I showed up for an interview the other day. There were 3 other people there when I arrived sitting in the waiting room. I requested to use the bathroom... I didn't know how long the wait time would be and I hate sitting through an interview while my bladder is screaming at me... those of you in post-menapause know what I am talking about. Anyway, the office is small and so is the bathroom. The first thing I noticed was the empty toilet paper roll... but there was a roll of paper towels sitting in a basket on top of the toilet tank. I did my "thing" and when I went to grab the paper towels it fell into the toilet! Even though I grabbed it with lightening speed the roll could not be saved. Now what was I going to do? No more paper anywhere. I was able to peel off a 2 inch area that was not wet yet and took care of myself. But, I thought what will the next person do and you know there will be a next person. So I did what any self preserving gal would do... I sat back down in the waiting room and kept my mouth shut.

But, of course, someone, an employee or was it the hiring manager?... went in the bathroom. right after me. She was in there a good 5 minutes... I knew because I could here the bathroom fan. My head was swirling with different scenarios. What I did know is that she found the wet paper towel roll in the waste basket and she probably did not have tissue on her. Did she know it was me? Would she hold that against me? Why does this stuff always happen to me? Years ago I went to an interview and I used the bathroom before I went in. I discovered after leaving the interview that my skirt was tucked into the back of my pantyhose! Oh well! too late now to fret over it. Whatever happens - happens!

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L7_7d2SWBM

You never know who you will "fly" into on Twitter!

I am pretty new to this Twitter stuff. I only found out about it last year when Iran was clobbering it's citizens (again!) It was a way to find out what was happening there. Then... after awhile...I turned my focus on the move down south. When I think back on that whole thing #1 I am really proud of myself for taking myself out of my comfort zone and just going for it #2 Not panicking about being out of my comfort zone.

Lately, when I am not looking for work, I am cruising the internet (I know the correct term is surfing, but I prefer to cruise) I got back into Twitter on a more regular basis. I was linking some Abraham-Hicks videos to Twitter and suddenly I started meeting like-minded people. Who knew? Anyways there was one particular tweeter that contacted me and I just had to tweet back. It was the crown on her head that got my attention! If I had my way I would wear a crown everywhere. Why? Just because I think they are friggin fabulous! And really does a girl really need a reason to wear a crown? I pretty much feel the same way about wearing anything leapord... faux of course, silly! If you need a life coach or are just interested checking out her blog http://masterpeacecoaching.typepad.com/

Well, I did not hear back about that vegan restaurant job. Do you think he could smell the chicken I had for lunch on my breath? I'm guessing that had to be it. Oh, well... next!

Laughter is the best medicine!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/biz-juice/2009/02/04/phenomenal-view-loretta-laroche

I am in awe of people who say they knew what they wanted to do with their life since they were a kid. I never contemplated anything like that. My days were spent pretty much wondering what I was going to do that day. Maybe if if I had been paying more attention to my future I would not have so much trouble with it now. I want to follow my passion and earn a living from that but the times I have attempted to go that way; like shop for antiques and collectibles and resell them... well, it just didn't pan out - financially speaking. I know that some say there is more to success than money but the guy I give my rent money to each month will beg to differ.
I am visualizing myself getting paid lots of money and see myself getting hired but so far nothing has really materialized. I really don't know what my perfect job is... well I can day dream about what I would like it to be, but in order for that to manifest itself will require money and lots of it. I have read plenty of books that say follow your dream and start your dream business but don't quit your day job until it becomes financially stable. Right now I want a job that pays me enough money to pay my expenses and allows me the extra time to research my dream job, oh, and how about a healthy work environment where the company does not work it's emloyees to death. I am doing everything I am supposed to be doing. I am keeping my part of the deal; visualizing, vision board, meditating, gratitude journal, applying for jobs online and in person, even cold calling. I am more than ready for the universe to keep its part of the deal. I know patience is a virtue but I live in a world that wants to be paid and on time. I am ready for that job. RIGHT NOW!
Hope your day is spent at a job that you love and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge

I went to the unemployment office today to see if I could meet with a job counselor and get any leads on restaurant jobs. What a waste of time that was. I basically signed in at the front desk, was handed a couple of books that introduced me to their office and was shown where the computers were so I could look up jobs. Well, to be fair I got to sign up for an account with CalJobs, which is really just an online job search, which I can access from any computer. I can also post my resume. I was hoping for a bit more. Alot of other people there were checking on their unemployment check status. I won't go back there anytime soon.



