2010 Reflections...Positive road ahead in 2011

Well...I made it through another year. All in all, it was pretty good.  I've helped friends and family, volunteered my skills and experience, and now thanks to Elastic, I am on the way to getting myself on track again financially.   My fingers are crossed that things will become more permanent in 2011, but either way, I'm gonna be okay.

What do I want for 2011?  Its more along the lines of normal New Years Resolutions, but are somewhat related to having been unemployed.  If I make these things happen, I think it is going to be a great year.

1) Get back into shape. 
I want to use the routine of going to work to keep on track with my diet and excercise. No more taking the easy way out with the cafeteria, or jumping on the bus to go home.  Time to get back to the gym.  I need to get back to shape for a 100 mile bike ride again. 

2) Manage my time better.
I need to fit my workday into normal work hours.  I can't work late every night and I need to add other things (like excercise and socializing) into my social schedule.

3) Get a real social life.
Being out of the city and being low on money for so long has changed my social life. I need to get back into the swing of things.  Either reconnect with old friends or find ways to make new ones.  I need to get out there.

4) Get back to volunteering. I used to be more involved with NY Care.  I think I would like to do that again.  I have the weekends back...no reason why I can't

5) Go on a good vacation.
My last trip was Chile in 2009.  I'm DUE!

Happy new year...May 2011 bring you all the happiness in the world.  God Bless you and your families.

Love and Friendship,

Barbara

Loyalty is for Dogs

"Loyalty is for Dogs."  Its a quote that I will never forget the head of HR at BookSpan saying in one of his Town Hall speeches. I remember being shocked by this part of his speech...thinking "who says that to employees???",  but I think the point he was trying to make at that time was that people don't stay with one company the way they used to. 

That was definitely true at the time of his speech. With the internet boom in the late 90s, you could increase your salary very easily job jumping.  And that's what lots of people were doing. 

But I was as loyal as you get.  I had been with the company for 10 years and counting.  My salary was increased dramatically year over year...but my starting point was $25K, so I never was making what I could have gotten elsewhere.  But I was respected and I loved the company.  It was a my family.   When I did leave, I cried.  It was the toughest decision I ever made.  But I felt that I had to go elsewhere to grow as a marketer.  It was the right choice, but a tough one, just the same.

I really liked my second company, Columbia House almost as much as BookSpan, I could have done a 10 year stint there too, but we were destroyed by a bomb called BMG and were all sent packing a year and a half after I got there.

Today I'm on my 4th job in 5 years. This one isn't even a permanent gig.  I seriously wonder if I will ever make it in one company for that long again.  This is a hard realization for a loyal person like me.

Part of the challenge will be to find a company that will stick around that long. These days, either big established companies are either trounced by the competition, destroyed by the economy, or sold off to make the owners rich, while the loyal employees are left trying to hang on.  

The other challenge is finding a company that doesn't look at the employees as expendable assets...A company that realizes the importance of organizational intelligence, and tries to keep people around, rather than fostering the revolving door.

Loyalty is for dogs... Boy do I miss the good old days.  

T-T-T Taxes

EDITOR'S NOTE: As you read this post, David Bowie's song "Changes" should be playing in the background.



Anyway...Sent in all my info to my accountant. I wrote off my internet, cell phone, travel to the city, health insurance and some minor incidentals. The long and short of it is that ONE paycheck a month needs to go to Uncle Sam. Easy come...easy go.

It is what it is. I need to hit lotto.

The girl who never gets sick...got sick.

Yep...my 5 year track record of "never getting sick" has been broken.  And by "never getting sick," I mean never getting sick enough to need more than a good day or two in bed to recharge. 

Today, after fighting a bad cough and cold for over 2 weeks (which includes a 4 day holiday weekend, mostly in bed), I made a visit to the doctor.  I am SICK.

Seriously, its not a big deal to have to go to the doctor, but I'm an "Apple a Day" kind of gal. I typically beat a cold in 2-3 days tops with a lot of rest.  Not having to go to the doctor is just my way of measuring my general "healthiness."  But even I know, when you have to go, you have to go.

Admittedly, I pushed myself to work, because when you are a Temp, there is no such thing as paid sick days, and I already had a very light pay week last week with the Thanksgiving Holiday. But that really had nothing to do with the decision to go to the doctor. I really thought I could beat this thing on my own.

For over a week, I took everyone's advice. I drank tea with honey and lemon, I tried a Nettie Pot, I ate vitamin C, I drank a gallon of OJ, I gargled with warm water and salt.  At work, I ate Ricola cough drops and Cold Tylenol.  At bedtime I'd take NyQuil. 
I'd wake up feeling a little better than the day before, but at the end of each day I felt worse.

