Day Nine Hundred and Fifty Two of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Early Morning Free Trial Fitness Class, Ballet Fit

I got up early this morning to do a free trial class at the community center. This class was ballet fit. I’ve seen it advertised for a while and always wondered if it would be good. I’ve never taken ballet classes but I’ve always been a ballet supporter when I was younger.

There were quite a few people at this class. What I did notice about this group was that they were all pretty fit. One person did leave the class because she said that it was too much for her back. Other than that, everybody did well. I felt graceful and elegant.

I actually enjoyed this class and did get more of a work out than I thought I would. Of course, it doesn’t compare with marathon training but there’s more of an artistic appeal with it. I checked to see how much it would cost to take this, but it’s just too expensive for me right now. Now that I know that I enjoy it, I will keep it in mind if my financial situation changes.

Back to the Mechanics

Ever since I took my car in last month, I’ve been getting oil stains under my car in my parking spot. I’ve always had little oil drops but not like this. I was hoping that it would be a simple fix.

I told the manager what had been happening and they checked it out. Unfortunately, he came back with bad news. My car is quite old, an 1985 Buick, my Mom’s car that I inherited when she passed away. I’ve never driven that much and I’ve maintained it well since 1999. I love that car because it brings memories of my Mom and how proud she was of this car.

The manager knows how much I love the car. He also has his grandfather’s old car, too for the same reason. He said gently that I should start to think of looking for another car. He said that it would cost around $900 plus tax to fix the immediate problems. Then, he said that eventually, I would need more work that could cost $2500.

I was stunned. I almost wanted to start bawling. That isn’t what I wanted to hear. He said that there wasn’t anything wrong with the car itself as far as driving it, but if I wanted to stop the leaks, that’s what I’ll have to do. I’ve gotten into trouble from my strata in the past from oil leaks. That’s the last thing that I need is hassle from them.

Blood Donation

I went to donate blood on the way home. I was still feeling anxious about the news from my mechanic. When the nurse took my blood pressure, it was through the roof. She was as surprised as I was. She said that she could wait 15 minutes and try again.

That’s what we did. I was okay on the second reading but it was still quite high. I’m totally shocked. I’ve been monitoring my blood pressure and it’s been normal and even low for months. This was the second time today that I felt like bursting into tears.

So Depressed

So if my car problems and my possible high blood pressure problems were not enough, I some how deleted a music folder on my computer. I thought that I’d copy a disc for a friend and was using a different program than I usually do.

It selected too many songs for the DVD size so I deleted some of them from the program. For some reason, it deleted them from my desktop! I was panicked! I got the warning, this folder is too big so can we permanently delete them? I checked yes. I wasn’t thinking that it would be deleting my music but then when I looked, it was gone.

When I searched my computer, it shows the music still in iTunes so I’m not sure what is going on.  I was able to burn a disc of some of the music and then copied that and put it back on my desktop, so the music must still be here somewhere. I just can’t deal with this right now. This has been a very frustrating day. I’m going to try again tomorrow.

Day Eight Hundred and Fifty Two of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Another Depressing Day

I woke up feeling sad and depressed again today. Yesterday was a bit of a waste of a day because I was feeling so depressed. I didn’t want to do much of anything. I didn’t do much of anything. I feel guilty about it but I can’t seem to do anything to change the way I feel.

Visit to Aunt

I decided to go visit my Aunt today. I try to get together every once in a while and take her shopping. I treated her for lunch. We went to an all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet. It was only $9.99 for her and a dollar more for me. It wasn’t the freshest stuff but for that price, I couldn’t complain too much.

We went to the grocery store and she was able to pick up some heavier items. She doesn’t have a car so it’s hard for her to lug around heavy groceries when she’s on her own. I picked up a few things as well.

I know that if she lived closer to me, I’d probably go see her more often. But with the price of gas, I just can’t afford to go see her as much. Still, I know I see her more than her other nieces and nephews do.

Donated Blood

It was time for me to donate blood again. I had a reminder card with the date on it but it had come and gone. I thought that today would be a good day so I could stop by on the way back home from my Aunt’s. There was only one thing, the media was doing stories about how the blood supply was at an all time low in years. I should have gone before these stories hit the news.

I tried to make an appointment but the call center said that it was all full today. I asked if they were accepting walk-ins and they said yes, but weren’t sure how long it might take. I decided to go in anyway.

When I got there, I was told that there would be a two-hour wait. I was quite stressed out about this. I asked them how accurate the wait time was. I didn’t want to have to come back so I decided to stay.

