A brief recap

...followed by (no doubt) a lot of extra catch-up stuff.

Hello, once again!

I did say that entries would be hit or miss for a while, and I did promise (myself more than the lot of you) to try and be more upbeat in my writing, too (but that was all, what... over a year ago?).  So, here's me, feeling a bit more buoyed and a tad more hopeful in sharing a somewhat cheerier self.

The job market may be on the uptick, but employers seem to be stuck in 'stupid mode'.  I am stuck in the data entry job I won back at the beginning of 2016; come early January I will have been there two years.  While immensely grateful to have the job, I need a place to work with a job that will allow me to do what it is I can do, very well, and to the benefit of my employer.

No, I do not have a Bachelor Degree, but what the heck would an administrative position require of a BS?  The expectation of employers for job seekers to hold sheepskin that will never be used on the job is asinine.  Try hiring someone with years of experience, not years of schooling. 

Other things -

I've been s l o w l y working a high protein, low-to-no grain, limited ingredient moist food into Odin's wet helpings over the last several months.  It is the same 'hi-pro, lo-to-no, LI' food we are feeding Booker, and the hope is to eventually be able to wean Odin off of his very expensive prescription food and have him eating a more easily obtained (and more affordable) diet.  He may always have to have his special prescription crunchy chow, but my thought is he will be able to handle an over the counter canned food by the end of the year!  So far, so good.  His intestines are processing it better than before. and if we see an issue with his body not being able to adjust to an increase at any time, the amount fed goes backwards until he stabilizes and his poos are back to normal.

The only real trouble is keeping Odin away from Booker's crunchy food, and Booker from eating any of Odin's kibble. 

The twins are also bonding in big and little ways.  Odin walked up to Book, who was reclining on the floor, they sniffed one another, then Booker lowered his head just a bit and Odin licked the big fella between the ears.  Much more of their romping and play is also being done in full view of us humans, too. 

Karl is doing well enough in his ethics course, but must get moving with the one long writing assignment he has.  The first deadline is quickly approaching, with no wiggle room to speak of.

We are walking a little more regularly (Karl and myself), which is a very necessary activity.  This past week I arrived home after work to find Karl had left the house on his own!  He walked to a friend's house, roughly ten blocks away, and then on to the dollar store - over a mile away... in one direction!

A few weeks back I fell down some stairs in a workplace stairwell, spraining my right hand and ankle, and bruising my left hip and buttocks; it was an amazing bounce down five steps.  I am no longer wearing the wrist brace, but still massaging the wrist and thumb.  I've even begun stitching on my CQs again! 

Yesterday was one long, rainy day.  I'm not certain about how much of the state received rainfall, but my house was rained on from 8AM until midnight, with a forty-five minute break right around 8:30PM.

Maybe you could let me know what's happening in your life.

Huzzah!

So far, I've managed to navigate the day without the aide of one throat lozenge, absent hot tea and honey, and sans headache (although I do realize I may have just jinxed that last one). However, I have used my share of tissues since waking, and am now ready to take a nap! Furthermore, I still have no rough draft to speak of for next week's comp class; I am tired of nudging Karl to finish his overdue essay for this week, and; have completed as much of the construction of someone else's quilt top as I have been asked to - because she 'wants to do some of it herself so she can learn how.' [forehead smack]

I can understand her difficulties with the instructions and methodology, anyway. The directions (as supplied by JAF for a quilt class project) are pretty piss-poor as written, and are very wasteful to boot. Due to my understanding of quilitng - and knowledge of piecing (even without directions) - I could reason it through fairly quickly, DESPITE the included JAFBS.

Wasn't easy to stop myself though, let me confess that right now, and it is a design I can see some merit in repeating in order to make several simple reproductions (with variations) in many color schemes. I'll be able to sell these fast little projects at farmer's markets (and the like) in the coming months...perhaps even rent a space at the local art-in-the-park broohaha late next summer! Scraps, happiness and cash - can't beat it.

Anyhow, I now need to begin getting ready to head off and teach a little applique` tonight. Maybe I should take something for a headache now - pre-emptively nip it in the bud, eh?

