Updates from AuntieM-land

Hi all,

I wanted to follow up on a couple of things. First, regarding my pledge to spend more time blogging on behalf of Organizing for America, that fell through pretty quickly when I found out that they only wanted people to do certain things like phone banking. Sorry folks, I still believe in your cause and support your efforts, but I just don't have time for anything else. I could have fit blogging on their behalf fit into my schedule because I enjoy writing this blog and can do it from home at my convenience, but I can't carve out a block of time to go somewhere and volunteer right now.

There was a big change in AuntieM-land this week when Hubby was laid off from his job Tuesday, with no warning whatsoever, and of course no severance package. It's a tough adjustment, one that far too many people have been forced to make. A couple of days ago Hubby went out to get the mail, bumped into a neighbor and told him about the layoff. The neighbor's response was "join the club" - he was laid off last fall and still hasn't found work. While I have no doubt that Hubby will do whatever he can to find a job, there just aren't that many jobs out there right now so it's a tough market. Hubby is interested in using this opportunity to make a career change by getting some training (funded by unemployment - yay!) in a new field. He's considering auto mechanics or solar technology like building/installing solar panels. I'm really proud of him for seeking out the opportunities hidden within the challenges.

I was also very happy when he said he was ready to leave the gaming industry, that it was fun for a while but had gotten old. He's definitely mourning the loss of his job and the connections to people, both colleagues and favorite customers, but he's working through it and starting to map out his next steps. He's filed for unemployment, and in the coming week is going to visit the unemployment office to find out what sort of training/education assistance he would be eligible to receive. He's also updated his resume and has established a facebook page, which was a tremendous step for him. He had the nicest call yesterday from one of the shift managers at his old casino, just checking in as a friend to see that he was doing all right. He's a real class act and an all-around good guy. This call brought some of the emotional impact of the layoff to the surface, and that was a good thing because once it's out in the open it can be acknowledged and dealt with, instead of remaining buried.

I'm delighted that Hubby wants to leave the gaming industry and look for a job closer to home. When I was working in gaming as well I was cavalier about the risks - driving up an icy canyon in a snowstorm so a bunch of idiots could play cards was just part of the deal - but since I've been out I've worried each time he set out on a day like that. It will be a relief for him not to do that anymore. I've also become much more aware of the need for a job that provides fulfullment, not just income, and I hope Hubby finds something that is personally fulfilling, rewarding, and enjoyable - the whole "do what you love and the money will follow" concept.

In all of that happening last week my studies kind of fell by the wayside. I tried to study but couldn't focus on one single thing for longer than about 12 seconds. So now I'm playing catch up and hoping my grades don't suffer too much as a result. Next week is spring break, so I've got a bit of time to catch my breath and get caught up without new assignments being piled on. As far as continuing my studies, I figured out that we'll be better off financially if I stay in school and complete my degree, which will allow me to keep my student loans deferred and keep receiving the student loan overages that have helped us out so far. At least that's one area of my life that isn't getting massively changed as a result, there's some comfort to be found there.

So, yes, life threw us a curve ball this week, but you know what? It seems to me that struggle has been the norm over most of human history, and the prosperity and comfort the American culture of capitalism and consumption preaches as our due is really just a brief interlude. Maybe this is the the takehome lesson for America as a society: time to stop expecting things to come to you just because you think you deserve them, start working toward goals again, and accept setbacks as part of the process of moving forward. Life doesn't hand you a ribbon just for showing up, contrary to the culture in which many of today's young adults grew up. I'm still working on fleshing out these thoughts, because I think there is much more beneath the surface. What I know right now is, sometimes the obstacles placed in your way are not negatives, they are there to help guide you to a different path, the one that is right for you. Creating opportunity from challenge, that's what it's all about.

Peace,
AuntieM