Double dipping and it's not ice cream

My last post goes back to November when I expressed some cautious optimism after the last election. I kept waiting for that glimmer of hope that Congress “got it.” That they understood the message that Americans were fed up with the status quo. That middle class Americans were fed up with Congressional cluelessness.

Election 2010 Post Mortem

On election night two years ago we were in the throes of the Great Recession. We were depressed, unemployed and scared. We knew we’d had enough of politics as usual and were feeling hopeful that a new, vibrant administration would be the answer.

Landing, sort of

Exactly a year after the newspapers were closed, I started a new job, at a small local publishing company. I had interviewed there back in July and the position was open again since the person originally hired left to deal with family issues.

Alternatives to the big game: A baker’s dozen

I’m not afraid to admit it. I hate football. I will never understand why viewers and players alike get some kind of thrill over bodily abuse. “Slam. Bam. Oh, that feels good. I think I’ll do it again.”

Long time, no post

Seven months of unemployment and the economic insanity continues.

The good news: I’ve had an abundant amount of free-lance work and I believe that my writing is good and solid.

The bad news: Finances are still abysmal.

Are the illiterates taking over?

At the risk of being called a total b*tch, I must comment on the quality of writing I have seen on comments associated with various publications, and on the web in general. You know the drill: A news story is reported, then comments are submitted. It all makes me think that we are becoming a nation of illiterates. There’s no use of capitals, horrendous spelling, no punctuation and more. No one knows the difference between it’s and its, your and you’re, they’re, there and their.

Legislator response

Four months after I wrote Sens. Chris Dodd, Joseph Lieberman and Congresswoman Rosa DeLaura, I received a response from DeLauro. Sort of the usual pablum but it does seem as if she read my letter. I did receive an acknowledgment from Dodd, but no more than "Yes, we received your letter..."

The process continues

Six weeks post lay-off and the reinvention process continues. I’ve been scouring the job boards daily, both for a “straight” job, which would make my husband happy, and freelance/contract work. Several of us have been discussing online ventures, which are requiring grant applications and little pay to start. I’ve sent out tons of resumes with just one interview, at a paper in Fairfield – nice pub, it seemed to go well. I would hate the commute and lack of comfort zone, plus it’s just a little more than I was making without factoring in the commute.

Time to reinvent myself

I am/was the editor of two weekly papers and contributor to the weekly lifestyle publication here in Connecticut. Rumors about “changes” had been circulating for ages and our staffs were bare bones. I put out my two papers with only a part-time reporter. That involved culling pertinent copy from e-mail, taking photos and editing submitted photos, writing, and designing, laying out and paginating the papers, pulling in ads, then send the pages to plate. (FYI: Editors no longer muse over copy with a red pen. We’re hands on from beginning to end.)

It's the economy, stupid

It's the night before the two-year process know as the election and it all boils down to who can get us out of this economic abyss.
Who can possibly be doing well these days? I bought lunch on Friday and felt guilty, like it was a major splurge. It was $4.
Can either of the candidates relate to what I am going through? Screaming at Chase. Playing turn-off roulette with the utlilty companies. Putting off repairs to the house, replacing the light fixture in the bathroom -- better yet juggling to pay the mortgage? No birthday, Christmas, anniversary gifts. Any and every decision is based on cost. Of course we don't need "stuff." But I would love to pay bills on time. Take out, dinner out, new underwear ... icing on the cake.
Everything goes up in cost (well... now we're getting a respite with gasoline prices, but that's all market manipulation) except our income. My net paycheck is the same as it was three years ago. Paul's is half what it was. And what has the cost of living done since then?
Retailers and car manufacturers are wringing their hands. No shit! A new car? No matter how they scream, no matter how early they open, that will never happen! I hold my breath and listen for suspicious noises when I start up the '92 LeBaron. Paul's car needs tires and an oil change. Now who can we put off.
Enough.
Time will tell.