Ahh, to be unemployed in America in early 2009. Such a strange experience. Now, as a bit of a background on myself, I was raised in a nice Jewish home (and a nice Black Muslim home as well) as a child, went to a prestigious East Coast Boarding School, graduated from the University Of Massachusetts Cum Laude with a degree in Communication Theory, Philosophy, and Sociology. All that and I then went out and spent the next decade of my life gainfully employed in the seedy world of Radio. And I loved it. Loved every weird, strange little nuance of it. I was a "radio guy". It takes a certain type of person to DO radio, and I was, in fact, that type of person. I even did Morning Drive radio for almost 5 years! That's almost half a decade of getting up at 4am, and going to bed at 8pm. Talk about a lifestyle choice...
And now, nothing. I've nothing PRACTICAL to show for the past 10 years. I DID spend some time teaching at a boarding school and some Sunday School teaching at my Synagogue, but other than that I've really no discernible "real world" skills to help sell myself to prospective employers. It's strange and scary.
Plus, unemployment is fucking ridiculous. As I've noted in this blog before, they don't TELL you that it takes a month for them to decide if you are going to get assistance. But, you still have to plug away, file every Sunday, and hope to god that at the end of those 4 weeks they will shine upon you with a tiny little weekly check that will not cover your rent, cell, food, or-if you are like me-MEDICAL BILLS, Child Support, and other stuff. SO.. I plug away and try to find some kind of job. And its fucking BRUTAL out there! If I were either a) a RN or b) interested in joining the Air Force I would be set. But, alas, I am neither and so I am doomed to searching the dregs of Monster.com, Savannahhelpwanted.com, USAJobs.com, and so on trying to find SOMETHING that is either appealing to me (not an easy task) or something that I think I may actually be qualified for (also not easy)...
My dream as of now is that I get my shit together and write a LOT in this blog. I write the shit out of this blog. I show how good I can be and someone notices and decides to hire me to write for them. I could make a hell of a music, movie, or pop culture critic. I've got many crackpot ideas that need to be fleshed out, I just lack the motivation to get them out there. Getting paid to write them, well, that would help. So I've got to put my all into this I guess and hope that good things happen.
Speaking of good things, I've, in the past few days, gotten actual good news. I have a new apartment which makes me oh so happy! It's a great 2 bedroom in a duplex house on the East side of Savannah near Daffin Park. It's got an attic space which is totally cool, high ceilings, a fireplace, hardwood floors, nice lawn, and my landlord is fucking AMAZING!! Such a super cool guy. So that's nice. And, to top that nugget of goodness off, things broke my way in the divorce for once and I now get to have unsupervised visits with my son! It's a hella-long story, but the end is that I get to see him more now and it's totally unsupervised. Like a giant boulder has been lifted off my being.
On a side note, I was in the bathroom the other day and noticed this little nugget: I'm currently reading 3 books. They are "Killing Yourself to Live" (which I just finished today) by CHUCK Klosterman, "Choke" by CHUCK Palahniuk, and "How Barack Obama Won" by CHUCK Todd. First off, WHAT ARE THE FUCKING ODDS THAT I CHOSE, RANDOMLY 3 BOOKS BY GUYS NAMED CHUCK TO READ????? And, second, could those books be any more diverse? "Killing..." was good, about a road trip he took to see the places where rock stars died to question whether it was the ultimate career move. But, the book is REALLY about the death of 3 of his relationships along the way. The book is chock full of all that is good about Klosterman, pop culture references, music, weird tangents, first person conversations with people who were not there... Good stuff. "Choke" meanwhile is about a med school dropout who is a sex addict. In typical Palahniuk fashion, its full of the dirty side of life. The dregs. Just wonderful. And Todd's book is a fascinating account, state-by-state, of the election of 2008. It's insightful and interesting. And, again, together the 3 books are about as different as any 3 I could imagine. And it's not even like I picked the books specifically to be diverse or weird or ironic. I bought the Chuck Todd book in January and started it then. I bought the other 2 books a few weeks ago (along with "Bright Lights, Big City") and just happened to start and finish "Killing..." in less than a week and have now started in on "Choke".
What does it say about you, the books that you choose and read? What is the line between your interest in the subject matter from a safe, arms-length, and infatuation with what the writer is presenting? Klosterman talks about all the things that my life revolved around for 10 years. Things that I love, know an insane amount about, and still am wont to discuss. The subject matter and people that "Choke" talks about fascinate me. I know a bit about the depths of depravity and addiction. I'm always interested in reading about or watching a show or movie about someone who fights those type of demons. I understand, but I don't, you know? And Todd's book, well, it's just so interesting to look back on the election from a step back. His analysis is based on the numbers and what actually HAPPENED, not on speculation. That is what is so interesting. I watched a year of the coverage on TV prior to the election and it was all, of course, speculation. And it was riveting! The most exciting part was when the "experts" would tell us what was going to happen at the polls on a given day, and would turn out to be wrong, wrong, WRONG! And, for the first time, I'm taking the time to look back at the aftermath. Looking at what DID happen and HOW it happened. And that, too, is riveting. I highly recommend that anyone who is interested in politics read this book, take the time to look back at what actually went on at the polls, not what was SPECULATED to have happened. It's brilliant.
