Update XX: A Darn Good Judge of My Financial Situation

[Smash255]

Bushie,  the fact you fail to admit your life is in shambles, is part of the  reason you are in your current situation

[Smash255]

Bushie,  the fact you fail to admit your life is in shambles, is part of the  reason you are in your current situation

Again, have I ever said things are perfect?  There's nothing wrong with looking at the bright side of life.  Things could be much better, but they could also be way worse.  I will say again, I have nothing to be ashamed of right now.  I have nothing to worry about.  If God be for me, who can be against me?

No, you haven't said that it  is perfectt, however you fail to admit how bad of shape you are in.  Your life is in shambles, and has no chance of getting better unless you admit to it.  This has nothing to do with God, you need to do it yourself.

[Smash255]

Bushie,  the fact you fail to admit your life is in shambles, is part of the  reason you are in your current situation

Again, have I ever said things are perfect?  There's nothing wrong with looking at the bright side of life.  Things could be much better, but they could also be way worse.  I will say again, I have nothing to be ashamed of right now.  I have nothing to worry about.  If God be for me, who can be against me?

I honestly have to ask you, what do you consider "things are going bad?" Your parents being eating by wolves?

Among white American 30-39 yr old males born to middle class households, I'd say your quality of life is about 5th percentile.  Most of the people below you have terminal cancer and heroin addictions. Actually, some heroin addicts probably are above you.

Do you ever want to find love? Do you ever want to be not only independent of your parents but pay to buy them nice things? Do you ever want to feel healthy and not plagued with constant aches and pains?

It's all a matter of perception.  You cannot subjectively peg my life into a percentile and expect me to agree with it.  Life is not great, but it sure as heck not bad.  I am just a normal human being who happens to be unemployed at the present time due to no fault of his own.  I'm no better than that and no worse than that.  There's no other way to put it.  You can't make it look better than what it is and you can't make it look worse than what it is.

Smash, my life is not in shambles, but that doesn't mean I am content to leave it where it's at.  God loves me just I am, but loves me too much to leave me where I am.  He wants to see me reach my full potential and that's something I want, as well.  My faith has everything to do with it.  I can't do anything on my own.  I need His strength and guidance to carry me on, because without Him, my life would definitely be in shambles.  You ask me how I can say my life is not in shambles?  My answer is because God is in my life.  He makes everything new.  Don't judge me yet, He's still working on me.  Again, things could be much better than where they are now and I want to get there, but at the same time I cannot be ashamed with where my life is at right now at 8:45 pm CST Wednesday, January 14, 2015.  With God's help, I'll get there.  Without His help, I won't.  Simple as that.

The above is basicaally your problem in a nutshell.  God isn't going to do it for you, and yes your life is absolutely in shambles.  You can get out of it, but you need to do it YOURSELF, not God, but YOURSELF.

[Smash255]

Bushie,  the fact you fail to admit your life is in shambles, is part of the  reason you are in your current situation

Again, have I ever said things are perfect?  There's nothing wrong with looking at the bright side of life.  Things could be much better, but they could also be way worse.  I will say again, I have nothing to be ashamed of right now.  I have nothing to worry about.  If God be for me, who can be against me?

I honestly have to ask you, what do you consider "things are going bad?" Your parents being eating by wolves?

Among white American 30-39 yr old males born to middle class households, I'd say your quality of life is about 5th percentile.  Most of the people below you have terminal cancer and heroin addictions. Actually, some heroin addicts probably are above you.

Do you ever want to find love? Do you ever want to be not only independent of your parents but pay to buy them nice things? Do you ever want to feel healthy and not plagued with constant aches and pains?

It's all a matter of perception.  You cannot subjectively peg my life into a percentile and expect me to agree with it.  Life is not great, but it sure as heck not bad.  I am just a normal human being who happens to be unemployed at the present time due to no fault of his own.  I'm no better than that and no worse than that.  There's no other way to put it.  You can't make it look better than what it is and you can't make it look worse than what it is.

Smash, my life is not in shambles, but that doesn't mean I am content to leave it where it's at.  God loves me just I am, but loves me too much to leave me where I am.  He wants to see me reach my full potential and that's something I want, as well.  My faith has everything to do with it.  I can't do anything on my own.  I need His strength and guidance to carry me on, because without Him, my life would definitely be in shambles.  You ask me how I can say my life is not in shambles?  My answer is because God is in my life.  He makes everything new.  Don't judge me yet, He's still working on me.  Again, things could be much better than where they are now and I want to get there, but at the same time I cannot be ashamed with where my life is at right now at 8:45 pm CST Wednesday, January 14, 2015.  With God's help, I'll get there.  Without His help, I won't.  Simple as that.

