Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Joplin, Missouri -- my destination of choice.
As those of you that know we well know, I find disaster relief to be paramount to almost everything. The eight days I spent in Biloxi, MS were by far the most rewarding days of my life. I met the most extraordinary people that had been through the most horrific of experiences. Their spirits were so high after being so devastated -- I could not imagine being so upbeat when everything I knew had been destroyed.
These past few weeks watching the non-stop coverage of the devastation in the Midwest has brought back some potent memories of the days I spent on the Gulf Coast. It also helps me put things into perspective. When I think of how horrible to be unemployed, I watch reports of the people in Joplin and remember that I have parents that are caring for me, a roof over my head and can afford to attend graduate school (thanks Treasury Dept!).
Now, after regaining perspective and appreciating what I have, now all I can think of doing is running off to the Midwest and giving what little I have to those that have less than nothing. The temptation grows with every passing day and have yet to think of a reason to resist.
As Mark Twain once said, "I deal with temptation by yielding to it." Maybe I should take his advice.
These past few weeks watching the non-stop coverage of the devastation in the Midwest has brought back some potent memories of the days I spent on the Gulf Coast. It also helps me put things into perspective. When I think of how horrible to be unemployed, I watch reports of the people in Joplin and remember that I have parents that are caring for me, a roof over my head and can afford to attend graduate school (thanks Treasury Dept!).
Now, after regaining perspective and appreciating what I have, now all I can think of doing is running off to the Midwest and giving what little I have to those that have less than nothing. The temptation grows with every passing day and have yet to think of a reason to resist.
As Mark Twain once said, "I deal with temptation by yielding to it." Maybe I should take his advice.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
victory is good for the soul.
Just a quick shout out to my fellow democrat, Kathy Hochul on her striking upset tonight over Jane Corwin and Jack Davis.
Congratulations Congresswoman-elect -- can't wait to see the great things you do in Washington!
Congratulations Congresswoman-elect -- can't wait to see the great things you do in Washington!
mini-vent.
For those of you that don't live in Western New York, today is a big day -- Election Day. Former Congressman Chris Lee resigned in January after a scandal involving him posting partially nude pictures of himself of Craigslist, soliciting sex. Today's election is to fill his vacant seat.
Days like today are ones that can define careers for people like me. It also has been shown to create more frustration than one can take. I'm amazed at the number of people that think voting is a burden -- something I've never understood. It takes 5 minutes, at the most. You walk in, pull a lever (or these days, insert a piece of paper) and that's it. Literally one of the most mindless tasks imaginable.
The driving force behind their apathy is the lack of importance. To those who don't vote, it isn't important.
As someone that strives to create change for the good of everyone, I hope the apathetic change their minds. We all get what we ask for and not participating is asking for trouble. This may be in a fit of frustration, but if you don't vote, I hope all of your requests for medicaid, social security, student loans, a public education and healthcare are unilaterally denied.
As my former boss, and friend, used to say on the campaign trail -- history is made by those who show up. To all of you that don't vote -- I hope you will be swiftly forgotten.
Days like today are ones that can define careers for people like me. It also has been shown to create more frustration than one can take. I'm amazed at the number of people that think voting is a burden -- something I've never understood. It takes 5 minutes, at the most. You walk in, pull a lever (or these days, insert a piece of paper) and that's it. Literally one of the most mindless tasks imaginable.
The driving force behind their apathy is the lack of importance. To those who don't vote, it isn't important.
As someone that strives to create change for the good of everyone, I hope the apathetic change their minds. We all get what we ask for and not participating is asking for trouble. This may be in a fit of frustration, but if you don't vote, I hope all of your requests for medicaid, social security, student loans, a public education and healthcare are unilaterally denied.
As my former boss, and friend, used to say on the campaign trail -- history is made by those who show up. To all of you that don't vote -- I hope you will be swiftly forgotten.
what do the unemployed do?
