Wow! What a year I've had. Definitely one of, if not the toughest of years for me. I look forward to 2011, though, with hope and an undying faith. Things will improve. I believe in me. I hope you do, too.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
I Got a Comb for Christmas
Sometimes, it's the little things that mean a lot. This year started out tough. Things aren't any easier here at year's end. In fact, in some ways things are worse. But this isn't about the misfortune I've had during 2010. That's the subject for another time, when I'm feeling up to it (it's been surrealistic, to say the least, and if it wasn't all true, I'd have a hard time believing all that's happened).
This is about my Christmas here in 2010. We haven't been able to do much this year, so the focus is on the family. We've been able to get the kids a few things, although I wanted to do more. You see, I'm a giver. I love to give gifts. It hurts when I can't give what I want to give.
I grudgingly accepted this, and so things have been low-key. I found a great spicy pretzel recipe online, which has been a hit at home. And we were able to get some bargain-priced things for the kids. They understand. They were also surprised that Santa managed to drop off something at our house, even though it seems that the jolly ol' Red Ninja seems to prefer people with nice jobs and/or credit cards.
As for me, my family knew what I wanted this year. Santa wasn't going to bring me a job, and I don't have any relatives who are hiring. But the other thing I really wanted was a comb. It sounds silly, but I've managed to lose three (at least) combs this year. Small things, indeed. But I still have enough hair that I really do need to comb it daily. I suppose a brush would do, but I'm past my blow-dryer-and-brush days and I really don't feel the need to look like a graying 1980's era metal head (which I am, deep down inside).
I asked for a comb. It's something I knew we could afford, and I know I could have grabbed one any old time. But I also know that my family knows how I've struggled to be a good provider, and how frustrated I've been looking for a job that pays a living wage for us. A comb would mean a lot.
And so this morning as we sat near our little tree, passing out the gifts, I noticed a small flat gift, and it had my name on it. Yes, I got my comb. And it's a decent-sized one. Not too big, and not too small. And it has a handle. It's big enough that if it gets misplaced, it should be easier to find than the ones that went AWOL through the year. I got some other things as well this year, but the comb means a lot to me. I got something I really wanted, something I'll use every day, something that requires no batteries, or 3G or 4G or wifi or subscription or contracts.
I got a comb for Christmas!
This is about my Christmas here in 2010. We haven't been able to do much this year, so the focus is on the family. We've been able to get the kids a few things, although I wanted to do more. You see, I'm a giver. I love to give gifts. It hurts when I can't give what I want to give.
I grudgingly accepted this, and so things have been low-key. I found a great spicy pretzel recipe online, which has been a hit at home. And we were able to get some bargain-priced things for the kids. They understand. They were also surprised that Santa managed to drop off something at our house, even though it seems that the jolly ol' Red Ninja seems to prefer people with nice jobs and/or credit cards.
As for me, my family knew what I wanted this year. Santa wasn't going to bring me a job, and I don't have any relatives who are hiring. But the other thing I really wanted was a comb. It sounds silly, but I've managed to lose three (at least) combs this year. Small things, indeed. But I still have enough hair that I really do need to comb it daily. I suppose a brush would do, but I'm past my blow-dryer-and-brush days and I really don't feel the need to look like a graying 1980's era metal head (which I am, deep down inside).
I asked for a comb. It's something I knew we could afford, and I know I could have grabbed one any old time. But I also know that my family knows how I've struggled to be a good provider, and how frustrated I've been looking for a job that pays a living wage for us. A comb would mean a lot.
And so this morning as we sat near our little tree, passing out the gifts, I noticed a small flat gift, and it had my name on it. Yes, I got my comb. And it's a decent-sized one. Not too big, and not too small. And it has a handle. It's big enough that if it gets misplaced, it should be easier to find than the ones that went AWOL through the year. I got some other things as well this year, but the comb means a lot to me. I got something I really wanted, something I'll use every day, something that requires no batteries, or 3G or 4G or wifi or subscription or contracts.
