Chaos and Disorder.

[nyyki]

What is with everyone in the pagan community right now? It seems like it is coming apart at the seams.

I'm not going to get into the witch war B&B started in reaction to "the website" -- I've agreed to not discuss Club Maeven in my journal. (Besides, Lynxfeather's latest journal entry nails it on the head. http://www.lynxfeather.net/journal/2001/03-06-2001-2.html) Suffice to say that there are a lot of people out of sorts in general right now. And Mercury isn't even in retrograde.

I'm just glad my group is stable right now.

The technology markets are seriously whacked right now, so no one is hiring. The recruiters admit to me that they are in a major slump. There was less than one page of computer job classifieds in the Dallas Morning Right-Wing Totalitarian Pravda on Sunday.

Of course, this is totally foreign to the s/o -- I'm obviously lazy and making this up. The s/o wants me to start cold calling to technology companies. (Opinions?)

I'm to the point where I am going to take a waitstaff position to make ends meet. It sucks, but we need the money.

What is it going to take to get some balance in my life? What am I doing to create this stuff? And how can I stop doing or start doing what it takes?

Comments

Well...

[theantichick.livejournal.com]

The pagan community apparently comes apart at the seams periodically, and there's not much to do about it. And I don't think the title "witch war" is entirely appropriate, either. That implies that there are two factions fighting for control of something or someone. I haven't seen any evidence of that. But I'll not go into my personal observations on that subject here.

Yes, the tech market is schlumpy right now. I'm stuck in a job where they treat us like children, and while I *could* change jobs, I'd end up in a similar situation, and maybe even have to take a slight pay cut for it. I'll stick it out for a while.

I also think it's wonderfully mature of you to be ready to do what it takes to make ends meet. My marriage fell apart when I was working my butt off, taking care of the baby, and trying desperately to pay the bills (but couldn't) and my ex wouldn't get a job, because flipping hamburgers was "beneath him". Never mind that his wife is on anti-depressants because of post-partum depression, and about to lose it because for the first time in her life she's having to choose the electric bill or groceries (to include formula and diapers for the baby). But I digress. You should do whatever it takes to keep you and your family afloat until you are able to get the job you want. It's the right thing to do. And things will shape up, they always do. Don't jeopardize your relationship with your s/o over a freaking job.

Okay, I'm done now. ::grin::

[minirth.livejournal.com]

What is the deal with the s/o? What do they do for a living that they can't comprehend what the recruiters are telling you?

The way I see it, if you are actively talking to recruiters, the only other thing you can do is sign up with monster.com, dice.com, etc. I've found several jobs through those services, and I found my current job while browsing the job listings. I contacted them directly and a few weeks later, got an interview.

Cold calling... I guess it can work, but it sucks ass. I'm not at all sure it's worth the time. What type of job are you looking for right now?

Work and the s/o

[nyyki.livejournal.com]

The s/o is in the computer field. I think this is tough to comprehend for the s/o. Ever met one of those people who can instantly have a job just by turning around? The s/o has that charm/dharma.

I'm listed at Monster, texasjobs, Techie Gold, Hire Dallas, and several I can't name at this point. I want to be a technical writer. I'll take a job as a desktop tech, project manager, helpdesk lead -- a long list of things. I am listed with every recruiter and headhunter I can find -- I went therough the entire moster database and found every recruiter they had, and then sent them all resumes -- the equivalent of a cold call. I did the same with Texas hot jobs. Dice is a new one to me -- I'm headed there next.

I am pretty sure it is the stress of me not getting interviews that is causing the stress in the s/o. But I simply am getting no promising leads, much less an interview. So I will take a job waiting tables until something comes through.

Re: Work and the s/o

[minirth.livejournal.com]

Aah, good job karma. That explains a lot. There are just times when the jobs aren't out there - I've been through it too.

Consulting Partners in Dallas, Texas, is SUPERB for people wanting to break into technical writing. Moontiger, me, Jesse... we all got our career changed by talking to them. Give them a try. And another consulting friend of mine SWEARS by dice.com.

Good luck. I admire the fact that you are willing to take a shit job in the interim. That speaks well of you...

Consulting Partners

[nyyki.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to contact them, using the new skills I learend last night on how to draft effective cover letters.

Please email me the names they know y'all by so I can personalize the letter for greater impact.

Re: Consulting Partners

[minirth.livejournal.com]

I emailed to the email listed on your LJ profile.

Good luck!

just a random flash...

[minirth.livejournal.com]

I'm probably blowing this all out of proportion, due to my own battles on this front, but you said that "you've agreed" not to discuss Club Maeven here.

Just wanted to say that if that's the best thing for you [and yes, I do understand that wallowing in these things just prolongs them, but sometimes you've just gotta wallow, you know?] then great. Go for it. But if someone is emotionally blackmailing you into that decision, shame on them.

Anyway, I'm probably wrong, I just wanted to say that...

Re: just a random flash...

[nyyki.livejournal.com]

Well, I still have friends down there. (Although, with the current attrition rate lately.... Jeez) Also, They have exhibited an ability to concern themselves with *your* activities for a really long time after you severed ties with them. I don't want any more drama. I would prefer to be out of the entire thing. Off their map. Someone who is no longer even thought of.

My clan never went there, for the most part. A couple of them did once or twice, but for the most part, it was not a draw. And so the people closest to me are not there, and were never a part. This means I can step away and not lose everything. I know some others who do not have that type of situation.

Re: just a random flash...

[penemue.livejournal.com]

Besides... Orville, himself, in twenty years couldn't make the amount of popcorn that should be pitched at those perfidious pagan puppets...
(It's alliteration day in Mr. Roger's neighborhood.)