During my extensive time as a member of the unemployment community, the one question that people continuously ask is, "what do you do all day?" While I'm happy to answer, most of the time when this question is asked, it is dripping with distain. So, inquisitive populous, I'm happy to answer that burning question.
As I mentioned previously, I'm currently enrolled in a graduate program, which does its best to keep me occupied. When I first started the program, I was only taking one class at a time so that I could still work. Starting in the winter, I decided to double up on my classes, since it really is the only thing that takes up my time.
Many people may say, only 2 classes? Those same people have obviously never been to graduate school. They're very time consuming -- especially when the program is as reading and writing intensive as mine. If I can keep up this momentum, I should be done next winter. Let's hope a completed Master's will be more appealing than just a Bachelors -- but right now, all bets are off.
The next thing that I do to fill my time is volunteer. The church that I grew up attending has a program where the kids in the parish deliver soup to the sick and homebound. Upon returning from my short jaunt in DC after election day, I began volunteering with them. We would make soup and prepare it for delivery, and then have the parish hall open to the public for a free soup luncheon.
The next thing on my daily list, this one is easily the most time consuming, but also the most important. Job searching. People don't realize how much time it takes to find and apply for jobs -- let alone ones that meet your individual qualifications. I have a strange habit of keeping track of all the jobs I apply for -- strange but useful. After long periods of time, like now, seeing such a large number of applications out and such a small number of interviews -- no wonder people give up hope so easily.
So, I hope this little list gives all of you who comfortably enjoy your job, what the unemployed do everyday.
As I mentioned previously, I'm currently enrolled in a graduate program, which does its best to keep me occupied. When I first started the program, I was only taking one class at a time so that I could still work. Starting in the winter, I decided to double up on my classes, since it really is the only thing that takes up my time.
Many people may say, only 2 classes? Those same people have obviously never been to graduate school. They're very time consuming -- especially when the program is as reading and writing intensive as mine. If I can keep up this momentum, I should be done next winter. Let's hope a completed Master's will be more appealing than just a Bachelors -- but right now, all bets are off.
The next thing that I do to fill my time is volunteer. The church that I grew up attending has a program where the kids in the parish deliver soup to the sick and homebound. Upon returning from my short jaunt in DC after election day, I began volunteering with them. We would make soup and prepare it for delivery, and then have the parish hall open to the public for a free soup luncheon.
The next thing on my daily list, this one is easily the most time consuming, but also the most important. Job searching. People don't realize how much time it takes to find and apply for jobs -- let alone ones that meet your individual qualifications. I have a strange habit of keeping track of all the jobs I apply for -- strange but useful. After long periods of time, like now, seeing such a large number of applications out and such a small number of interviews -- no wonder people give up hope so easily.
So, I hope this little list gives all of you who comfortably enjoy your job, what the unemployed do everyday.
Monday, May 23, 2011
joblessness -- one generation's plague.
Job hunting sucks. There's no way around that. For my generation, we've learned that we don't need to get the perfect job, we just need A job. This is very sad considering we were brought up being told that we can do anything we set our minds to -- talk about a crock.
Three years ago, I graduated from college expecting that now that I actually have a completed Bachelors, getting a job wouldn't be a problem. Definitely not the case. I spent the entire final semester applying for jobs, in hopes that one of them would hire me. Again, definitely not the case.
In a last ditch effort, I took a job as a low-level campaign staffer. This experience, without a doubt, has grown to define me in many ways. I met some great people and had some invaluable experiences, ones that I hoped would help get me into the DC scene. Once again, definitely not the case -- and in many ways, it did the exact opposite. While we can never truly know anyone, even those that play for the tickling and snorkling team, hindsight is always 20/20.
Thankfully, the next campaign I worked for was incredible. This time, the people were really what defined the experience -- truly some of the most wonderful people anyone could ever hope to meet. Never have I ever worked for someone that made me feel so valued, than this candidate. For that, I will always be grateful -- an expression I share with him regularly.