After 9 days of trying to get healthy on my own, I realized this was more than I could handle with home remedies.  The earliest I could get was a Friday morning appointment with my doctor (3 days later).  I went ahead and made the appointment, figuring I could cancel if I was feeling better by then.  

Well, there was no cancelling this appointment. In fact, I showed up to my doctor's  office 40 minutes early, hoping the doctor would see me sooner, so I could get quick relief from this cough (which the doctor diagnosed was from a sinus infection)!  All I can say is that it has been 12 hours and 2 doses of prescription drugs... I feel better ALREADY!

The point of my story is not to bore you with my sick saga.  It just goes to prove that  a person who never gets sick, can get sick.  Its DANGEROUS to go without medical insurance, because you never know. 

Today, I was thankful for my coverage from The Freelancers Union.  You have to jump through a few small hoops and it takes about a month to get qualified, but when you are in, you are in. I hope I don't have to use it often, but at least I have it when I need it.  The way I look at it, its just one less stress or factor in the decision making process about dealing with your heath. 

I am also thankful to my steady gig at Elastic, which helps me pay the monthly premium (which is just under $500 a month).  

That's my story...I'm looking forward to a restful weekend and bouncing back to my old self on Monday. 

Sorry, TWC. You Lose...

So here's a story for you...


I recently switched from Time Warner Cable (TWC) to Verizon.

I had been a TWC customer for over 6 years and was very happy with the service.  In fact, when I had been laid off back in 2009, I called TWC and explained my situation, and how I couldn't afford the current bill and would have to cut my services to the bare minimum.  They offered me the triple play for $99.  I took it.  I was very thankful for this concession.

Then after a year, the price jumped up to $149 a month.  I called them back, and explained my situation (I'm still unemployed) and this time they said they could only give me these services for $129.  I paid that for a few months, but every time I turned on the TV, I saw an advertisement for $99 triple play from TWC. 

I called back and asked for the $99 rate that they are constantly advertising. They said there was nothing they can do.  I asked once again to lower to $99, they said they could not. 

Then I researched Verizon, and learned that they too offer a $99 triple play package.  I signed up for Verizon and I promptly cancelled TWC.

I now get the same services (a few different channels) from Verizon for $99. 

I also get daily letters and letters from TWC offering me to come back for $99 a month!  Apparently, according to the small print,  after 1 month I am eligible for this great price.   They really could have saved a bit of money on postage and a customer, if they would have worked with me. 

So TWC, you lose... (for now).

Verizon...take note...I'm not a big service switcher, but a girls gotta do, what a girls gotta do to save money!

Thankful for the Holidays

As most people coming off unemployment, I am in the "rebuilding my finances mode."  Every day I go to work, I'm earning money to get back on track. 

Right now, I am still a temp at Elastic, so I only get paid for the hours and days I work.  At this point in the game, taking a day off  is an expensive decision.  

But sometimes, the decision to take a day off is made for you.  This week, thanks to Thanksgiving, I had 2 days off.  AND BOY did I need them!

Monday I had a cough and persistant headache that had no intention of going away Tuesday or Wednesday.  My body was telling me to stay home, but my mind was telling me to stick it out...I couldn't afford to lose the pay. 

This is technically not true...I could afford the days, I'm not living hand to mouth, but that's the mindset I am in these days.  It must be related to the invoices that I submit each week and watching my checks fluctuate based on whether or not I take lunch each day.

So, this Thanksgiving, I am counting my blessings and I am enjoying the holidays more than anyone this year.  Every  minute of them.  They were just what I needed, to recuperate, recharge and refresh guilt free. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

It feels like just yesterday...

Time flies...it really does.  I can't believe it has been over a year and a half since my unemployment journey began.  And even though I am now temping at a good company (3 months and counting), the journey is not over.  

I was reading back through my blog just the other day and thinking about all the moments that inspired me to write and keep this blog going.  Its been an experience to say the least. 

Looking back, I am most proud of my trip to Chile in May 2009.  It was the beginning of my journey and something I will always be thankful for. It made me believe that everything happens for a reason, and that there is a bright side to every situation.

I shared my story with MarloThomas.com, and they featured me on their website.  

Check it out for yourself:
http://marlothomas.aol.com/2010/11/01/everything-happens-for-a-reason/

Doing the Limbo...

Elastic has been going well, which is why I haven't had a post in a few weeks. I'm enjoying the work and the break from the job search hustle.

I hate being in this limbo between temp and perm status, but is great to make an impact and feel good about what you do. I've introduced more testing to our email program and improved email reporting.

