This is topic Well, now what? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by KetchupPrinceConsort (Member # 8047) on :
 
I was laid off from my job today. The City of San Diego has gone bankrupt, therefore no projects will be done and that was 40% of our business. So I became too much of an expense and was let go with 1 month's pay and a promise of a good recommendation. (I'm going to get it in writing. Easier that way.)

My boss does not think he will hire anyone else for a couple of years until the situation in San Diego improves.

So now, we moved 1500 miles only to be unemployed. I really don't know which direction I will take from here. I could go back to working with animals (low pay), accounting (limited experience), sales (long hours) or something completely different. I have always wanted to work in the sports industry, but you usually have to have the right contacts. (Fond dream.)

On the plus side, the job market and compensation are better here. And I don't have to live in fear of an abusive co-worker (who was the only bad part of the job.) I'm optimistic about finding something, and I have a month to do it if I need that long. And I can go with Anne to her doctor's appointment if I don't get a job before then (her mom will go otherwise.)

But I'd appreciate prayers.

And job leads.
 
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
No job leads, but prayers (ketchups)
 
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
E-mail me, I may have leads for you.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Prayers ya got, in spades. Good luck.
 
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
 
Good thoughts for Ketchup family.
 
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
I say go into the best paying thing you can find, short term, while looking for you 'dream job'.

And you don't necessarily need contacts depending on where in the sports industry you want to be, but you'll have to start at the bottom. Which you probably can't afford to do.
 
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
Oh man!praying for you guys... and if I think of anything I'll let you know.
 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
Oh, wow! Right after moving all that way! I will keep you guys in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Oh, wow. Yeah. *sending good vibes and prayers*
 
Posted by Ben (Member # 6117) on :
 
Prayers, yo! I wish i could do more.
 
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
[Group Hug]

Darlings, I wish I could help. Anything I swould know of would probably be around here, though. *sigh*

I don't know you personally, Mr. Ketchup, but I love your wife and daughter dearly. If there is anything I could do would you please promise to tell me? Um, do you know what the new ketchup is yet? I have lots of wee boy clothes in storage IIRC.

If only I were closer, I'd make you tea. [Cry]
 
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
 
Is there an LDS Employment Resource center anywhere near you? I just got an earful about them at Stake Leadership Training meeting last night. They seem to be the real deal and can really help people in your situation.

I think you're doing the best thing in letting people know you need work.
 
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
 
Prayers to the whole Ketchup family.

My wife just started her new job this week, a much better job than the one she was laid off from. Here's hoping that the blessing she had goes to you next.
 
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
 
Ouch! Man, that really bites. Unfortunately I cannot offer tangible or intangible help [Frown] other than to say I'm sorry things worked out like that, and I hope things pick up for you.
 
Posted by KetchupPrinceConsort (Member # 8047) on :
 
Thanks everyone. I realize sometimes we look so longingly at the door that closed, we don't notice a window has opened *looks around for an open window*

quote:
Um, do you know what the new ketchup is yet?
Nope, we are still trying to get a Dr. appointment. The earliest we can get in is Nov. 17th.

quote:
Is there an LDS Employment Resource center anywhere near you?
There probably is. I will ask KQ if she knows of one. The more resources I have, the greater my chances are of this being a temporary thing.

I would really love to have a home business, but those are hard to come by.

quote:
And you don't necessarily need contacts depending on where in the sports industry you want to be, but you'll have to start at the bottom. Which you probably can't afford to do.
Yeah, we probably can't afford any of the entry level sports jobs. I had considered at one point becoming a sports agent, but I don't think I have what it takes to do that.
 
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
kpc, I'm so sorry. This must be so stressful.

I've been laid off several times...the last time when I was a single parent and breadwinner for my little family. I cried for two days when they told me I was being laid off. But it turned out okay...far better, actually, in the long run. I got the job I have now and it's been a really good one. I'll hope and pray the same for you..and that this turns into an opportunity of a lifetime.

(((ketchup family)))
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
I'm so sorry you are going through such difficulties.
 