Today: Part two

So, if you read the entry where I said I am currently a sewing instructor at a local JAF, you will also know that I am not as keen about the whole thing as you would think one would/should be (at the prospect of doing something you like - and have a talent for - all the while, getting paid for it).  Well, allow me to explain....again.

Their policy is to charge a price for the class - usually not a lot to begin with.  The instructor receives 60% of that - but that's if the class is a go....and the students show up.  If a student blows off the class, well, then the instructor receives 1/2 of the 60% they should have made.  JAF keeps the difference - lots of money for them.  JAF also regularly sells their classes at 'half off,' thereby reducing the fee the instructor would make.

Example:
$50 class at half off = $25.
60% of $25 = $15. 
Now, divide that by the number of hours (3, on average) for the class, AND the 1/2 hour extra JAF expects you to be there before the class (and something a little more afterwards, because you can never walk outta there right at the stroke of the end of class because of clean-up, non-compliant/slow working 'students', etc).
$15 / 3 = $5 per hour. 

And since JAF will run a class with one person in it, which generally has happened in my case, that's not a lot of do-re-mi. Most classes are significantly less expensive, so the general take is $4 or less per hour for a class.

$35 at 1/2 off = $17.50. 60% of  $17.50 = $10.50 / 3hr = $3.50 per hour.

Yes, if the numbers of students in a class exceed more than one, the amount earned per hour would go up, but that occurrence is fairly dismal. 

Yesterday I instructed a class with two women, which was supposed to be a class of five!  One person was a no-show, and two others cancelled well in advance "due to the flu," so it was not the moneymaker I was counting on.  Couple that with the fact that I expected to be teaching another class later in the afternoon (planned on because those were the instructions I was given two or more weeks ago), which ended up having been cancelled completely.

Today's class is part two of a skirt class which began last Sunday, for two people.  Yeah, right.

One woman didn't show / didn't call / didn't cancel, and the other showed up 25 minutes late......and NOT PREPARED!  No supplies, no clue. 

So I sat there waiting for the first 50 minutes for people to arrive, then another 1/2 hour while the lone person who finally showed up shopped, had material cut, waited in line to purchase the goods; then we faux-cut her material (because it hadn't been pre-rinsed/-shrunk for cutting). 

Didn't get out of there on time because I felt compelled to impress on her the things she would have learned had everything happened the correct way.  Here's the math:
$55 / half price class sale = $27.50.
60% of $27.50 = $16.50
$16.50 / 5.5hrs (4hr class + extra wasted time before and after scheduled class time) = $3 per hour.

I know, I know...I'm looking the big ol' gift horse in the mouth.  The only bright spot at the moment is that the samples are all made, otherwise I would be out of pocket (WITHOUT reimbursement) to make the items used for display in the store (to advertise the classes and drum up business).

[sigh]
[deep breath]

Forty-six days (give or take a few) until notification is received that PQ1 is in the AQS 2013 'running.'

Activities

I spent a portion of the morning (into the early afternoon) working on the lower level.  Cleaning, pitching, moving, cleaning, vacuuming, reconfiguring.  There was a good deal of wondering, wishing, and tweaking going on, too, but none of that needs going in to at present.

I took advantage of Brian's presence to move the bulky/heavy walnut architect's desk.  He and Karl handily separated the two pieces and moved them about until I was satisfied, then set the pieces back together again.  In the heartbeat that followed me saying "thanks, that's great!" they were gone!  Just like real men, they left me on my own to keep working away on the bits and pieces.

To be fair, Bud did have something he was looking forward to doing, and that meant he needed to pack and get ready to walk out the door; but he promised two days ago that he would help out all morning before he had to leave.  I was only helping him stick to his promise.  ;)

There'll be a time in the near future where I will call on them once more to help move the 6'x6' Ikea storage wall, but I'm good for now.  The havoc this morning's maneuvering alone will cause the cats is enough to contend with (for the time being).  The sheer thrill of just getting it accomplished (even in snitches and snatches) is enough for me!

Baby steps.

For now, I'm taking the rest of the day to ready myself 100% for tomorrow's sewing class.  No last minute regrets or panic searches.  Just want to be able to walk out the door content and relaxed.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Well, it's dark again.  Sun's down and the night grows darker and colder.  And before you ask, today was a bit better than yesterday, so no complaints on my end.

