Today is the first day of spring! The birds are chirping, the grass is growing, and the air is pleasantly warmer each day. Many things change during spring, for as all know it is the time for growth and discovery.
I have been pretty busy these last couple of weeks of unemployment. The Career Fair two weeks ago definitely lifted my spirits and gumption, and it feels great. On Monday I went to an all-day career workshop at CPCC. I listened to key speakers and career counselors discuss networking, motivation, resumes, interview tips, and emerging industries for about seven hours. Completely worth it! I have a sense of purpose now, and I really feel like I can beat this thing. I am building tools and networks, and utilizing good advice. I really don't care if it takes one week or five, because I am doing it the right way. I know that good things will come from all of this. Maybe it is spring? Maybe its that feeling that the cold unforgiving wind is finally over? Whatever it is, I am going to "Keep on Pushin!!" Next week I have a pretty solid week of meet and greets, career fairs, and seminars. And that's what I am going to do each week. Wish me luck!
New Attitude is in Order
Posted By charlie on/at 9:14 AM
Posted in
Here's a letter from craigslist
Posted By charlie on/at 6:08 PM
hey, this was copied out of the skilled trades section of the Charlotte unemployment section. This has become all to typical:
I have received over 100 responses in the last 6 hours and are no longer taking apps. Good luck to all who called, if I called you back you are being considered for the position.
Some of you guys are way over qualified, hopefully the economy will change and you guys can put your skills back to work. I will keep all #s I received and if your assistance is needed I will call you.
Posted in
YEAAAAAA IT'S CAREER DAY!!!!!!
Posted By charlie on/at 4:16 PM
Today was an early start. I got cleaned up (threw on the shirt, tie, khakis, sports jacket, and brown shoes) and was picked up by my friend Lisa. We left Indian Trail before 7:30am and off we scooted to the Job Fair! Now the career fair didn't start till 10am, but there was at least 50 people already in line before us when we got in line. It wasn't to cold this morning, but after a while your hands were chilly. So we waited, made small talk with the people in line, called our loved one to check in, and waited and waited. Till finally the doors opened.
We went through, down the stairs, and met our "potential" employers; or at least their representatives. I talked the best game I could muster, and even had a couple recalling my name. I spoke with engineers, executives, insurance people, firemen, federal and state employees, staffers, and industrial inspectors. I spoke of my history in the briefest way possible. I met each one with a firm hand shake in one hand and a resume in the other. and in a few short hours it was all over.
We left about 12:30, about two and a half hours after it started and about five hours since leaving home, with hungry bellies and content spirits. We are not sure what we accomplished today.
Like so many people in this nation, a veil of unemployment still hangs over our proud city and keeps those of us affected up into the wee hours of the night. And as I lay dormant in my bed, watching my loved one sleep content, I am assured that if everyday felt as successful as today, this will surely end soon.
Posted in
Bombing the phone interview
Posted By charlie on/at 7:25 AM
I am pretty sure that I bombed a phone interview yesterday. I found that I need to be more prepared and aware that I could receive a call at any time, not just to schedule a sit down interview. The phone call itself could, and now that I think about it, generally is part of the screening process. Although I have done much in the way of preparing and sending out resumes, I have not prepared myself for the answers that I should give, at any time, to describe myself. I affixed a link that gives some really good advice for preparing answers to interview questions.
I was fine with answering experience questions, but found it difficult to answer questions dealing with goals and the all important "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I have found that that is the easiest question to answer when you are gainfully employed; you talk about lofty idealism as if it's as tangible as the coming storm. But now that I am unemployed, I answered this question horribly, giving answers that didn't support the applicable job. I started talking about grad school and family and......ohhhhhh crap!! That's when I realized I wasn't prepared for the next step. Anyway I guess its back to the drawing board for me. I have a career fair to attend in a week and this time I am going to do my homework. Wish me luck!!
Posted in
Life after employment, or What happens now?
Posted By charlie on/at 11:23 AM
As I sit here, with a coffee and one hand and a Bloody Mary in the other, I am perplexed at how my life has changed in the last six months. Every morning I still say a small prayer as I open my email, that this day will be different. That someone, somewhere out there needs my help, and that this purgatory will soon be over. But every morning since my last interview in November (which I was sooo promised a position) there has been nothing. Just a pale blue screen that only confirms my silence. I wake nearly every morning before my wife, just like old times; I make sure she has hot coffee, that the animals are fed, and on a good day I make her a small breakfast. Then she is off to work, fighting the good fight.