The one thing that bugs me about this is that I’m always given a hard time if I don’t make an appointment. They are begging for donations most of the time and yet I often get a snotty receptionist who scolds me for trying to walk in. I had told an operator about this and she said that I should make sure and get their name because they shouldn’t be treating donors like that.

It was quite a long time before I saw the screening nurse. She was cold and impersonal. She took my blood pressure and I was shocked when I saw a high reading. I had had a high blood pressure problem a while ago but it was only temporary. I was careful to monitor it and it has always been low to normal lately.

I was quite distressed and the nurse wasn’t at all sympathetic or anything. And unlike the other staff who were thanking everybody for coming in, this one could care less. She went through her script of questions to ask like an automaton. When she gave me instructions about how to place a sticker on a form, I told her that this was my 41st donation and I knew how to do it. She replied icily that she needed to tell everybody the same thing.

At that point I had a bit of a revelation. What am I doing here? Why am I going out of my way to donate blood when they make it so hard for me to do. The staff are hit-miss, sometimes they are nice and others, not. I’m doing them, or rather, the blood supply organization and ultimately the patients, a favor.

Then I started to think about all the volunteering or mentoring or donating that I do. Hardly any of my friends volunteer. Why am I being so damn altruistic? I’m bending over backwards to help people and yet what gratitude or help am I getting in return? I must have a big ‘S’ for sucker across my forehead. I really have to start thinking about myself more.

 

Day Five Hundred and Seventy Five of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Early Run

I was so looking forward to this first run in five days! If there was one thing that I was really missing when I was sitting in the hospital the last few days, it was doing a run, any run, anywhere.

I only ran a short distance, around four miles, because I didn’t want to over do it. I can run a farther distance tomorrow, my usual long run day anyway. I felt pretty good considering it’s been five days since I last ran.

Holiday Time Blood Donation

It was time for a blood donation. They always need donations more during the holidays so I thought it would give me a good opportunity to run there. I was surprised to see how busy it was. They always say that they need more donations during the holidays and I guess a lot of us took heed to their plea.

I had to wait a while to get my iron tested and then interviewed by the nurse. Then, I had to wait to get a donation chair. The actual donation itself only took 8 minutes. I rested for at least 15 minutes, eating cookies and drinking juice before leaving. Although they warn us not to do any strenuous activity after donating, I decided to do a very slow jog to the sky train station.

Picked Up Cheques from Agent

Today, my Extras Agency would be open for a short time so that people could get their cheques before the new year. If we didn’t get them today, the office would not be open for another ten days. I didn’t need my cheques desperately but thought that I might as well have them in my bank as opposed to sitting in their safe.

I thought that it would be packed but there was only one other person when I was there. They said that it had been steady so far but predicted that it would get busy before they closed. I’m glad that I missed the rush.

Sunrise Market Visit

I went to the Sunrise market to stock up on produce. I thought that it would be busy because of the holidays but it wasn’t really at all. I’ve been eating so much junk, like cookies and sweets that I welcomed picking out fruit and vegetables today.

I’ve been allowing myself to eat pretty much anything lately so now I am ready to start eating more cleanly. Now how long I’ll be able to stick to that is another thing. In any case I will have a fridge filled with good food, so it’s there as an option if I decide to be good.

Helping My Brother with his Job Search

My brother will be returning home in a couple of days so I wanted to help him with his job search. Shortly before he arrived here, he had sent me an email asking me to help him with three job listings he had found on a job search website. I have helped him with his resume and cover letters in the past and I still have them on my computer.

I had printed out the job listings and a copy of his old resume and an old cover letter. I had asked him to highlight all of the skills and experience from the job listing and correspond it with his resume. I was going to help him tailor make both the cover letter and resume for each job listing. I wanted to help with editing and typing rather than actually writing them.

I’ve been doing it myself so much lately, I figured that it would be easy and fast to do. He whipped through the paperwork and gave it back to me. I knew that there was no way that he could have done it so quickly.

I looked through it all. He didn’t do what I had asked him to do. He just put a bunch of check marks and arrows. It was really confusing to me. I started yelling at him, as only a sister could do. I explained again what I needed him to do and why I wanted him to do that.

I told him that the job market was super competitive these days and if he didn’t have something to offer these firms, he wouldn’t get an interview never mind a job! I was practically shaking I was so mad and frustrated with him.