I got a comb for Christmas!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Back to the Ol' Drawing Board.
Yep, another close-but-no-cigar opportunity. I was depressed for about an hour or two, but I got over it. The well of optimism keeps bubbling up within me. And I know that each rejection takes me closer to things more awesome. On the way, I may have to flip burgers (I worked as a short-order cook for a brief time - I hope that doesn't make me overqualified, LOL), or push empty carts around the Wal Mart parking lot. But I know I have a lot of people pulling for me to get that elusive sweet and flavorful job that's out there.
Christmas is going to be weird this year, though. Unemployment has put me on Santa's "Naughty" list, and he'll skip over us and move on to people who have jobs and/or credit cards. But that's okay because the true meaning of Christmas is not about who gives and gets the best present, but about a child who was born to change the world at a time it really needed some changes.
2011 will be better.
Christmas is going to be weird this year, though. Unemployment has put me on Santa's "Naughty" list, and he'll skip over us and move on to people who have jobs and/or credit cards. But that's okay because the true meaning of Christmas is not about who gives and gets the best present, but about a child who was born to change the world at a time it really needed some changes.
2011 will be better.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Overqualified? Really?
I think the various HR people really should come up with something other than the ol' "...and we feel that you are overqualified for this position..." line. Does this mean the following scenario would happen a couple of months down the road:
"We've noticed that your competence has far exceeded that of your peers, due to your overqualifications. Morale is at an all-time high, and customers are actually praising your customer service skills. We don't want happy customers, and we certainly don't need happy employees here. This company is all about the bottom line, and if potential clients and investors begin to think everyone is happy, they may start to assume that we're goofing off, and the recent rise in productivity could be tripled if our employees were miserable. Everybody knows that a grumpy employee works harder because they fear losing their job.
"If we had any kind of initiative and creativity, we would move you into an area to challenge your skills, but innovation and creativity are looked down upon in this company, and our only choice seems to be to let you go..."
Yeah...I don't think so. But sometimes I do wonder...
"We've noticed that your competence has far exceeded that of your peers, due to your overqualifications. Morale is at an all-time high, and customers are actually praising your customer service skills. We don't want happy customers, and we certainly don't need happy employees here. This company is all about the bottom line, and if potential clients and investors begin to think everyone is happy, they may start to assume that we're goofing off, and the recent rise in productivity could be tripled if our employees were miserable. Everybody knows that a grumpy employee works harder because they fear losing their job.
"If we had any kind of initiative and creativity, we would move you into an area to challenge your skills, but innovation and creativity are looked down upon in this company, and our only choice seems to be to let you go..."
Yeah...I don't think so. But sometimes I do wonder...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
...But I LIKE Veggies!
I recently decided to step up my efforts to get healthier. Since I can't afford health insurance, I figure that by losing weight and making healthy food choices, I'll be able to lower my blood pressure and not have to face the gouging at the pharmacy for BP meds.
I bought a jump rope and found out that, like riding a bike, it's something my body automatically remembered how to do. I added jumping rope to simple bodyweight exercises, and my muscles are toning up.
However, I decided to also eat more veggies and less meat. I found that my version of stir-fry is quite delicious - I use olive oil, which may cost a little more, but it's quite tasty and healthy. I've chopped up all kinds of things to put in the pan - celery, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, onion, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, and carrots. My new favorite is the eggplant, although it soaks up a lot of oil while cooking.
I also rediscovered an old favorite - sweet potatoes. I used to love sweet potato pie during the holidays, which my mom and both grandmothers fixed. I got some the other day and baked them in the oven and ate them as they were. AWESOME! Why the heck did my folks add marshmallows? Those suckers are naturally sweet! I looked up some nutrition factoids, and it looks like sweet potatoes are also a very healthy vegetable.
I'm excited at the prospect of trimming down. So much so that I put a picture of me from high school on my Facebook page to inspire me to reach a fit and trim weight, and to perhaps start running again - potentially competitively.
YEAH!!!!!