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
quote:
I had considered at one point becoming a sports agent, but I don't think I have what it takes to do that.
If you by "what it takes" you mean either a law degree or sports management degree, you're probably right. If you weren't the sole means of support for a rapidly expanding clan of condiments I'd tell you to go for it anyway.
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
I think the nearest Employment Center is in Pasadena. Or Glendale. I'm pretty sure it's the same building as LDS Family Services, and I went to counseling there before we were married, but that was quite a while ago...

We'll talk to the bishop Sunday. LDS Employment has been REALLY helpful in the past. They get job leads that no one else does. [Smile]

quote:
If you weren't the sole means of support for a rapidly expanding clan of condiments
[ROFL]
 
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
 
[Frown]

That sucks!

Not really helpful to you now, but I have all kinds of job leads in the Tulsa area. [Wink] I'm trying to get my favorite cousin to move here with his wife.

Here's hoping things get better for you.

((ketchuppackets))
 
Posted by tern (Member # 7429) on :
 
The LDS Employment Center for Glendale is in Sylmar, same building as the Bishop's Storehouse. I don't know how many leads they would have for San Diego, though.

I know that there is a LDS Family Services somewhere in San Bernadino, I think around Colton. There's a big DI there, and I doubt that the employment center would be too far away from it.

Just out of curiousity - I don't know you at all - do you have technical/helpdesk skills and would you be interested in something like that?
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Good luck and good vibes to you guys. [Frown] Hang in there. (((ketchupfam)))
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
quote:
I don't know how many leads they would have for San Diego, though.

We're not in San Diego. We're in the foothills of the San Fernando Valley, near Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena. L.A. area.

Jeff has no experience with technical/help desk stuff.
 
Posted by unicornwhisperer (Member # 294) on :
 
((ketchup family))

This may be a blessing in disguise.. [Smile]
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
That's what I keep thinking.

I just would like to unmask it sooner rather than later.
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
*hugs*
 
Posted by tern (Member # 7429) on :
 
This is the contact information for LDS Employment Services/Bishop's Storehouse (same bldg) in Sylmar. They are very nice and have a good database of contacts. If you are in the North Hollywood stake, let me know, my wife used to be a Ward Employment Specialist and I can get you more contact information.

If you need something short term, I can probably help your husband find a data entry job at Countrywide - it's not that fun, and the pay is tight when you have a family, but there are opportunities to move up in the company, especially to underwriting, which is a decent career if he's looking or open for a career change.

I apologize if I seem intrusive or pushy - I've been in that situation and I know how y'all must feel. However, I lived in that area for seven years and I have some decent contacts which I hope could be useful, just probably not in any fields that you are looking for. [Smile]

Our prayers are with you.

LDS Employment Services
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
We're in the La Crescenta Stake, immediately north of the Glendale Stake. (Here's our ward.)

You don't seem pushy. Thanks for the link. We'll check with our Bishop to see if that is indeed the closest EC (if there's one in San Bernadino, that's much closer than Sylmar, though still not "close".)
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Caltech Job Search

Some possibilities that caught my eye:
ASSISTANT ANIMAL LAB TECHNICIAN
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ASSOCIATE
(Although that requires more experience than I'd guess you have, it might be worth applying for anyway. It has been open and unfilled for 6 weeks . . .)
 
Posted by tern (Member # 7429) on :
 
Hey, you are right north of where I used to live. That's a beautiful area. I loved driving through La Tuna Canyon.

You really aren't that far, it's right up the 210, a couple exits after the 118. I suppose it is a little late in the week, however, to go job hunting. Hope everything goes well.
 
Posted by tern (Member # 7429) on :
 
Come to think of it, I have a friend who worked in the Department of Employment. I'll find his contact info and send it to you.
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
tern, I was never able to say "Welcome" to Hatrack. [Smile] You're awesome and I'm glad you're here.
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
La Tuna is beautiful, but not my friend while pregnant.

Thanks for all your help, tern. Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong side of Sylmar or something. [Smile]
 
Posted by tern (Member # 7429) on :
 
It was never, ever my wife's friend when I was driving. [Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
 
What a rotten break!! You two worked so hard on the move and now this.

I wish you good luck and will pray for you.
 
Posted by tern (Member # 7429) on :
 
I sent you the email, please let me know if it doesn't make it to you.
 
