my music than I did when I had a day-job; and clubs don't pay any more than they did. I am married and fortunately my husband works. He has covered me on his health insurance although these days that takes a HUGE chunk from the salary.

I have an interview with an employment agency Monday. I am NOT wearing a wig. After taking what was left of my hair down and putting on the wig I bought in case I 'needed' to wear one, I hate the way it looks. It looks like a costume, not real. I was ready to handle my alopecia, I suppose so I was immediately comfortable being bald. I don't feel I 'need' to wear a wig. In thinking of my interview next week I suppose the 'need' to wear a wig would be to have the interviewer be comfortable with me. Why should "she" be made comfortable, I'm the one without hair.

So I've come up with some guidelines. If asked if I would wear a wig for an interview with a prospective employer, my answer will be only if the salary being offered is in excess of $50,000 per year. In which case after my first paycheck I can get a human hair wig made. My understanding from some of my alopecian friends is that if you have a wig made to your specifications, head size and shape with human hair it will look better than your standard $49.99 off the rack which is what I have. I should put it up on eBay, I'm probably never going to wear it; it really looks fake. A custom wig, if need be would look more real.

I have a suspicion, so my gut tells me, that I may never get into the whole wig wearing thing. Perhaps it may cost me future employment. I haven't lived my life this long to "play dead" and wear a wig because it makes an employer feel better. I do need the salary, but I don't think I can do it. We'll see.

I plan on blogging again about my experience; God only KNOWS what's going to happen. All I can say is I anticipate laughing a lot. I have not gone through being without work for so long to let not having hair on my head throw me. Yeah I can put on my fake-looking wig and STILL not get a job and feel uncomfortable which may affect my interview, testing, etc.

I have to be me in the truest form so I can do my best. I'll keep you all posted.

Here's a photo from my most recent performance in Bethlehem, PA at the ArtsQuest MusikFest Cafe:


Royally Bald,

Lili (aka Eulalia)