Showing posts with label #covid-19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #covid-19. Show all posts

Saturday, January 2, 2021

It's 2021: Happy New Year!

Officially, we are in month 10 of the Corona Virus epidemic in California and the world's population is now waiting in line to get vaccinated. All we have to do is wait for our turn and this nightmare will be over right? 

Wrong.

You will still have to social distance to stop the spread. You will still have to wash your hands after everything you do in public. And you are supposed to stay home. If you can't, you wear a mask when out with other people and don't touch stuff like shopping carts unless you can wipe it off with a bleach wipe.

And then you might even have to get another shot in three months' time.

Personally, I knew, since I filed for unemployment benefits mid-March 2020 when they first were coming online in California, that they would run out in 6 months. September was my deadline. And due to my age and I knew it was going to be a struggle to find my next job. I started my job hunt during month 4 and I was lucky enough to get a job during month 5, so by the time September rolled around, I was already working.

But I work in finance, which is considered essential. I have to go into the office to process paperwork that gets sent out the next day, for the most part. If there were a way for me to be at home and perform the same job, I would.

But do I want to change jobs/roles? I don't know right now. And staying put and keeping my eyes and ears open I think is the smartest thing to do right now with so many people out of work.

New Years Eve, I worked 6 straight hours and then we were let out early. Typical for this company. They did the same thing for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I spent my time mostly online watch Twitch or playing xbox. I did have a glass of wine. Cheers!

Everyone I know wanted to sprint to 2021 as quickly as possible and put 2020 behind them. All we want to do is get back to "normal", but what most don't understand or maybe don't want to face is the reality that nothing is going back to the way it was ever again. We will face plexiglass sneezeguards and face masks through 2021.




Tuesday, October 20, 2020

After 157 days self quarantined, I'm working in mortgage again... I got a job.

Working under a clerical contract as a supervisor for USCIS where there were people with 20, even 30+ years tenure more than me should have been a big, bright flashing neon sign that I wouldn't stay for long. I was a federal contractor there for two CAPS and three different employers and then the SCOSS contract flipped to new companies. Then I was hired back as a temp (in reserve for a supervisor position, but working for the senior analyst). I found another job before they gave me the boot at the 6-month mark.

And then Coronavirus struck. And they just started to implement the new seating arrangement when I quit on March 16th. And then my new employer said, "don't come in" and rescinded their offer.

I was out of work for a total of 157 days. It took me a month to get hired on at my new job. I started to look hard in July because I did not want to be without a job by the time my unemployment insurance ran out.

I'm working in a newly expanded post-closing department. The tasks are nothing new to me though and I'm getting to learn Encompass which seems to be a skill every employer is looking for these days. And the best part it's 5 miles away from home and it's a open schedule as long as I work 8 hours and get my work done.


Thursday, August 13, 2020

Summer 2020 or How I Spent My Quarantined Staycation




I've been home gaining weight
Baking so many brownies, banana bread and sometimes cake
I have cleaned everything, and I mean everything more than once 
I'm organizing and shredding old paperwork. 
I created a box for recycling and a box for selling things on ebay.
Happy birthday to me; bought a gently used short-scale bass and a new bass amp.

My cat has me on a routine. Get up and follow her to the kitchen to feed her, nap, pet-snacks, nap, brush, nap, nap some more. Snuggle. Nap, feed her again, and she's in bed by 8PM. 

I'm one who can't go to bed until 10PM or so because I don't sleep that much. Or I'm not getting enough physical activity to sleep more than 8 hours. Or both.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Where's the money? Is it coming??


If you are unemployed in California...

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/unemployment-checks-with-600-boost-rolling-out-this-week/2272524/

So it's supposed to be your UI award plus $600 per week for four months.

My max award started on 3/22/2020.

About the federal stimulus check:

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

A one-time payment of $1200 for single status filers, no dependents. My son's father owes me back child support so his federal stim money is supposed to go to me, even if he considers himself disabled. We'll see how that plays out.

Today is day 26 staying at home with no job and I've seen no money yet. I mean, I'm marking it on my calendar each morning.

Monday, April 13, 2020

John Prine (RIP) courtesy of Aquarium Drunkard 4/13/20




John Prine, "When I Get to Heaven"

When I get to heaven
I'm gonna shake God's hand
Thank him for more blessings
Than one man can stand
Then I'm gonna get a guitar
And start a rock and roll band
Check into a swell hotel
Ain't the 'afterlife' grand!

And then I'm gonna get a cocktail
Vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette
That's nine miles long
I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl
On the tilt a whirl
'Cause this old man is going to town

Then as God as my witness
I'm gettin' back into show business
I'm gonna open up a nightclub called
'The Tree of Forgiveness'
And forgive everybody
Ever done me any harm
I might even invite a few choice critics
Those syphilitic parasitics
Buy 'em a pint of Smithwick's
And smothert'em with my charm

'Cause then I'm gonna get a cocktail
Vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette
That's nine miles long
I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl
On the tilt a whirl
Yeah this old man is going to town

Yeah when I get to heaven
I'm gonna take
That wristwatch off my arm
What are you gonna do with time
After you've bought the farm
And them I'm gonna go find my mom and dad
And good old brother Doug
Well I bet him and cousin Jackie
Are still cuttin' up a rug
Wanna see all my mama's sisters
'Cause that's where all the love starts
I miss 'em all like crazy
Bless their little hearts
And I always will remember
These words my daddy said
He said, "Buddy, when you're dead
You're a dead peckerhead"
I hope to prove him wrong
That is ... when I get to heaven

'Cause I'm gonna have a cocktail
Vodka and ginger ale
Gonna smoke a cigarette
That's nine miles long
I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl
On the tilt a whirl
Yeah this old man to going to town
Yeah this old man is going to town