As always, its the numbers that make magic happen. While my boss was on vacation, I created a report that marries our email data to actual revenue. It didn't seem like a big deal to me, I thought it would be just another metric to measure an email's success, but THIS may be the thing that gets me full time employment. If the numbers are accepted as a metric by the company (which they should be), they show a very big impact to the bottom line. These numbers would help justify more targeted emails, which justifies a real Email team. All I can say is, "Thank God someone took the time to teach me Excel look-up tables..."AND "Stay tuned."

Either way, now that have insurance from the Freelancers Union I don't have to worry about hurting my back while I do this Limbo Dance. I am covered. :)


Top Five Limbo Quotes:
"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.” Albert Einstein  
 
"How do geese know when to fly to the sun? Who tells them the seasons? How do we, humans know when it is time to move on? As with the migrant birds, so surely with us, there is a voice within if only we would listen to it, that tells us certainly when to go forth into the unknown.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and hope. And you can do it when things are tough.” Richard M. DeVos
 
"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” - Anonymous

“Optimism doesn't wait on facts. It deals with prospects. Pessimism is a waste of time.” - Norman Cousins

Money...easy go...

Well, as you know, I'm working and I am very thankful for the income.  My plan is to start paying off my debt and get back to saving.  Thankfully, I have been very frugal over my year of unemployment, so it shouldn't take too long to do this (as long as I stay on track.).

But you see, there are powerful forces working against my plan.  Some I can control, some I cannot. 

First, there is insurance. Cobra is over.  I am on my own.  I just applied to the Freelancers union.  Membership in the union is free, but you have to prove your temp, or independent contractor status with invoices, paystubs and contracts.  I can look forward to $500 a month for coverage.  This is annoying because I NEVER GET SICK.  But I am too OLD, and too smart to go without insurance. So it is what it is.

And, now that I am working in the city, I have new expenses. I pay $50 a week for travel, I had to change my Gym membership to the city (since I can't get home in time for classes at the SI gym) that's another  $35 extra month, and I needed to spend about $500 to get some work appropriate clothes for the Fall (my old clothes are OLD....no lie!).  A winter wardrobe of equal or greater value will be around the corner. 

Those are the things out of my control.

Then there are the things that I can control, but don't want to...Like paying for lunch in the city, or going out and not worrying about not spending too much money.  Its so hard now that I have income.  I want to live again, and do things and enjoy myself.  It is only natural. 

But, I'm still in temp limbo at "Elastic," so I have to be careful.

You know what they say about money...easy come, easy go.  But I am working against this!  Wish me luck!

Take care of YOURSELF!

Okay...I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I haven't been sick in a year.  I go to work for 3 weeks and I have some nasty cough.  And I'm not the only one. It's going around. 

Oh well, that's the way it goes.  No pain...no paycheck.

Anyway, thankfully, its just a cold...but  in honor of this incident, here is my researched top ten tips for staying healthy, (regardless of employment status)..

TOP TEN TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY

1) Eat healthy.
2) Get excercise.
3) Get a good night's sleep.
4) Avoid stress.
5) Don't smoke.
6) Wash your hand often.
7) Keep your hands off your face.
8) Bring a sweater to the office to counteract heavy air conditioning inside.
9) Avoid Caffine and drink plenty of water.
10) Take vitamin C.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:
If your body's not right, the rest of your day will go all wrong. Take care of yourself. ~Terri Guillemets

Don't count your money...before you get paid!

Well for those of you that are counting, its been 3 weeks in the new job.  So far things are working out really well.  I'm enjoying the experience at Elastic (much better than the last time) and really enjoying getting back into the email marketing world.  I love the instantaneous results!!!

The only issue I have is the income (or lack thereof).  Even though I have been submitting invoices religiously on Mondays, and my boss has been approving them right away...so far, no check.  I know I am going to get paid, but this is stretching me pretty thin.  Not fun.

Anyway, I'm hoping this is an accounting snafu...and that this is not something I have to hunt down every week (or month or however they work out their payment schedule). 

Seriously, I'm missing the regularity of direct deposit, where I don't have to watch my overdrafts.  I'm not used to having to watch every invoice.  That's a pain in the butt, and I'm not really organized that way.

Anyway... just another challenge in the unemployment experience.  I'll figure it out.

Top Ten Quotes About Money:

“There are people who have money and people who are rich.” --Coco Chanel


"Go out in the world and work like money doesn't matter, Sing as if no one is listening, Love as if you have never been hurt, and Dance as if no one is watching”

“Money will come when you are doing the right thing.” --Mike Phillips

“If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.” --Earl Wilson

“Money is a good servant but a bad master.”-- Francis Bacon

“Money grows on the tree of persistence” --Japanese Proverb quotes

“All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy” --Spike Milligan

“I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.” --Marilyn Monroe

“Starting out to make money is the greatest mistake in life. Do what you feel you have a flair for doing, and if you are good enough at it, the money will come.” --Greer Garson

“The best things in life are free.” --American Proverb quotes

Ahhhh....I think I get it

So I talked to my Accountant about this Freelance Gig. 