I bought a jump rope and found out that, like riding a bike, it's something my body automatically remembered how to do. I added jumping rope to simple bodyweight exercises, and my muscles are toning up.
However, I decided to also eat more veggies and less meat. I found that my version of stir-fry is quite delicious - I use olive oil, which may cost a little more, but it's quite tasty and healthy. I've chopped up all kinds of things to put in the pan - celery, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, onion, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, and carrots. My new favorite is the eggplant, although it soaks up a lot of oil while cooking.
I also rediscovered an old favorite - sweet potatoes. I used to love sweet potato pie during the holidays, which my mom and both grandmothers fixed. I got some the other day and baked them in the oven and ate them as they were. AWESOME! Why the heck did my folks add marshmallows? Those suckers are naturally sweet! I looked up some nutrition factoids, and it looks like sweet potatoes are also a very healthy vegetable.
I'm excited at the prospect of trimming down. So much so that I put a picture of me from high school on my Facebook page to inspire me to reach a fit and trim weight, and to perhaps start running again - potentially competitively.
YEAH!!!!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Random Bit of Conversation Between My 10-yr-old and Me...
Ty: Dad! Why is there a centaur light on?
Me: A what?
Ty (pointing to the seat belt warning light which, if you have a vivid imagination, DOES kinda look like a centaur rearing up): THAT light right there!
Me: Oh, that? It’s the Centaur Early Warning Light. It reminds me to check the rear-view mirror before I drive off, to avoid being trampled by centaurs. So far it’s worked pretty darned well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my faith - in God and in myself - to help me through these tough times. I am also thankful for my health, my family, having a roof over my head, and being able to become more involved in community activities - I sing regularly in our small choir at church (sometimes I have been the cantor as well), I work at many Oklahoma State University sporting events as part of the event staff, and I do other things around town that often go unnoticed.
Today, I got to speak out on The Takeaway, a radio program based in NYC and broadcast on public radio stations all around. Here is my segment:
Giving Thanks in Tough Economic Times - The Takeaway
Today, I got to speak out on The Takeaway, a radio program based in NYC and broadcast on public radio stations all around. Here is my segment:
Giving Thanks in Tough Economic Times - The Takeaway
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Walk a Mile in My Shoes
I sometimes wonder why people work at jobs they hate. I love working. Before I was laid off, I looked forward each day to going to work. Maybe I didn’t make a big impact on the world, but I felt that what I did actually made a difference for somebody. And since I was laid off, I still face each temporary job with the hope that I can do something to help somebody.
Believe me, the things I’ve done have been far from glamorous. Indeed, some of the people I’ve come in contact with seem to look down on me condescendingly, and a few have been downright contemptuous because of some perceived superiority that they have over me. Still, I smile and treat them as I would like to be treated – with kindness and respect. And I have taken on a new level of appreciation for those who also work in low-paying positions. Sure, I don’t go out to eat as often as I used to, but when I do, I still manage to leave a decent tip, because I know how much that means – not just in terms of extra money, but also to let the person know that what they do is truly appreciated.
Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if your roles were reversed with the people you see every day? If you see me running a cash register, or flipping burgers, or ushering you to your luxury skybox, would you consider trading places with me and letting me see the same smile that I am giving you? I love my job – how about you?
Believe me, the things I’ve done have been far from glamorous. Indeed, some of the people I’ve come in contact with seem to look down on me condescendingly, and a few have been downright contemptuous because of some perceived superiority that they have over me. Still, I smile and treat them as I would like to be treated – with kindness and respect. And I have taken on a new level of appreciation for those who also work in low-paying positions. Sure, I don’t go out to eat as often as I used to, but when I do, I still manage to leave a decent tip, because I know how much that means – not just in terms of extra money, but also to let the person know that what they do is truly appreciated.
Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if your roles were reversed with the people you see every day? If you see me running a cash register, or flipping burgers, or ushering you to your luxury skybox, would you consider trading places with me and letting me see the same smile that I am giving you? I love my job – how about you?
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