Doing Some Serious Thinking

I've been doing some serious thinking and now wondering if my job away from home is really worth it after an incident I had yesterday at the end of my shift. And this is not the first incident.

It really takes a lot to get to me and after being told I needed to change my appearance and doing so, and still not being up to standards with the company, I'm thinking the job may just be too much, especially when I was on the verge of tears yesterday at the end of my shift.

Some are telling me I should consider legal action over the matter, but I just don't know. I guess for now it will be more of my stubbornness and a wait and see kind of thing.
Joy Smith also known as The Insane Writer, is the author of the Sci-Fi novel, The Generation. You can email her at silent_beautie@yahoo.com She can also be found on Twitter @theinsanewriter.


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A Disappointing Day

It's been a disappointing day and another failed attempt at landing my dream job. I only hope my current job will keep me for a while longer and won't be doing anymore layoffs. Tis the season, however and they've been laying off people pretty heavily. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.


Joy Smith also known as The Insane Writer, is the author of the Sci-Fi novel, The Generation. You can email her at silent_beautie@yahoo.com She can also be found on Twitter @theinsanewriter and you visit her official website at www.theinsanewriter.com.



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A New Job

Soon it may be time to start thinking about a new job. I'm not really expecting the one I currently have to last for very much longer. At one time in my life I actually considered something like banking careers, or a bank teller at the very least, but times have changed and a job is a job as long as it brings in enough money.

I use to believe that doing what you love as a job is best, but with my mood off balance, I Don't Think So!

Now what I did do not too long ago was apply for a job at my favorite clothing store here in Independence, KS, because at that time they were hiring. I even had an interview with them, but I'm guessing they chose not to hire me for the same reason my home away from home did, because I'm coming from a full-time job and going to a part-time job, and they feared if another full-time job became available I'd leave. I was actually told that!

Well, as it turns out whoever both places hired, quit a few weeks later and now the clothing store is back to hiring again. I however, am not going to apply again. If they have no faith in their potential employees, then I have no faith in them. Maybe I will consider a bank job if one becomes available.

Changing Paths

Due to my health, I've decided to change career paths as far as working outside of the home. It will mean a lot less money, but it will also mean a lot less wear and tear on my body. I have an interview today with another job that won't suck my life away and there really is no reason for me not to believe that I won't get the job.

Unfortunately, I've already been given mixed opinions from friends and family on why I should or shouldn't leave my current job. Some are behind me 100%, while others are not so sure it's a great idea because of the economy. I understand everyone's concerns, but in reality the job I'm currently at is only a temp position and there's a huge possibility that the company may end up shutting its doors due to the economy, so there's also a risk involved there.

Well, who knows, but in all honesty, this is my life, not theirs. Wish me luck and I will let everyone know how it went when I get back!





Joy Smith also known as The Insane Writer, is the author of the Sci-Fi novel, The Generation. You can email her at silent_beautie@yahoo.com She can also be found on Twitter @theinsanewriter and you visit her official website at www.theinsanewriter.com.



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Team Work

If you think you're alone when it comes to rudeness in the workplace, you'd be wrong. It never ceases to amaze me that some people at work believe they have more power than everyone else, and I'm not just talking about the big bosses either. I'm talking about the workers who have the same privileges as other workers. Confused yet? I'll give you a huge example.

A few days ago I witnessed a scene that was uncalled for by one employee to another. Both were there to do their job. One employee was putting a product on the shelf, while the other was taking product off of the shelf for a customer. The employee removing the product suddenly turned to the other employee and told her that she needed to get out of her way and move to another isle. When the employee kindly did so, that same rude employee told her, you can't move to that isle because I'll be in that one next.

Umm both employees have every right to be down any isle whether they are putting away a product or picking it from the shelf, but to me it seems more and more employees who have to pick the product believe they are more important than their counterpart. UHH! UHH!

Without someone to put that product on the shelf, there would be no job for that rude employee. So the next time you think your job is more important than someone else's, think again because we all need one another in order to keep that company running at full speed.