Then the house gets quiet, i try to watch TV but the room seems too big, so I head for the computer, my sword and the stone. But each day I pull and the blade doesn't give. Some days are better, sometimes I hear the faint crackling of rock, a position that I could fill in some...doesn't matter, it's hard not to think that the working world doesn't need me right now. No, not my family or friends, the are my true lighthouse in this dense fog. But I am talking about the working world.
I am not looking for pity, nor a handout. I never have, never will. Most people tell me that I could have claimed some disability from the VA, my wrist does hurt from time to time, but I do not...not yet. Because every time that I do I think of me standing in line for money, in front of a kid returning from hell with half an arm, and I can't bring myself do do that. Its not my nature. Its like that old saying, "I was complaining about not having shoes, till i met someone with no feet." Sorry I digressed.
Back to my day in the life. I leave my computer, my stone because my head and heart is weary. i check the time, its 9:30, I still have a lot of time. I know that Hillary will come home at 12:00 for an hour, her lunch break. We barely have any money, so I do what I can to have lunch ready for her. Its too late to go to the gym, because I need to be home by 11:30 to start preparing lunch. I might try cleaning, but I usually get halfway through before I quit. I sometimes watch a lame movie on TV that is playing for free. Often I get sucked into video games, be it on the computer, PSP, or PS2. I know these are time wasters, that I am not actually doing anything, but it feels good for my brain to wonder in some far off realm and fight my own good fight. So in the door she comes at 12pm, and for a exquisite brief hour, we pretend that we are both on lunch break and catch up on our day together. Once she is gone, I make it a point to return to the job search, she gives me just enough fuel to try once again. Sometimes this works, I find something, anything, and send in my resume. Sometimes I get out of the house, and play with the dogs, I might take them on a short road trip(can't afford to spend money on gas) and we drive around for 30 minutes and look busy. Sometimes I go to my local E.S.C. office to see them in person, as if that will help.
I have been told(by the employment security commission) that I have limited myself by working in a steady career path. WHAT THE HELL? That my resume reflect great things of a person in my field, and when that field becomes available, I will leave my present position and return to the path that as far as I know, failed me. Every position that I have achieved has had some element of luck. I had no idea about Navigation before the Navy, nor archaeology before school, nor surveying after. But they all seemed to fit my character, and I always treated them with the highest level of respect and did my best, every day. Its hard for people to understand what this is like, being unemployed, if you have never experienced it. I am not talking about scammers and lethargic people who sift on the system their whole lives. I AM NOT THEM. I didn't understand before about unemployment either. But right now there are 5 million people on unemployment in this country. That's over 16% of the population. And like most of them, I wait till 5pm when my spouse comes home so that I can live through her day.
Then the house gets quiet, i try to watch TV but the room seems too big, so I head for the computer, my sword and the stone. But each day I pull and the blade doesn't give. Some days are better, sometimes I hear the faint crackling of rock, a position that I could fill in some...doesn't matter, it's hard not to think that the working world doesn't need me right now. No, not my family or friends, the are my true lighthouse in this dense fog. But I am talking about the working world.
I am not looking for pity, nor a handout. I never have, never will. Most people tell me that I could have claimed some disability from the VA, my wrist does hurt from time to time, but I do not...not yet. Because every time that I do I think of me standing in line for money, in front of a kid returning from hell with half an arm, and I can't bring myself do do that. Its not my nature. Its like that old saying, "I was complaining about not having shoes, till i met someone with no feet." Sorry I digressed.
Back to my day in the life. I leave my computer, my stone because my head and heart is weary. i check the time, its 9:30, I still have a lot of time. I know that Hillary will come home at 12:00 for an hour, her lunch break. We barely have any money, so I do what I can to have lunch ready for her. Its too late to go to the gym, because I need to be home by 11:30 to start preparing lunch. I might try cleaning, but I usually get halfway through before I quit. I sometimes watch a lame movie on TV that is playing for free. Often I get sucked into video games, be it on the computer, PSP, or PS2. I know these are time wasters, that I am not actually doing anything, but it feels good for my brain to wonder in some far off realm and fight my own good fight. So in the door she comes at 12pm, and for a exquisite brief hour, we pretend that we are both on lunch break and catch up on our day together. Once she is gone, I make it a point to return to the job search, she gives me just enough fuel to try once again. Sometimes this works, I find something, anything, and send in my resume. Sometimes I get out of the house, and play with the dogs, I might take them on a short road trip(can't afford to spend money on gas) and we drive around for 30 minutes and look busy. Sometimes I go to my local E.S.C. office to see them in person, as if that will help.
