Searching
by jvaragona
In the past month since I’ve been unemployed, I’ve developed routines and become used to things following those. I have no problem getting out of those, but it’s weird how fast one can get accustomed to a new way of life. It never seems to be how you think it will be, good or bad.
Considering I was previously working for a floundering company, business was very slow and we accomplished the necessary work each day within a small amount of time. I am hanging out with my 1 year old son now, which keeps me much busier, but without a paycheck. Of course this is much more enjoyable, however the money is a must and it becomes more necessary everyday as some bills go late or unpaid.
I haven’t slacked at seeking employment despite this busier life. I just have to try apply for jobs during Dylan’s naps. Most of that time though is used for keeping the house in order, which leads to late night job seeking. After my son goes to sleep, and after my wife hits the hay or goes to work, the magic happens. Well, who am I kidding? There’s no magic. No interviews. No calls, except for silly insurance and financial advising companies wanting me to take a job without a safety net and a lot of the times without credibility. While InkStop was falling face first into the ground during the past, well, year, I occasionally had bursts of job hunting, but it was an easy, decent paying gig and I enjoyed seeing and talking to my regular clientele. There was no rush. This is a frustrating process especially when you see the same jobs and types of jobs out there. Searching everyday on multiple job sites sadly doesn’t produce more or different results very often.
What to do? I’ve considered going it alone, but I’m not sure what I’d do. I do have a sickly CafePress shop that breaks even every month and may do better if I put something into it, but it wouldn’t be that much of a difference in income. During political seasons, I really cleaned up with it. I do have some interesting ideas on what can be done with pizza, but have no real experience starting or running a restaurant, so if anyone wants to talk about it, drop me a line.
I could sell myself. I mean not prostitution, well not in its usual sense. There are those folks that tattoo themselves with a company logo, wear the same branded clothes for a year, drive a car plastered with ads, and much crazier things for companies to make a buck. So come on Knorks and Chock Full o’Nuts Coffee, gimme all you got. More folks need to know about those products and I’m the guy to tattoo them on.
Or maybe I just need sleep.
Jim Varagona 
Welcome to my world. Take a job working for a new kind of criminal: insurance sales. I’ve found USAjobs.gov to be very appealing, assuming that you trust that our government will not crumble under the weight of Glen Beck’s Faux News army of no, and the overbearing weight of the teabaggers. Pay is good. Job security is good.
My pops asked me if I was going to shave my beard for my grandpa’s funeral. I said I haven’t had any interviews, nor do I have any scheduled so no. I will grow it until people recognize that a pretty smart guy with a pretty good education, and 4 hungry kids can’t even get a job interview.
If it makes you feel any better, my little brother Paul, 30 years old, just took a job for minimum wage at the dollar store. He’s single, still cuts people’s grass for cash, and has no children to support.
VP Joe Biden talked about the dignity of work when he came to the almighty Wellston a few weeks ago. I’m pretty sure that he wasn’t talking about the indignity of a generation of adults fighting off teenagers for minimum wage jobs. I suppose you could apply for a census job again. Anything to tide you over until this great depression is over.
Don’t beat yourself up too much Dude. Being a ‘housewife/husband’ is insanely time consuming. Add being a parent to that and I can’t even imagine.
If you don’t mind a dollar store or Home Depot I might be able to get something in the works.