It’s the holidays, and I want to take a moment to say a very special thanks for two things that, in the light of the current world situation, are relatively insignificant, but to me, and I suspect to some others, have become pretty important.
The first is a Web site where pooties abound, the second, a guy with a warped sense of humor and a knack for cutting to the chase. Without them, my life would have been much less bearable the past few months.
Yeah, I’m talking 'bout you, BiPM, and of course the iconic icanhazcheezburger.com
Left to my own devices, on most days, I would not crack a smile. I’ve been jobless for a year, and hubby for six months. We’ve looked exhaustively for work – any work, but have come up empty. We’re too old, (over 50) and have too much education and experience. The latest rejection Mr. C.R.A got was because his extensive background in computer sales support and large-scale project management was lacking experience stocking shelves. My MS in business, management experience, and state teaching certifications* don’t mean diddly when a prospective employer needs someone to run a cash register or fry burgers.
We’ve managed to stretch the savings we had to cover our living expenses so far, but it’s gone now. We have some assets, but they are unavailable to us. See, after the tech stock crash of 2001 wiped out half of our savings, we diversified. Besides stocks and bonds, we paid cash for two modest homes – one to live in and one to rent. But now we can’t sell them – even for 1/3 of what they should be worth. The market is just gone. Our 401ks evaporated in October. We've nothing else left.
We were so smug about how we’d lived frugally for years, put away more than we needed to, and were set to live out our golden years in comfort. Now, I wake up each day feeling defeated, anxious, and angry. It would be so easy to put the pillow over my head and stay in bed all day.
But I have to get up. I have to get my daily fix of Cheers and Jeers. Like an addict, I need my dose of wit and sarcasm – because if I don’t smile RIGHT NOW!, I’ll lose it. And Bill never disappoints. In moments I’m grinning from ear to ear. Then it happens – I laugh right out loud! I’m ok; I know I can get through the day.
Next I read the comments. Suddenly it’s like being in a big warm kitchen having coffee with a group of old friends and talking about current events – both those that involve the community and the nation, and those that are just about individuals. Sorry to hear about your lost pootie. Glad your surgery went well. Damn, that Obama’s got some balls! How’s your job search going?
I feel welcomed and safe. Free to chime in or just sit quietly sipping my decaf. My cyber "family" surrounds me with care and concern, and distracts me with gratuitous puppy pix and nonsense of the first water. They offer insightful comments that stir my dormant brain. They inspire me to do something good that day, to make an effort on behalf of something I believe in, to keep on believing in myself, to make the day count. My feelings of isolation and desperation simply vanish.
Off I go, cheered and energized, to spend a few more hours looking for a job. Then it’s time to do my volunteer work - kids or the elderly, depending on the day. Ny evening, I’m pleasantly tired and fulfilled, if not actually satisfied.
Then the nightly news and having to face yet another day jobless brings me right back to self-pity city. But - I haz cumputur. The LOLcats await – not to mention the LOLdogs. A glass of wine and my favorite pooties. What a perfect way to end the day.
If I win the lottery, I’ll buy a cheezburger for every cat that wants one, and you’ll get a giant pay raise, Bill. That’s a promise. In the meantime, please accept my sincere gratitude for bringing a modicum of bliss to an otherwise joyless existence, and for keeping me sane. Smiles – Yur doin’ it right.
*There is no teaching shortage here. They are closing schools because of budget shortfalls and have more teachers than they need.