I have been told(by the employment security commission) that I have limited myself by working in a steady career path. WHAT THE HELL? That my resume reflect great things of a person in my field, and when that field becomes available, I will leave my present position and return to the path that as far as I know, failed me. Every position that I have achieved has had some element of luck. I had no idea about Navigation before the Navy, nor archaeology before school, nor surveying after. But they all seemed to fit my character, and I always treated them with the highest level of respect and did my best, every day. Its hard for people to understand what this is like, being unemployed, if you have never experienced it. I am not talking about scammers and lethargic people who sift on the system their whole lives. I AM NOT THEM. I didn't understand before about unemployment either. But right now there are 5 million people on unemployment in this country. That's over 16% of the population. And like most of them, I wait till 5pm when my spouse comes home so that I can live through her day.
Posted in
Getting in shape, or how to feel tired at the end of the day
Posted By charlie on/at 10:13 AM
Monday night Hillary and I went to our local YMCA. We don't go as often as we should, but it is a good way to relieve some stress. We had discussed taking a spinning class since we joined and decided early in the day that tonight was going to be the night. For those of you who don't know what "spinning" is, I will explain: Spinning is a form of exercise, whereas you fill a room with these bicycle like torture devices and while facing a mirror, follow the instructions of the nicest evil person I personally have ever met.
The spinner(I hate that term already) I used was very similar to the one pictured, so explaining this might be a little easier. As in all things great and small, we arrived just a little late to our class and couldn't really see well because the lights were dimmed in the room. We dropped off our gym bags, quickly found our spinners(grrr), and positioned them in the room.
Now I have been riding bikes for oh about twenty one years or so, and with that great knowledge, I know when any bike is not setup correctly. Once I had my bike positioned in the center of the room, mind you there are people all around me just peddling away, with my keen instincts I realized i had issues with my machine. Some evil sadistic soul previously to my encounter had tilted the front of the seat "up" causing just a little tilt in weight displacement. It took me less than a second to realize this, it is not something that you can ignore. So, not wanting to cause more interruption in the class, I got off the bike, and lowered my seat so that my legs could relieve some of the pain. There...problem averted. When out of my blind-spot there stood our little militant leader in spandex and microphone. She insisted that I get off my bike and adjust it to the correct height. Lucky me! And she just happened to have her mic on!?! How could this get any better!
Now I am stuck, fully extended, feet strapped in, with all of 230lbs of Chuck resting on approximately 1.5 square inches of my body. And without going into detail, lets just say that that part of my body should NEVER, EVER hold the bulk of my weight, EVER. But not wanting to quit I keep going...Faster.... slower... (oww) faster... slower....stand up..sit down...(ouch)....left leg...right leg...(Dear God please let me live through this)....faster, standing....slower sitting...(tick-tock goes the clock)faster...even faster...break(she call break without stopping, our legs keep pumping)high impact...low impact...All the while we are listening to music featured on The Biggest Loser. Thanks YMCA!! Now my esteem is completely shot!
At this point I am completely drenched in sweat. I am not really sure, but somewhere about 45-50 minutes into the routine something happens in my throat. I get this little tickling sensation, and i think to myself, "Oh, I think I might throw up!" Just then the scenario played in my brain: I try to jump from my bike...I have to lift straight up...my feet get caught in there straps...I tumble to the floor, bike on top of me... and then vomit; we leave our YMCA and its glorious membership behind, forever. Case closed. But that never happened, and in just ten long minutes it was all over. All in all, it was a great workout, mind the huge uncomfortable factor. And we plan on returning possibly as soon as tonight. Sitting is a little easier today, so why not? Only this time, I believe we will arrive early before the lights go dim.
The spinner(I hate that term already) I used was very similar to the one pictured, so explaining this might be a little easier. As in all things great and small, we arrived just a little late to our class and couldn't really see well because the lights were dimmed in the room. We dropped off our gym bags, quickly found our spinners(grrr), and positioned them in the room.
Now I have been riding bikes for oh about twenty one years or so, and with that great knowledge, I know when any bike is not setup correctly. Once I had my bike positioned in the center of the room, mind you there are people all around me just peddling away, with my keen instincts I realized i had issues with my machine. Some evil sadistic soul previously to my encounter had tilted the front of the seat "up" causing just a little tilt in weight displacement. It took me less than a second to realize this, it is not something that you can ignore. So, not wanting to cause more interruption in the class, I got off the bike, and lowered my seat so that my legs could relieve some of the pain. There...problem averted. When out of my blind-spot there stood our little militant leader in spandex and microphone. She insisted that I get off my bike and adjust it to the correct height. Lucky me! And she just happened to have her mic on!?! How could this get any better!
