As I continue to search the classifieds for a job, I’m beginning to think that the time I spent as a magazine writer and proofreader was just a big joke.

I realize the market sucks right now but I figured that with a little over 3 years spent in each occupation that I would at least get some kind of feedback from some of the jobs for which I applied (which have been many). So far, I haven’t heard squat from any of them and with that comes the self-doubt that I was hoping I wouldn’t put upon myself.

Yes, when I got the writing gig I did have a friend that was already working at the place, so knowing an insider definitely helped. You Hollywood types know what I mean (*wink*wink*). But as far as the proofreading job went, that was all me…albeit a me that looked like Jabba the Hutt at the time

And it’s not like those are the only jobs I would take; those are just preferences. Lord knows I’ve already applied at several “regular” places in addition to applying for writing and proofing jobs.

As a result of being overlooked for my preferred jobs for which I definitely felt qualified, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s time to seriously quit looking for something in either of those fields and, at the age of 40, turn over a new leaf and try to tackle something different.

You wanna know how desperate I’ve been? I accepted a part-time, $10-an-hour job from AppleOne to cold-call people and set appointments for consumer surveys. Now I don’t know about you, but I hang up on assholes that call me for that same shit. But just as I was looking up the location on Google Maps, AppleOne called me and said that the company completed their calls ahead of time so I didn’t have to go. I was kind of relieved.

But yeah, that’s how bad it’s been. And to further prove the point, here’s a list of some of things I’ve been considering:

  • Car salesman: No experience required, full training and benefits. And I can drive cars all day.
  • Consultant for a weight loss program: I’ve been there so it wouldn’t be hard to motivate people or convince them to lose weight.
  • A dog sanitation service, or poop-scooping: Crap in; crap out. It’s really pretty simple.
  • Avon: Seriously, people, I need something! And hey, I wouldn’t be the only guy selling the stuff.

But whilst I continue to get ignored by everybody on the fucking planet, I got my unemployment paperwork filled out and returned, so I should be getting checks very soon, along with the food stamps.

And that’s a good thing because the items I listed on eBay have yet to get a single bid, my HubPages articles have yet to make me more than one red cent, and the fridge is looking pretty freaking sad right now.

Now before I head on over to scan the classifieds again, does anybody have any other suggestions? Note that drug dealer, pimp, etc. do not count.

But if this keeps on…

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how_to_train_your_dragonNote: This entry may include spoilers after the break so if you don’t want to know about the movie, don’t read beyond “SPOILER ALERT!”

Sometime last week, Ann got an e-mail from MovieTickets.com about a free, pre-release screening of a DreamWorks movie “from the people who brought you Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar.” So being we had nothing to do today and it was free, we went ahead and signed up to go.

Unlike most movie screenings, this one wasn’t in Hollywood but in beautiful, downtown Brea. (I’m being facetious, folks.) Had we known there wasn’t a freeway close to the damn city so we would have taken the streets to the place, which is exactly what we did on the way home.

When we arrived, there was already a group of people waiting to get in since seating was on a first-come, first-served basis. While waiting outside the theater, people from the Nielsen survey company gave us questionnaires asking us about our movie viewing habits: what we’d seen, what we’d want to see, if we prefer 3D or traditional, etc. We also got wristbands upon entry to show the rest of the moviegoers we were more specialer than they were.

As indicated in the e-mail invitation, there were quite a few stipulations for this event, including:

  • Being accompanied by a child between 6-11 since it was an animated feature
  • You couldn’t be or appear to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs (?)
  • Cameras, cell phones with cameras or any type of recording devices were not permitted and those caught trying to record would be removed and subject to criminal charges
  • Attendees were subject to a physical search of their belongings and person

Remember that this was a first screening so it was serious business and as such, extensive security measures were taken, including all participants having to walk through a metal detector. There was also a guy in the theater with night vision binoculars so he could spy on the audience while the movie was showing. His stoicism and appearance reminded us of Crazy Steve from Drake and Josh, a guy that could go off at any second and for any reason.

Before the movie started, the Nielsen people scanned the crowd for potential post-movie interviewees who would have a chance to speak with the makers of the movie/studio suits and give their opinion. It kind of reminded me of the “Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie” episode of The Simpsons where the kids were taken into a room and shown potential new characters: “Would you kids like to come with me?”

Once picked, they took the names of everybody in the group and from the looks of it, they already knew who they wanted to talk to: families of four with a boy of at least 8 years of age, so unfortunately we didn’t make the cut. That’s too bad because I would have liked to give them some input.

