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Recalibration
One of my favorite movies of all time is The Color of Money. Say what you will about Tom Cruise (who I thought was decent in this movie), the film won an Oscar for Paul Newman, who was outstanding as the alcoholic has-been Fast Eddie Felson, who still wants a shot at the big time. This movie was my introduction to the game of 9-Ball, where you’re shooting pool with nine balls, and the object is to sink the nine. The hitch is that the cue ball has to hit the lowest ball on the table first, before striking any other ball.
The movie was also an awesome tutorial on the art of the hustle.
Vincent: Don’t worry. I’m not gonna lose that often.
Eddie: Yes, you will. That’s what I’ll teach you.
I haven’t been posting regularly to my blog. I have to admit, I’ve lost my focus. My beautiful wife has been at a loss, as I’ve sort of lost my me, if that makes any sense. My job was a huge part of my life, but in losing it, I stopped doing the things that are important to me. Things that I care about. Things that made me who I was before I lost my job. It took me a while to realize that. It’s taken me even longer to get back on an even keel. I loved my job, and being an Adobe employee was one of the most excellent experiences of my life.
This is my recalibration post. I’m returning to my blog with renewed gusto because I simply love blogging. It’s one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done over the last year, with or without a job, and it helps define who I am. I’ve also realized that I’m in good company: more and more people are joining the ranks of the unemployed. If I can offer any beacon of light in the grim wasteland of our economy, even if it’s just to say ‘I’m still here,’ then this is it — the summation of my recent job-hunting experiences and mental health exercises as (of course) a Top 10 list.
Vincent: Eddie, what will you do… when I kick your ass?
Eddie: Pick myself up and let you kick me again.
Top 10 ways to look for a job and keep your sanity:
10. Check out Craig’s List for job postings. Seriously. Tons ‘o jobs.
9. Tailor your resume to fit a job posting.
8. Don’t stop doing the things that you enjoy, even if you have to scale back the time or money you have to put into them.
7. Tell absolutely everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Everyone.
6. If a friend needs a place to crash for a month or two, and you have room, take him in. It might be your turn soon enough.
5. Look on the bright side: your plight is probably not as sad as an unemployed clown’s (no offense to any actual unemployed clowns).
4. Think of cashing in your 401K as ‘getting out of the stock market while you still have some money left.’
3. Two words: O BAMA!
2. Play the lottery. Baby needs a new pair of shoes. No, seriously, she does. Even an old pair. Anything.
1. Launch a contest on your blog offering $150 to the person whose job lead lands you a job.
Hey, I like that last one. Hmmmm…..
Eddie: If I don’t whip you now… I’ll whip you next month in Dallas.
Vincent: Houston.
Eddie: Houston, Dallas.
Eddie: If not, a month after that in New Orleans.
Vincent: What makes you so sure?
Eddie: Hey, I’m back.
Posted: February 11th, 2009 under Barack Obama, unemployment.
Tags: blogging, unemployment
Comments
Comment from ash
Time February 11, 2009 at 5:10 am
Glad you’re back! I love the tips! I think it’s very important to tell EVERYONE you are looking for a job, good advice! I read that if you’re not networking, you’re wasting your time. Hope something comes through soon!
Comment from Lori
Time February 11, 2009 at 5:36 am
What great idea’s! Sorry you haven’t found a job yet. I am glad that your coming back to blogging as you have a great way with words.
Comment from Michele
Time February 11, 2009 at 5:55 am
I so glad you’re back. It’s hard to get your bearings after a job loss. Did you get a chance to check out OCLC? http://www.oclc.org/us/en/careers/hub/view/default.htm
I’m thinking I need to apply for the job in France.
Comment from WickedStepMom
Time February 11, 2009 at 5:55 am
Welcome back! I truly missed you!
I hope you find a job soon. And remember, what you do is not who you are. It’s the one’s you love and love you back make you who you are.
Comment from Mama Dawg
Time February 11, 2009 at 6:33 am
I so wish I had a job to offer you. All I can say is look in the health field. If you’re really just needing a job just to get by and don’t really care what it is, go to hospitals. They’re always hiring. Even if it’s something you really don’t know anything about. That’s what I did when I moved from New Orleans to this tiny town. I went from working in boat insurance to working as a Medicaid biller. Something I know NOTHING about. It pays the bills.
Comment from eight helping hands
Time February 11, 2009 at 6:34 am
Hey, glad to see you back. Was missing your blog. Good luck finding a job…if you find one, let me know, and vice versa.
Comment from Twenty Four At Heart
Time February 11, 2009 at 7:01 am
I was planning on emailing you this week. I’ve been THAT worried about you. Often times life sucks … but blogging can be your sanity break. Honest to God, it’s helped me cope w/some very tough post car accident days. I LOVE you, but you already know that. Hugs!
Comment from HeatherPride
Time February 11, 2009 at 7:14 am
So many people are going through this. I’m so sorry you’re one of them. Hang in there. Welcome back.
Comment from LT
Time February 11, 2009 at 7:21 am
Glad your back, have been missing your posts. Hope that the perfect thing turns up for you soon!
Comment from foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)
Time February 11, 2009 at 7:37 am
Good to see you back and refocused. I’ll be looking forward to your posts, especially the one when you can share with all of us that you have an exciting new job opportunity.
