Posts by BlackSwan of Memphis

60

Is the World Really More Violent Today?

by nvrgnbk in

jw
friends

a quick perusal of the bible reveals an extremely violent world.. any brief study of human history reveals acts of barbarism and bloody atrocities dispersed across millenia .. is the world of today perhaps safer than ever?.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Hmmm no.

I just googled this and found this:

13

last day

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

jw
friends

was today.. he's more upset then he thought he would be.. after nearly 30 years with a company and they just say "see ya".

they've let around 50 people go so far and there are more terminations to come.. we've been scouring the various websites (career builder, monster etc) and the local papers and out of state papers....... ..... just nothin much out there.... thinking out loud tonight he mentioned canada.

not my first choice, only because i'm not a fan of winter to begin with, going more north is not something i'm completely in love with, but at this point.........anywhere he can get a job that pays decently.. he's going to take a test for the postal service.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Jgnat: WOW Thanks Babe!!! I really really appreciate these links!

Pec: Yeah, newspapers are really not the wave of the future I guess huh? I know this paper was owned by a pretty cool guy up til 3 years ago. He negotiated with the union then sold to Gannett (USA Today, Detroit News etc) and by last year we were getting nervous as they were not updating the presses. Bad omen ya know?

Gannett's lawyers came in to talk in June and just flat out said, we're moving production out. We have a pretty good guess that not only do they not want to work with union guys, but they don't want this paper period. The long term plan looks suspicious, almost like they're setting it up for failure. The sucky thing is that right behind my husband's shop is Vlassis (no not the pickles, the ad corp) and they're hiring for exactly what my husband can do. They pay great!! But they absolutely will not hire guys who've been union. Which stinks because my husband did it because he had to. It was not like he sought it out, it was just there and came with the job. If he got in with this place, we could keep the house and stay here with me doing part time....oh well, now I'm just whining. Sorry about that.

13

last day

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

jw
friends

was today.. he's more upset then he thought he would be.. after nearly 30 years with a company and they just say "see ya".

they've let around 50 people go so far and there are more terminations to come.. we've been scouring the various websites (career builder, monster etc) and the local papers and out of state papers....... ..... just nothin much out there.... thinking out loud tonight he mentioned canada.

not my first choice, only because i'm not a fan of winter to begin with, going more north is not something i'm completely in love with, but at this point.........anywhere he can get a job that pays decently.. he's going to take a test for the postal service.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Ok sorry guys for taking off last night. After I posted Mr Swan and I did some more talking and went to bed. It was a long day peppered with a lot of stuff.

Bigdreaux: He worked at a newspaper as a Production Journeyman...meaning he was a mailer or insert operator. They were the ones to make sure that newspapers got their ads and went to where they were supposed to go.

Orbison: Thanks for the heads up on that. Vancouver sounds like a beautiful place to live. We've heard awesome things about it.

Stealth: Calgary huh? Making a list here of places to check. Thanks!!

Free2think: Hey thanks. We'll be ok. I know it. It's just the time in between is a little nerve wracking. I'll tell ya though, we're better off the others who work in the same place as him. Even his brother! His bro works in a different dept but has the threat hanging over him, plus their negotiations start Thurs and it's likely they will offer a drastically less pay and expect them to do way more work for it. The thing is, this is where my husband and I met. I Know the work these guys do. They are hard working men. So, at this point, we're actually becoming More worried about him. Mr Swan and his co workers ended up with a small severance that will help us get through a few months. We're hoping that he can find work before he gets through it, because if he finds work out of state OR out of country, then that will help us get a place and get moved. His brother likely won't get that if they do cut him and if they cut the wage he'll just have to choose whether to stay or walk away. The guys that bought this place own several other newspapers and media. They know what they're doing. People who have sunk their entire lives into this place are just being axed left and right. We got lucky compared to upper management.