Joy Smith also known as The Insane Writer, is the author of the Sci-Fi novel, The Generation. You can email her at silent_beautie@yahoo.com She can also be found on Twitter @theinsanewriter and you visit her official website at www.theinsanewriter.com.



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A Waste of My Time

If you're a company interested in hiring employees, please make sure that you let that potential employee know that your immediate job offer is not immediate and you're only looking to hire for the future in the ad itself.

It's really a waste of a potential employee's precious time to send in their resume and requested information when the job offer is only for potential future jobs. Most of us are looking for jobs immediately, not in the future. Thanks!



Joy Smith also known as The Insane Writer, is the author of the Sci-Fi novel, The Generation. You can email her at silent_beautie@yahoo.com She can also be found on Twitter @theinsanewriter and you visit her official website at www.theinsanewriter.com.WomenFreebies.com - Enter to Win Royal Secret II Perfume

Tried, a short from another story I am working on

What they classified as healthcare industry jobs were rare, far, few and in between. A doctor didn't want to be involved with the government's so-called cure for the criminally insane. They didn't want to be responsible for a human implantation file if anything were to ever go wrong. That was exactly what had happened when they'd implanted her brother with one.

The file had to have malfunctioned. A month after implanting it, they'd set him free. A week later and he was back on a killing spree. She'd tried to tell them, tried to fight the system, but her pleas had went unheard and now the city, the world was in a panic.

There was no police force to protect them, no guns to stop him. They weren't necessary the government claimed. Well, they sure the fuck were necessary now!

That's Life!

Life has been busy lately and it’s going to get even busier it seems. I am back to looking for more work since one of my biggest clients is no longer able to afford to keep me. I wish him well in the future with his business and hope he makes it to the top!

In the mean time, I’ll be checking with local businesses in our small town and trying to increase my writing experience online with more clients since my income is almost the sole source behind our living expenses. And unfortunately as far as living expenses goes, there is no cutting corners because there are no corners to cut. We’re already doing bare minimums and aside from the internet which I use mostly for work, have no entertainment. There are no cell phone or phone bills to cut, no cable bills to drop and no little extras we can skip. So it will be very stressful until I can find something to bring in income once again. Wish me luck!


Joy Smith also known as The Insane Writer, is the author of the Sci-Fi novel, The Generation. You can email her at silent_beautie@yahoo.com She can also be found on Twitter @theinsanewriter and you visit her official website at www.theinsanewriter.com.WomenFreebies.com - Enter to Win Royal Secret II Perfume

the state at it's best

There are some days when I'm like a doormat and tend to let people step all over me. Yesterday wasn't one of them. It's taken a few years, but my husband finally decided it was time to head back to school, thanks to the encouragement of an old friend and co-worker of his.

It's been a little over 4 weeks now and he's stuck with his decision and has been attending his classes faithfully. Yesterday he needed to pick up his books for his next class, so we headed out to the college to do just that. To our surprise we were told his application for a program from our local job service to help fund his classes had yet to be received. So the college called job service who then told him they needed to see him immediately.

So we dropped by our local job service office only to be yelled at (yes she really did yell) by an employee of the office, stating that she'd never even heard of my husband and accusing him of not even being registered with the office. My husband was speechless, so I pointed out yes he had registered and so did the office's secretary. I mean heck, she's seen us more times than we can count and knows exactly who he is. Still the other employee kept insisting it didn't matter because my husband wasn't registered and she actually told him he'd better drop that class immediately because they were not going to help him whatsoever.

After one heck of a big battle, we learned that all of the files that were on my husband were shredded not even a month after he'd been registered with them. Of course I'm a very cautious person and when I heard this bit of information, warning signals went up and as we left the office I told my husband something was not right.

So we went home and found the paperwork that showed him as being registered and took it back to job service. The employee who had yelled at us was not there, so my husband talked to the secretary who admitted that the paperwork they'd shredded was a big no-no and very illegal and he had indeed been registered. Of course she couldn't argue since we had the proof. Still, the damage was done and because of it, it could possibly affect my husband's history credit among other things and my husband is still being blamed.

