Friday, May 29, 2009

Life is good...weekend is here

Though its the 2nd day of rain, life is good. My version of a recession garden is blooming though I am still waiting for my strawberry and blueberry bushes.

I am going to be guest blogging on my friend Ronni Bennett's blog, Time Goes (http://www.timegoesby.net/) By on June 14th. I found a new blog I love called Pink Slip: http://pinkslipblog.blogspot.com/. This blog keeps things in perspective if you have a skewed take on life, which I definitely fit. This is from the blog today when a friend of the blogger put his Haiku up (he was recently laid off). I love it, succinct and says it all (not at all like me):

Out of work, this sucks
"It's an opportunity"
Says those with a job.


Yep, life is good. More to come

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

What I learned since the RIF

RIF= reduction in force. I hear more are on the way and worry about my colleagues. Sad times. But I have learned a lot since leaving on tax day.

What I learned:

I have friends I never realized I had

People are so good and share info on jobs

There are a lot of us out there

I can survive

There are also some negatives (unfortunately), some people don't keep promises and don't care about you once you are gone.

COBRA and health insurance are a disaster, at least in this instance. I could say more but am thinking twice.

There are a lot of people who should be planted in the forest of fools so I am thinking I will create a virtual place to plant them. More to come.

Rainy day here but looking forward to meeting friends for dinner...good things will come. There is always something to be thankful for. Here's just some of mine:

Healthy family and friends
Wonderful kids and grand kids
Exceptional friends who don't forget me
A nice home with nice neighbors
I am alive


What's yours?

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

A time to reflect and a time for family and friends......have a happy and safe holiday!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

American Idol: Who Lost? The Judges

Well, Kris Allen won. Nice guy but Adam Lambert is the best contestant ever on Idol and he deserved to win. Who made the difference: not song choice. Each year, the judges pick their favorites and push that person
adnauseum. This was a judges backlash pure and simple. Maybe next year they will judge and not push a person they want. David Cook won but Simon said he lost the finale and backlash, David won (and rightly so). Hope they learn their lesson.

No Boundaries: Worst Song Ever

The Idol finale may go down in history as having the worst Idol song ever in their history. What was Kara thinking? The pressure to create a song while being a judge must have been tough but this song is horrible.

I think both finalists did what they could with this song. Not sure Elmo could do a better job.

I had so much trouble getting through last night on phone lines. Only voted once. Today I read its too close to call. I also read about the so-called Christian vote. I thought we were past all that. I thought we reached the point where people were judged on their merits. Or is this just a media thing?

If Adam does not win, it will be more about a judges backlash. They were so pro Adam, right or wrong, that they generally made viewers feel why vote?

For me, right now, all I want is another good reality show: PROJECT RUNWAY where are you????

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Amercan Idol, before the finale

American Idol may be extraordinarily popular this season but at least one journalist sees much more to this season's talent than is apparent to most.

Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times writes on : Idol's Bigger Message. See http://www.latimesblog.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2009/05/american-idols-bigger-message.html.

She speaks of the friendship between 2 finalists who appear to be on different spectrums of our cultural society and given the conservative right so-called influence on who or what is right and appropriate, this friendship may be a mark of who we have become as a society.

Adam and Kris are friends yet they are 2 very different types of performers, and people. There is a message here far greater then who is titled season 8 winner. Read the article.

I can't wait for tonight. They are both winners in my book! Just need Project Runway to start soon.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

A Tree is Planted in MD; Views from the deck




It's a good weekend in Md. The Preakness is today.....I would love the long shot to win yet again and he may since it is going to rain, yet again, here. Lots to do and am excited about planting herbs, veggies, maybe even fruits on my deck. My friend, Ronni Bennett of http://www.timegoesby.net/, inspired me on her blog: The Recession Garden. I call mine, the RIF or Disclocator Garden.



So far I have 1 tomato plant, cucumber bush (still in seedling pot), chives, cilantro, oregano, dill, basil, hot banana peppers, squash. I just ordered a strawberry and blueberry bush (thanks to Ronni). Not finished setting this up but working on it. See pictures below:




The grass is soooo green from the rain. The view is filled with trees (squirrels) and the comings and goings into this small suburban neighborhood. I cannot wait for these to bloom and eat truly fresh veggies, herbs and more!
This wonderful, inspiring little garden has dispelled the anger on yet another debacle in the trials and tribulations of starting over after a RIF(reduction in force). Some idiot in HR at my former company told unemployment I quit and was not laid off. The ramifications of this? I am not eligible for unemployment until this is corrected. Unemployment is working on this. Hopefully, it will be rectified. So, in my mind, this person is now a tree....perhaps a birch? The good news: a new tree is planted in my mind, a virtual forest of jerks. My way of letting go.....more to come.










