Updates

[blackleatherbookshelf]

I am remiss. It has been about three months since my last letter to you and I apologize for that. It isn’t like there’s nothing to talk about, but I have a very difficult time getting motivated to communicate with anyone. So it’s not just you I’ve been laying low from, it’s everybody. It’s been almost six months since I’ve been laid off and I am finally getting my first job interview this week. To sell cars at the local Ford Dealership. Sheeesh.

While I have been doing my best to fend off the depression of sitting home all day and playing with the cat (when she wants to, anyway), I have been trying to find ways out of the current dilemma. Pennsylvania offers older unemployed types the opportunity to apply for grants towards retraining. They courses must be approved by Career Link (the division of PA Unemployment that offers the program) and you have to take multiple tests to qualify.

The tests are NOT easy. I felt like I was retaking my college SAT’s from Senior High School. It’s alarming how much you forget in 30 years of non-use. There were geometry problems that I was dumbstruck by. Fortunately, you’re given take-home sample tests to give you an inkling of what you’re in for when the official tests are given. Let’s face it; it’s been a long time since I even thought about how one determines the volume of a sphere (which was one of the questions).

From what my advisor tells me, I’ve passed the tests. Next up is being interviewed by the State Official who gives out the ultimate money. This is also a tricky thing, because this grant program is a one-time-only deal. If you get the grant, take the course but don’t pass, you don’t get a second shot at the money. While I am looking at taking a Computer Network Administration course, I have to be prepared to study hard, because I won’t get a second bite at this particular apple. Joel tries to be helpful, but he is beginning to fray at the edges. It’s difficult for him to be patient, and he has a tendency to argue loudly if he thinks circumstances are not what he believes they should be.

In other news, we took another jaunt to California. (Earlier Picture Here.) Joel has decided that, since I have no schedule conflicts, he can just plan trips whenever he wants. The trip was to Northern CA to a camp out run by the 15 Association, a group similar to Delta or Inferno. While there, I started one of my long-wished for projects; a biography of a former NYC Motorcycle Cop and Leatherman. It’s been a dream project of mine ever since having met the man a few years ago at IML.

In other family news: My Dad is still recovering nicely. However, a cousin on his side of the family has been stricken with MRSA, and nearly lost his life to it. As it is, he lost his leg and has been in a variety of hospitals, moving from facility to facility since late April. A slight benefit of being out of work has been that I’ve taken time to drive to wherever his current treatment location is for visits. It takes over 90 minutes to the nearest of the hospitals he’s been in, so these are trips I plan the day around. He obviously appreciates the visits, as we tend to talk for hours on each occasion. And I don't think I've ever posted a shot of the old man here before, so here's my Father.

 

PS – I figured it’s been awhile since I sent a Sophie Cat Picture

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Comments

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

Nice update. Good luck on your job hunt and retraining....for some reason, I thought your Amazon reviews were your profession.

[tbrough.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the compliment! I used to do it for a few papers for pay, but now just a hobby. If I get any money from it, it is when someone clicks through my reviews and buys something from Amazon.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

It's great to see a current post about your life. I like reading about the things that are going on now for you.

Wishing you success on your job/career search. I think retraining would be great for you.

It's better than a dead end job, and it could lead to something with a chance for advancement.

Your father looks well; it's great that you and he can talk to each other. He is nice - I can see that in his face. Hoping he is recovering well, and can go home soon.

Sophie looks like she's trying to decide how to take over the world there, LOL! Great photo of her.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

"While I am looking at taking a Computer Network Administration course..."

Been there, done that. Went from 2001 to 2005. I have an Assoc, Degree in Windows 2000, and one in Cisco.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I guess my first thought was ... What would you like to be doing? You've got dreams, I'm sure. A dream is a goal without a plan ... Do you really want to do network administration. I love reading your music reviews. Have you checked journalismjobs.com? It lists all kinds of jobs, a place to start.

I wish you well. I've gone through a layoff since I moved here. Don't give up. You have so much to offer.

HUGS!

[tbrough.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I always admire your sticking to your guns and having the career you do.

[albear-garni.livejournal.com]

Good to hear from you. I can understand what it's like to be unemployed with a partner, as I was for awhile. Some friction, that usually turned out OK in the end. Glad that you are on the path to the retraining courses - good luck. And, it's really nice to see the pic of your Dad!
hugz!

[broduke2000.livejournal.com]

Sophie looks contemplative and/or angry.

[andybr.livejournal.com]

Tim, good about the retraining. Older people work better at it and try harder which you will do and it will all hopefully be good.
Your dad looks like a nice man...
I can see that Sophie only wants to play when SHE wants to. yep.

[nipper-dawg.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the grant. It sounds like they are really rationing the money to only where it will do it's best to help someone.

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

Good luck with all that.
Dad looks good.
Sophie, on the other hand, does not look happy

[daddycoug.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the retraining program. And yes it is amazing how much crap we had to learn when we were younger and never had any use for it. I went back to school when I was 32 and I had to start all the math classes from the ground up. It is a hell of a lot of work but it's worth it.

I love the look on Sophie's face :)

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing the things that are going on in your life. I am confident that you will do well in the CNA course. You do a lot of writing, so you recognize your desk as a workspace. That is a challenge for a lot of returning students. All the best!

[tbrough.livejournal.com]

Oh, if you only saw my desk....