But what really irks me and it was quite obvious, because my husband has long hair and looks like a mountain man, the employee automatically assumed we were trouble and we were liars and helping us wasn't on her to do list. Now as of right now I told my husband that he should take the illegal shredding and way he was treated to the top of the food chain. But my husband is a little more lenient on the entire situation and doesn't want to start trouble.

His teacher is getting him a pell grant instead which will cover classes, thankfully since we couldn't afford it otherwise. But since job service did shred all of his info and considers him as non-registered for job hunting, will it affect unemployment and his credit and work history? Knowing me I'll find out soon enough because when I'm determined I'm determined, but as far as taking it up with the big bosses, that is my husband's decision and I'll have to leave it as that.

But in my opinion, job service needs to sit down with their employees and fire those that have a habit of judging a book by it's cover. After all, the services offered are suppose to help those who need it. That means everyone. Not just those they decide are worthy of their help. For now this doormat is done being stepped all over.

An Off Kinda Day

Today I overslept. I'm really not sure why because usually after 8 hours of sleep my body wakes up automatically. However, for some reason I slept for 10 hours today and now my entire body is feeling it. Not very good since I have a lot to do today. Maybe I will try getting out and going for a walk or *gasps* jog later.

In the mean time I'll have quite a few blog posts up today to keep us all entertained. Sometimes I love working online, sometimes I don't. Today is an I don't day, but we'll muddle through.

Online Jobs and Those Get Rich Scams

I wonder, how many online users click on those ads that say, Real Job Opportunity Online. Make Money At Home. I know not all of them are bogus ads, but how do you tell what's real and what's not.

As a freelance writer I've learned a lot about online marketing opportunities. If they say make millions in a month, week, days, etc. They're most likely a scam. I don't know anyone who's made millions that quickly. Not even online guru and blogger, John Chow. It takes time and a lot of hard work to succeed in the online world of marketing. But that shouldn't be discouraging, however.

Companies like Stokes Media and HerMedia are seeing some success and have been for a very long time. While they might not be rich, they are able to put food on the table and share their success with others using various affiliate markets and some specific programs just like the Real Job Opportunity Online. Make Money At Home ads.

So of course they're all not bogus, it's just a matter of doing your research and finding out what's real and what's not.

When a Potential Job Sells Your Information!!!!

Since when are companies who hire allowed to sell your information?? It's very irritating to open my professional email and find that someone is spamming me about my website and blog that has nothing to do with the company I submitted my application to in the first place.

I give out that email only to companies who are hiring and my resume which contains personal information like my address, phone number, website address and blog address. I understand that when you visit a website or sign up for stuff, your email gets sold, but I would think a company whom you've applied for a job with cannot do this!

What's even more irritating is the fact that I have no idea which company gave out my information. Arrrrrghhhhh!!!

Last Friday

I haven't been online for the past several days due to a power outage. Last Friday we had some pretty strong winds hit our area. For us they were around 65 miles per hour. They knocked down trees and power lines for the most part. Other areas were at 100 miles per hour with even worse damage.

Specifically for our neighborhood we woke up with a bright glowing fire in the sky. There was an electrical pole and tree on fire. Luckily there wasn't any severe damage to homes, but the electrical pole and tree had to be cut down.

So we were without power for a while. Now that the power is back on I am trying to catch up with what work I do have. It's been a struggle however due to the economy. I've been trying to find a job away from the house, but there are very few jobs at the moment for which I am qualified for.

I'm just hoping things will pick up soon.

Only Time Will Tell

It's been a very busy week for me and things may very well be even busier. I've had my oldest son with me since Monday, so it's been nice to be able to visit with him. Tomorrow I'll have to take him back, but I'm hoping to be able to get him again for Summer vacation. By then I hope things are a little more financial stable. We're unsure of what will happen with the job situation and unemployment here. We've now been told that it could take 3 weeks or longer to receive a check. That means that we'll be without one paycheck for 3 weeks. I'll be honest. I'm sweating it because I don't think we'll be able to go 3 weeks without a paycheck. So I'm not sure what will happen. Only time will tell.