Finally, once all the seats were filled and interviewees finalized, the title was revealed: How to Train Your Dragon, yet another movie based on a children’s book, because Lord knows we haven’t had enough of those lately.

SPOILER ALERT! If you don’t want to know more about the movie, don’t read beyond this point!

(more…)

As I sit at home wondering when I will get the next call from a prospective employer, there is a proofreader somewhere who is failing miserably at what they are supposedly good at doing.

Here’s proof of that, as seen in today’s print edition of the Orange County Register:

enlish2

If there’s one word that should never be misspelled,  it’s “English,” and especially when the ad is seeking those proficient in said language.

Well, I guess it could have been worse…like on a billboard

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My post about the Big City Slider Station continues to get hits to this day; many readers leaving comments about how they experienced the same thing as we did when their burgers turned silver. Hopefully, they are as lucky I am and have their money returned once they contact the manufacturer.

We were hoping that the grill would be a reasonable substitute to our George Foreman Lean, Mean, Fat-Fighting Whatever Machine since we threw it out about a year ago, victim of constant use. That wasn’t the case.

But we did have one nifty machine left, one that has been sitting on top of the fridge for a long time and we just don’t use too often. And it’s name is the Sunbeam Rocket Grill.

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As you can tell, we have yet to remove the sticker on the front of the grill which touts the machine’s features. That’s just how often we use the thing. But after being in a position where we didn’t want to fire up the barbecue or use the stove, this little griller came in handy. Here’s what you do.

(more…)

@ Dollar Tree. Posts like this are what stop me from using my blog as a showcase for my writing samples.

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As the adventure that is my life continues to unfold with so much drama, I do have some good news to share.

First, I’m not going to mention anything about jobs and such so as not to jinx them. But I’m confident that things are going to turn around and soon. There are several things brewing in the near future and I can almost taste them. It’s a great feeling to have.

I also went down to Apple One and went through the whole interviewing process there. Thanks for the tip, Harna!

Secondly, I’ve applied for unemployment and yes, food stamps. If you read my HubPages post you’d know that I have no shame in doing so. It’s definitely a sign of the times. The way I see it, I’ve been paying into the system for years and haven’t tapped into it one bit, so now in my time of need I think I’m due. Damnit.

Thirdly, you may recall the saga of Ann’s prescriptions or lack thereof. While there was a glimmer of hope a few days later, things got even brighter yesterday when she got a letter from the Bridges to Access program stating that she was eligible for a year’s worth of her medication. And today, this came in the mail:

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Things are slowly starting to turn around.

And Ann just fell asleep watching The Lawrence Welk Show. I think I’m with her on that one.

—————-
Now playing: Lawrence Welk – Calcutta
via FoxyTunes

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No, that title doesn’t imply that the blog will be changing any time soon. What it does imply is that, while I’m out of work, I’m trying some different things just to keep my sanity and to perhaps generate some money.

The first thing I did was start contributing to HubPages, site that uses Google AdSense to help generate revenue for the writers. And so far, it’s worked: I earned one whole penny today!

At any rate, go on over and check it out. A few clicks here and there definitely won’t hurt anybody and the more hits, the more revenue I can possibly generate. I may use posts that I’ve already written here but for the most part they will be new and original stuff, like this article about my adventures in Food Stamp Land.

Another thing I did during this down time was make a quick recording of my voice, or an aircheck, for whatever reason. Maybe someone will hear it and say, “Hey, this guy’s gooood! Let’s offer him a job doing voiceovers!”

Not bloody likely but at this point in my life, I’ve got nothing to lose. So if you’re so inclined, here’s the clip for your enjoyment (and no, it’s not an homage to Mr. Microphone):

Now you know how I sound. Amazing, no? Just keep in mind a few things:

  • I don’t always sound so nasally. I’m still fighting off a cold or something and when I really try and am not stuffy, I sound much better.
  • I used the USB microphone that came with my Rock Band set, so the audio probably isn’t as clear as it should be.
  • I couldn’t think of anything else to say. This was off the top of my head and boy, you should have heard the not-saved outtakes.

The job search continues but to no avail after three whole days of unemployment. But I am going to a local temp agency tomorrow to see if they can help me out with something.

If not, it looks like I’ll be grabbing a ghetto blaster, Mr. Microphone, a sombrero and taking my fabulous voice to the streets and start rapping about BluBlockers*.

*Check the 5th bullet on my About page for some personal, relevant trivia

—————-
Now playing: Miami Vice – Crockett`s Theme – Jan Hammer
via FoxyTunes


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