I knew that I was so mad because it was an accumulation of a year and a half of frustration from my job search. I’ve done the whole tailor making of cover letter and resume during this time and I still don’t have a job. If I can’t get an interview or a job with what I have been doing, painstakingly matching a job listing to my cover letter and resume, how is he going to with his lackadaisical efforts?

I calmed down but he did get my point. He understood that I only wanted to help him. He knows that I have been going through the same thing so I have a better idea of what the job market is like right now. He has been with the same firm for over a dozen years. Things have changed a lot since he last looked for a job.

He took more time to do what I had asked him to do. It still needs a lot of work but at least it’ll be a little clearer for me. I’ll be spending the next few days on his job search instead of my own. Maybe this break will be good for me.

Day Four Hundred and Fifty Four of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Costume Fitting

I got up early to get together my wardrobe for my costume fitting this morning. I usually keep a suitcase full with staple pieces that usually get requested for most work. This time however, this production was a little more specific and wanted pieces that I don’t usually wear. I had a few pieces that I could have used but I had just donated them to charity a few weeks ago.

I managed to get a suitcase completely filled with clothing, hats and footwear. Although we are only required to bring three full outfits, I tend to go overboard and bring a lot more than that. It’s preferable to use your own clothing than to use their costume department’s so that you don’t have to line up in the morning to get your costume and then line up at the end of the shoot to turn in your costume. When you have your own, you can leave right away.

Unfortunately, they only accepted two pieces of my clothing. So that means I’ll be one of the many who will have to line up to get my costume and turn in my costume at the end of the night. Oh well. I was paid a minimum of two hours and I was finished in well under that, so that’s good at least. I’m just so happy that I will be working on this production!

Lunch with Friend

I ran into a friend at the costume fitting so we decided to have lunch together. It was so nice that we were able to get together unexpectedly like this. I had wanted to pick her brain a bit about applying for that medical training job. She had forwarded me the email a few days ago and I had meant to ask her about it.

She explained the whole situation and how she had enjoyed it the last time they had the training session. She went through the whole process with me so I knew what to expect. There are 30 trainer positions and they gave first preference to those who had already done the job, so there aren’t probably that many left for me to apply for. She suggested that I apply for it asap.

Blood Donation

On the way home, I stopped off to make a blood donation. I usually can’t donate that often because I go on vacation to some country that upon return requires a one year break from donating. Since this year I did not do my usual exotic vacation, there’s nothing from stopping me from donating every 56 days even.

Before long weekends, there is always a media blitz to get people to donate since levels are low. I figured I’d be in and out in less than an hour. To my surprise, my hemoglobin level was too low by one point so I could not donate. The nurse asked me if I was perhaps vegetarian. I am not. I was perplexed because I thought I got enough iron in my diet.

The nurse said that if I was concerned, I could discuss it with my doctor. She said that some symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath and a fast heartbeat among others. Aside from the one day when I was running like an elephant, I haven’t experienced any of those symptoms. Now that I am aware of it, I can keep an eye on things at least.

Job Application

I worked on a job application the rest of the day. As opposed to sending my resume and cover letter, I decided to just sent an email cover letter. Since I am being referred by my friend and it is not a formal application, I decided not to send my resume. Besides all the education and experience on my usual resume is not at all related.

This is just for a job that will be two days only. So I have to admit that I didn’t think that I needed to devote too much time to applying. If I’m applying to a job that’s a career full-time position, then I will take the time to tailor make my cover letter and resume carefully.

Even if this was just for a short-term job, I did take the time to try to do my best. Sometimes, I’d get writer’s block so I’d have to do something else and then go back to it. I was glad to complete it and hit that submit button.

Day Three Hundred and Ninety Two of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Another Overcast Morning

I woke up to another dull overcast morning. The weather forecasters are promising nicer weather this upcoming long weekend but I’ll believe it when I see it. I think that this overcast weather has been affecting my mood. I have been feeling a little lethargic lately.

Running Blisters

Although I had worried about my Achilles tendon pain when I was running yesterday, I probably should have been more concerned about blisters that had formed over night. I don’t often have blisters despite some of my long runs but I did have some occasionally on my pinkie toe at times. I decided to give running a rest today in hopes that I’d be able to do my usual longer weekend runs.

I have several pairs of running shoes that I use on whim. I have had them for years. I think that the pair that I had used yesterday has a narrower toe box which meant that my toes were squished together more than my other pairs do. I know that the next time that I run, I will have to use a pair that is wider or I won’t be able to take the blister pain. I’m really not one of these runners who run through the pain. At my age, it just isn’t worth it to grit my teeth and exacerbate my condition by stubbornly ignoring my injuries or pain.

