Yee Of Little Faith!
So how do I begin? Let me begin by telling you that being unemployed has it's challenges...however I do not think that the Department of Labor, despite it's attempts to "help" me, have done much except put me in an even fouler mood than I have been in.
I just came back from, yet again, another class that is mandatory for a select few people to take in order to keep the pittance I get from my unemployment check.
The man that gives the class is very, very cheery...He's always in a great mood and likes to tell us all how "I know what it's like to be unemployed, blablabla" Meantime I am trying with very little success to not look at him like "HEY ASSHOLE, YOU ARE EMPLOYED BECAUSE I AM UNEMPLOYED"....Ya think?
He said "It's very important to stay positive"...I say "How much do you make per week?" "Wanna bet it's 99% more than the state of Georgia gives me?" It's somewhat enraging to be treated with the "kid gloves" by someone who "understands" me. Finding work is a full time job...having to "prove" this by turning in the dreaded green sheets is a serious pain in the ass and it's mandatory or they cut off the pittance you do get.....IF they made it mandatory for ALL recipients to take these less than helpful classes then oh well, but to single out a select few people and target them by threatening them with the money that WE PAYED OUT OF OUR CHECKS TO BEGIN WITH...is wrong on many different levels.
But they have all the power...so just go with the flow. I am tired of being poor...and I am sick and tired of the "better then thou $10 an hour idiot" that lords it over me every bloody time I take a class that does absolutely nothing to help me in the real world. Minimum wage has gone up to $7.25 an hour. WTF? Even if you had two people making that much per hour it would amount to $14.50 per hour...? Who is in charge of the minimum wages? Wanna bet that person makes more than that? YEAH!
What happened to our common humanity? What happened to our collective dignity? Am I ranting about this? Yes I am, because if I don't I will have to throw up on the poor bastard at the DOL and that just wouldn't be polite. ARGH!
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Right On! Power to the unemployed!
My favorite is when a company threatens to do a credit check as part of your application. I thought part of getting a job was sop you can pay back your debts. I'm just trying to get people to start bartering again, its begining to feel like I should start looking for a tribe to hunt with.
Er sorry Hypocricy guy! LOL
I could have sworn that PW left that comment...I am very pleased with your idea...I think it would work IF I had something decent to trade!
Oooooo GREAT IDEA PW!!
I have been so depressed about my lack of employment lately...and I have not been unemployed for that long. I wish I could go to the nearest gas station and tell the cashier "Hey,I will trade you some sugar and a dozen eggs for a couple of gallons of gas" I don't think the guys at Exxon Mobil would approve...It's so hard to get anything accomplished in this mood...Lottery tickets are looking like a viable means of making it...and that's ridiculous at best!
Ah Sassy!
I had no idea you lost your job! That really sucks ass! And, from my job hunting last year I recall how humiliating it is to deal with some little bitch who doesn't seem to get how the rest of us want to kick his ass and NOT listen to his little stories! (*puke!* Remember me talking about that twerp at the DNC???)
But, here's something that might help to make you feel better - go to these sites (if you haven't already :
www.countdowntohealthcare.com
www.moveon.org
Sign up and #1 do what you can to help get us all healthcare - that first one is put up by Congrassman Weiner (*sigh* my hero) and the other *should* have links to where you can go to rallys and such. I've been so disgusted at how many of my friends have better fucking things to do than help, but then I realised I'd not posted here! I'm sure you, PW and Mz. Zola will sign up!
My laptop inverter is out again so I'm aCTUALLY USING A FREAKING FLASHLIGHT TO SEE THE SCREEN! wHICH MEANS IT'S TAKING ME wayyyy LONGER TO LOOK SHIT UP. bUT, IF YOU WANT i'LL FIND THE OTHER LINKS i HAVE plus SEND YOU ALL ADDYS TO LET CONGRESS KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! wHAT BETTER WAY TO VENT THAT ANGER, HUH? lol
Grrr! See! I hit the caps button and couldn't see it til now! LOL
Just stick with it...
and Happy Birthday, whatever the date!
Thanks Hutts!
Too bad I'm too broke to go out and do anything for it! I'm so broke right now I might noe even get a cake! ;-)I only bitch because it's a big one - 40!
Happy Birthday....Spook
I hope it is a good day for you even if you are broke and don't have a cake. You have Nelda....and it doesn't get better than that........
thanks!
Ya, I'm hoping the day will be good anyway. I'd just always planned to make 40 a really big deal since 30 was such a bust! Imagine being thrown a surprise party against your will (I'd been planning my own damn party!) only to have those throwing it throw a dull-as-dishwater GATHERING. So, I'm a bit bummed that I can't do much. But, at least I have Nella to be so excited about the day! LOL
It May Have Been A Bust...Spooky
but at least they cared enough to do it. I think you are very fortunate to have friends like that. And Nella....who seems to really fill your life......yep! You have plenty of blessings....I know I grumble about money and my tight budget, but I would rather have those worries than what some people have......I'm amazed that some people can even get out of bed and face the day.