Wednesday, May 13, 2009

American Idol, almost unbearable to watch

Could not wait for the semi final tonight. Don't know why....the show was excruciatingly drawn out. Katy Perry sounded awful; Jordan Sparks not much better. The results announced in literally the last 5 minutes of the show. This was the worst semi final ever but Kris and Adam made it to next week. Good for them. Bad for Danny who has a tremendous voice and will probably do very well.

All in all a very talented season though the judges really were petty and childish. Ok, come on Project Runway.

Biggest Loser? Maybe you. Reality Shows vs. Medicare

I wanted to personally thank American Idol and Biggest Loser for helping me to maintain my sanity. I can't believe I am saying that. But it's true. Yesterday I found out I may not be eligible for COBRA assistance under President Obama recovery plan because I could be eligible for Medicare.

This makes no sense. On the day it was announced that Medicare is in financial trouble, and with my layoff being eligible for full health coverage under COBRA for 18 months, why would they force me to go to Medicare. In fact, I am truly eligible for Medicare NEXT YEAR. By choosing to go on it now, I have to pay double the premiums for Medicare A and B, a whopping $182 monthly for a 20-80 coverage (I pay 20%) AND no prescription coverage unless I pick up part D for close to $50 per month. If I want to add a supplemental coverage to cover those things not covered by Medicare, I have to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan for close to $150 per month or a supplemental for close to $200 per month. If I got the Recovery Act Cobra, my FULL health coverage would only be $150 per month for EVERYTHING!!! Without it the assistance, my COBRA is $538 per month vs. $482 for Medicare.

Most people think Medicare is free: it is NOT free nor does it cover health needs for the average person. In fact it penalizes aged people by not covering most preventive tests. So here is what you get when you get older: coverage that lets you get sick, or die and you pay for it. Nice huh? For those of you not yet of Medicare age, get ready. This is your great so called entitlement program. I was so angry I decide to plant all those who created this wonderful option that I never asked for (got laid off), I decided to put these programs and people in my schmuck's forest: a forest filled with trees I plant (in my mind) by giving names for them. Then I let them go and move on. This doesn't mean I won't fight for what is right! Feel free to join me.

Not winding up in my forest are American Idol and Biggest Loser. Thank goodness for this distraction, though will have to wait till next season for more Biggest Loser. And only one more week for Idol. Where is Project Runway when you need them????????????? The copy cat show on Bravo called Fashion Show is TERRIBLE. Watched it once and no more. Hmmmmm, maybe they belong in my forest.

So on to the gym to work out the stress. Still looking for a job...........or a great new reality show, which ever comes first!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Oprah: Your Audience wants you, the over 60 crowd

Recently, my friend, Ronni Bennett of Time Goes By (http://www.timegoesby.net/) posted a video done by Dr. Bill Thomas appealing to Oprah to do more stories on growing older (not how to stay young) but the reality of getting older, not so bad friends.



Here is the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rXsqwesaU_A

Bill Thomas is a noted and respected geriatrician who changed the world of nursing homes for the better and who is passionate about aging and elders. He believes that its not the age but the person and we put too much emphasis on growing old negativity.

I agree with him and hope he gets on Oprah! In fact I am posting this on my Twitter account to also get her attention.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Rain, rain go away

It's been raining here in Baltimore for what seems teh entire week. But I think the sun is up this morning. Yeah! Today my PTO (vacation time) paycheck is supposed to arrive. Hurray! Next week severance checks, all 3 of them start. Hurray! Today seems like Saturday to me but then what do I know. Not working, not paying attention to days.

But am getting my hair cut today and paying bills....a true cleansing of the mind. Yesterday was tough as I got a letter from Social Security saying I have to pay $180.00 for Medicare A and B monthly. What? Medicare hardly covers anything. Usually its $96.40 a month but they got my last year's taxes and say I made too much. Excuse me, that was last year. I am unemployed people. I went to the office in my area and got it fixed sort of. I just refused it and delaying part B. Part B covers doctors visits. I have COBRA (I think still have not gotten anything in the mail yet). I am amazed by how people who are supposed to help you through these times, just don't seem to care. Not the Social Security people, they are just doing their jobs and are always very pleasant. But the administrator of our health plan and COBRA are really short tempered and unpleasant to deal with.

I think I will make them trees.....I had this thing that if someone is nasty, I should not be fueled by their stupidness and behavior. I should not expend energy on them. So I make them a tree...oak, maple, whatever. Then they are part of the enviroment but not up to me to care for them...its up to the powers above. But, in the initial bad time when I make them a tree, just before I let go of them, I envision a dog urinating on them. I laugh, and they are gone from my mind.

And so it goes, the list of trees gets longer, but I let go more easily. And the sun will be out!
Have a great day and great Mom's day everyone! More to come.........................