- I have to pay a NY Commuter Tax on Nov 1.
- Then we will do estimated taxes towards the end of the year.
- I can write off some expenses, like my travel to work, a computer purchase and my internet access.
- I have to keep good records and receipts and should be ready to get audited.  FUN.

Now I am thinking I should have asked my company to pay me through an agency....Ugggghhhh...Add to my list of unemployment lessons learned.

Anyway...I'll figure it out.  The good news is that I am working. I'm enjoying Elastic and loving the commute to SOHO. 


QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Don't ask for a light load, but rather ask for a strong back."- Anonymous

Ignorance is BLISS???

Enjoying the job at "Elastic" so far, but have a new "problem." TAXES!!!!

You see, unlike my last employment stint, where I was being paid by an agency, this is actually a consultant position. Each week, instead of a time sheet, I have to submit an invoice. They are not taking out taxes. I have to pay these on my own.

I've been trying to research how consulting and taxes work, but I am seriously CONFUSED. This is beyond my comprehension.

I think I am supposed to pay quarterly self employment taxes, an estimate of what I think I owe, but I don't really know how to do that. I think I am able to take deductions, but I am not sure what they may be.

I have calls in to my financial advisor, Rae (who is amazing BTW. I wouldn't have made it through this incomeless year without her. ) and an accountant that I used in the past. All I know is that this is going to cost me.

They say, "Ignorance is bliss." And to be honest, I could do without having to know about this kind of stuff. But I also know full well, that ignorance can not be used as a defense from good old Uncle Sam. So I better get this sorted out.

I'll share what I learn.

Today's quote:

“Since fear is mostly about ignorance, the best part is that it's as temporary as you choose.” - Christine Comaford 

Ready...Set....Go...

I'm so ready for my first full work week at Elastic!

I'll be working on the email team, which is right up my alley. This opportunity came to be thanks to the help of an old friend, who I reunited with during my "short stint" there back in May.

I don't know if it is the weather or the idea of getting back into the routine again...but it feels like "back to school" for me.  In the spirit of the season, I even went shopping for new clothes and shoes.

I'm not going to lie, I will miss my days at Panera...but I'm so looking forward to the steady income! Here's to bigger and better.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Good fortune shies away from gloom. Keep your spirits up. Good things will come to you and you will come to good things." ~Glorie Abelhas

When it rains...it pours

Well, its been a while since I wrote a post, simply because I had nothing to write. I wasn't up, I wasn't down...I just was.

But the last two weeks have been a a little different. It looks like employers are calling again. I had a few phone interviews...a quite few calls from friends saying that they might have an opportunity for me. And.....ELASTIC called again with another temp position for me. It looks like it might even lead to full time employment.

So as of yesterday...I am working. I'm not ready to break out the champagne yet...but I love the fact that I don't have to file for another week of unemployment.

A little lift...goes a long way.

What a surprise I had this week!   A woman at the gym, comes up to me and says, "Are you Barbara Sanchez?...I saw you this morning in the Advance...in the article about your office at Panera." 

Apparently the Panera article was reprinted.  This time, it must have had a much larger circulation, because now I am getting supportive emails from strangers, (and friends as well) .   And let me tell you, its the little lift I really needed.

Its hard to believe that I have been out over a year, and sometimes quite frankly, its a little embarrassing.  Even though I know it is not my fault, and do my best to stay positive, unemployment is sometimes is hard to deal with.  I hate when people ask what I do, I have to explain that, "I do marketing, but I am currently unemployed."    I already shied away from my college reunion, and now I have my high school reunion around the corner.  I feel bad when family calls to check on me and I don't have good news to tell them about my job search.

And even though I try to keep my spirit up, sometimes its hard...a year is a LONG time.  But then random things like the article reprint happen, and its the little lift that I need to keep on trucking. I am reminded once again, that I am not alone, and that I am doing all the right things to get back on track.  I have nothing to be ashamed of.  ....And most important, I have the support of family and friends (and even strangers) behind me.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

"Angels are all around us, all the time, in the very air we breathe." ~The Angels' Little Instruction Book

“Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.” ~Grandma Moses

“Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.” ~Bernice Johnson Reagon

"Make no mistake...

"... we are headed in the right direction, but . . . we're not headed there fast enough for a lot of Americans. We're not headed there fast enough for me, either."  - Obama

Not fast enough for me either....Keep truckin', Obama...we'll get through this...

How to Stay Positive

Unemployment is a series of ups and downs, good news and bad news. 

• Good News:  The recuiters are calling excited about your resume.  
• Bad News:  You don't quite have the skills they need right now.
   
• Good News: You got an interview and made it into the next round.        
• Bad News:  They loved you, but you didn't get the job.
   
• Good News: Looks like you will have the summer off.
• Bad News:  You have all the time do to what you want...but money's a whole other story.

You basically have 2 choices.  You can sit and stew and feel bad about your situation, or find the bright side and keep on truckin'.   I always try to choose the bright side. 

And here is a video that a good friend posted on Facebook today, aptly named " How to stay Positive."  Take a look and tell me this doesn't put a little bright side to your day!  I like this girl's style.

Visit to Workforce 1 office

After a year of unemployment, I was "asked" to report to 120 Stuyvesant Plaza 3rd Floor at 8:45 am.   I had no idea what this was going to be about.  I was a little annoyed that I had to give up my morning and pay for parking to be able to continue my benefits, but on the other hand, I really couldn't complain.  They haven't asked me for anything in over a year.   Last time I was laid off, they forced me to sit in front of a  computer in the unemployment office for an hour per month searching for a job.  

Anyway, the session was basically an orientation to WORKFORCE 1, an agency set up to help people find jobs.  Some people were required to go there for unemployment benefits (like me), but there were many who were there to take advantage of the resources that they had to offer, which include free access to computers and fax machines, counselors and programs to get people back to the workforce.  Most of the job offerings did not apply to me, but they did provide me with a list of job search websites which I will use for my search.

Anyway...wasn't as bad as I expected, and I am back to my office at Panera.  The job search continues...

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 
What you get by reaching your destination is not nearly as important as what you will become by reaching your destination.

Official Recognition for Me and "The Office"

Its been over year since I was laid off, which is much longer than I ever expected to be out of work.  But I keep my head up and keep on truckin'...I know that things will change for the better soon. 

In the meantime, I am thankful for Panera, which gives me a place to call my "office."  Yesterday, I was featured in the Staten Island Advance, along with my "office mate" Joel Richardson of Soul Joel Productions.


I don't know how to describe it, but it feels really good to be recognized for making the best of a situation. 

"What else have you been doing? "

I realize that I have to redo my resume again. Its been a year since Waterfront Media. Its a pretty big gap. But as you all know, I am not sitting home watching Oprah and Judge Judy. I'm all over the place. 

• I'm drumming up NYC clients for Netrist.com  a web design company that my friend Kevin is running.
• I'm designing posters, and banners for Soul Joel Productions...
• I'm consulting on ShirtScuffle.com, helping them increase their site content and SEO.
• I'm doing web updates for Reesewaters.com and ContrinoTravel.com
• I'm working with TheBubbas.com, physically selling their Barbikyu (BBQ) on the weekends and marketing their product. 
• I just completed a crazy freelance project for "elastic,"  which at best could be described as project management work.    
• And I am helping out others where I can, when I can...

My resume is already full.  I have 2 pages of legit employment.  So my question is...where do you fit "hustling" into your career history?

Well...it was good while it lasted

Just found out my temp gig ends on Friday.

I'll miss the money, but not the insanity. You can imagine the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, chopping mailings right when they are ready to go to press...and then asking what happened to them. I don't get it. Money is being left on the table...and thrown out the window. And nobody will tell the queen what's what.

ANYWAY, My heart is not broken over this. I'll keep on truckin'. The headhunters are calling. I'm working towards landing a permanent gig! No Pepsi. I am ready for that Coca Cola!

Another week...

Made it through another week at "elastic." I'm in much better spirits than last week...but nothing much has changed (except my attitude.)

Here's some good things to talk about.

1) My office supplies arrived (which is a small thing,but makes a big difference)

2) My first paycheck arrived...(which was not a small thing, and makes a HUGE difference).

3) The have a very nice rooftop cafeteria here, with a spectacular view.

4) My boss (who is fantastic) always has an assortment of chocolate in her office.

5) The "2 week job" is now going on week 4.

Its true...there is always a sunny side...sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find it.

Some days you need a good laugh...

Well, as many of you know, in my spare time I work for my friend, SOUL Joel, a local comedian, producer and radio host working his a** off to "make it happen." He's also my office mate at Panera...where I have been absent from for the past 3 weeks, thanks to my temp job (at a place that rhymes with "elastic").

Anyway...making a SHORT story way too LONG...

Through Joel, I met another up and coming comic, Reese Waters. Reese hired me to do some work on his website, and in the process, I found a funny clip of his on Unemployment. Thought I would share...

Jokes.com
Reese Waters - Recession
comedians.comedycentral.com
Futurama New Episodes Funny Demon Zombie TV Show Funny TV Comedy Blog

Hoped you enjoyed. A good laugh is good for the spirit.

Want to learn more about Reese and Soul Joel? Visit their sites at www.reesewaters.com and www.souljoel.com.

Steady as she goes...

Well if you are counting at home, I just made it through my 2 weeks at the temp job place.  The people are great and couldn't be nicer.  I don't know how long the gig is going to last, so I have to keep looking, (which is not easy when you are working full-time) but this week, I got an employee ID and they gave me the catalog to buy desk supplies...so I guess I am staying for a while.

What's changed since I have been away??? Well this company is running lean and mean, and I think this is typical to other companies as well.  Everyone seems stressed.  Even the bus ride to and from work has a different vibe.  You pay more and get less...fewer buses and many times its standing room only!    Stress...is everywhere.  And for the first time in over a year, I'm feeling it too.

I'm thankful for the job and the money it brings to pay my bills, but I am feeling stress.  I realized this by accident, when venting to a friend on IM.  He was doing his best to point out the bright side of the situation (at least I am making money)...and as I typed the words, " I know, but I feel like my life has been off track over a year." I started tearing up.  

I don't have my head around it totally, but there is a sense of relief to be able to tell friends and family that you are working again, but then the temp status of the work (in this case I was only promised 2 weeks), has me in a state of limbo, which is stressful.  

The whole experience reminds me of a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon that I did with my friend Suzanne after college.  We lived like rafting queens on the water for 5 days.  The guides fed us and did all the work.  All we had to do is bail the water out of the raft after a rapid.  On the last day, the guides gave us peanut butter sandwiches and sent us to hike out of the canyon.  We started out at 6 am, and by noon, we were hiking in the summer sun doing switch-backs for 10 miles.  I could see the end of the hike, but it took FOREVER to get there.   I keep dreaming of an ice cold "Coca-Cola."  The red and white logo actually flashed in my mind as I trudged on to the top.  When I finally got to the end of the trail, all they had was water.  And when I found a vending machine,  all they had was Pepsi. 

This "temp" job is like Pepsi to me.  I'm looking for a Coke and a Smile.  

Well...thanks for letting me vent.  I feel better now.  I know things will get better. I just have to get back to my positive self, and things will fall into place.  They always do.

Top 10 quotes on Beating Stress

"Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff." - Richard Carlson, PH.D.


When you find yourself stressed, ask yourself one question: Will this matter in 5 years from now? If yes, then do something about the situation. If no, then let it go. ~ Catherine Pulsifer


“In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.” Lee Iacocca

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it.” George F. Burns


Give your stress wings and let it fly away. ~Terri Guillemets

Releasing the pressure, it's good for the teapot and the water. Try it sometime. ~Jeb Dickerson


Stress is the trash of modern life - we all generate it but if you don't dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life. ~Terri Guillemets

If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. ~Doug Larson
 
"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." - Mother Teresa

"Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." -Benjamin Franklin

I'm back on the horse...(okay its just a Shetland Pony).

Well, its a miracle, but I got a job.  Don't get too excited. They only committed to 2 weeks.  I am sure it will go longer...but I have to keep on looking. Just in case.

As far as the first week goes...it was rough.  For one, I had to force myself to go to bed on Sunday at a decent hour.  I wanted to be bright and fresh, and on-time for the new job.  When I got home on Monday, I was exhausted. I felt like I ran a marathon.  I went right to bed.

My second day, I had a BRUTAL allergy attack.  I blamed it on the pollen, but I actually think it was due to a dusty shirt selection from the closet. Think about it.  I haven't worn these clothes in a year!

By the time Friday came along..I felt relieved.  I made it through my first week.  I can STILL do it. 

Anyway.  I'm back NYC.  I have my fingers crossed that this job will lead to full-on employment or will help me bridge on to my next job.  I think the cloud is lifting...a sunny future is around the corner.

Happy Anniversary???

Well...its been a year unemployed.  Not where I was hoping to be, but I have to say, as much as I would like to get back to work, I can't complain too much.  I've learned a lot about myself and have had the chance to do a lot of different things that I wouldn't have been able to do if I was working.   And every time I want to feel bad about myself, I meet another person who is right here in the same boat as me.  I'm still in very good company.

The good news is that I am getting more frequent interviews.   My chances of landing a job are going up every day. 

The bad news is that my computer crapped out.  I guess my "fix" didn't work as well as I had hoped.  Well, at least I tried.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

Winston Churchill

Sometimes I amaze myself

A few months ago I dropped my laptop and cracked the screen.  Anyone that knows me, knows my laptop has become my life.  Its how I am able to "work at Panera," and get out of the house. 

I spoke to my techie friends, who told me, "Forget about it...at work, we trash laptops with broken screens."  "Well, that's it," I thought, "your laptop days are over."    I went a couple days working on the fractured screen, slowly accepting defeat, and then I did a little more research. 

