Wassup With THAT? ;-D
I was checking my blog stats, this afternoon, when I noticed I had 2 visitors to a very personal November post of mine, a post that was the first of several self-analytical posts in recent months (All linked together).
So I went for a look see at the website these visitors were coming from. ;-D
"A gem of a personal account."
"Intimate, detailed, candid, and full of quiet courage and wisdom."
"A moving confession."
"We feel fortunate to have found, and recommend everyone read, his story."
Recommended: Age 50, Unemployed And Now What?
Sitting at my desk, and reading those words, I felt tears come to my eyes...
Me? Courageous, and Wise?
The way things have been going since I wrote that essay, and may go in the future...I sure don't feel that way sometimes. ;-D
First let me tell you about this website that has been quiet since a flurry of December posts, but seems to have some plans for its own future it will reveal at some point:
FiftySkills bills itself as "a destination for those 50 and older (and other interested parties) who are faced with the challenge of reinventing their careers, and in many cases, their lives. Here, you’ll find resources, community, and jobs. It’s a place to come every day for news, reassurance, skills, as well as to hang, share, learn, and succeed."
So far, there is very little "There" there, just 6 articles (The intro, & link, to mine, and intros to pieces by the AARP (55 & Up.. "The New Unemployables"), USA Today, NY Times, NY Post, and LA Times, that they encourge you to go read, and a short original piece by one of their contributors, whoever they are.), and encouragements to any passing reader to stop long enough to toss in their 2 cents, and keep them in mind as a place to look up "Soon".
For example, they ask, about my piece: "What do you think of this story? Do you have a similar story to share? If so, what’s your status? Have you found work? If so, do you have tips to share?"
For a site with the lofty goal of helping others "Re-invent the Second Half of Your Working Life", they reveal next to nothing about who they are. ;-D
Hell, they never even sent me a heads-up about their praise all those months ago. ;-D
This is all very interesting reading, and I thank them, from the bottom of my unemployed little heart, for the complements, and wish them the best of luck as they move forward. ;-D
I promise to do my best to live up to your kind words, and recommendation.
Anyway, where was I ?
Oh, yeah! My confidence...
I truly believe that my decision to avoid the risk of more troubles with the seemingly incompetent local Job Centers, for a while, and take some computer classes to try to increase my "Marketable Skills", and to read some self-help books, and dive in to LinkedIN, was the right decision to take at the time, but, now, with my second 20, or so, weeks of unemployment beginning, the possibility of not being able to afford Medical Insurance that I'd need to register for before the month is out, and questions about where to apply for Career Retraining, what for, and the cost to me (Hell, even Community Colleges, in Ca., are having problems scheduling classes!), and whether I could afford it, my confidence is a little shaken.
I'd love to find a cheaper apartment, but being unemployed, with 2 Cats, I think I might have a problem, so am reluctantly staying put.
In a few weeks I'm attending a "Fix, Build, & Drive" networking event put together by Tim Tyrell-Smith of Tim's Strategy.
A couple months ago I bought a ticket to attend the Blog Paws Convention in late August, however I have not bought my hotel, or plane reservations, yet, because I do not know what my situation will be at that time, especially since my current unemployment runs out that month.
As dearly as I so want to attend this event, as a way to network, and increase awareness of Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat, I am afraid of committing more of my resources unless I'm absolutely sure of attending.
Such is the current status of an unemployed 51 year old in Orange County, Ca. ;-D
***UPDATE 9PM***
Decided to take their advice and read that essay by that Mad Macedonian Dude!
And the ones that follow via the links...
Cheered me up considerably. ;-D
***END UPDATE***