Bob and I just had one of the hardest weeks ever. We received a call last Monday morning that one of our dear friends had lost their dad. He was 62, Bob had seen him 3 days earlier, it was very unexpected. Bob went out to be with his friend and family that first day. We had breakfast with them on day 3 and saw them briefly on day four to dogsit while they headed to California. We drove down on day 5 (leaving the dogs with my parents) and stopped along the way visiting Bob's family. The service was on day 6, Bob spoke and was a pall bearer. Day 7 we drove back home, hoping to never have an unexpected funeral to go to again.
I'm not saying any funeral or death is ever easy, I've lost my share of family members and watch others grieve to know that, but the shock of this one makes it different somehow.
My heart breaks for them almost hourly as I wonder how I would get through the next day if I was them. I cried so hard seeing our friend and his sister lay their hands on his casket.
The memorial is on his birthday at the end of the month and they expect over 200 people. I am so glad our friend has this many people to love and support him through this.
So now the shock will settle into grief.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Unemployment
I've been getting some questions lately, so here is my two cents ++... More positive posts about the new year to come later, first a rant.
First I am grateful it exists, but it is poorly run and staffed. Thank goodness you can file online and have direct deposit so I don't have to deal with those people or I might hurt someone. Also, getting a check with the Employment department printed all over it and taking it to a bank, gets you a look of pity and makes you feel like you did something wrong. I didn't do anything wrong, I stimulated the economy last year!
I think I have already blogged about my initial trip to the local office for my interview, math and reading test so I won't go back to that day. I received an email around Thanksgiving about qualifying for extra job search support and was told to contact a person. I called, I emailed and nothing was returned, so I posted a question to the department and heard back promptly. Each week to claim benefits I have to answer a series of questions and every now and then submit my work search history (3 jobs per week) Well what if there aren't 3 jobs a week to apply for was my question (Since I'd like to stay in my field or one similar to it). The response was that there are over 700 unemployed architects in Oregon and I should consider relocating. WHAT? I am on 3 committees - at the professional, city and neighborhood levels, I own a home, my spouse has a job, how could I possibly relocate and start all over and hope for more networking opportunities than what I have? I know people in 3 of the major firms in Salem! I don't know who to send my complaint to, but I am still fuming after this response over a week ago. Things may be bad in Oregon, but I'm sure there are more unemployed architects in the rest of the country. Morons.
And lastly, while again grateful the check is there, it is less than 50% my salary, but still more than a minimum wage job so I can see why it is better for me to take the check than someone else's job. Does that mean I'm lazy for not wanting a $10 an hour blue collar job? Does that mean I'm abusing the system? Or just still holding out hope that something in my profession, in my town will pop up...
First I am grateful it exists, but it is poorly run and staffed. Thank goodness you can file online and have direct deposit so I don't have to deal with those people or I might hurt someone. Also, getting a check with the Employment department printed all over it and taking it to a bank, gets you a look of pity and makes you feel like you did something wrong. I didn't do anything wrong, I stimulated the economy last year!
I think I have already blogged about my initial trip to the local office for my interview, math and reading test so I won't go back to that day. I received an email around Thanksgiving about qualifying for extra job search support and was told to contact a person. I called, I emailed and nothing was returned, so I posted a question to the department and heard back promptly. Each week to claim benefits I have to answer a series of questions and every now and then submit my work search history (3 jobs per week) Well what if there aren't 3 jobs a week to apply for was my question (Since I'd like to stay in my field or one similar to it). The response was that there are over 700 unemployed architects in Oregon and I should consider relocating. WHAT? I am on 3 committees - at the professional, city and neighborhood levels, I own a home, my spouse has a job, how could I possibly relocate and start all over and hope for more networking opportunities than what I have? I know people in 3 of the major firms in Salem! I don't know who to send my complaint to, but I am still fuming after this response over a week ago. Things may be bad in Oregon, but I'm sure there are more unemployed architects in the rest of the country. Morons.
And lastly, while again grateful the check is there, it is less than 50% my salary, but still more than a minimum wage job so I can see why it is better for me to take the check than someone else's job. Does that mean I'm lazy for not wanting a $10 an hour blue collar job? Does that mean I'm abusing the system? Or just still holding out hope that something in my profession, in my town will pop up...
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