Comment from Sammanthia
Time February 11, 2009 at 7:39 am
Glad your back and I’m sorry you lost a little of yourself over the past 2 months… it’s nice when you find your voice again, though, isn’t it?
As always, my fingers are crossed for you. Keep looking- there’s something out there for you, and who knows? Maybe it’s something you love even better than before.
Comment from Sprite’s Keeper
Time February 11, 2009 at 7:41 am
I’ve missed you! I’ve done what I could, but they’ve frozen some things at John’s place, so he’s doing the work of 3 and strung out. He did tell me he forwarded it to his job’s contacts for anything in your realm of awesomeness. Crossing fingers!
Comment from Ali
Time February 11, 2009 at 8:14 am
It’s good to hear from you GF! Sorry to hear you’re still hunting. I can’t remember what part of the country you’re from but my husband works for a corporation here in Utah with locations around the country. It’s a long shot but you might check them out. I’ll shoot you an email.
Comment from churchpunkmom
Time February 11, 2009 at 8:20 am
So good to see you again friend!
Feel free to email me and let me know your skills.. maybe we can find you a job here in Iowa. 
Our state is one of the least affected by the recession.
Comment from PAPA
Time February 11, 2009 at 10:22 am
With all this love you will have a job soon. When you give, you get back so much more.
Your people love you!
Comment from Irish Gumbo
Time February 11, 2009 at 10:47 am
GF: Great to hear from you, glad you are back! I felt like I was right there beside you, or at least looking over your shoulder while you wrote.
I’ve been in somewhat of a head myself, and you helped brighten my day. thanks, bro!
Comment from Captain Dumbass
Time February 11, 2009 at 11:10 am
Ha! I knew you weren’t dead. I could find you a job, my friend, but you’d need to apply for citizenship first. How do you feel about maple syrup?
Comment from Stepping Thru
Time February 11, 2009 at 11:16 am
Howdy Goodfather! Glad to see you back but understand where you are right now. I have to agree with Mama Dawg - check out the medical field. Also check out some insurance agencies. They never have good people who have computer skills. The job market in Oklahoma is still pretty good if you’re not afraid of tornadoes.
Comment from nonna
Time February 11, 2009 at 12:02 pm
welcome back! unfortunately i live in a podunk town so i doubt i’ll be gettin any job leads unless you want to go out in the fields workin at a nursery.
oh. big blonde moment…couldn’t figure out why ppl were callin you girlfriend (GF) LOLOL i’m such a dolt sometimes
Comment from blissfully caffeinated
Time February 11, 2009 at 12:13 pm
My investment strategy consists of $5 per week handed over to the guy at the gas station. He then contributes to a fund known as the California State Lotto on my behalf. One day it’s going to pay off big.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Comment from Sarah
Time February 11, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Yay!! Youre back! We’ve missed you in bloggy world! : )
Comment from Julia
Time February 11, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I hope you will blog again more often, you are easier to live with when you have your bloggy friends around!
Love
Comment from vodkamom
Time February 11, 2009 at 1:26 pm
And $200 to the person that gets MY husband a job!! (And I DON’T mean a blow……..job)
Comment from Kia (Good Enough Mama)
Time February 11, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I too wish I had a job lead to bend your ear with. Even if I did, it would be in Canada. And you don’t want to move here. We have igloos and polar bears. Brrrrrr!!
Glad to see you’re back in the bloggy world!
Comment from Smart Mouth Broad
Time February 12, 2009 at 4:33 am
Hey, there you are! I was just thinking of emailing you yesterday to say hello to you and Julia. So glad you’re back. We’ve missed you.
Comment from Lisa
Time February 12, 2009 at 8:17 am
Hey. Welcome back.
You’re going to be OK and there is something exciting in your future. Am I a psychic? No. I just have a good feeling about you.
Do I have any job leads? I’m afraid I don’t, but I hope others do and will help you out.
Comment from thistle
Time February 12, 2009 at 8:24 am
Yea…you’re back. The world hasn’t been quite right without you.
And i lose myself at least once a week. it’s an unsettling experience…part of life tho, i guess.
Comment from Beth
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:07 pm
First time visiting, so sorry about the job situation. How about linking or placing your resume on the blog site? There’s probably a ton of bosses sitting in their offices blogging right now.
Comment from Laura
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Recalibration. Is that the mantra of 2009? It seems those with and those without jobs should be doing that.
Glad to know that you enjoy your blog because I certainly enjoy reading it.
Another tip from my days between a high-tech career and teaching, think outside of the box you always thought you belonged in.
Comment from Elise
Time February 13, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I believe something great is around the corner. For all of us. Hang in there!
Comment from Midlife Mama
Time February 14, 2009 at 9:51 am
Yay! You’re back! I’m so glad. We’ve missed you, my friend. As the Godfather always said, “take it to the mattresses!”
Comment from Kirst
Time February 14, 2009 at 10:34 am
Glad to see you back! Betcha when you came back your google reader was on overload..lol I was gone for a week and I’ve got 160 reads to catch up on. DOH!!! Gonna just read the most recent one of each and call it a day..lol
Comment from Midlife Slices
Time February 15, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Glad to see you back. Look forward to future posts and hope that job finds you soon….really soon.
Comment from stoneskin
Time February 11, 2009 at 2:06 am
Having similarly lost myself recently I can relate. Good to have you back.