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
 
For general job leads, consider looking on Craig's list (craigslist.org). It's probably the best general site online for jobs.
 
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
 
How crummy!

Do you have any administrative/executive assistant training/skills? They make a ton of money in big cities - it's how I supported myself in college in NYC. Many headhunters offer free classes in legal/medical programs.
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Mrs. M, I'm curious. What skills are you talking about? Jeff has good "people skills" (sales experience, answering phones), good typing/business letter skills (sales again, Internet generation), basic bookkeeping/taxes (tax preparer, done some accounting assisting, probably going to be certified in CA as a tax preparer this year to help my aunt out), and has served as secretary in several organizations at church, among many other things.
 
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
 
Those are them. You basically just have to know Word and Excel inside and out and be able to pick up new programs fairly quickly, which Jeff obviously can. I don't know about the medical assistants, but it's pretty easy to pick up the legal jargon. I don't know what it's like in California, but in NYC, a good legal secretary can make anywhere from $42K to $90K per year. Exec. assistants make even more, but the hours are killer.
 
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
 
From what I can gather so far, our legal secretaries need to know how to type (from dictation), file, word process and manage documents.

Zero legal knowledge needed, but you do need to know how to operate a precedents folder (which is dead easy - just takes some familiarisation).

Basically we do all the "legal" work and all the admin is done by the support staff.

It's definately worth a look in - the hours are good (8.30 - 5.00, lunch hour off) and the pay is great. Plus, if you find a good firm (I'd go for a smallish one, say 20-30 lawyers max) you will be treated very well.

Good luck for anything that turns up. [Smile]
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Wow, thanks for the info, guys!

Our stake employment center is open Tuesday nights, so besides getting in touch with the ward specialist, Jeff will be going down there. They'll probably be able to put him in touch with some people, especially if he brings it up, and they also are very good about getting a list of all your skills/experience and looking into every possible angle.
 
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
 
Oh, there was one qualifier -

To be a legal secretary, one must also be able to deal with lawyers day in, day out. [Wink]
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
That kills it for me, then.... [Wink]
 
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
 
Wow, that's some rotten timing! [Frown] I mean, it's not like there's ever a good time to get laid off, but really.

I have no advice, but what everyone else has said sounds really good. And you all have my sympathy and well wishes.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
You guys are in my thoughts. I don't have any wise advice for you, but I can offer "Gam Zu L'Tova" -- everything is for the best:

quote:
Rabbi Akiva was perhaps the greatest of all Torah scholars. He lived some
1,800 years ago shortly after the destruction of the second Temple and at
one point had some 24,000 pupils!

Once he was in the middle of a lone journey and before nightfall entered a
large village to spend the night.

But every house rejected him. Perhaps they hated Jews, or perhaps they were
simply cruel but in any case they told him to leave.

Rabbi Akiva instead of getting angry, cheerfully said "Whatever G-d does
is
for the good" and exited the gates of the town.

He found himself a small clearing a good distance away and settled down
under a tree to sleep thanking G-d that he still had his rooster, candle and
donkey.

The rooster was to awaken him at midnight, the candle to provide him the
light necessary to learn Torah until the morning and the donkey would take
him to his destination.

It wasn't easy to light the candle but he got it lit before nightfall, tied
his donkey to a tree, gave some grain to the rooster and prepared for sleep.
Then suddenly a wind swept his little encampment extinguishing the small
flame and leaving him in almost total darkness; he could barely see anything
in the dim moonlight.

"What G-d does is for the good" Said Rabbi Akiva and continued his
preparations in the quiet night.

Suddenly the silence was broken by insane cackling and wild flapping. Rabbi
Akiva turned and let out a startled cry; a weasel was dragging away the
quivering body of his rooster. "Whatever G-d does is for the good" he
said
calmly. And instead of getting depressed and cursing the darkness he again
lay back down and closed his eyes.

Only moments later the air shook with an awesome roar and frantic braying.
He sat bolt upright to see a lion crouched on the thrashing carcass of his
donkey; digging its teeth and claws into its flesh and finally dragging it
too into the night.