I think that is all I have in me for now. I still have to give proper "birth" to my "Clooney Theory" at the right time. I also have some critique to do on some topics to be named. But for now, it's back to searching for a paying job. Wish me luck..
-B
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
An addendum to the first post
I've got a few more things to add to the first post, I guess.
Lets see, where to begin. I guess I will be sort of random as things have been random as of late. I've been working on my resume and have sent it out to a couple of places. Radio is really what I want to do and where I want to stay, but there are such few open jobs out there that it may just not be an option for me right now, and that really sucks. I've spent a joyous decade inside the business and really love it with all my heart. I think that I've got some ability and it makes me a bit scared that there may just be nothing out there right now and I may be 'forced' into another path. Which, don't get me wrong, could be great. It could be where my life is 'supposed' to go. But, for now, I really just miss radio and want to be back doing it.
With this being my first rodeo with unemployment it amazes me how slowly the system works and how unhelpful it can be. I went in right after I was fired. I filled out the paperwork. Sat down and waited. They called my name and I thought I was going to go and talk to a person. Nope. I went and sat down at a computer and input the same info that I had just filled out on the paper into the system and was given a confirmation # and told to call in on Sunday, that I would find out my benefits then. Well, I call in that Sunday and nothing. They tell me to call back Monday. I was busy on that Monday (lawyers-whee!) and decided that I'd just go into the office itself Tuesday as that should be easy and helpful. WRONG. I went in and the woman told me that: a) it would be at least 3-4 weeks before i'd know if I'm going to get benefits, b) I had to keep calling in weekly regardless until they make their determination, and c) every other question I asked she was either rude or just plain unhelpful. I left feeling crappier about myself and the situation. Which, who knows, maybe is their point. Make people feel so bad walking out of the unemployment office that they don't want to go back? I doubt this is the case, most likely the woman was just a shit and unhelpful. So that blows.
On a better note, this past weekend was my weekend with my son. We had a blast. Went to the park and played. He LOVES the swing set and was on those things forever. He also loves going on the slide and we went down that together a bunch. We also colored a lot and played with his cars and read. And-and this just is the best thing in the world-at bath time he would not go into the tub unless i went with him. So, I get in and he decided-on his own- that he was going to clean me. I gave him the little foaming soap and he just went to town. He mostly did my knees, feet, arm and beard. At one point he told me to 'turn around' and did my back as well. It was so cute and so awesome. I loved it.
Oh well...Finally, I have to make a plug for Hulu.com. It's the single greatest website in the entire world. If I'm not careful, it's going to seriously challenge my job searching. It's just the most wonderful thing ever. I've been hammering through like 4 or 5 episodes of "Arrested Development" every night and fighting the urge to watch during the day as well.. Just do yourself a favor and check it out. It's going to totally kill your productivity at work, but it's worth it. It rules.
Lets see, where to begin. I guess I will be sort of random as things have been random as of late. I've been working on my resume and have sent it out to a couple of places. Radio is really what I want to do and where I want to stay, but there are such few open jobs out there that it may just not be an option for me right now, and that really sucks. I've spent a joyous decade inside the business and really love it with all my heart. I think that I've got some ability and it makes me a bit scared that there may just be nothing out there right now and I may be 'forced' into another path. Which, don't get me wrong, could be great. It could be where my life is 'supposed' to go. But, for now, I really just miss radio and want to be back doing it.
With this being my first rodeo with unemployment it amazes me how slowly the system works and how unhelpful it can be. I went in right after I was fired. I filled out the paperwork. Sat down and waited. They called my name and I thought I was going to go and talk to a person. Nope. I went and sat down at a computer and input the same info that I had just filled out on the paper into the system and was given a confirmation # and told to call in on Sunday, that I would find out my benefits then. Well, I call in that Sunday and nothing. They tell me to call back Monday. I was busy on that Monday (lawyers-whee!) and decided that I'd just go into the office itself Tuesday as that should be easy and helpful. WRONG. I went in and the woman told me that: a) it would be at least 3-4 weeks before i'd know if I'm going to get benefits, b) I had to keep calling in weekly regardless until they make their determination, and c) every other question I asked she was either rude or just plain unhelpful. I left feeling crappier about myself and the situation. Which, who knows, maybe is their point. Make people feel so bad walking out of the unemployment office that they don't want to go back? I doubt this is the case, most likely the woman was just a shit and unhelpful. So that blows.
On a better note, this past weekend was my weekend with my son. We had a blast. Went to the park and played. He LOVES the swing set and was on those things forever. He also loves going on the slide and we went down that together a bunch. We also colored a lot and played with his cars and read. And-and this just is the best thing in the world-at bath time he would not go into the tub unless i went with him. So, I get in and he decided-on his own- that he was going to clean me. I gave him the little foaming soap and he just went to town. He mostly did my knees, feet, arm and beard. At one point he told me to 'turn around' and did my back as well. It was so cute and so awesome. I loved it.
