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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2012 5:12:54 GMT -5
This last month has been a life changing month for me. At the end of March, I was forced to close my retail computer store and on April Fools day, moved in with my dad for the first time in my adult life. This will make a great chapter in my next book. I am calling the chapter reformatting your life. In today economy many people are having to do this. You get use to living a certain way and your life is totally turned around. In one day, I went from having a home and business to basicly being homeless. We had to leave our home, near the ocean. It was very hard to do. My father lives in Norris Tn. in the moutains. It is very pretty here. I am lucky to have a place where I could go vS some people that have lost it all and ended up in their cars.
Some of you reading this might say, You lost everything way do you feel so lucky. Well, my answer is why not. My life will go on in a different way. I am currently job hunting and will eventually find something. I have a roof over my heard and my wife is with me and my 2 puppies. I did loose almost everything but I have my family with me and behind me. Those are things that money can not buy. The rest will come once I have a job again and get back on my feet. I do still have all my stuff, household and store in a storage building waiting for me to get our own place. Living in the mountains of Tn is very nice. Once Marilyn and I have enough we will have our own place together and I will have a added bonus of having my father close to visit.
Living at the beach was great, but Ii did not have any family around. Here in TN we are closer to the grandkids and my kids. It is important during this time for me to focus on the "I haves" and not on the "I lost". Leaving the "I lost" in the past. To focus on the "I haves". will help me keep my spirits up and not dwelling on things that I can not change anyway --- The Past.
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Post by Martin on Apr 24, 2012 7:04:27 GMT -5
Well today I have another interview. I am looking forward to it. I love job interview. I get to shine. It is hard in today job market even to get an interview. I have been job hunting for 3 weeks with over 60 resumes out and only had 3 interview counting this one. Job hunting is a very frustrating action, you send resume after resume with little result. Getting a job is the key to Marilyn and I getting our own place here in Tn. So much is riding on each interview. I put that to the side, when I go on interviews, to be myself. It is important not to choke on pressure.
I have completed my technical journal that I am going to get published. Just need Marilyn to edit it and off to the printers it will go.
I am still working on my fourth book Living the Simple Life II Hope to have it done by the end of the year.
Things are going well at Dad's house, his girl friend Annie is here and we are having a blast. Looking forward to seeing both my sisters, they are coming down for the weekend. It has been a long time since we have all been together.
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Post by Martin on Apr 25, 2012 5:57:10 GMT -5
Well yesterday's interview was a little dissapointing. I got all dressed up to meet with the guy that weeds out the people for the guy that accually does the interviews. So at the end of the week I will find your if I made it passed the first cut. I have been in TN for just over 3 weeks and have submited about 60 resumes with only 3 interviews. It is starting to get to me a little. I know things like this take time, and I know I will get a job but the waiting and uncertainty of it all really gets to you. Today should be interesting, my father is having a medical proceeedure (minor). Luckly she is here to be with him. I need to do something today to pick up my spirits. I will work on that, I can not go to interviews with a bad outlook. Times like this, it is important to remember each day is a new day and I need to make the most of it. Today I will help with dad and readjust my attitude. I need to help Marilyn and her attitude too. She is starting to show the signs of stress from me not having a job and us not having our own place.
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Post by Martin on Apr 26, 2012 8:27:12 GMT -5
My fathers procedure went well yesterday. Still did not hear from any jobs yesterday or so far this morning. Today I am going to get some things done and help with dad's new kitchen floor. Marilyn got her check yesterday so money we at least are not flat broken, for a while anyway.
I only applied for one job this morning. That all there was. So I am going to focus today on things I can do something about. I need to to keep my spirits up. It is important for my self esteem. Today I applied for a job with a 70 question assessment test. They are fun, but they alway forget one of the most important questions. Do you think assisgment test are stupid and a waste of time? A - Strongly Agree B - Agree C - Neigher Agree or Disagree D - Disagree E - Strongly Disagree
I don't even have to give you my answer for this one!!!
It is sad that the person who developed these has a job and I can't get one. Makes me laugh.....
I have a tough time finding a job because, of my lack of college degree, I need it for the jobs that I already know how to do. When I apply for jobs that I am over qualified for they see my shop rate at $ 60.00 per hour and know they are paying about $ 9.40 an hour. When you fill out applications you have to give your previous salaries. When I tell the truth I instantly remove myself in any chance in hell they will hire me. lol.... What they don't understand is that is my shop hourly rate, but being new in Tennessee I don't have many clients yet. So right now I don't have any income.
Well off to enjoy my day anyway.....
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Post by Martin on Apr 27, 2012 8:46:56 GMT -5
Well, it is Friday, TGIF just don't have the same meaning when you are not working. lol.... I applied for another 5 jobs this morning. Hopefully will get some calls today.