Instead of being filled with fear and gloom Rabbi Akiva confidently
repeated, "Whatever G-d does is for the good", closed his eyes and
again
went to sleep.

The next morning he woke to the smell of smoke. He sat up looked in the
direction of the town and was greeted by a frightening sight; it was totally
in flames! It seems that that night a large band of robbers had raided the
place, killed most of the men, took everyone else as slaves and put the
entire city to the torch.

"Aha!" He said to himself, "Truly everything that G-d does is for
the good!
If the candle had been lit, the rooster had crowed or the donkey brayed I
certainly would not be here now." (Brachot 60b)

Lifted from this link.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Funny. I hear that story and think "I'm glad God let that village die so the Rabbi could learn a lesson."
 
Posted by reader (Member # 3888) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by TomDavidson:
Funny. I hear that story and think "I'm glad God let that village die so the Rabbi could learn a lesson."

[Roll Eyes]

The point is that the villagers were, for whatever reason, meant to die. This man was not.

If someone missed the train or was delayed for whatever reason on 9/11, and therefore his life was saved, if he's religious, he would definitely be thinking that God saved him - he certainly isn't thinking that "oh, God wiped out the world trade center just to teach me a lesson."


Good luck on your job search, KPC; hope you find something even better than previously.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by reader:
[Roll Eyes]

My thoughts exactly.
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Arhmmhm... I don't want to cause too much trouble...

It definately is one of those stories that's kind of iffy, possibly because the way it's written. It's not clear if the people were going to be attacked anyway or, as Bob pointed out, if God orchestrated the attack specifically to teach the rabbi (and the people, even, since they didn't take the rabbi in?). I'm assuming it's meant to be the first, but it certainly is written in perhaps a little too ambiguous manner.

I think it needs either some kind of shock from the rabbi upon seeing the destruction or an earlier line that says that the village was constantly under threat of attack.

I'm not trying to rile anyone up, just trying to reconcile the two views of the story.
 
Posted by Zeugma (Member # 6636) on :
 
quote:
It seems that that night a large band of robbers had raided the
place, killed most of the men, took everyone else as slaves and put the
entire city to the torch.

"Aha!" He said to himself, "Truly everything that G-d does is for
the good!

I think that's the part I have trouble with... how is allowing an entire town to be destroyed "for the good"? Couldn't G-d have saved them from the robbers? Or caused the rabbi to save them, thus teaching everyone a lesson without anyone getting killed?
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
My point was meant to be that even though things seem like a really bad run of bad luck for the Ketchup Clan, they may just discover in the end that G'd was watching over them after all, and that all will turn out to be for the best.

I'm sorry if the destroyed village and animals caused distress for anyone reading that parable.

Of course the story takes on a different point when told from the point of view of the donkey.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Hey, I'm just pointing out that the line "Truly everything that G-d does is for the good!" in that story has to be reconciled not just with the minor inconvenience of one rabbi but the destruction of an entire village. I think it says a lot about the story and the people who tell it that they think the rabbi's inconvenience is more important.
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
The destruction of an entire village that refused to offer hospitality to a traveller. Which in that time and place, was not much different from leaving him for the local bandits. With a target painted on his back.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
The lesson being that if someone knocks on your door looking for free food and a place to stay, you'd better say yes?
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
You'd better.

<fist clenched threateningly>
 
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
 
What if the village was doomed regardless of whether the Rabbi were taken in or not?

It seems to me that the point of the story is not about letting travellers stay, or about whose problems are more important. Rather, it's about how the relatively small inconveniences suffered by the Rabbi that night saved him from being killed along with the villagers.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
quote:

What if the village was doomed regardless of whether the Rabbi were taken in or not?

Then it would be just as possible that none of the things which happened to the Rabbi were part of a greater plan. And if it WERE, it would be reprehensible of God to not save the villagers as proactively as He saved the Rabbi.
 
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
 
And if the village were full of evil people, as evidenced by their refusal to take in a traveller?
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
I came up with at least five ways to answer that question, and unfortunately all of them sound incredibly patronizing. So I'll let you come up with your own answer, but will point you first in the direction of the story of Sodom.
 
Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
 
Good luck Ketchup clan [Smile]
 


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