I will just keep on doing what I am doing which is pound the pavement and look for work the old fashioned way. Remember when that was the only way to look for work. No computers. No internet. No facebook. How did we ever survive????? I wish we would go back to the way things were. Posting resumes and applying for jobs on the internet is so impersonal. There is no room to elaborate on why we feel we are qualified for the job, that is if you are looking for work on a company website. Just click on the box - yes or no. Have you been on any of the company sites that have a 50 question psychological survey to go along with the application? Those really drive me nuts!



Tomorrow is a new day and for new possibilities!

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!

xoxo Inge

Went to the job interview yesterday and I think it went ok. I was told there were lots of people who applied and if I get a call next week I get to come back and be looked over by the G.M. We shall see...

Meanwhile, I am meditating, visualizing and asking my guide for help. I really only have been out of work since January 14th but it feels like months already. I am listening to the little voice in my head... (the good one) who suggests places for me to check out but so far when I show up to those places I don't understand why I am there. Then the other voice (the bad one) who reminds me I am a knucklehead for listening to the other one.
Tomorrow is a new day! With new possibilities!
Hope your day is full of adventure and possibilities and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge

I am feeling sooo much better... healthwise and I am grateful. Remember when I blogged that I was going to be transferred to another restaurant as a server? Well, that fell through...I don't want to go into the drama that I started to allow myself to get sucked into... so I just will say sometimes "shit happens" and I decided to let go of the negative feelings I had about that and focus on the future and the possibilities that I now have. I was surfing youtube for something about attracting the perfect job and I ran across this interesting woman who wrote the book

I Lost My Job and I Liked IT. She has a web tv channel that might interest you

http://www.youtube.com/user/liloumace

There is something about this time of year that I find myself reading about spirituality, or examining my life, meditating, or creating art. Then the closer it gets to summer I forget about things (although not completely) and I get side tracked in the day to day stuff. I don't know what happens or why because I really do enjoy engaging my right brain.

Maybe that is why this job did not work out... it was too much day to day stuff and did not allow me time to pursue my right brain activities... I barely had time to wash my clothes... so seeing myself as a victim is a waste of time...I wanted this job because of the money. I saw it as a chance to make a nice wage but I soon found out that wage came at a high price (and after adding up all the hours I had to work it really wasn't that great of a wage) I was not following my own advice "work smart not hard".

So it is back to the drawing board or rather as Lilou says vision board...

Hope you are spending time doing something you love and don't forget to laugh out loud!

xoxo Inge

I came across an interesting article that I thought I would pass on. If you find yourself in a bad work situation this may help you until you can find a new one
http://www.wikihow.com/Bear-a-Job-That-You-Hate
There's also a website called http://www.snagajob.com/ that I signed up for... they email me daily with different jobs that I might be interested in... the jobs are located all over the country so you can type in your zipcode or city and that will narrow the search. One of the jobs that came in today is 2010 census taker... I don't know if I am willing to myself through that application process again though. If you are a military vet and/or bilingual you will have a better chance of getting hired.
There is another site called http://www.ebosswatch.com/ where you can rate your boss good or bad and it is anonymous... it is meant to help jobseekers find out what type of environment they are about to get into. This site would have been helpful to me many times. It also has information about current laws concerning worker rights and stories about people fighting back.
Hope your work environment is good and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlbfpzC_-I0

I decided to stop looking for work...

