Life in Michigan, and I was laid off...AGAIN!

[maddogesq]

http://www.mobileedproductions.com

Check it out. Tell your friends not to buy from this company. My time there is OVER, once and for all.

That's right kids; I was laid off for the second time from the same company in nine months. I am the story of America, but I am also the story of a single-owner company controlled by a low down dirty dog.

I got this job after actually doing some shows in schools for them in 1994. That is a funny story in itself, but that is beside the point. I worked there until 2001. I left for several reasons; a new administration, the pending No-Child thing, and unhappiness over the way certain people like me were treated.

This man was once a fixture on the screens of Detroit kids television that watched and loved. This market that existed in the 50s and 60s was the forerunner of modern TV. There are several books about that, which you can look up if you so choose
.

After being away for over 3 years, the owner approached my parents at the church where I went as a kid. Mom and dad started back there a few years ago, and that is another long story involving my deceased brother. My angst regarding organized religion comes from that church, although it is now infested with a more librul congregation.

Anyway, the Kahuna laid me and several others off at his convenience in April, and brought us back at the end of May, This time, he let me and two others go with no promise of return, yet I provided the usual quality year in the southwest. The only area that showed growth was something I started: North Dallas burbia.

I have wanted to leave for 2 years, because I knew it was fruitless, but The Man did this without warning. He fears my 85 year old mom, but not enough to do this.

I spent nearly an hour filing for unenjoyment yesterday because the UIA website was so bogged down, and tried to verify my claim today at a local Resolution Center. Some cats there told me they had been there since 5:30 in the morning, so I walked out, went and had a Greek salad, and left hoping my claim was processed. It is bad here. I havent seen these kinds of crowds since the Reagan era.

Anybody wanna come and keep me warm in Michigan? I would not blame you if you said no.

I am just shy of turning 50 (4/10), and feeling as if I have failed. Not because I dont have skills, but because it was not enough to override the bad people. I dont know whether trying to play drums out more will help. I am loyal to my state of birth to a fault, and I know that sucks donkey.

Gawd I hate conservatives. Gawd I hate old ideologies. Gawd. I need to not explode!

[blue_onyx]

1. Sorry to hear about your situation

It's awful time to lose a job. I've been looking for a job longer than I would like to mention. I would also like to stay in Michigan. I'm happy here, my family is mostly here, and I don't like to travel frequently which I would have to do if I wanted to see my family regularly. I might give in and move eventually....although the job market isn't great anywhere so I'm not sure I would have much more luck elsewhere. I do believe there is a lot of potential for our state but it's hard having to go through such a long, difficult economic transformation (a transformation made worse by John Engler and Bush). Don't feel too bad...things will get better and you'll probably find a job that will be better than this one :)

[maddogesq]

2. Thanks. I tell myself that, but I have lived in other states.

I grew up here, moved to AL for 2 years in the 70's, came back, then moved to CO, then IL. I have been back since 1985. My time in Chicago (something Nancy Skinner and I have in common) was beautiful and success driven. I kind of let that that go long before she came back here, but I relate to her story a lot.

My sis in CO reminds me to have no regrets...ever. She is a tremendous social worker that helps the homelsss and battered women in the Denver area. I love and respect what she says big time.

[SharonRB]

3. I'm so sorry, maddog

Hopefully things will start turning around in the state once the new administrations gets settles in, and will make it easier for you to find something. I know it's not easy.

[PassingFair]

4. That sucks.

Have you looked into MAD Science?

http://www.madscience.org/partnerships/liveAudiences.aspx

There is one in Oakland county...I know the owner
from past business dealings...


Sorry to hear it, Maddog.

We are all "waiting for the hammer to fall"
here in Michigan.

:hug:

[maddogesq]

5. Mad Science has a couple former Mobile ED performers.

They have great programs. I did not have a lot of competition from them in the Southwest, but they do send presenters all over. Their way of doing business is a bit different than how we did things.

As a general rule, school events such as assemblies have been hurt by the economy, and the fact that standardized testing and "No-Child" have put schools and teachers in a time crunch. It will get much worse unless they rethink the value of such testing and unfunded mandates.

When the economy goes bad, schools look to PTA's for more than just pizza parties and special events. However, the PTA's have experienced problems with fund raising over the past couple of years.

Like I said earlier, the most important thing in all of this is the fact that what I was able to achieve mattered to everyone except the person that owned the place.

[sarcasmo]

6. All day waits at the unemployment office here in Grand Rapids. Five freaking workers and people

waiting out in the cold to file.