I found a fantasic site, called Notebookreview.com  that features all the instructions you need to replace your laptop screen.  Then I found a site called Laptopz.com that sells screens, and for $125, I fixed my laptop. BY MYSELF.

Last week, my laptop started giving me a new problem.  The DC power jack started flaking out on me.  Sometimes the DC power was recognized, and sometimes, the computer would automatically switch to battery power.  I asked my techie friends again for advice.  "Forget about it...you need to buy another computer."  Well, I was ANGRY.  How could Dell create such a fragile part?  Here the computer is running fine, the screen looks great, and I am about to be done in by a loose power jack.  But researching the issue, I found hundreds of other people describing the same problem...and advice that matched that of my techie friends.  (Dell Computers, seriously...you stink and I am on to you and your evil ways.) 

But even with the bad news, I wasn't ready to give up.  I was encouraged by the success of my previous repair, and found another great website, insidemylaptop.com, that had clear instructions on how to take my Dell Inspiron B130 apart, and make make repairs to the DC Power Jack.   I got a perfect list of tools needed, and instructions and pictures on how to dissemble the computer.  I bought the items I needed at Radio Shack, and got to work.  To make a long story short, I fixed the problem, and gave my laptop an extended life.

Long story, with the full truth,  I couldn't unsoder the power jack from the motherboard, but I was able to clean the contacts on the jack.  I also lost the functionality of the touchpad in the process, but I still consider this repair a win.   I can now power up the computer AND I was able to replace functionality of the touchpad with a USB mouse.  This repair cost $40.

Why is this a big deal and how does this apply to my story of unemployment?  First of all, I have to stop and celebrate a "win," which in this case is fixing my laptop.  I am impressed with what I was able to do with help of great instructions from the websites mentioned above.   Second of all, I saved myself big money, which is now a current theme in my life. I estimate these two repairs would have cost me another $200-300 to bring to a professional.   But most importantly,  this is something I NEVER would have bothered with had I been employed.  I would have never learned that I was capable of making this type of repair... I would have moved on with a new computer.   To me, this is a big deal.

I'm always looking for a sunny side to my unemployment experience.  This week, I think I found another one.  (There's always a sunny side...sometimes you have to look a little harder to find them. )

Scenes from the Virtual Office (PANERA)

If you listen to the Comedy Point every Tuesday, you know that Joel and I have set up our “virtual” office at Panera. We joke around about it being an office, but the truth is, we virtually work there 2-3 days a week. Why Panera? You might think it’s the free internet, or the good food, or the coffee, or the friendly atmosphere. All good reasons, but the truth is: they don’t kick us out.

As you know from the show, I’m Joel’s virtual office manager. I campaigned hard for the title for over 2 weeks, after I found out that Rich Shultis hired a virtual assistant from India. My promotion was announced on the show at the beginning of the year. Now I am always on my best behavior. I wouldn’t want Joel to virtually fire me.


At first, Joel and I used to cram ourselves into a small booth in the back , but now we sit right in the front facing the windows so we can people watch. Plus, while I’m on the shy side, Joel’s a walking advertisement, what’s the point of hiding him in a corner? Seriously, not only does he drive up in his Soul Mobile, he’s always wearing at least one piece of Soul Joel Production gear. Even his computer is wrapped to promote his radio show (my Christmas present to him).

The kids love Soul Joel, giving him secret waves, thumbs ups and smiles behind their mother’s backs… And the Adults strain their necks to get a good look at this guy with the fancy computer, with his sidekick (me) sitting right next to him. Nobody can figure out what we are doing, but they know we are up to something.

Joel inadvertently names drops on his phone conversations, “Hey Reese…what’s up Reese? Yannis, good show last night.” Maddog!!! What’s up Bubbas?….Hello, I’m Joel Richardson, I’m a producer and I host a radio show.” People can’t help but look up from their coffee as he walks around talking on his cell. He’s not showing off mind you…he’s just making it happen at “the office.”

Stop by and join us at our virtual office, The Panera by Target. Have a coffee , and join our virtual fun.

REPOSTED from The Comedy Point with Soul Joel Blog.

"Are you coming???"

Every day, I am being invited to school fundraisers, Pampered Chef parties, trips to Florida, Atlantic City, NYC for Karoke,  my cousin's wedding in Mexico, night out drinking with friends, out to dinner...  More and more the answer to "Are you coming is?" "Im sorry...I can't." 

In the beginning, I was able to pick and choose between the things I wanted to do.  If it wasn't a huge layout of money, I felt it would be good for my mental health.  In fact, if you remember, I had a strategy for dealing with these situations.   Now, I am at the point where I have to say no.  I guess I should feel lucky.  I made it a year.