Thrift Store Sale

The thrift store was having another dollar and two dollar sale on certain items so I decided to go and see if I could luck out and find another suit or some work clothes. I had so much luck the last time that they had the dollar sale. I had managed to pick up six suits. Unfortunately, I haven’t really had an opportunity to wear any of those suits…yet!

I had gone to one store yesterday before they closed to scope out to see if there was anything worth me returning on sale day. I found a few things, including a few for my retail blog and took photos of them so that I’d know what to look for on the sale day. I’m not like other people who actually hide sale things so that others won’t find them (remember the Seinfeld episode when George hides a sale suit?). I just returned them all together in the section where they belonged.

I was the first person at the door this morning. I really wanted to make sure that I would get the things that I had picked out at the sale price. I know that it sounds extreme but if I could get a nice suit or other things for $2 by making sure that I’m there early, I’ll do it. (I think that part of it appeals to my competitive spirit that I’ve usually been able to apply in sports or at work.)

At 9 AM, the door opened and I dashed over to the first section. I was in front of some of the clothes that I had picked yesterday when suddenly, somebody else literally grabbed some stuff from that area where I was standing. Once I realized that this was a cutthroat competition, I reacted and pounced, grabbing the other two suits I had set aside. As I grabbed the suits, the plastic handle of the hangers bopped the woman on the shoulder. I was in shock…it was crazy that somebody would be so rude and physical! This reminded me of the chaos that ensues at Filene’s Basement’s Running of the Brides event.

I was so shaken that I retreated and just walked around the store. My adrenalin was running high. I watched where that woman was going. I had half a mind to tell her off. Luckily, my rational self stopped me from saying anything.

I did manage to get two of the suits I had wanted but I couldn’t help mourning the loss of the other two I didn’t get. When I think of what happened, I can’t help but shake my head in disbelief.

Donating Blood Before the Long Holiday Weekend

I have been meaning to donate blood since June now. I usually donate regularly but every time I travel to certain countries, if they are on a restricted list, I am not allowed to donate blood for a year. It has now been past the one year mark. Since it is a long holiday weekend, they need donors more than usual so I decided to drop in.

The last time I had donated was before I went to the middle east on vacation. Because I had visited an area that was deemed to be risky, I had to wait a whole year. The vacation before that was Central America so that prevented me from donating for a year also.

I usually sail through all the questions in the pre-screen interview but this time, there was an issue. I usually don’t have to report any prescription drugs but since it’s been two days since I took my blood pressure medication, I had to report that. I couldn’t remember the name of it so the nurse asked me to call the pharmacist to get the name. Luckily, it was not on the restricted list.

I have been donating blood for years so I knew the drill and hopped on the chair and started squeezing the ball to keep it pumping fast. I managed to complete the donation in a little more than five minutes! I got to practice my Japanese because the volunteer who serves juice and cookies was from Japan. She’s volunteered there for over twenty years! I’ll return at the end of August for another donation.

Canada Post Complaint

I had filled out a form so that Canada Post will not deliver admail. I have such a small mail box, that I really don’t want it stuffed with junk mail. I can’t stop the junk mail that is actually addressed to me, but I don’t want the general stuff from companies that pay Canada Post to deliver to everybody.

I probably wouldn’t mind it so much but the postal carrier puts in extras all the time. That really annoys me. If one pizza ad isn’t enough, they decide to put in two or three, from the same restaurant. It’s almost like they want to lighten their bag so they just shove extras at random.

I had sent an online complaint to them before. Sometimes, they deliver other people’s mail to me. This time I complained because of all the junk mail. They responded that they hadn’t received my form. That was an excuse because I did receive the red sticker from them that is placed inside my box to signify that I don’t want the junk mail. If they hadn’t received my form, then why did I get the sticker? I sent a second form.

I was told that the postal carrier was too short and couldn’t see the red sticker inside my box. What?! Are you kidding me? But the supervisor I talked to was serious.

She offered up the same excuse this time as well. But this doesn’t make sense. The carrier only occasionally puts in junk mail in my mail box. So what, does she wear high heels the other days when she manages not to put in the junk mail in my box? It’s so aggravating. It made me mad thinking that this carrier was pulling in a good union wage despite all the mistakes made all the time. Maybe I should apply to Canada Post. I wonder how they respond to applications from fifty year old plus people? lol