I've been in the kitchen for the last hour or so chopping and saute'-ing; rinsing and pre-cooking; washing up dishes and pans and humming along with Christmas music quietly playing in the background.

Yes....I play Christmas music for quite a while past the holiday season, simply because I can't play it much throughout the correct time period as Brian hears more than his fill at work - starting in late October!  So I take pity and wait as long as I can to start my jolly music around the house.  And, I usually wait until he is away from home, too.

Karl doesn't seem to mind, and except for periodic forays out of his room, he rarely hears it anyhow. 

Making a pot of bean soup, with a liberal dose of garlic.  It's based on a recipe I came across online, so I hope it meets with happy faces after all is said and done.  We'll see.

Got a little caught up on the Black Widow today; spending time making more adjustments to the blocks of the Greek border here and there.  So it's coming together slowly but surely.  Also spent a little time re-reading the 'syllabus' for the class I will be teaching this Saturday.

Yes, I have a pseudo-job as a contracted instructor for JAF.  Beginning sewing....with a class of two....who paid half price for their class....and contractors are paid 60% of the fee collected - IF the students show up.  I'll spare you the rest of my disappointment with the way JAF runs this program, as it has to do with instructors having to buy all the supplies OUT OF POCKET for each item demonstrated - with no reimbursement!

Ah, well.  Right? 

This is just me looking that 'gift hourse' right in its mouth!  Right??

I guess I've got to start somewhere if the job market has a decidely unkind view of women my age trying to muscle their way back in after several years of uncommon (and temporary) employment in jobs that aren't quite 'mainstream'.

I have been gathering up items to demonstrate during the class.  JAF's sketchy list of things to talk about and demo for "Sewing 101" leaves a few holes to fill, but I am up to the task!  So let the games begin.  ;)

OK, time to step away from this keyboard and get back to work around here.  Have a nice evening, and stay safe and warm over the next few days - it's getting bitter out there.

N-N-OOOoooooOOOooOOoOoooOoooo

A fortune cookie said: "You could prosper in the field of medicine."

Yeah, right. As a test subject, maybe. [hic] Another green pill, please.

Hey, is hair supposed to be growing there?

What a relief!

Thank God!

Since my present line of unemployment was growing pretty boring.

Phwew! That's a load off.

Next interview I go to I'll just make myself at home, and when they ask why I am so confident I'll just smile and tell them: "My fortune cookie said so!"

It all means nothing

Going back to bed.

Have a good day, everybody.

Not feeling it

Well, I guess I haven't been as effusive and informative this month - go figure.

Possible points of interest over the last couple of days:

- In less than a week I will be celebrating another birthday (my own, not someone elses), so I would welcome birthday greetings by week's end....thank you. : )

- I now have another quilt commission - only my fifth - but it never ceases to make me happy! A paying job is a paying job!

Also, the thought that someone somewhere will be living with (and enjoying) something I made, for years to come, gives me a special thrill. You can watch that progress (if you're so inclined) on the quilt blog.

Otherwise, no news.

Huh. That must be 'good news' then, eh?

Passed my mid-terms

All is right with the world; mid-term tests are done and I made it through with room to spare (and then some)!

[sigh of relief]

Brian is suffering through another work funk and I am having a difficult time not 'gaaagghhh-ing' at him to look for something else. Step outside your comfort zone and try! See what options exist and learn something about yourself!! Try...at least try!!! [pant, pant, pant]

Even though he hears me say that it is far easier to find another job when you are already working, I am not sure he is taking that to heart.

Long pause [heavy sigh]

Ah, well.

On another page: Beautiful sunshine this morning, just like yesterday. So many things on my "want to do" list, but many more things on my "need to do" list, and I am combing through them looking for cross-referenced items to make the biggest impact.

And I'm combing, combing, combing....

This may take a while, so I will meet you back here in the near future. Have a great day!

OK, ok....

...so I've not "quit."

I'm still paddling (with a very short oar).

Treading water.

I'm soaking in it.

Wallowing, even.

Geez, all this moist talk has made me suddenly incontinent. Hang on - I'll be right back.

[time passes]

Are you still here? Ah, there you are. Thanks for waiting.

There's really not much to tell, although I have been called on the carpet for seemingly throwing in the towel and not explaining myself at all. But, haven't you just ever had one of "those days?" You know the sort I mean; when the apex of stupid stuff finally hits the summit of your tolerance level and you implode (or explode, even).

Well, I finally had enough the other day and vented out here. A few of you asked, and it's funny, but in explaining the issues and my feelings, I actually felt worse after sharing the what's-its and whys, than had I just not said anything and grunted a bit to make you all go away. It felt like because it was my stuff - not making sense to others (because it's not their feelings and emotions or issues) - that it just wasn't 'stuff-enough' to have a tantrum over.

"Suck it up" is actually how I felt (and interpreted) the responses coming at me.

Between crap communication, the lack of communication from others, the inconsideration of people, the choices I have had to make recently, the bills waiting to be paid, the lack of work, etc., etc., I just needed to channel 'it' somewhere other than through an open window at my neighbors (they don't much appreciate it -- go figure). A-a-a-a-nd I'm tired of studying. [primal scream]

Anyhow, I think I am done (feeling like a poopy-head) for the time being...but we'll see.

Oh, crap, and I still can't locate my mobile phone! Argh!

*Deep breath.*

Spit it out

I suppose all I am really trying to say is, I am having a hard time finding my place in the world.

How can I get others to see and value my worth when I can't recognize it in myself any more?

I can do so many things well, and I love the activities which I am good at, but getting doors to open and making those all-important connections with people who could propel me back into working status is not as easy at fifty as it would have been at 25....or even 35.

There is a/that discrimination, and I have been reminded of it all too frequently - and the longer I am out of work (as a bonafide, every day, nine-to-five employee), the harder it is to get someone to look past the work gaff....EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD JOBS THROUGHOUT THE DRY PERIOD!! As a filmy (someone employed on film projects) those corporate clowns don't know that to get those jobs takes skill and accumen and drive - and damn good skills - or you just don't keep finding more work. No credit is given for having been working in film.

That's more discrimination.

So, here I am, reinventing myself and acquiring new/more skills and knowledge, hoping to find a light at the end of the tunnel - a light held by a willing employer.

I just want a job that I am capable of, that I can enjoy (to some extent), that pays me a decent wage for the skills I possess, and where I won't be expected to sit still and allow them to squeeze more out of me than they are willing to pay for!

There, I spat it out....now hang on while I go get a tissue or something to wipe it up.

Seriously, Reuters? That's the best you've got?

Seriously??

A fire broke out in an underground car park in the Place Vendome in Paris today. But, apparently, it wasn't newsworthy enough for a reporting photographer to walk a few blocks in an attempt to obtain more info....or at the very least, a better picture of the happenings.

Tisk, tisk.

I don't know which is more incredulous - Reuters for publishing seven (and only seven << that was sarcasm) of the SAME photo, or Yahoo for sharing such a grossly underwhelming fluff bomb.

Is the fire out? What sort of damages? Any injuries? Any lasting ill-effects to any of the lovely old buildings, etc?

My older brother absolutely loves Paris, and the e-headline had me curious about any damage to the historic section of the famed "City in Pink," so I clicked on the link thinking to read and view the information, then send it on to Aaron in case he hadn't yet caught wind of the event.

What a disappointment the photos were by Charles Platiau of the Reuters news service. Every. Single. Shot. consisted of a lazy photog's vantage point of the Column Vendome obscured in part - or in whole - by black smoke.

Hello? And I can't get work?? I would have at least burned some leather hot-footing as many blocks as it would have taken around in the opposite direction to get a different view of the heroic firefighters, or a glimpse of the scene un-obstructed by the prevailing wind.

"Massive fire breaks out in Paris" the headline screams, except there was absolutely no news attached to the Reuters story!

Un-freaking-believeable!

Poorly worded text accompanied the repetitive - and less than ordinary shots - of black smoke...and people taking photos of the black smoke.

I am non-plussed by you, Reuters. You suck smoke - thick, billowy smoke.

