Amused all day

Last week we took the grandkids to Universal Studios in Hollywood. This time of year even a Monday was packed. We got there right when it opened and went on The Simpsons, the newest ride, and Shrek, another popular ride right away. The Simpsons still took one hour. The alternative is to pay twice as much for a "front-of-the-line" ticket. That allows you to get in a special line and enter ahead of the general admission tickets.

We also did the narrated backlot tour via tram. The movie-making industry uses lots of RVs. They were parked in rows. Some were labeled wardrobe, others were probably for use of the stars.

Universal hires hundreds of workers during their busy season. They have people near the beginning of the line to guide people into other waiting lines. Others escort you to a ride or help you enter or board. The Water World Show had three fellows directing traffic and entertaining the audience before it started. Actors and stunt people starred in the show. We had photos taken with characters like Shrek. (The older grandson was camera shy.)

Then there were all the carts and eateries and shops that were staffed with people. At the gate, ticket sellers and ticket takers greeted us first, then someone stamped your hand if you were leaving but returning to the park. You get the picture.

Universal Studios in Hollywood is not the best place for working on the RV road because RV parks are far and few between. Unless you could park in a relative's driveway, you would have a long commute. Working at the Orlando, Florida location could be doable and a fun way to spend a winter. There are RV parks within commuting distance there. Read more about their jobs and benefits at their job site. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Get paid to attend the 2008 Super Bowl!

How can you attend the Super Bowl in Phoenix without a ticket - and get paid to be there? If you get a job working there, you could be one of the lucky ones!

Allied Barton Security Services, LLC is currently hiring. Pay is $11-14/hr and they train you so you can get an Arizona Guard License (cost $74). The first 250 people hired are guaranteed to work for the game. There are events surrounding the Super Bowl that guards will work.

A job fair was held last June to hire people, but you could still contact the employers mentioned in an Arizona Republic article. Other contractors may still have openings.

In the meantime, an October 28 Career Builder article in the Arizona Republic said there should be lots of holiday positions for determined job seekers in the Phoenix area. Resorts will hire more employees because of the Super Bowl. A holiday decorator hires extra people for the holidays. Some retailers will too. Dan Butler of the National Retailer Federation says that "distribution centers, warehouses and call centers - especially for Internet retailers - are all good opportunities for seasonal employment."

If you are looking to pick up some extra money this holiday season, the opportunities are there. Jaimie

For more information on finding short-term jobs, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, available at RVBookstore.com.