The above is basicaally your problem in a nutshell.  God isn't going to do it for you, and yes your life is absolutely in shambles.  You can get out of it, but you need to do it YOURSELF, not God, but YOURSELF.

Nonsense.  I can do nothing without God.   Do not dismiss my faith as irrelevant.

Bushie, I'm not dismissing your faith as irrelevant.  However, your situation isn't going to change if your answer for everything is God this and God that.  Seriously you sound like Inhoffe when he tried to explain why he didn't think Global Warming was real (because GOD...)

  YOU need to do it, YOU need to make changes, YOU need to better yourself, YOU need to take better care of yourself.  The only one that will get you out of your current situation is YOU. 

I'm not trying to mock or dismiss your faith, but you need to realize, the one that controls you is YOU.  Until you get to that point, you won't have a chance in hell of having any type of financial Independence.  You won't have a chance in hell of taking the massive financial burden off your parents.  You won't have a chance in hell of not being a walking sitting heart attack waiting to happen

[Smash255]

Wouldn't Uber-ing give him an excuse (in his mind) to buy a new car? Might want to proceed with caution.

Good point.  Anyway, I browsed the website that J-Mann provided, but I think I'll pass on this possibility.  I appreciate the thought, but I'll just stick with what I know best - CAD.  I've now got three applications in the cooker plus a job fair, archaic or not, next Thursday.  Plus, I've got a bunch of men looking down here in Oklahoma City.

Not on Uber specifically, but glad to see that my advice about keeping your options open and looking into more than just CADD was swiftly ignored...

[Smash255]

I think Bushie has a point. LinkedIn is the most useless networking website I've ever seen. There's occasionally a good front page article. That's the most you can get out of it.

That's a rather bold statement for opinion. I've gotten much more than that out of LinkedIn. It's all in how you use it and what you're trying to get out of it.

I haven't gotten anything out of it beyond knowing where people I went to college with are currently working.

I'm not the biggest fan of LinkedIn either, but Bushie has nothing to lose.  It is worth a shot.

[Smash255]

the only e-commerce bushie participates in is porn.

and why in the world do you consider taking a dump a weight loss tactic?  everyone craps, bushie.  even fats!  fats crap more because they eat more.

This is why I shouldn't read update while at work.  I was leaving a message for a potential client when reading this, and almost started cracking up mid-message

[Smash255]

Not that I can cook worth a damn anyway, but buying food in Walmart simply makes my stomach turn.

[Smash255]

Not that I can cook worth a damn anyway, but buying food in Walmart simply makes my stomach turn.

Why? We shop at a Walmart -- they have "Neighborhood Markets" around Kansas City which are groceries-only. It comes down to price for us. We stock up really well for two-week time frames, and what was costing $350+ for two weeks' worth of groceries is often $100 less at Walmart. Plus they're consistent on what they have.

We go to an Asian market for fish and pork, though.

Just doesn't seem appealing to me.  There is a Walmart a little less than 10 minutes from me, but never even thought about going there for food.  Have at least three, and probably more supermarkets that are closer (including one basically a minute from me).  Bunch of Deli's, etc nearby as well.  There are so many options around here, Walmart is never something I ever considered.

[Smash255]

Hi, guys.  I certainly didn't mean to sound the least bit racist or bigoted last night.  Although, bigotry is not necessarily a bad thing, but I digress.  The constant probing questions was getting to me and that no one was accepting my answers and leaving it on the table.  I was just trying to make a statement, yet we got led down the rabbit trail.  I'm certainly not a racist as is no one in Oklahoma.  I am appalled by the recent posts continuing to paint Oklahoma as unwelcoming to blacks and gays.  Everyone knows what was said is not true.  We have a big black population in Oklahoma and they are not discriminated against or targeted.  Gay marriage is legal in Oklahoma and most people I talk to outside my own family are becoming more accepting of the gay community.  We don't have to agree with them, but we accept them for who they are.  Sally Kern doesn't accept them, though, and has made headlines this week with a controversial bill.  I like Sally as a person.  She is a great Christian woman and loves the Lord and loves her family, but her views are too extreme for me.  She is so far to the right that she is not even in the mainstream in Oklahoma.  That takes talent.  Anyway, just had to put that out there.  I am not a racist and neither is my state.