Pardon me while I head to MSN for a real news report of the Paris fire. I might learn something.

December First: A fruitful meeting

In so much as I gleaned a couple of really good ideas from Trish about how to experiment with my quilting design (for the competition piece), I am now chomping at the bit to get started today.

Too bad I wasn't in the same location as the quilt for several lost hours. [awe....snap!]

It's another sunny, gorgeous day, and with so much of our first snowfall still on the ground the light is brilliant indoors for what seems like hours more for this time of year. It's a mind game, I know, but I don't care. Sunshine is sunshine and I will gladly take it! The snow just magnifies and bounces the light all over for an uplifting feeling.

Two more book sales appeared late last night for the online bookshop, so those will need bundling and posting, taking away from the precious daytime work hours.

For those of you keeping track, still no reply to the questions at hand for the film job I was offered late-October/early-November. Also, very little else in the way of corporate jobs to apply to, either. Opportunities are scarce and I feel a little like a deer in deep snow, pawing at the ground to find some sustenance.

Dear Lord, thank You for your gifts of the day, and for the promise You place in tomorrow.

Just a quick update of the inane

Received a job notification from Gary Karr - yes, he's back (sort of) - via an early morning email, letting me know of an analyst position in DUBLIN, OHIO!

Hello!

Oh, for crying out loud. How come I'm the one without a job!?!?!? What the......!

Did I tell you...

A week ago I received a phone call from a crew member I worked with last fall on House of the Rising Sun, telling me my presence (and my pencil) have been requested on another film coming to MI at the end of the month.

I have been requested. Very cool!

Sadly, the first thing past the lips of the PA when I returned his call was, "This is a low budget Indian indie."

Translation: "Don't expect to get paid the value of your work, OR your time."

He couldn't give me a daily rate, nor could he answer many pertinent questions, but he could give me dates - sort of. I left him with a raft of information to get from the Prod/UPM who had requested me to work this gig, and was told I would receive an email in the near future.

A few days back I did find an email from Dan (the PA) telling me the rate was to be "close to last year's on HOTRS." Wow. Sadness. Now I need to either push back or simply say 'thanks but no thanks.' Or, I simply take it and live with it for 6 - 8 weeks.

While there are still too many unanswered bits, my biggest challenge is to see if the rate will rise when I put the bait out there that I would be interested if the rate came up to a decent amount and they covered a room for me to be local, or if the amount came up a significant amount so that I could cover a room myself.

Don't want to lose the work, but I also do NOT want to work for 'FREE' any more. Sheesh! I mean, I must have something they want, so why not take the chance that I could actually get paid this time, right?

We'll see.

While chatting

As I chatted with my mom this morning (via one of those little messaging apps provided by an email service), I was pinged by "Gary, with US.Staffing." According to the message, he wanted to be able to chat with me.

W-e-e-e-e-lllllll, Gary - if that is your real name - let's chat. Let's see if you are any more a sincerely lying recruiter than all the others who have contacted me over the last several months with promises of a job I am perfect for, but then never follow through.

Sure, having my corporate resume in your file of candidates for positions makes your portfolio of potential employees look good to a prospective client, but do I really want to give you that sort of leverage when it is never going to truly result in a job for me?

I've got your number, Gary. I have all of your numbers.

See, I have been down this particular path a dozen times already, and those other recruiters, who made me come to their offices and fill out forms and give them the benefit of a face-to-face, have never really come through. As well with the bunch of recruiters who simply did phone interviews.

There was really never any job available. It was a case of them wanting to look as though they have a raft of great candidates in their coffers, and making them look primed to aide a new client employer in finding the right person to fill an open position. The more people at the headhunter's fingertips to choose from, the better the potential new client employer likes the headhunter's chances of fulfilling the need.

SALE! Score one for the recruiter, but not for the people like me whose resumes and credentials are being used as bait to lure the client employer through the door.

I liked my chances better 10-12 years ago, when you submitted a paper copy resume either through the US mail service or the old fashioned way, by walking it through the door and handing it to someone. At least then you were the real entity and not some go-between idiot who makes money when they get you the job.

Hey, Gary! (if that is your real name) I've been awake and available for quite a while now. Let's chat, dude.