CAUSE I GOT A JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND IT'S THE JOB I WANTED! I don't want to say where because I heard of people losing jobs because their empoyers did not like their blogging... I will say I am an assistant manager at a restaurant and I make more money than I have in a VERY long time. Whew!!! I have to admit even with the motivational videos and comedy and affirmations and the nightly pep talk from my sweet, supportive hubby, I was sweating bullets. I decided today before I got the job offer that if this did not work out I was heading back home to regroup and see my family. But now I will look for a permanent place for us to live... but first I will book a massage somewhere and treat myself to some TLC. I have been waking up in the night with leg cramps and my foot still hurts when I walk to much. I have not done my nightly stretching either since I hurt my foot so I am sure that contributes to the cramps. After we get settled, I plan to join a gym again. I miss the one I went to back home and I felt better! But for now I will take a breather and sleep in for a change.
If you are looking for work or know someone who is, I suggest thinking outside the box, meaning don't completely focus on jobs posted on the internet job boards... go to the places you want to work at and sell yourself. That is how I got this job. It took a month of consistant marketing myself and then asking for the job at the interview that I believe got me this job... I did go to other jobs and apply but I always went back to the one I wanted. Oh and brag about yourself at the interview but be honest they will find out...
And don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2318JxxN-tI

I really do believe that laughter is the best medicine. My dad had a terrific sense of humor, even when he was terminally ill. He could always find something funny in any situation. For the past few weeks I have needed extra doses of humor to keep my stress as low as possible, but there are times that I let stress take over and I can worry myself in a hole. As you know I am looking for work. This is the first time I have been out of work since 1993... weren't we experiencing a recession back then too? I was out of work 6 months! I don't want to go through that again. I did get that temp gig last weekend, which I am grateful for, but here I am again schlepping my resume around and filling out applications. Oh, I did get that minimum wage job but seriously who can live on minimum wage and part time hours unless they live under a bridge?

I did go on a 2nd interview yesterday for a job I really really really want and I was hoping to get a job offer on the spot... but I have to wait until Thursday for a phone call that will let me know if I will work there. The suspense is killing me! I will be so disappointed if I have to start my job search all over. In case I don't get the position I want I will ask if I can start as a server at one of the restaurants and wait to get promoted from the inside... I can hear my feet protesting but sometimes we have to suck it up and change plans in order to ultimately get what we want.

I have been watching alot of comedy and motivational clips when I get home on youtube which I thank the great goddess everyday for the invention of youtube!

Hope your day is fun and if you are looking for work, remember to keep laughing. Potential employers can smell fear.

xoxo Inge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxqUNisfyCI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uekdv8SiTec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkL1IUh1X-Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN01-B3oshg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSxtNQUmrqw

I am still looking for work and limping around. My foot is not as swollen as it was but it is more painful, especially when I am off it for awhile. I cannot wear a closed shoe comfortably but I have for a few minutes when I went on my interviews. I did get hired...yay!!!! but the hours are part time and the pay is minimum wage...boo!!!! I did take the job though because my peeps convinced me to take it and continue looking for work. I did go on another interview for a job I really want and the pay is much better but I was told they would get back to me in a week for a second interview and if I didn't hear from them call them back. Sounds promising to me but who knows?

Now back to the job I did get... I just don't feel right going to that job knowing full well that if and when the job I really want hires me, I will quit the lower paying job. I am not scheduled to start that job until August 23rd. Lots of people have told me that things like that happen all the time but I don't think it makes it right. It takes alot of paperwork and time to process a new employee. Now if I got hired and didn't know about another possible job offer then that is different. I really like the person who hired me and I know he has no control over the wages so I plan to call him and tell him I have to turn it down. I just think it is the right thing to do - for me.

I have to say something about the huge health care fight... I would say debate but I have seen nothing but a group of people who act like a bunch of small children having a tantrum. Their logic makes no sense to me. It looks like most of the people who are heckling and acting downright rude are old enough to get medicare and social security. Don't they know both are run by our government? I guess part of the freedoms of living in America include the freedom to look like a dumb ass! I recently saw a news commentary that these health care town hall meetings resemble an episode of Jerry Springer. I have to agree. As for Glenn Beck who, in my opinion is an overpaid village idiot and does not want any change in our health care system ... well, check out this video he made in January 2008... I think it speaks for itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX1rLv_hNeI

Here is something else about the insurance company that was aired on Bill Moyers
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/profile.html

I got this emailed to me and I signed the petition to stop aerial hunting of wolves: ttp://bit.ly/mFezy #wildlife . Please take a look at it and if you feel the way I do, sign the petition and pass it on. Commercials that have animals in it get my attention and my newest fav is the SPDR commercial with the two dogs and the romantic french music in the background. I also found a you tube video with some one's dog watching it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3sxsGiH5Gw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S96UZ2get74

Have a fun weekend and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge

I believe we must be in the midst of a health crisis!

