Please Be Smarter Than the Proganda Thrown at You!

Hope for Our Economy is often the message I see in my local newspaper.

I'm all for keeping a positive attitude, but I think these articles are blowing smoke up our collective asses.

The Yahoo article states that "[Unemployment benefit claims] remain near their lowest level in two years." And because of this, and some other convoluted measure of unemployment benefit claims, there is once again "encouragement for the economy."

Really?!

I'm sick and tired of hearing how unemployment benefit claim numbers are improving, and thus signalling an improvement in our economy. To anyone who has half a brain, these numbers don't mean diddly squat.

Why? Because these numbers don't count a plethora of people.

Who? People who are underemployed.

Anyone who took a pay cut (i.e. salaried workers with furlough days).
Anyone who works less hours than they used to (including loss of overtime).
People who are staying at a job they HATE because there are no better options (Military retention at historic highs).
People who are employed less than their skill level (i.e. working as a cashier at the grocery store rather than an accounts payable clerk).
And finally, people whose benefits have run out. (Please notice the first quote above - "lowest level in TWO YEARS." No one gets benefits past two years, so of course there are less benefits been paid.)

It is annoying that the media and the politicians and the economists think the general population is too stupid to know when they are feeding us a bunch of bullshit.

I wish they would just be honest - America's economy is NEVER going to be what it was, and that's OKAY. But that's really a whole different issue :)

School

A couple weeks ago, I made the choice to enroll in a writing school. I want to be a writer, a published writer. I've recently been working some internet avenues to make small amounts of money with my writing, but decided to enroll in a writing course that guarantees I will be published (or my money back).

I submitted my initial assignment (a personal profile), and then waited for my books to show up prior to moving on to my next assignment.

My books came today! Suddenly, I am overwhelmed, I am excited, I am nervous and I am curious. Can I really do this? Can I really write for profit? Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Am I witty enough? Is what I have to say of any consequence to the world?

Does it matter? Am I writing for myself or for others? Am I writing for creative release or for an income?

Will I be able to find the time to do this? I know it sounds ludicrious - I don't work, but really my days are full! I am going to need to organize myself a little better if I am to write every day in addition to taking care of my home, my family, myself and various other responsibilities.

Today I received four assignments, six books and 7 CD/DVDs. WTF?! Six books? What about the books I am already reading - Becoming a Writer, How to Improve Your Marriage without Talking, Searching for God Knows What? Plus, I am supposed to be reading with Brytin every day!

I have been writing to this blog for exactly two months today. Not everyday, but a lot. I pour my heart and soul out every chance I get. I do not get much reaction. I do not know if anyone reads what I've written. I do not know if anyone is impacted by my efforts.

I have about a week to decide if I'm really going to go through with this schooling...I think my first decision needs to be to decide if I am writing for me or for you.

Shhhh…Don’t tell!

I ADORE my husband (WAY more than I should).
I do not have a college degree.
I am a Christian.
Some facts are better left as secrets.
I LOVE to play pool.
Seth David Fisher broke my heart in the 7th grade.
When my parents were out of town one weekend, I allowed some friends to borrow their motor home.
I was abandoned by my father at like 6 months old, and then rejected by him in my 20s.
I am a divorcee.
The constellations Orion and the Big Dipper remind me of significant events in my life.
I suffered from a miscarriage in January 2007.
I am hoping Brytin’s year in kindergarten will help me decide if I want to be a kindergarten teacher.
I think that I have a “chemical imbalance.”
I used to earn almost $25/hour.
My uncle lied to me one too many times.
I drink a LOT of coffee and barely any water.
I once ratted out a friend to save my own ass.
I do not WANT to quit smoking.
I slept with a married man (before I was married).
I am not at all confident.
I am a stay-at-home stepmother.
I feel as though I let a lot of people down in my short life.
My grandmother lives a few hours away from me, but I haven’t seen her in three years.
I miss Kristen Sue Stich.
I’ve been married in Vegas - twice.
I have more debts than four families should have.
I have never lived up to my potential.
I have a rage deep inside that no one has ever seen.
I am scared to death of inheriting rheumatoid arthritis.
I ride a motorcycle.
I hate only one person on this earth.
I used to snort a lot of crystal meth.
I swear too much.
I live in a manufactured home.
I had an abortion the summer before my sophomore year.
I long to be the wisest person you know.
I am really good friends with my husband’s ex-wife.
No one close to me has died (knock on wood).
I love to cook and knit and garden and read.
I wish I could do eighth grade all over again.

