If you haven't seen The Fighter, I highly recommend it. I even recommend the theme song. You see, I've adopted "How You Like Me Now" as my own theme. Not only is it a booty-shakin groove but it represents my frame of mind today. I'm at my best when I'm fighting.
At a Super Bowl party, I was asked about my one of a kind opal bracelet. You see, I bought the bracelet from a settlement. I slipped and fell at a top tier NYC hotel due to a hazard and had a piece of glass lodged in my wrist. Six people fell before me, and two more while the paramedics tended to my injury. Blood was everywhere and when all was said and done, I had a gnarly suicide looking scar on my wrist.
When I contacted attorneys, they all told me the same thing, "This case isn't worth it." I could've said forget it, but I didn't. I wrote a litigious letter to the hotel's owner and in the end, got quite a bit of money for what the attorneys said was "just a scar." My one of a kind bracelet is my "f*ck you" to them, the hotel and anyone else who told me to drop it.
My new "f*ck you" will be my e-published book. I went the route of trying to find an agent. I even had one shop my proposal to publishers. I sent my query to 15 agents last week in a last ditch attempt to go the traditional route. So far, four rejections. The overall comment is "Great idea, but I don't know how to place your book." Either I'm being dinged for originality or they think it's bad. I don't really care. Like those ambulance chasing attorneys, they're wrong.
I'm editing the first draft and figuring out e-publishing. I'm also faithfully searching and applying for jobs. I didn't get the job that I'd hoped for, but I knew that it wasn't the right fit. Believe me, I would've made it fit had I been given the choice. So sadly, I've been remiss in blogging. I haven't been doing anything "fun." I've been fighting too hard. But I believe. Like they say on Friday Night Lights, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."
Soon enough, I'll be singing "How You Like Me Now?" Just give me a week.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Beware the employment agency (sorry, serious post)
Ok, this one is not about an FUNemployment adventure or even a frustrated missive about Citibank. But I believe it's key information for the unemployed that must be shared: Beware anyone asking you to fill out an I-9 that's not your new employer (company where you'll actually be working).
Typically, you're asked to fill this form out on your first day of your new job along with a W-2 and various other forms. It means you're on the road to being put on the payroll.
As someone who is FUNemployed and in the hunt for a job, I have submitted my resume for various jobs to companies and recruiters.
I got a call today from what I thought was a recruiter about a job that I'd applied to. We made an appointment to discuss the position and she said she'd send me an email with some paperwork to fill out. When I got the email, I saw that there was an I-9 and a W-2 to fill out. Confused, I asked why I was being required to fill these out prior to interviewing. This is confidential information and I'm not in the habit of providing my social security number (and photocopy of my passport) to anyone with whom I don't have a bank account or a job.
This "recruiter" is actually an employment agency. The problem with employment agencies is that once you fill out this paperwork, you're their employee. Which means you'll get sent out on gigs. But once that gig ends, you may have trouble collecting your unemployment.
As their employee, chances are they'll always have another gig and you'll have no choice but to take it since you'll need to get paid. So you may need to drive to another county or take an assignment in an unrelated field. If you refuse, you may find that the employment agency claims that you've "quit," therefore, jeopardizing and canceling your unemployment claim.
I know that the goal is to get back to work. I'm only writing this to provide some information that you can make an informed decision. If the gig is good enough and there is a strong likelihood that it'll go full time then by all means go ahead. Just think it through. Here is a link to more information: http://nelp.3cdn.net/e66944ab3a4644d338_8gm6bx9ji.pdf
My stance is that I'll never, ever jeopardize my unemployment for a possibility, especially prior to determining if I'm right for any of their current listings. I give out my phone number and email with abandon but never my social security number. Cause the key word in that name is security. And as far as I'm concerned, there is no security with an employment agency.
Typically, you're asked to fill this form out on your first day of your new job along with a W-2 and various other forms. It means you're on the road to being put on the payroll.
As someone who is FUNemployed and in the hunt for a job, I have submitted my resume for various jobs to companies and recruiters.
I got a call today from what I thought was a recruiter about a job that I'd applied to. We made an appointment to discuss the position and she said she'd send me an email with some paperwork to fill out. When I got the email, I saw that there was an I-9 and a W-2 to fill out. Confused, I asked why I was being required to fill these out prior to interviewing. This is confidential information and I'm not in the habit of providing my social security number (and photocopy of my passport) to anyone with whom I don't have a bank account or a job.
This "recruiter" is actually an employment agency. The problem with employment agencies is that once you fill out this paperwork, you're their employee. Which means you'll get sent out on gigs. But once that gig ends, you may have trouble collecting your unemployment.
As their employee, chances are they'll always have another gig and you'll have no choice but to take it since you'll need to get paid. So you may need to drive to another county or take an assignment in an unrelated field. If you refuse, you may find that the employment agency claims that you've "quit," therefore, jeopardizing and canceling your unemployment claim.