At least that is what I think after watching the endless commercials talking about erectile dysfunction. I swear every 3rd commercial shows couples dancing, sitting in bath tubs, or men singing praises about their long lasting dicks. How about that disclaimer that states if a man has an erection for more than 4 hours go see a doctor... I think that is more of an incentive for men to buy this stuff. I heard that viagra is covered on insurance but not birth control. What the hell???Do you know they charge $15.00 a pill? That is crazy!! Do you know that amount of stuff I can buy at a yard sale or flea market for that amount of money? I am amazed at the garbage that our society is talked into buying.

And while I'm at it I want to know what the fascination is with all these reality shows... Jon & Kate Plus 8, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol...I could go on and on. I just don't see the entertainment value for any of these shows. Personally I see it as part of the dumbing down of our society - what I call the Walmart mentality...meaning people will eat garbage, watch garbage, and wear garbage... I mean poor quality goods. I think we are losing our taste for quality and will trade it to save a few bucks, but the price of goods (I think) is not cheap...only cheaply made. Remember when you could buy a pair of shoes that would last for years and only required either new heels or soles that would be put on by your neighborhood shoe repair guy?
I tried to have new heels put on a pair of boots that I paid over $100.00 for only to find out that the whole bottom of the boot is made of hard plastic and cannot be fixed. My boots will become throw away boots and I thought I was buying quality.

Since I am on a roll... I am feeling a little discouraged today, can you tell?...I went to 2 different temp agencies today and filled out their paperwork. I thought I would have to take tests but that was never brought up..it was basically "don't call us we'll call you". I was sitting in one temp agency waiting room and watched other people arrive looking for work but dressing like they were either cleaning out their garage (these were the men) or like they were hookers (the women) What ever happened to "Dress for Success". Doesn't anyone look at those books anymore? What I wonder is... are these people getting jobs and I'm passed over? Maybe I should just start showing up in my underwear.

I do want to take a time out and express that I am sorry Farrah Fawcett died today... 62 years old... I enjoyed watching Charlies Angels back in the day... now that show was fun mindless trash. My brother had her famous poster in his bedroom. The last time I saw her she was on David Letterman acting pretty loopy... now looking back on it she might have been on meds... who knows. At least she is no longer suffering, although it hardest on those she leaves behind.

The phone guy is coming to install my land line... soon I hope, I get antsy waiting for repair people to show up. They say between 1 and 5 so they probably will show 4:45. I already got a confirmation call from their headquarters saying they are coming, but I think they were making sure I would be home... I wouldn't be surprised how many people make appointments and then are not home and do not call to cancel. I better go watch some funny comedy to get me out of this grumpy mood.
xoxo, Inge

Found some...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b7BGBa6MTI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzta9XU-CEA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2XKHHw1e5s

I found a funny site

that deals with resumes and looking for jobs.... it is quite funny and the stories are real... you really can't make this stuff up. Hope your weekend is fun!!!!
xoxo Inge
http://nothired.com/2008/03/26/397/

Homeland Security

I ran down to JC Penneys yesterday...I heard they are hiring. When I arrived I was directed to a room with a computer where I was to fill out my application and take a psych test. I also had to agree to a background check...credit report, criminal check and (get this) to see if I am on some government terrorist watch list! Apparently there is a problem with terrorists infiltrating the lingerie departments of our department stores and blowing up the padded bras! The psych test was to help them figure out if I planned on stealing said bras or if I saw someone else stealing them would I tattle on them. Next job application please!