What to Talk About

At the moment I've been a little quiet because there really isn't much to talk about. There is no news despite the recent lay off and there are no real jobs here to apply for unless you want to work in fast food part time. Unfortunately that just doesn't cut it when you have a family.

On the brighter side of life, we'll be able to pay the truck in full once income tax return rolls around, so that's one less bill we have to worry about.

But, on another quick note. There is a downside to working online. The biggest being, you never know when you'll get paid and right now I'm playing the waiting game once again. Unfortunately the bills will not wait and if they don't receive a payment we don't have heat, electricity or water. Sigh

Mid January Financial Update

Here is my update for mid-January. It was a decent few weeks despite the fact that much of our paychecks went towards car insurance, tags, taxes and titles. Things will become even tighter soon due to my husband's recent notification of a lay-off. I'm still not sure what his plans are, but I'll post about them as soon as I know more. Right now I believe he is hoping that this lay off is all one big joke. He's not one to accept the worse. Here are my online earnings as promised.

January 15th - 31st

Payperpost $4.50
Youdata $1.55
Payu2blog $38.00
Private sales $320.00
Slicethepie $0.50

Total: $364.55

It's Official

My husband was given notice that he is being laid off. While this effect is not immediately, it does make me wonder what we'll do when there's no more paycheck from his job.

I realize that he can draw unemployment, but not sure how much that will help. I've been told he'll only receive 2/3rds of his paycheck, someone said he'll just get 70% of his paycheck and another has said he'll get the same amount he received from his job.

I think our best bet is to try and budget from the lowest amount and if there's more to work with then that's great news. In the mean time I at least have my freelance writing job for now.

We're Still Waiting

We're still waiting to learn whether my husband will be laid off at his job or not. He's been told that everyone will know by January 29th. Now that the date is set, I think he's even starting to worry.

The biggest problem we'll have is that fact that unemployment won't cover much. We barely scrape by as it is and it's even worse now that we had to get a vehicle that runs. Another problem will be that all of his benefits will drop.

Right now he's been seeing a dentist because he's been having some issues with his teeth. All of that will change however if he's laid off. Another thing that we've learned is if he's laid off, he may very well have to start all over again in hourly wage.

This is a very small town, so there are really no jobs that pay decent enough to live around here. So we're thinking if it comes down to it, we may have to sell this house. But, the only problem with that is, no one is willing to buy right now. The only other option would be roommates, and we don't have enough bedrooms for that.

So there are a lot of things to consider. Our last consideration is to move to a bigger city. While it might help job wise, it won't help as far as the cost of living. Cities are generally much more expensive. So right now it's just a watch and wait kind of situation.

The Economy Hits Home

I don't know about you, but this economy thing is really starting to make me wonder. I'm not worried, just wondering. We live in a very small town and already five big companies have laid off people and or are closing their doors. Now there is real talk of my husband being laid off at his job. Will it happen? There's a big chance. At first he assumed it was the bigger city laying off people, but as it turns out, it's now hit home.

We'll know within the next few weeks if he gets laid off or not. The only good news out of this is, it gives us a chance to move and I still have my job.

Mid-December Financial Update

It's that time of the month again! No, I'm not talking about PMS! I'm talking about my monthly financial update. And to be exact, this is my mid-month update for December of 2008. It was not one of my greatest years financially, but It will be better in 2009!

So without further ado, here's my breakdown and total for:

December 15th - 31st

Private Sales $150.00
Payu2blog $10.00
YouData $6.02
Payperpost $5.00
AdBrite $0.00
Kontera $0.16

Total: $171.18

Although the total isn't much, keep in mind that I didn't work a week during the holiday either, so that's for 1 week only.