1. First Bolded. I certainly is horrendous

2.  Second bolded,  that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard

3.  The woman is PURE HATE

[Smash255]

Hi, guys.  I certainly didn't mean to sound the least bit racist or bigoted last night. Although, bigotry is not necessarily a bad thing, but I digress.

Jeff, in what context is bigotry not a bad thing? (honestly curious)

Christians must follow the Biblical view of gay marriage.  The Bible does not support gay marriage.  The world sees anybody who does not support gay marriage as a bigot, but these "bigots" were just following a higher law - the Bible and the author of the Bible - Almighty God.  Following what the Bible says is never a bad thing, thus, in this case it is acceptable to be labeled as a bigot.

You do realize people can have a view on something, but do NOT want to make laws that everyone else must follow based off those views.

[Smash255]

Hi, guys.  I certainly didn't mean to sound the least bit racist or bigoted last night.  Although, bigotry is not necessarily a bad thing, but I digress.  The constant probing questions was getting to me and that no one was accepting my answers and leaving it on the table.  I was just trying to make a statement, yet we got led down the rabbit trail.  I'm certainly not a racist as is no one in Oklahoma.  I am appalled by the recent posts continuing to paint Oklahoma as unwelcoming to blacks and gays.  Everyone knows what was said is not true.  We have a big black population in Oklahoma and they are not discriminated against or targeted.  Gay marriage is legal in Oklahoma and most people I talk to outside my own family are becoming more accepting of the gay community.  We don't have to agree with them, but we accept them for who they are.  Sally Kern doesn't accept them, though, and has made headlines this week with a controversial bill. I like Sally as a person.  She is a great Christian woman and loves the Lord and loves her family, but her views are too extreme for me.  She is so far to the right that she is not even in the mainstream in Oklahoma.  That takes talent.  Anyway, just had to put that out there.  I am not a racist and neither is my state.

1. First Bolded. I certainly is horrendous

2.  Second bolded,  that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard

3.  The woman is PURE HATE

I've met Sally Kern in person.  She is genuinely a very nice lady and loves her God and loves her family and loves her Oklahoma.  She is a staunch conservative.  She is extreme in her political views, but I can attest that she is genuinely a very nice lady, so is her husband Steve and her kids.  Incidentally, her oldest son was my music and youth minister back in the mid 1990's.  He is now a real estate agent in Des Moines, Iowa.

No one who is a nice person, spews the level of hate that comes out of her mouth.

[Smash255]

Bushie, 

1.  Why do you favor laws based off your personal religious beliefs?

2.  Why do you favor laws based off your own personal religious beliefs that others who might not share those same religious beliefs (regardless if they are of another religion, or a Christian with different religious beliefs? are forced to abide by?

3.  Would you favor laws based off someone else's religious beliefs that differ from yours?  Or simply only laws that are in line with your religious beliefs?

[Smash255]

So, I basically just got lied to.  I called this recruiter at 1130 and she told me to fill out an application online and then come in after lunch and speak with a recruiter.  I filled out the application, but when I got to the office I was told they don't see walk-ins and that someone would get back to me.  On top of that, no one remembered talking to me over the phone even though only 2 hours had elapsed, so they made me look like a liar.

Maybe they took one look at you and decided to not even bother? Did you have fried chicken grease stains on your shirt?

I hadn't had anything but a bowl of cereal up to that point.

Jeff, employers do judge fat people negatively. They assume you're lazy, undisciplined and will be a drag on their operation. In your case, their assumptions are very true, but still...

I fully understand that and I'm not living in some fantasy land in regards to that.  It's something I have to work with.  It doesn't stop me from believing in myself and my abilities.  It doesn't stop me from selling myself as best I can.  It's up to employers to judge if I'd be a good fit for their company.  I cannot control their final decision.  All I can do is present myself in the best way possible.

You can also help by eating better and exercising....

[Smash255]

Good morning.  I slept well and I have started the job search for today.  Hopefully, today will be just as productive as yesterday.

Any exercise in the mix??

[Smash255]

The job search today has been pretty quiet.  I've been looking for new jobs to apply to, but I haven't found anything.  I will admit that I took a nap this morning, but I've been looking since I woke up at 1300 and haven't found a single thing.  There's still time left today, so I will be looking right up until 1700, which is another 2 hours.  The phone has been quiet today, too.  Nobody has called me.  I guess it's just one of those days...