I know that the goal is to get back to work. I'm only writing this to provide some information that you can make an informed decision. If the gig is good enough and there is a strong likelihood that it'll go full time then by all means go ahead. Just think it through. Here is a link to more information: http://nelp.3cdn.net/e66944ab3a4644d338_8gm6bx9ji.pdf
My stance is that I'll never, ever jeopardize my unemployment for a possibility, especially prior to determining if I'm right for any of their current listings. I give out my phone number and email with abandon but never my social security number. Cause the key word in that name is security. And as far as I'm concerned, there is no security with an employment agency.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Ranting and Raving
Ok, so I've been preaching positivity. Most days it works. Before freaking out or racing into negativity, I force myself to find some good in a situation.
Today I'm failing.
In sum, I hate Citibank. Really hate them. I have an account that is really insignificant but my payment is late. I called them to tell them that payment would come tomorrow but they were very unsympathetic. I explained my employment situation and explained that I'd never been late. The first customer service rep rudely asked, "So why is it late now? What's changed? Huh?" I asked to speak with someone else.
Customer Service Rep #2 was just as combative and then asked me if I've been looking for work. Then asked if I was only looking for work that would pay me more than unemployment. Well, duh?! Why would I take a job that paid me less? Wouldn't that be a stupid financial decision especially since I'm having trouble paying my bills as it is? I told him that he should stick to advising on situations related to Citi accounts and avoid career or financial counseling. I look forward to the day when I'm financially stable and I can pay off some Citi accounts and then tell them to go f*ck themselves. In fact, I think I'll call multiple times.
On top of it all, I have shooting pains from my shoulder through my elbow to my wrist. Stupid yoga move on a very cold night caused this injury a week ago and it has made me cranky. I'm walking around like Napoleon to avoid moving it too much. And I haven't been able to do much exercising. Exacerbate crankiness.
At speed dating, the majority of the men were intimidated by me. They'd speak to the woman next to me with swagger and control and would cower in front of me. I followed the Patti Stanger rule of dressing up for the mixer but Jesus, this is LA. My skirt was long in comparison to most and I'm very far from being the best looking girl around. I was the most confident though. In a town full of insecurity, that could be it. If they don't have the balls to look me in the eye, then they don't have the balls to ask me out. Much less handle this. Ugh.
Rant over.
As for the raves? I had two growths removed and biopsied and they are benign (it was touch and go for awhile). So I have my health.
I did the best that I could in an interview yesterday, hopefully it materializes in a job.
My eBay sales appear to be going well.
I won a free admission to a networking cocktail party.
I've fine-tuned the first chapter of the book and have nailed the structure for all subsequent chapters. I can see the finish line.
An adorable baby with a faux-hawk just gave me the biggest smile at the coffee shop.
My hair looks pretty today.
Enough with the proverbial stretching. It hurts my shoulder.
Today I'm failing.
In sum, I hate Citibank. Really hate them. I have an account that is really insignificant but my payment is late. I called them to tell them that payment would come tomorrow but they were very unsympathetic. I explained my employment situation and explained that I'd never been late. The first customer service rep rudely asked, "So why is it late now? What's changed? Huh?" I asked to speak with someone else.
Customer Service Rep #2 was just as combative and then asked me if I've been looking for work. Then asked if I was only looking for work that would pay me more than unemployment. Well, duh?! Why would I take a job that paid me less? Wouldn't that be a stupid financial decision especially since I'm having trouble paying my bills as it is? I told him that he should stick to advising on situations related to Citi accounts and avoid career or financial counseling. I look forward to the day when I'm financially stable and I can pay off some Citi accounts and then tell them to go f*ck themselves. In fact, I think I'll call multiple times.
On top of it all, I have shooting pains from my shoulder through my elbow to my wrist. Stupid yoga move on a very cold night caused this injury a week ago and it has made me cranky. I'm walking around like Napoleon to avoid moving it too much. And I haven't been able to do much exercising. Exacerbate crankiness.
At speed dating, the majority of the men were intimidated by me. They'd speak to the woman next to me with swagger and control and would cower in front of me. I followed the Patti Stanger rule of dressing up for the mixer but Jesus, this is LA. My skirt was long in comparison to most and I'm very far from being the best looking girl around. I was the most confident though. In a town full of insecurity, that could be it. If they don't have the balls to look me in the eye, then they don't have the balls to ask me out. Much less handle this. Ugh.
Rant over.
As for the raves? I had two growths removed and biopsied and they are benign (it was touch and go for awhile). So I have my health.
I did the best that I could in an interview yesterday, hopefully it materializes in a job.
My eBay sales appear to be going well.
I won a free admission to a networking cocktail party.
I've fine-tuned the first chapter of the book and have nailed the structure for all subsequent chapters. I can see the finish line.
An adorable baby with a faux-hawk just gave me the biggest smile at the coffee shop.
My hair looks pretty today.
Enough with the proverbial stretching. It hurts my shoulder.
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