I am looking forward to tomorrow. My sisters are coming and we are going to have a cookout.
My spirits are ok, today. I want to get them back to better. I will reprogram over the weekend. I need to work on the magazine tomorrow. It is getting close to the deal line.
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Post by Martin on Apr 29, 2012 5:45:24 GMT -5
Yesterday, was really fun. Both of my sisters came to dad's to visit and are spending the night. We had a cookout on dad's car port. It has been many years since we have been all together like this. The last time was at my son Chris's wedding.
I spent the evening talking to them and reformated a computer for my sister. I got to meet her boyfriend she has had for many years. He is very nice, and is into computers as well. We ended up reformating his computer as well. I love being with my sisters, we always laugh until tears comes to your eyes. It was just the what I needed to pick my spirits up. I applied for more jobs this morning. We will see.
My sister Beverly is involved with Big Brothers. She brought with her Cheyenne, a girl she has been a sister to for many years. Last time I saw Cheyenne, she was a little girl. This time she is a teenager. They grow up so fast. I have always wanted to be a Big Brother, in the program. I will have to look into it when I get settled here. Wilmington did not have a chapter.
Today should be fun as well, they are leaving later today but I will get to spend some more time with them before they do. I hope now that I am closer to be able to spend more time with all my family.
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Post by Martin on Apr 30, 2012 7:37:59 GMT -5
I had a very fun weekend visiting my sisters. We found out from my sisters boyfriend that we need a new wheel bearing for the car. So he is going to put it on when he returns here next week. It is so bad that he recommends that I don't drive it until it is fixed. So now technically I am homeless and carless. I had to leave my Jag in NC, with a friend of mine that has a car lot because I could only hull one car with me. So far my jag has not sold so at the end of May if it does not sell I am going to try to go pick it up. As bad as I need money right now, when I get a job I will need my car back worse than the money. I do not want to leave Marilyn with no car. This morning I was back on it, as far as job hunting. Hit the overnight postings and tried the knoxville craiglist as well. Today I have to go pay my storage building fee. Hopefully for the last time. I want us to have our own place soon. Just need a job first. Going to work hard this week to find one. I am getting tired of just sitting around waiting. It is driven me crazy, "I know it is a short trip!!!"
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Post by Martin on May 1, 2012 6:43:28 GMT -5
Yesterday, I had another job interview. Of course the jury is still out on that one. Got my fingers crossed. Today I have a temp service calling me back for an interview. So things are looking up at little. This is a strong start to the week. Finding a job is priorty one for me right now. I want to get a job and our own place.
Today, I am going with dad to see Darlene, hopefully this will not be the only thing I do all day today. I am going to work on marketing OIC today. Also working on the Tech Journal book. Marilyn did some editing for me.
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Post by Martin on May 2, 2012 8:18:12 GMT -5
Yesterday was a chill day, went with dad to see Darlene and did some misc running. I have a job interview today, with another placement service. We will see if anything pans out.
This morning I am mowing dad's yard. I offered to help Wayne next door to kind of earn my keep. I did talk to my cousin Billy yesterday he lives near here. Next week when I have my car back I will go to visit.
I only applied for 2 more jobs today. Hope more get posted tomorrow. I finished Rough draft 1 of the computer tech manual it going to be reviewed one more time by marilyn then it is ready to print as a book. This will be my 3rd published book.
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Post by Martin on May 3, 2012 7:41:02 GMT -5
Well, I got the yard mowed yesterday. I went to an interview with a personnel service. The interview went well. Of course they said we will call you when we find a match. AKA, don't call us will call you. lol... On Monday I am going to regear and try to find a manufacturing temp job or anything. It is important that I get something so we can get our own place. Living with dad is ok, of course but it is time to move on. I may look into getting my computer certs. I need that to help me get a computer job. Being really good at what you do, is just not enough in the job market if knowone will give you a chance because of some peices of paper. This is why I love being self employed, all I have to do is fix my clients problems and they are happy. I can do that, no problem with no pieces of paper to say that I can. That is the sad part of todays job market, a simple piece of paper means more than 27 years of eating, sleeping and drinking was you are go at. Am I the only one in the world that thinks this is crazy? All companies think that I am because they will not even call me because of it. I guess I will have to go to class and sit through the lessons that in real life have very little to do with fixing clients computer problems. I don't want to sound bitter, I am not, just dissapointed with the companies that think, having a peice of paper actually means something in the real world. Today I am going to get out and do something with Marilyn and enjoy the day. Having this pressure on me, is not good for my mental and physical health. It is hard to put the stress on the shelf as each passing day leads to another with no changes.