Now I am stuck, fully extended, feet strapped in, with all of 230lbs of Chuck resting on approximately 1.5 square inches of my body. And without going into detail, lets just say that that part of my body should NEVER, EVER hold the bulk of my weight, EVER. But not wanting to quit I keep going...Faster.... slower... (oww) faster... slower....stand up..sit down...(ouch)....left leg...right leg...(Dear God please let me live through this)....faster, standing....slower sitting...(tick-tock goes the clock)faster...even faster...break(she call break without stopping, our legs keep pumping)high impact...low impact...All the while we are listening to music featured on The Biggest Loser. Thanks YMCA!! Now my esteem is completely shot!
At this point I am completely drenched in sweat. I am not really sure, but somewhere about 45-50 minutes into the routine something happens in my throat. I get this little tickling sensation, and i think to myself, "Oh, I think I might throw up!" Just then the scenario played in my brain: I try to jump from my bike...I have to lift straight up...my feet get caught in there straps...I tumble to the floor, bike on top of me... and then vomit; we leave our YMCA and its glorious membership behind, forever. Case closed. But that never happened, and in just ten long minutes it was all over. All in all, it was a great workout, mind the huge uncomfortable factor. And we plan on returning possibly as soon as tonight. Sitting is a little easier today, so why not? Only this time, I believe we will arrive early before the lights go dim.
Posted in
Introductions
Posted By charlie on/at 3:54 PM
Hi, my name is Charles. Here is just a little about myself, in reverse.
- About 10 minutes ago I decided to start this blog.
- Five months ago I was laid off .
- Five months ago and a week I just celebrated my two year anniversary with Civiltek Associates.
- Seven months ago I married the love of my life, my best friend, Hillary. Right before I married my Hillary I had my last name changed to Pace, the name of my step father, which would bring a more honorable name to my family than the name given.
- Close to a year ago Hillary successfully pleaded to me to add a new member to our family. Muriel, the part lab, part springer all crazy puppy was now and forever part of our life.
- Almost two years ago I proposed to her by painting an entire house, after work, and had a surprise party for her; inviting all her coworkers, family and the best of college friends.
- Three years and five months ago I found myself staring at two dreams, but only seeing one reality. I began the path of the Surveyor.
- Three years, eight months ago I found myself away from my love for the first time. I set out for Miami, trying to pursue one dream, and run from another.
- Four years and two months ago I did it! I received my Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology, with a strong emphasis in Field Archaeology.
- Four years, six months ago I decided to take a chance and move in with Hillary, and really began to understand what a wonderful person she really is. She was and is a drug, like no other.
- Four years, seven months ago Hillary successfully pleaded with me to adopt Watson, and what loyal, great friend he has become.
- Five years, three months ago I met and almost instantly, fell in love with Hillary. I can't fully express the shear joy in both my heart and spirit when i think about that time. It is true, I love her more each day, than the last...but wow, those days when love is so fresh... OK back to the time line.
- Six years, six months ago I moved to Boone to study and learn at Appalachian State.
- Six years, nine months ago I lived at the beach with my great friend from childhood, Joey, at Pawley's Island SC. All I can remember from that summer is this, There isn't much that matters in the world when you can enjoy a bottle of wine to yourself on the beach at night.
- Seven years, seven months ago I moved into a small garage apartment that I rented from my aunts Deana & Rachel. I went to school during the day, and fell in love with anthropology; I worked nights at a fine dining restaurant.
- Nine years, seven months ago I was released (discharged) from the US Navy, after serving on one ship for all four years; living in both Japan and Washington State, and traveling most of the pacific ocean. Between the time i was released and moving to Durham, I witnessed the passing of one of our families great matriarchs(my grandmother), moved in with my parents, got a car, started school, moved into my own place, lost a car, lost another car, and held a number of jobs.
- Thirteen years, seven months ago I left home on a one way trip sponsored by the United States Navy.
- Eighteen years and four months ago my mother married a man that at first i desperately fought against, and the end found myself staring at one of the finest examples of how to live and respect women, especially the one I love. It was around this time that Jeff, the middle brother, left home and soon began finding his was through life.
- Twenty two years, one months ago a man I had called father, even though he too had adopted the role, passed from this earth and forever changed me, both spiritually and physically. That year my oldest brother Brian, was sponsored by the Navy as well.
- And Finally thirty one years, ten months and one week ago, I came into this place called earth, with nothing more than a grin and a whole lot of love.
Posted in
Labels:
anthropology,
Appalachian State,
laid off,
Surveyor
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