Don't forget to laugh outloud!

xoxo Inge

Be careful of online want ads!

As you I am looking for a new job and part of my search is on the internet... well, to be honest I have a wonderful man by the name of Damien who is my case worker at the employment office and he sends me job listings daily to my email...which saves me hours of time sorting through the job search engines. He has limited time as well and therefore cannot check out if each of these ads are to see if they are legit... that is my job.

So far I have found two that fooled me up until one asked for my password and a message from Yahoo jumped in to alert me that I should not give out that info to anyone but Yahoo...I still don't know how they figured that out. So I canceled the application. Actually, I should have paid attention the day before... the ad was for a customer service position from UHaul... I went down in person to drop off a resume and no one knew there was an open position. That's why I decided to apply online as well.

Then there was the meter reader position posted in craigslist... there was no mention it was pge but I assumed it was (you know what they say when we assume something!) so I applied online and halfway through I got alot of questions asking if I was interested in higher education and would I like to buy some products...now I know that pge would like more revenue but I don't think they are in the business of selling online college degrees. So I deleted that one too.

I think in these times of job losses there will be more and more predators online posing as employers.. but are really looking to take what is left of your hard earned money. Check and recheck every single ad that does not sound right and do not give out any personal information over the interenet. If they are legit they can get that info when you show up for the interview.

I found a job interview on youtube that might be helpful to you...in case your looking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_gkWY5A5bI
Peace out! and don't forget to laugh outloud!
xoxo Inge

Census Schmensus!

Remember when I told you I took the Census test? Well, I called to check on the status and the woman on the other end told me I passed (in a very yippee!! tone) so I said great what is my next step and she said "oh we are only hiring military vets and bilingual speakers" ... well why the f#*k! didn't you tell me that before I wasted all that time studying for it and actually taking that stinkin test! I remember 20 years ago... I took the test cold turkey and was hired that same day. This job hunting crap is starting to piss me off. I apply on line and hear nothing back Well, today I was watching some tv show about job hunting and I learned that there actually computers programmed to weed out potential applicants by certain " buzz words or phrases"... how impersonal is that? Well, the next job I apply for I plan to use the buzz phrase

" Can I please work for your dumbass company you giant dumbass!" Oh and another place I applied for wanted a copy of my credit report. I will be happy to supply that information to you if you give me a copy of your financial report so I know if you are smart enough to not go bankrupt after I am hired! I cannot believe how complicated it is these days to find a job... all these hoops to go through and for a job that only pays $10.00 an hour IF I'm lucky! I feel like I'm a guest star on the tv show "Worst Week ". I am sooo gratreful to my friends who share jokes via email... they keep me laughing!

xoxo Inge

I took the 2009 Census Job test

on Monday... me and a zillion other people. I worked for the census 20 years ago... was it really that long ago ? and the test was much simpler then and there was no "homeland security" background check... thankfully we were allowed to keep our shoes on while taking the test something not allowed at airport security... have you seen some of these people's feet while standing inline at airport security? their toe nails could easily be classified as weapons! Jeez haven't these people ever heard of nail clippers????

I linked the Census test site in case you have absolutely nothing to do and feel like taking a test that was clearly made by someone who spoke fluent pig latin! I mean who thinks this crap up?
I won't know if I have a job for at least a month... seems like alot of tax payer money being spent for a job that will last only 2 months.

Meanwhile, I am still looking... There was a job I was hopeful for... it was with an internet company in town. I applied on line like a zillion other people... and decided to stop in the office and check on my resume status... this town is incredibly small because when I went inside the building a customer from where I work now...and I use that term loosely... was standing in front of me and I let out a groan and I know I rolled my eyeballs because I am famous for that... it is an automatic response when I am in the company of a PIA and he reacted the same waywhen he saw me. Crap! I am trying to get away from these people... I don't want to be stuck with them at another job!
I left... what else could I do? Oh, well, I won't give up! Next week I work three days delivering Valentine flowers and I have done that before... good money so I won't bitch.

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/documents/Practice_Test.pdf

Have fun and don't forget to laugh!
xoxo Inge