I did an amazing thing today--

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

I worked a 12 hour day!

It may not seem so amazing but for the fact that it's the first honest to goodness, genuine WORK day I've had in over five years. It's been that long since I lost my last "real" job, and I've been slowly crawling toward this moment ever since.

I've partnered up with an established independent computer repair pro-- he's agreed to give me his overflow repair work. Today I spent the day with him as he made his rounds, and I helped him with four computer repair jobs in residences and business around Dallas. When I told him I wanted to go on the job with him today, I made it clear I was just tagging along because I had nothing to do today, and expected nothing other than a paid lunch. However, at the end of the day, he was so impressed with what I'd helped him do (he actually said that!) he wrote me a check for half of the day's income, and I came away with the agreement to help him where and when possible.

For those of you who have never been long-term unemployed, what I felt at the end of the day wouldn't have much meaning to you. To you who have lost their jobs and have gotten nowhere looking for something new, this is for you. KEEP LOOKING. If you persevere, work will come to you when you come to it. Use your knowledge, experience, and need, and build it yourself if no one will help you.

That's an amazing bit of advice coming from me-- I'd never before recently ever thought seriously of starting my own business. And just a couple weeks after I actually started one and formalized it, I've found a partner!

What I felt at the end of today is an amazing thing, and something I have not felt for five and more years-- I felt the bone-tired satisfaction of having worked a full day, and having made a difference.

It felt GOOD.

[not systems]

1. great

I hope all goes well for you.

[DagmarK]

2. Goodness....... I look for your posts these days! You are my HERO!

No kidding, you just inspire me so much.

and I am sooooooo HAPPY for you!!! You really deserve these golden nuggets that life has thrown your way.


Blessings!!!!!

:-)

[Systematic Chaos]

3. Man, that is just awesome!!!

Isn't computer repair fun and satisfying work?

Not that I have any actual experience with computers other than mine yet, but I have read a hell of a lot and learned much in the last couple of years building and repairing my own machines. I'm seriously thinking about getting my A+ certification (at least) so I can confidently help others with their systems and get paid decent money for it.

I wish you all the best and I hope you and your cohort really thrive out there! Computers are one thing we'll always want around no matter how bad things get, so I suspect you'll always have at least some work. :)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

5. That's exactly how I got started--

I tore my first computer literally into components and then rebuilt it, just to figure it out. Of course, that was back in the days of DOS and Windows 3.1, along with OS/2 Warp, etc., so I really had a chance to study it from at least close to the beginning. But I never did it as more than a hobby until recently. Now I've taken the classes, taken out a DBA business name, and am slowly building my satisfied customer list, and am finding out it's not hard, and it's in demand.

Go for it.

[NJCher]

4. congratulations!

I can really identify with your satisfaction over having worked a 12-hour day and also in forming an alliance that will bring you some work. This is, I believe, the ticket if one can't find a job. Team up with someone for the overflow or other types of work that they don't want to or can't handle.

Once you make those connections, you'll find work has a way of always coming in over the transom.


Cher

[leftyandproud]

6. when you don't have a job..

it is your job to FIND a job...

best advice I ever got...When you are unemployed, you should be working 8 hours a day, EVERY day..preferably Satudays too..making calls, dropping off resumes. If you do this, there is no way you will be out of work for more than a month.

of course, that mean no more DU...which can make it hard ;(

[abbyhoffman]

7. so what you're saying is

Under President Clinton you were jobless but under "President" dumbass
you have a job? :evilgrin:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. No, what I'm saying is

I lost my job due to ill health, and it unfortunately took several years to find a treatment plan that worked well enough to allow me to stand on my feet for more than an hour at a time. And now that the meds have kicked in and my energy level is up, and I've gone through some formal computer training, things seem to be going my way.

I don't seem to recall mentioning either Clinton OR the wartime deserter in my previous dissertation.

Never assume anything without facts.

[NYC]

9. Congratulations.

:party: