Welcome to the Real World....
Posted 08-19-2013 at 10:13 AM by Katlakat
It's not as funny as it seems.....yet I laughed hysterically this morning with hot coffee in one hand, a dried out and cheap hand rolled cigarette in the other. Sitting on the front porch, enjoying my morning, I had my usual thoughts except one.
Usually, I would plan out my day. Sometimes I had left over procrastinates (procrastinates...sounds legit...) to thread into my routine. Sometimes I would flick out the regular weekly chores with each ash of my cigarette.
Not this morning. This morning was my 1,600 day of unemployment. I had mixed feelings about my 1600 day, but mostly, I had hysterical laughter.
Now, don't get me wrong here, I've done...odd jobs here and there. I've been a nanny, a temporary anything, a farm hand, a jewelry maker, a seamstress (this I can add starting tomorrow, actually...) and lots of other little piddly jobs to pay the rent. What I haven't actually had, is a regular, steady, income job. You know, the kind we all used to have, well, most of us used to have prior to 2009.
I laughed because it felt good to do so. I took advice and went back to college. TWICE. Got my master's degree. Now, the difference between me and the newest grad school grad is....I'm bumping 40 while the new guy is bumping 25, and with better tech skills than I can pronounce in one resume.
But not to despair! I've learned to grow vegetables. Vegetables with lots of beetles and bugs, but I think parts of them are edible, right?
I've learned to make crafts to sell! I was never a crafty person, but some little kids bought my stuff and I was able to put gas in the car for one more day! VICTORY!!
I'm full of gratitude, but not the same kind of gratitude I used to have.
I'm grateful I don't have kids. I couldn't bear them suffering along with me. I'm grateful I still made the choices I did. I couldn't say that earlier on in life, I was one for regrets for some reason.
I'm also grateful I've lost weight. I've managed to somehow eat healthy during this change in life, and I still smoke a cigarette once in a while. Those were the first to go, man they are expensive and bad for you, but then again life kills us all eventually....
So, today is my 1,600 unemployment birthday. How am I surviving? Better than I thought and it can always be worse. In fact, it is a lot worse for a whole slue of Americans right now, not just me. Poverty is Poverty, and it's been right under our noses the whole time, good economy or bad.
I'm grateful I have internet access right now to reach out and not feel so alone during the roughest part of my life. O.k. time is almost up. Must return to pulling weeds on the farm.
My advice to you: don't give up. Even if in your heart you know better, don't give up dreaming.
Let hope be the most dangerous thing you attempt in your life, and you just might survive.
Peace
Katlakat
Usually, I would plan out my day. Sometimes I had left over procrastinates (procrastinates...sounds legit...) to thread into my routine. Sometimes I would flick out the regular weekly chores with each ash of my cigarette.
Not this morning. This morning was my 1,600 day of unemployment. I had mixed feelings about my 1600 day, but mostly, I had hysterical laughter.
Now, don't get me wrong here, I've done...odd jobs here and there. I've been a nanny, a temporary anything, a farm hand, a jewelry maker, a seamstress (this I can add starting tomorrow, actually...) and lots of other little piddly jobs to pay the rent. What I haven't actually had, is a regular, steady, income job. You know, the kind we all used to have, well, most of us used to have prior to 2009.
I laughed because it felt good to do so. I took advice and went back to college. TWICE. Got my master's degree. Now, the difference between me and the newest grad school grad is....I'm bumping 40 while the new guy is bumping 25, and with better tech skills than I can pronounce in one resume.
But not to despair! I've learned to grow vegetables. Vegetables with lots of beetles and bugs, but I think parts of them are edible, right?
I've learned to make crafts to sell! I was never a crafty person, but some little kids bought my stuff and I was able to put gas in the car for one more day! VICTORY!!
I'm full of gratitude, but not the same kind of gratitude I used to have.
I'm grateful I don't have kids. I couldn't bear them suffering along with me. I'm grateful I still made the choices I did. I couldn't say that earlier on in life, I was one for regrets for some reason.
I'm also grateful I've lost weight. I've managed to somehow eat healthy during this change in life, and I still smoke a cigarette once in a while. Those were the first to go, man they are expensive and bad for you, but then again life kills us all eventually....
So, today is my 1,600 unemployment birthday. How am I surviving? Better than I thought and it can always be worse. In fact, it is a lot worse for a whole slue of Americans right now, not just me. Poverty is Poverty, and it's been right under our noses the whole time, good economy or bad.
I'm grateful I have internet access right now to reach out and not feel so alone during the roughest part of my life. O.k. time is almost up. Must return to pulling weeds on the farm.
My advice to you: don't give up. Even if in your heart you know better, don't give up dreaming.
Let hope be the most dangerous thing you attempt in your life, and you just might survive.
Peace
Katlakat
Total Comments 4
Comments
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You have handled a tough subject with humor and grace. I hope that you will use your talent for writing to reach out and comfort some and to bring discomfort to others. Let us hear from you often.Posted 08-19-2013 at 10:40 AM by Fortoggie
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I don't intentionally plan on bringing discomfort to others, but alas, we can't please em all! Thanks for reading!
KatPosted 08-20-2013 at 07:19 AM by Katlakat
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I enjoyed reading your blog, you do have some good writing chops.
Wish you continued spiritedness and success well into the future.Posted 08-29-2013 at 11:31 AM by TRosa
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I am right there alongside you, except I am 59. Too old to start over, too young to get social security ( and probably won't have any when I am old enough--especially with my current lack of income) . I haven't been able to see anything good it in my situation, but it is good to hear someone who has kept their spirits up.Posted 04-15-2014 at 05:22 PM by vj6