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Letting go.....learning to let go

Letting go....so what exactly does that mean? To me it means giving up control or giving up something you can no longer be responsible for or should not be responsible for. Being laid off should be synonomous with letting go. You, or me, need to let go of the duties and responsibilities once held in the job. But for me, letting go is not always easy...in fact it's never easy.

I am a product of a single mom upbringing (my father died when I was 10) and I always felt I was the mother of the family. It was my job to get the food, prepare the dinner, wash the dishes, keep the house in order, keep peace among and between my siblings and mom.

When I got married, it was still my job to be the leader in the home, the primary breadwinner, the mother, the dutiful wife, and still the dutiful daughter, sister, friend, yaydayayayada.

To be truthful, I felt as long as I was in control, nothing could go wrong. I could keep the peace; prevent bad things from happening, etc. None of this was ever true but it is how I felt.

At work, I always felt I had to be on top of everything so I could help others. As I got older, I realized I did not have to be in control, that giving up control meant others could grow. So this was the way it was at my last job.

I felt our team flourished, grew strong, and small as our team was, we never missed a deadline, and we usually exceeded all goals. It wasn't all on me....even though I felt I needed to be there to make sure it happened this way.

Then I got laid off....no need to belabor this. Whoops I meant I got dislocated, you know like a hip gets dislocated. Except with a hip, you can usually put it back. Dislocated at work, means you are permantly dislocated at least from this job. Both the hip and the job dislocation cause pain but neither are terminal.

So the first week, even though I did a brain dump at work, it was still difficult to let go....give it up, forget about it. It's gotten better. I do have a life after this job. I don't worry about things that should be going on at work anymore.....except for one little, itsey bitsey thing....the book.

I worked on a project to get a book published nationally. Our team did it. It's a wonderful book but I am not sure those remaining(except for 2 women) will publicize it as it should be. So I sent an email reminding everyone of what needs to be done and asking that I receive updates so I can publicize this incredible book about growing older, yet adding life to years. I can give up the workplan to those still there but I want to do my part. It's just that simple....so I can say I let go of 99.5% of the past job. I just need to let this little/big thing go....but tonight is American Idol and Biggest Loser.....so for tonight at least, I will let the book go also.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Moving On

So today I got back to work, homework that is. I followed the guidelines given us at the outplacement sessions last week. I did my CAR: challenges, achievements and results for each of three jobs I had over the last 10 years. I dropped off the other jobs because at my age, I need to remember, this resume is my brochure, a teaser to get through the door. The more work I add to my resume, the older I will appear. So, even though I twitched from writing job withdrawl, I got my resume to 2 pages at a decent font: 12. It looks clean, neat and hopefully says enough. So off it went to the outplacement service to review, edit and format. Whew....done.

Then I went online and looked at jobs. Felt sick but applied for a couple. One is for a huge ad agency for executive account manager for a major beer company. The description says you work from home with 20% travel and the travel is local. So off my resume went (yes the unedited one except for my edits). And applied to 2 other jobs also. The truth is I don't think I qualify for any of them but will try.

Next week am going to one of the career centers to see what is available for jobs and assistance. I am still considering all options. I am a former nurse who, while working in an allied health position, has not given patient care in years. I can't do patient care in this day of techical and strong assessment skills. But I could do utilization review. There is a 3 day certification course for this and may do that. It will be boring but I will get paid and benefits.

Got my approval for unemployment which I will have to stop once my Social Security comes through as I am income restricted on this, at least till next year. I am hoping I get a job and can suspend this till next year.

And, drum roll please, today I got my Medicare card. A major benchmark in one's life. I earned it. I am still awaiting COBRA information but if that doesn't work out, will apply for a medigap or Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare does not cover everything, no matter what you hear. Not to mention, it does not cover prescriptions. I will have to get Medicare D at least for that.

Please read one of the comments from my prior post. Lisa posted a great article for us older folk who are looking for jobs. Thanks Lisa!

More to come, stay tuned....tomorrow: letting go, trials and tribulations.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The dislocated, outplacement part 2: what I learned

The second outplacement session was also very productive. We learned more about resumes; creating concise brochures to reflect your skills and accomplishment; and talking points you need to have to back up those points. CAR: the talking points: C, the challenge; A, the accomplishment; R: the results.

We learned about more places online to find jobs, recruiters, and more. But the most effective way to find a job is to network. I will tell you more about this next week.

What I really learned is that a great bunch of people, talented, skilled, loyal, smart, funny, kind, and more, are out there looking for jobs. Many if not most of them, are in their forties, fifties, and yes sixties. Too many to equal the number of available jobs; the challenge for most of us will be the white elephant in the interview room: our age. This is a blog in and of itself.

This weekend is filled with wedding, family and rain. So much to say; so little time....more to come...stay tuned.