That's so true, Ms. Zola!
As much as I gripe about how things are all I need to do is look around me and see people who have things so much worse! And, their gripes are much more relevent than "Damnit! I wanted a big party!" or "Dear God I need a vacation!". Or even worse - "When will I have the extra money to go out on the town???". The people around me are homeless or so behind on their rent that they face being homeless. Or they have paid the rent but don't have the money for food. So, suddenly my gripes seem petty, huh? Ya, as I sit here with my nicely sized tv and cable (with all the pay channels, thank you) and food in the tiny fridge. But, on the other hand, it's this petty drive for MORE that eventually leads to success, right? I mean, if it weren't for that we'd never strive for better, so it's not all bad.
As for the people who thought enough to throw me the dull party. Yes, you're right. It's one of the reasons I'm thinking very hard about moving back to the East Coast! Sure we've been having fun here, but one thing Sean was right about is how hard it is to make personal connections. Things were so different back East - it was so much easier to make friends and have a social life even with kids! So, I'm looking into it and it helps that Nella is totally obsessed with New York! Seriously, that's where she wants to live! LOL
Thanks Spooky...and belated Happy Birthday
I am very well aware of moveon.org...GREAT people! I have been a member for a couple of years now....
Try bartering with anything
If you're not too shy about talking to people and looking a little foolish every once in a while, try bartering just anything and look at the reaction you get. It's freikin hilarious, especially where I live in Southern California. Some people look at you like you're a criminal or something. I trade fruit for different stuff because I have a few fruit trees. The people who are down, are on it right away, but some people are so clueless. My last little attempt was at a nursery and I asked the lady there if she would trade me a blue agave for some typesmof agaves I had. She was so indignant that I even asked her, and the thing was I offered her a really good deal, she would have doubled her money. Her hands were tied though, especially because she was working a chain store. Who knew that asking someone to exchange agaves, could turn into such an indecent proposal. LOL
Dr. Hypocricy you are one cool dude!
I absolutely love this idea...and me shy? Now that's funny! People that don't "get" the bartering idea are Troglodytes!
Poor old Sassys...
can be tough out there!
The best thing about being unemployed Hutts?
It's forced me to re-think my life and I have decided to go back to school to get a degree in Social Work...Being multi- lingual should make it easier for me to help more people and a job with the Government is nothing to sneeze at...the benefits are great, as is the job "security"
Trust me mate...I'll be just fine:)
Sassys
i'm sorry about your job. Join the ranks of thousands who are jobless right now. I know that doesn't help, but it also comforting to know you aren't the only one out there going through it.
Start with state jobs. The state is always hiring someplace. then go to Federal. The census should be hiring. Check into where they are testing for the census and apply. it may not be a permanent job nor do they pay much, but it is something.
Have you thought of opening your own business? You know about food....maybe you could open a small lunch spot close to a school or where business people might want to grab a quick bite. For not a whole lot you can get certified to teach how to set up a store on e-bay. There are lots of people who want to know how to do that. You might want to trade some things on e-bay or craig's list.
Right now law enforcement has extra money from the feds and they are hiring in a lot of places. How about DPS? You aren't too old for them. They pay while you train.
If you have time to train with AFLACK. I know people who are doing really good with them. You will need an insurance license but that doesn't take long and AFLACK training is short.
How about a job as a teacher's aide? It doesn't pay a whole lot, but you have your summers and holidays to do something else and get two pay checks.
How about subbing in the local schools. Subbing won't make you rich, but it could stretch your income a little.
Think outside the box. Look around and ask around. Sometimes you can find a job in a place you might never have thought of because you are only thinking in terms of where you have been.
Good luck....and stay in touch.....we miss you around here.
Ms Zola! I do love you so!
All of these suggestions are great...I am going to go back to school. I have decided that I want to go into social work...I speak some different languages, so that can help, plus I bitch about "stupid people" all the damn time...maybe, just maybe, I can make a tiny difference.
Good for You.....Sassys
I am proud of you! Be sure to go to the government site and apply for a fafsa grant. The money will really help. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply. It's free' Don't be fooled by the "other" sites that offer to help you for a fee. Just use the government site.
Some colleges offer scholarships if you have been out of school for a long time. Ask!
I think you can make a difference. And I KNOW the languages will definitely help.
Good luck in your pursuit of a new career. The journey will be long and sometimes hard, but it is well worth the trip.
Thank you Ms Zola.......
This is great info...definitely will help me! I never really liked school much but I hate being poor and unemployed even more:(
Sassy...
dot com?
I Have Found That to be True...Spook
I found Easterners to be more standoffish in the beginning, but BIG hearted once you get to know them. Some places are friendlier than others. Live wherever you are happy and where you can make a living. Most of all, live where Nella feels at home and comfortable. Making a living is most important because that's what paysthe bills, but if you can make a living and love where you live...that's the best world of all.
Very true Ms Zola!!
My dear old mom used to tell us to "find our passion, then find a way to get paid while doing said passion" That's the key to being happy!