The truth is, unemployment benefits is only little band-aid, not meant to last a long time. Its been my savings, a home equity loan and a decent credit line that has been holding things together. My Cobra Subsidy is about the end, and that's when the band-aid will fall off, and the bleeding really begins.  My next line of defense is borrowing from my parents. Then...I don't know.

I know I am not alone.  And I know that things have to get better.  And I know as bad as things are, I am still spoiled.  Things are not even close to being as bad as they were in my grandparents' day.  And I know it must have been pretty bad, becuase till the day they died, my grandparents lived a very simple life despite riches in their bank account. You don't that unless you've been through hard times before. 

Today I have to make tougher decisions.  How can I keep my head above water until my next job? What else can I cut? Can I rent out my condo?

Its tough out here...but I know we can handle it. 


My Prayer for the Unemployed



Dear God,


I know you never give me a situation I cannot handle and for everything that happens in my life you have a plan for me. I ask that you give me the strength to stay positive during this difficult time, and continue to help me to find the brighter sides in my dark days, and guide me to a better future. I ask that you help others who are also struggling with unemployment, those who are lost, and those who are stressed financially and spiritually, that they may also find relief from their burdens. I trust in you, God. Amen

Blizzard, Earthquake and Tsunami...putting things into perspective

The other day I dragged my butt into the city in the middle of a blizzard to go for an interview at a headhunter so they could "See me."  That's right..."see me."  Let me just remind you, I am a marketer, not a stripper, not an actress or a model.  Apparently, if I "looked good"  they would send my resume on to the employer.  So I arrive at the office, looking pretty good if I do say so myself.  They "see me,"  talk to me for about 10 minutes, and then I'm headed right back home (fuming mad) the middle of the blizzard.

This is how it is out there.  You have to put up with this nonsense.  You have to jump at every lead.  You never know where the next job is going to come from.  But some days, man it sure feels someone is kicking you in the stomach.

But then you come home and see reports of an earthquake in Chile (and Haiti a few weeks ago) and then Tsunami to go along with it, and you have to say to yourself, you might not have a job, but you have your health a roof over your head, and you and your loved ones are safe.  It could be worse...

Quote of the Day
"“There are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do I respond to those disasters? Over that I have complete control.” Leo F. Buscaglia

Keeping my Head UP

Yes...today I open my my Yahoo account only to see the most disturbing headline of the day....
Job losses from Great Recession about to get worse
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy

I'm not going to rehash the article, you can read it for yourself.  And frankly it was not a surprise. The headhunters aren't calling...and everyone seems to be realizing that we are in trouble.  But man oh man...when you see this kind of stuff in black and white...it really makes me realize that things are BAD.  Seriously, this was not what I was hoping for as I turned into the new year. 

I'm at a loss....I just need to keep on trucking and stay positive.   My friends and family are there to keep me motivated and I have little wins here and there.  I'm not letting this economy bring me down.  NO WAY.

Quote of the Day
When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'

Sydney J. Harris

Excuse me while I vent...

You know what, I am SICK of these stupid job search websites that require you to upload your resume and then you spend the next 20 minutes fixing all the entries that they autoload. 

And what about the one that makes you fill in 30 different fields to give the most irrelevant information. You really need to where I found out about the job listing?  REALLY?  And then you need 3 drop down boxes for me to tell you?  But you don't care if it is Other?

And how come you can't tell that I am from Staten Island, NY if I give you my zip code?  And then if I tell you I am from Staten Island, NY, How come you don't know I am from the US???  Seriously.  Is there a Staten Island, NY in Mexico or Uganda?

And why do these website companies sell their HR tools to EVERY single company, but pretend like they never saw me before when I go on to the next site?  You know I just filled in your annoying forms on the last job I applied to...

And why does Beyond.com send me the same attractive job every other day, but when I click on the link the job is no longer available? 

Okay.  I feel better now.  Back to more positive thoughts.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.”  --John Heywood.

Evolution with my Resolutions

Resolutions are only as good as the people who keep them.  I'm doing my darndest to stay on top of mine.  Otherwise, whats the point?

Here's my status so far....
Networking - I have 2 coffee dates set up in the city and I have signed up for a networking breakfast for the first week of February.

Getting out of the house/Gym - I'm on the right track.  Been to the gym twice this week so far. I can't believe how out of shape I am only after a few weeks.  Well, serves me right.  I started the Joy's Life Diet, but I found a box of fudge in the fridge...BAD.

Going to bed.  12 pm for 2 nights in a row.  That's a big deal for me.  No more Netflix in bed. 
The rest of the items I have to work on...but I'll get there.   Seriously, I'm hoping my job search ends soon.  I am tired of making myself "busy."

GOODNIGHT!