Lisa: He can't retire until 57 (?) and even then it will be with a penalty. We had to cash out the 401, he's wishing now we would have put more into it. The thing is with that, that was literally going to be Juniper's college fund as his pension would (will) be enough to live on. So, we really don't want to touch the 401 cash. Unemployment lasts 6 months. He can Do a lot of things. He is a licensed high/low forklift driver, he can drive box trucks, he's willing and thinking of getting a class B cdl as it will open up more doors. The thing is, they just don't pay well for this stuff. Really in many areas, not just here, you're lucky to get $10 an hour. Even if we both work at that rate full time, that still won't make our bills. So, hey, no big deal we can move. We're just thinking though that if we have to kick our butts to make this work, fine but we're going to do it someplace else, as we're not overly fond of this part of MI. I'd like to go South. Texas, NM. He wants to go to NV. Which is fine by me, but Texas would be nice as from what I hear there are SOooo many nice people down there...(aww who am I kiddin' I just want to hit a TX apostafest, lol)

Unemployment lasts 6 months. NOW we did just hear, MI is now offering a good chunk of cash to reeducate people who are laid off. Noni1974 had suggested this, but I was thinking that they *the MI govt would have certain classes, i.e. computers etc for them to take. Instead, they are offering the cash to anyone who goes through any education to get back on their feet. He is going to check into that. Either for trucking or computers or business......he's not sure right now.

jgnat: ALberta! Ok, well...I will be looking into that area too then. I'm intersted to see what's available! And likely we would get the place to live first anyway with the kids and all.

Thank you for the info!! I was just showing him all the replies and what you had to say about the process. He said thanks!!

Blondie: He's very handy! And I'm sure he will hook up with a few guys for extra cash. Besides the guys at work (including his brother) we are putting out the word to people we know, the problem is They're getting laid off too! Not a good situation. Family....hahahaha oy that's a whole others story as of late. But yes we are definitely putting the word out. I'm getting some business cards made up for him. Just to Give people to keep his name and number and type of work he does. We have a resume for him. The positions that he Could qualify for are often just a tad out of his reach in terms of specifics and experience. There was one in TX that looked great, but it was just a little over his head. So, he's sort of stuck in between things. He's either going to be Over qualified for positions or just Under qualified. And in many of these situations, it is not a matter of schooling to learn what he doesn't know it's a matter of someone has to take a chance with him and see that he is a very fast learner and is hard on himself until he gets it not just right, but dang well near perfect.

I'd hire him, but I'm biased.

FL: Yep you know. I know that we can and will get state aid. But I also know that there are so many people out of work right now, that it takes a looong time to actually get help. We have insurance til the end of the month, so I'm going to get things settled with the kids. A friend whose husband has been out of work and who doesn't make quite enough now gave me a bunch of local charities and resources for food and clothing. Clothing will be the worst. New Truth sews so I think I'm going to talk to her at our 'fest this weekend to see if she can help with that.

I described his job position up above, but a quick synopsis: He's a Production Journeyman, mailer or ad insert operator. He has worked in a supervisory position for several years now too. So he has that under his belt.

We shall get through! I know that. Nerve wracking, but it will work.

I need to get past a few of my own issues. I don't mind working more at all! I have a really really hard time with working with the public and seeing as I've no education past high school, I don't know what more to do. I am looking for more housecleaning jobs and I am hoping that something will come through on that.

13

last day

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

jw
friends

was today.. he's more upset then he thought he would be.. after nearly 30 years with a company and they just say "see ya".

they've let around 50 people go so far and there are more terminations to come.. we've been scouring the various websites (career builder, monster etc) and the local papers and out of state papers....... ..... just nothin much out there.... thinking out loud tonight he mentioned canada.

not my first choice, only because i'm not a fan of winter to begin with, going more north is not something i'm completely in love with, but at this point.........anywhere he can get a job that pays decently.. he's going to take a test for the postal service.

BlackSwan of Memphis

was today.

He's more upset then he thought he would be.

After nearly 30 years with a company and they just say "see ya".

They've let around 50 people go so far and there are more terminations to come.

We've been scouring the various websites (career builder, monster etc) and the local papers and out of state papers......

....

just nothin much out there...

Thinking out loud tonight he mentioned Canada. Not my first choice, only because I'm not a fan of winter to begin with, going more North is not something I'm completely in love with, but at this point.........anywhere he can get a job that pays decently.

He's going to take a test for the postal service. He has to pass with a 90 and then goes on a list or something...so we'll see about that. Crossing our fingers.

I know somehow it's going to be ok. It's just the stress of getting to that point is sometimes a little tough.

61

showed wife the new km article. bad decision.

by freeme in

hey guys.. sometimes im really next to crying (better: im crying).

no answer.

" no answer.

BlackSwan of Memphis

I don't know how you are dealing with this. With me, it's been my mom and siblings, but a spouse would be incredibly difficult.