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Post by Martin on May 4, 2012 5:44:23 GMT -5
Well it is Friday again. This week, clicks off another week, of no job. I did have a couple interview this week, so that is better. Next week I will crack down on getting anything. I want Marilyn and I to be able to get our own place soon.
Annie is still working on dad's kitchen floor, it looks great. She is amazing in what she knows how to do. She should have it finished up in the next day or two. This morning dad and I are going to a garage sale here in Norris. Even though I don't want to buy anything, that would set in storage anyway. It will be fun to get out this morning.
I have to go pick up the car part, bought it yesterday but part had to be shipped in. This way it is ready for Madison when he gets here, tonight or tomorrow morning.
I talked to Becky about maybe going to back to the beach on memorial day weekend to pick up my Jag if it has not sold by then. I have mixed feelings of course, we need the money but I want my Jag back. I love that car.....
Today I am checking into section 8 housing, so we can get us a place even if I just end up with a part time job. I will look into going back to school for my certs. This way my useless peice of paper will varify to others that I can do what I do anyway. I know, that was sarcastic, but sorry it is the truth.
Getting our own place will help Marilyn and I feel whole again. Not that it is bad here at Dad's but, we need to start to get on with our new lives here in TN.
This weekend I am submitting my new computer manual for a book. This will be something new I can promote. I need to get busy again on my Living the Simple Life II , would like to release it sometime this year as well.
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Post by Martin on May 5, 2012 6:36:17 GMT -5
Madison, showed up last night to fix our car, and ran into some problems getting the wheel hub off. He had to go get some additional tools. By the time he got back he ran out of daylight. This morning I got up earily like I always do and saw that there was a thunderstorm heading our way. So I put a garbage bag over the exposed wheel housing so it will not get wet. Did it just before it started pouring. Dad talked about going to Showney's for breakfast, I will have to take a rain check on that. We need to hold on to all the money we have left, otherwise I will not be able to make it till the end of the month.
Hopefully I will be able to get a job soon. Depending on Marilyn's check will not get us through the month.
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Post by Martin on May 6, 2012 6:54:15 GMT -5
Yesterday was a tough day mentally. Madison, could not fix our car because of a stripped out screw. He tried his damnest to get it out. So this means we have to take it to a shop and pay for the labor to get the part in. This will eat at what little money we have left for the month and it is only the 6th.
I have been here 5 weeks as of today and have submitted 101 resumes with no results. It is starting to get to me. We need to get our own place, but can't until I get a job. Catch 22......
It is hard for me to just get any job, because when people see how much I know about computers, and I am appling for job that pays less than 10.00 per hour they say he will not stay. So I get ignored. What people don't understand is at this point I need anything. Oh Well....
I am going to finish up my new book and get it submitted to the publisher today. That will make 3 published books. I am of course still working on Living the Simple Life II my 4th.
I will try to relax and get my spirits back up today. Monday I have to focus on getting a cheap place to fix the car. Need my car back, it is a bummer not having it.
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Post by Martin on May 8, 2012 4:30:24 GMT -5
Yesterday, was another life changing day for me. I called my old boss Ralph in Fort Wayne Indiana and he offered me a job their. The pay is decent and I will be 2nd in charge behind him. This is an offer I really can't pass up. As much as I dislike the cold and snow, I have to go where the money is. I love it here in TN. but if I can't get a job, living here is out of the question. So far there has been no offers.
We did not have internet here at dad's yesterday, because dad switched from ATT to ATT uverse. I got him set up last night. The internet speeds are much faster.
Today I have another interview and will go on it I guess. It is with another staffing firm. But I have decided my best course of action is to go ahead and go back to Fort Wayne for the sure thing. This will be a good thing all around because Marilyn will be back with the grandkids and I will have my kids 2.5 hours away. I have mixed feelings I want to have our own home but I hate the cold. But, being in survival mode, I have to do what is going to make sure we survive.
I am going to finish up the tech journal today and get it submitted for publishing.
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Post by Martin on May 9, 2012 4:25:08 GMT -5
Today is the day I find lock down my new position. I have to call Ralph this morning. I trust everything will be ok. Then I have to focus on my next task is getting me and my stuff their and finding me a place to live. My first choice will be Canterbury where I use to live. We will have to see how that works out.
Yesterday, I did not go on the interview for the sales job here, it was with a staffing firm and only a preliminary interview. Tomorrow is an interview with Apple, it is my back up plan incase things don't work out this morning.
I spent yesterday, planning how to get me to Fort Wayne and helping with dad's floor. Marilyn is excited that we might be moving back near the grandkids. This will make a big differnce in her life. She is like me, we are excited about our new life, but dread the fact that we are moving back to the land of cold and snow.
We will see how things turn out.
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