Oh well...Finally, I have to make a plug for Hulu.com. It's the single greatest website in the entire world. If I'm not careful, it's going to seriously challenge my job searching. It's just the most wonderful thing ever. I've been hammering through like 4 or 5 episodes of "Arrested Development" every night and fighting the urge to watch during the day as well.. Just do yourself a favor and check it out. It's going to totally kill your productivity at work, but it's worth it. It rules.
Billy Ocean And Time Served
So, here we go, my first "blog". Welcome to it. I guess I should start off by explaining why and how this came to be.
I have been through one hell of a bad stretch in the past 7 months. My mom had major brain surgery. She had complications during the surgery, but made it through. However, she is not quite the same as she was before and is not quite as well as we would have hoped she would be at this point.
Following that, I had my marriage fall apart. It, in and of itself, was probably on a shorter time-line than I would have cared to admit, but it still sucks. What sucks more is that its one of those "bad" divorces. Our 2 year-old son is involved so there are custody issues. Plus, there is another baby on the way in April that was not planned and is going to enter into a world where mom and dad will never be together.
Things with the divorce were/are bad. I was thrown out of the house. I was homeless for a while, living out of my car and on an inflatable mattress at my job (which I'll get to later), with no money and just a few pair of pants and shirts at my disposal. I hired what turned out to be a shitty lawyer who defended me so poorly that I had to fire him, only to have his last act be to take money from me. So basically, I paid him to put me at a LESS advantageous position than when I started the proceedings. Great.
At this time, I was also forced to be away from my son which was hell for me. I've always been a hands-on father. My son is my life. I can't get into how much he means without getting either totally cliche or sappy, so just fill in the blanks for yourself.
As if that was not a hard enough bit to deal with, I was then fired from my job. I worked in radio. I was a Program Director and DJ for an "Alternative" station in Savannah, GA. In my year + on the job we were #1 in the ratings, and won national awards as the Best Alternative Station in the Country for small markets. Not bad. Yet still, I was fired-simply because management did not like me personally or my style of doing business. Which, I can understand if the station is failing. If the station is unsuccessful and you have a problem with the way the PD is doing business, then by all means he should go! But, if that station is the most successful station in your 'cluster' of stations, the "bell cow" so to speak, then to fire the PD is simply a petty move by a small, small person. And, to be fired with all that is going on with my personal life was just an extra kick in the teeth.
So, I've decided to start this blog. To document what it's like to look for a job at a time that is historically bad to be looking for a job. Also, I'll inject notes on my personal life. The divorce, my son, the "to be" baby, and any observations that I may find interesting or topical. It's a blog after all, it SHOULD be semi-random, right??
And there you have it. My first entry. Please feel free to read, share with many many people, check back as much as you want or can, as I will try to update as much as I can. I hope to update again tomorrow.
Coming up: Applying for jobs online, a new apartment, and "The Clooney Theory".
I have been through one hell of a bad stretch in the past 7 months. My mom had major brain surgery. She had complications during the surgery, but made it through. However, she is not quite the same as she was before and is not quite as well as we would have hoped she would be at this point.
Following that, I had my marriage fall apart. It, in and of itself, was probably on a shorter time-line than I would have cared to admit, but it still sucks. What sucks more is that its one of those "bad" divorces. Our 2 year-old son is involved so there are custody issues. Plus, there is another baby on the way in April that was not planned and is going to enter into a world where mom and dad will never be together.
Things with the divorce were/are bad. I was thrown out of the house. I was homeless for a while, living out of my car and on an inflatable mattress at my job (which I'll get to later), with no money and just a few pair of pants and shirts at my disposal. I hired what turned out to be a shitty lawyer who defended me so poorly that I had to fire him, only to have his last act be to take money from me. So basically, I paid him to put me at a LESS advantageous position than when I started the proceedings. Great.
At this time, I was also forced to be away from my son which was hell for me. I've always been a hands-on father. My son is my life. I can't get into how much he means without getting either totally cliche or sappy, so just fill in the blanks for yourself.
As if that was not a hard enough bit to deal with, I was then fired from my job. I worked in radio. I was a Program Director and DJ for an "Alternative" station in Savannah, GA. In my year + on the job we were #1 in the ratings, and won national awards as the Best Alternative Station in the Country for small markets. Not bad. Yet still, I was fired-simply because management did not like me personally or my style of doing business. Which, I can understand if the station is failing. If the station is unsuccessful and you have a problem with the way the PD is doing business, then by all means he should go! But, if that station is the most successful station in your 'cluster' of stations, the "bell cow" so to speak, then to fire the PD is simply a petty move by a small, small person. And, to be fired with all that is going on with my personal life was just an extra kick in the teeth.
So, I've decided to start this blog. To document what it's like to look for a job at a time that is historically bad to be looking for a job. Also, I'll inject notes on my personal life. The divorce, my son, the "to be" baby, and any observations that I may find interesting or topical. It's a blog after all, it SHOULD be semi-random, right??
And there you have it. My first entry. Please feel free to read, share with many many people, check back as much as you want or can, as I will try to update as much as I can. I hope to update again tomorrow.
Coming up: Applying for jobs online, a new apartment, and "The Clooney Theory".
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