http://www.postsecret.com/

Tuesday June 23, 2009

Home
Current mood: accomplished
Yesterday was my first truly successful, rewarding, awesome day as a stay-at-home stepmom. I got so much done! And I had a GREAT time with Brytin. When Chris got home, he said, “You guys make my crappy day melt away.” (Or something similarly sweet, I can’t remember it verbatim – whatever it was, I felt truly accomplished.)
There are so many reasons that my lay-off at AMN is for the betterment of my family. I am truly VERY thankful that God worked that into His amazing plan.

Wednesday May 21, 2008

more thoughts
Current mood: contemplative
Ever have so many thoughts running through your head you don't really know where to start? I do. Often.
David Cook RULES!
I'm gonna miss Rados. It's quirky. It fits me. It's annoying and frustrating and challenging, but everyday something makes me laugh so hard I can't breath. EVERY day. Like the day I told David that a cocaine habit would cure his sinus problems. Or today when I convinced the CFO that I can teleport and then proceeded to fight with him about the merits of a 10-sack of White Castle cheeseburgers. Or the time I almost kicked my sandal into the President's head...Seriously. Funny shit. I might even miss Brad. Probly not. But I might.
I am excited to "start fresh" in San Diego. Me, Chris, Brytin, new home, new job, and hopefully I'll get back my sunny disposition. (insert dimply smile here) I just don't like change. I used to welcome God's curve balls with open arms. Now, not so much. I don't know if it's age or if it's because I love my life right now, but whatever it is, I need to get over it. Change is inevitable (especially as a MilSpouse).
Did you know that I've completed seven years of Bible Study Fellowship? This year the study was the book of Matthew. Our last night of the year, we have what's called "Share Night," where women can stand in front of the crowd and publicly praise God for whatever He did the last nine months. In sitting through this hokey evening, I FINALLY heard what God needed me to learn this year. I missed it ALL year, but finally, I think I got it. Ready?
"I can trust in God's perfect timing."
I know, I know, it's not earth-shattering, BUT it is exactly what I should have learned from Matthew's version of the events of Jesus' life. All year, I tried to trust God, but I couldn't. It was too big of a step for me. I trusted Him once, and I got kicked in the teeth. I have been sinfully reluctant to even consider trying it again. But trusting in His TIMING is feasible. I'm not trying to "pick and chose parts of the Bible." I'm just saying that trusting His timing is a great baby step in the right direction.
I can trust that Chris got orders to San Diego in His perfect timing. I can trust that Chris isn't going to Hawaii this summer because God knew we'd be moving this summer. I can trust that Creekside is kicking us out of our apartment in His perfect timing. I can trust that our housing will be lined up in His perfect timing (any minute now, God, would be ideal). I can trust that I will complete my job with Rados and find a new job in His perfect timing. You see? Trusting His timing is something tangible I can latch onto. The general idea of putting my complete trust in Him wasn't something my mind could incorporate into my daily life. But, from this point forward, with prayer and diligence, I will trust in God's perfect timing.
Mike won't be home for a long time yet :( But when he gets here, I'm gonna give him a HUGE hug!
Brytin will be staying with us this weekend and next. Yeah! Hopefully there is no ear-slicing this time. Joey will be VERY happy to have Chris and Brytin here the day after next.
I guess that's about it for now...Thanks for listening :)

Monday April 14, 2008

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Current mood: betrayed
It doesn't matter how much integrity I have, because the whole world is based on perception anyway. It's like no matter how "straight-up" I conduct myself, someone always perceives me as shady or deceptive anyway. And those who KNOW me don't even bother to stick up for me. It's such bullshit.
I don't think the solution is to just throw my hands up and walk away. But at the same time, how long can the same fight be fought? How long can one stand getting beat up and then kicked while they are down?
Paul...I don't have the time to look for the verse right now, but Paul says that for Christ he'll take the beatings over and over and over. To suffer is to gain in Christ. But HOW is God glorified in the bullshit I deal with on a day-to-day basis? Seriously? I do my best to act according to God's standards, but if everyone just keeps attacking me anyway, WHAT GOOD AM I REALLY DOING?!!