On days like today, when I'm wallowing in my joblessness, I think back to what I could have done 3 years ago to have gotten a job. I recall cover letters and interviews I gave, emails I sent, the expectations I had. Then, I think of the people on that last campaign. Never, for anything, would I trade the time I had with them.
I'm sure many of you are doubting that last statement -- and that's normal. Doubt away. Aside from my trip to Biloxi, MS following Hurricane Katrina -- that was the best 6 months I ever had. The only thing that brings a bigger smile to my face would be my gorgeous 6 month old niece, Adele -- easily the cutest kid on the planet.
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
--Herman Cain
Three years ago, I graduated from college expecting that now that I actually have a completed Bachelors, getting a job wouldn't be a problem. Definitely not the case. I spent the entire final semester applying for jobs, in hopes that one of them would hire me. Again, definitely not the case.
In a last ditch effort, I took a job as a low-level campaign staffer. This experience, without a doubt, has grown to define me in many ways. I met some great people and had some invaluable experiences, ones that I hoped would help get me into the DC scene. Once again, definitely not the case -- and in many ways, it did the exact opposite. While we can never truly know anyone, even those that play for the tickling and snorkling team, hindsight is always 20/20.
Thankfully, the next campaign I worked for was incredible. This time, the people were really what defined the experience -- truly some of the most wonderful people anyone could ever hope to meet. Never have I ever worked for someone that made me feel so valued, than this candidate. For that, I will always be grateful -- an expression I share with him regularly.
On days like today, when I'm wallowing in my joblessness, I think back to what I could have done 3 years ago to have gotten a job. I recall cover letters and interviews I gave, emails I sent, the expectations I had. Then, I think of the people on that last campaign. Never, for anything, would I trade the time I had with them.
I'm sure many of you are doubting that last statement -- and that's normal. Doubt away. Aside from my trip to Biloxi, MS following Hurricane Katrina -- that was the best 6 months I ever had. The only thing that brings a bigger smile to my face would be my gorgeous 6 month old niece, Adele -- easily the cutest kid on the planet.
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
--Herman Cain
Tweet of the Day
@Jesus_M_Christ: #pleaseshutupif You're trying to reinterpret the Bible. Most of you assholes can't wrap your head around The DaVinci Code.
Greetings and salutations...and cocktails
Well, I finally did it. I broke down and started my first real blog.
(When I say real -- the rankings of a college student "finding herself" doesn't really count)
As the title suggests, I'm still unemployed -- and yes, it sucks. I wouldn't say the majority of what I'm going to write about will be unemployment or pity based -- but it won't be devoid of those fun topics either.
For those of you that do not know me, shame on you -- but I give you credit for coming around. Aside from my abrasive and blunt humor, I'm very easy to get along with. I'm about as subtle as a gun, so no need to worry about what I'm thinking -- you'll probably read it here.
I'm a seasoned political operative -- field and finance mostly. College graduate, current graduate student and life-long supporter of all things liberal; especially cocktails.
Well, thanks for stopping by -- be sure to make a habit of it.
PLC (peace, love and cocktails),
--k
(When I say real -- the rankings of a college student "finding herself" doesn't really count)
As the title suggests, I'm still unemployed -- and yes, it sucks. I wouldn't say the majority of what I'm going to write about will be unemployment or pity based -- but it won't be devoid of those fun topics either.
For those of you that do not know me, shame on you -- but I give you credit for coming around. Aside from my abrasive and blunt humor, I'm very easy to get along with. I'm about as subtle as a gun, so no need to worry about what I'm thinking -- you'll probably read it here.
I'm a seasoned political operative -- field and finance mostly. College graduate, current graduate student and life-long supporter of all things liberal; especially cocktails.
Well, thanks for stopping by -- be sure to make a habit of it.
PLC (peace, love and cocktails),
--k
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