It is very frustrating. But don't lose hope, you may have gotten her to think a little. Give it some time, let it rest. Who knows, maybe the bit that you brought up will get her to start thinking.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((freeme))))))))))))))))))))))))))

hang in there! Please!!!

54

Bridge collapse in Twin Cities, MN

by frozen one in

jw
friends

christ almighty!

the whole i-35w bridge fell into the mississippi river!

cars and trucks in the river.

BlackSwan of Memphis

well it looks like Abandoned is ok. Haven't heard from him, but I checked his myspace page and it looks like he checked in over there today.

54

Bridge collapse in Twin Cities, MN

by frozen one in

jw
friends

christ almighty!

the whole i-35w bridge fell into the mississippi river!

cars and trucks in the river.

BlackSwan of Memphis

I heard about this this morning.

I was wondering who of our jwd friends are out there.

Glad you all have checked in, and it sounds like your friends and family are ok as well.

23

Need help with info on homeschool

by skeeter1 in

anyone know how to homeschool a 9th grader?

need information on groups to join, software, books, etc.

skeeter.

BlackSwan of Memphis

5go, has it occurred to you that if she stays and tries to get out she could end up dead?

And to both you and changeling: I'm sorry your experiences were negative.....that doesn't make every homeschooling experience negative. Have you read and done the research on how active parents are in homeschooling their kids? I know a good number of homeschooling groups in my area, the parents are actively involved in educating their children, in getting them out into the real world so that they are gaining real life experience. More often then not, the people I have seen educating their kids at home, have been excellent at getting them involved with dance classes, computer classes, art classes, music classes. Many of these kids are getting great experience working outside of the home at young ages.

Not every parent sticks their kids in front of a tv all day and tells them to learn.

I'm getting really tired of people judging the entire homeschooling experience and community. What about all the Great examples out there? There are several if you care to look for them.

28

dinner time guilt

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

jw
friends

i have a family of 4. each of us have very different likes and dislikes.

my husband and youngest daughter are vehemently opposed to tomatos or tomato products.

spaghetti sauce is completely out of the picture.

BlackSwan of Memphis

Journeyon and Restrangled: You know that is a good idea. My biggest problem would be getting Hannah to communicate to us what she wants. My husband, perhaps this is mean....if he doesn't like what I make he makes something else. I'm cool with that. I think you guys are onto something. Journey: I am not a huge fan of vitamins, except for my older daughter, so I really try to have fruit around the house and nuts, string cheese. I keep the frozen veggies in my freezer and Try to hide them. But that's hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I would LOVE is for someone hint hint to pass along some great kid friendly recipes hint hint. Hmmmm whos a chef around here? MrsJ: Yep, that's me. If I've had a long day and dinner's taking awhile, if one of them wants to snack on cereal or fruit or yogurt, sometimes I'll say ok. So... OUTLAW, you're a chef huh? Hmmmmmmmmmm dressing up the food so it is more appealing is tough. I'm wracking my brain trying to find a way to dress up tomatoes so that Jun might eat it a different way and think, hey this isn't so bad! I AM open for suggestions on how to prepare healthy food so that a child might enjoy it! hint hint hint hint..........

28

dinner time guilt

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

jw
friends

i have a family of 4. each of us have very different likes and dislikes.

my husband and youngest daughter are vehemently opposed to tomatos or tomato products.

spaghetti sauce is completely out of the picture.

BlackSwan of Memphis

BLack Swan..You and I have the same views on the family dinner table..It should be a place of enjoyment..My dinner table is a very happy place and my Adult kids still come for dinner...OUTLAW

I'm coming over for dinner! You sound like us...food is not worth eating if it's not enjoyable.

JourneyOn: I am talking about dinner. They eat fruit during the day (my husband doesn't) they eat yogurt for snacks, they eat nuts etc. Dinner is an issue. Because while one won't spaghetti sauce, the other one will. And it's just a pain in the butt to deal with. Why make the other one eat it? I just don't understand that. If my husband made me food that I didn't like I'd say, thanks but uhmmm no. That was nice of you to make it, but you know I don't like it, so I'm not eating it. Why treat kids differently? This teaches them...............................?

To eat what's put in front of them because they don't have a choice.

As I said it's control.

And kids need to feel in control of their life to some extent. I'm not saying let the kid go off and fill up on candy.

I'm saying...what's wrong in finding ways of making food that Everyone Can and Will enjoy? If they hate it, why not let them have a bowl of oatmeal or a grilled cheese? Or etc...I mean, isn't that nutritious?