Sheesh!

Who'd-a figured?

I had made up my mind that I wasn't going to hunt for any more Scripty gigs.

The pay is too low in this state, and the production teams (Producers, UPMs, Directors - the ATL) figure they can abuse the crews on short turn-arounds because nobody ever cares if the ATL sticks to SAG rules or not (not to mention no thought is given to common sense, either). Neither do they care that forced calls and holding us past twelve hours isn't any good for morale. And lack of sleep, for those who need to drive or run their dirty little errands, isn't given a passing thought.

You have to be young and made of pretty tough stuff to work film in MI. Sadly, in my declining years I feel myself getting a little squidgy around the edges.

Imagine my surprise when I received a call out of the blue asking me to crew on an international espionage flick coming stateside from India. I had worked with the UPM on a job last November/December, and he contacted his aide here in MI to have him call and check on my availability for this action-thriller.

Random, strange, WTF-sort of coincidence, or a message from on high?

Question: Would a smart person say "yes, I'm available" or "no thank you"?

No...seriously. I'm wondering if there are any smart folk out there with any smart-like opinions to offer.

I'm up...I'm awake!

I don't know why this is, but have you ever noticed how much more restful dozing is when you don't have to be anywhere?

For some reason, it seems to me, when you aren't trying to sneak a nap in (before a time deadline), drifting off to sleep is so much easier - and, yields a better outcome - than when trying to take 'a nap.'

I fell asleep on the sofa last night, flanked by my boys, and at some point they just got up and walked away, leaving me to slumber for the first time in four days. When I woke, it was because Hobbes had decided to crawl onto my lap and nestle in, sometime in the wee morning hours.

Currently, I am awake and mostly alert. Eager to make a (large) dent in the quilt project and not the least bit eager to look at the call sheet for Sunday.

Yug.

Mommy needs a regular full time job. This hit or miss (and mostly, it's been "miss") film work is pretty lackluster. While I love working on film sets, the creation, the buzz, the energy, the frenetic pace, there is a lot more about the waning film activity in the state that has me disillusioned and searching harder than ever to find a regular nine-to-five job somewhere.

I'm awake and my eyes are wide open. This gig has me totally bummed out.

Still no job...but lots of buzz

Today is a buzzy day.

One of those days where Puck sits in his bird's-eye-view perch and creates mischief.

The type of mischief that gets you hoping and thinking the 'what-if' thoughts.

The sort of mischief that has you believing a job could be imminent...and it could be yours, and....then CRAP!

I hear him squealing with laughter for having so successfully gotten me wound up and believing in (hoping for) 'what ifs" of my own.

I had a late morning interview (finally) with the director of the first film offer. It didn't last long, and he seemed positive, but would only say that there were other people to consider and that I might hear from them early next week. He did like my notes, however. He liked them a lot!

Once I left the building and walked to my car, I checked my phone for messages. You see, there was a new headhunter who contacted me via email on Thursday, wanting to discuss a job, and she asked plainly for my number and a time when I would be available to speak. I wrote back that "nearly any time on Friday was good, but morning would be best."

She responded with "Good. I'll call you in the morning."

So, when I found a missed call on my phone and a message in my voicemail, I automatically assumed the call would be from her. It wasn't.

This call was from one of the fresher employment agencies/contract houses who had gotten in touch over the last couple of days with client jobs that would pay rather well, but were long distance (and a bit of a curiousity) - like, Tulsa, OK and Maryland! Apparently I could do my work from home. Talk about your telecommute!!

Of course, I phoned them back but ended up leaving them a voice message. Ugh!

It's probably needless to say that the woman whose call I was anticipating never did phone.

Stopped for groceries on the way home, and while stacking catfood in the cart, received a phone call from yet another unknown agency with a job available at a large insurance group in downtown Detroit! More on that one anonther time.

Lot's of chats with lots of new folks. Lots of questions, and lots of proper phrasing and bantering. Lots of smiling and head nodding, and loads of driving....but no job.

It's OK, though, I am going to kick back and enjoy a weekend where I hope to get some other stuff accomplished - all of which has nothing to do with Q&A and buzzy words.