1.  How narrow of a focus do you have in your search that toy haven't found a single job to apply for?

2.  Did you get any exercise?

[Smash255]

The job search today has been pretty quiet.  I've been looking for new jobs to apply to, but I haven't found anything.  I will admit that I took a nap this morning, but I've been looking since I woke up at 1300 and haven't found a single thing.  There's still time left today, so I will be looking right up until 1700, which is another 2 hours.  The phone has been quiet today, too.  Nobody has called me.  I guess it's just one of those days...

1.  How narrow of a focus do you have in your search that toy haven't found a single job to apply for?

2.  Did you get any exercise?

I've been using a combination of Craigslist, Indeed, and Simply Hired.  I search for either drafter, AutoCAD, or CAD drafter.  I found 4 yesterday, but I haven't found any today.  I refresh all three sites every 15-30 minutes.

I haven't gotten any exercise, unfortunately.  I've been too focused on trying to find a job to apply for.

1.  Broaden your such tI more than Drafter and CADD.  St

2.  No you were lazy

[Smash255]

It's amazing how walking 30 minutes a day is so much to ask for from Bushie. Especially as he's unemployed now, and living in a city.

Seriously Bushie can do this without even changing his lifestyle that much. Wake up, do a job app or two, watch some college football, go walk for 15 minutes, take a nap, watch some more TV, walk another 15 minutes, and then do whatever you want for the rest of the day. Bushie's previous excuses was that he was "too busy" because he was working (never mind that he was averaging far less than 8 hours a day), and that he lived with his grandmother in an area too rural so he'd have to drive to the city to do any walking, regardless of how much truth there is to either one, neither one applies anymore.

No matter where he is, if he's by himself, he can do push-ups and sit-ups while watching football.

I wonder if he can do a single push-up or sit-up...

[Smash255]

I have to break my brief silence.  Today was a more successful day in the job search arena.  I scored an CAD interview at a company in West Tulsa.  I have already PM'd a couple of Update regulars to get their thoughts.  I will say this that it is a contract-to-hire position and at least $15 an hour.  It's about 17-18 miles from my apartment completely on the west side of Tulsa, but I am used to driving 32 miles one way in OKC, so 18 is nothing.

Things certainly are spread out in Oklahoma. I had a roughly 40-mile round trip when I worked in Manhattan but lived in the country outside of a small town physically separate from Manhattan.

In Kansas City, I have a 24-mile round trip per day ... and cutting down a few miles during the commute and on weekends has made a big difference. Thirty-two miles one way seems excessive, though I suppose you were working and living where you could.

I didn't mention this in my PM, but I'd consider that distance in your decision. Thirty-six miles per day, or 180 per week, would have you praising low gas prices.

32 miles to work isn't that big of a deal.  I pretty much did that when I was working in the Financial District in Manhattan.  With that being said, other than driving to the train station (which was 10 minutes max) virtually all of it was on the LIRR and Subway (walking a few blocks to my office form the Chambers Street station).  It still was about $300 for month between the LIRR ticket and Metrocard.

Now I work about 14 miles from where I live (11 if I avoid the Parkways)

[Smash255]

I, for one, am excited about my cheat day for the Super Bowl. I'll probably eat an entire pizza on my own.

I'm not sure I can do that much, but probably half is a good bet.  If I were smart, I'd limit it at half.  We all know how smart I am... 

What do you like on your pizza? You've never eaten a whole one before? In college, we used to get the 7.99 dominos specials on Tuesday and sometimes I'd eat all of it, although that was 4 years ago.

Anyway, after a month of not having carbs at all, as good as I feel, I don't think I can watch the Super Bowl without pizza and beer.

I'm a straight pepperoni guy.  I've eaten a whole one before, but lately the farthest I get is 6-7 slices.  Depending on how I feel, I can do anywhere between 4-7 slices in one sitting.

I'll probably order a 2-liter of Pepsi while I eat the pizza.

Then, it's time to atone for my sins on Monday, first off at the altar of the dentist chair...

6-7 pepperoni slices?   Does it bother you at all that you are probably looking at a heart attack within 2 years?

TBH I can eat 6-7 slices of pepperoni, and I'm not fat. I'm quite younger than he is though.

I'm basically the same age as Bushie,  and can pretty much do almst the same (though with actual Pizza and not the Domino's cardboard)   However,  unlike Bushie I exercise.

[Smash255]

Bushie, did you exercise today?

[Smash255]

In addition to the health aspects of obesity, it makes you look older as well.  Bushie you are something like 20 days older than me, but you look 20 years older.  Your body type simply isn't normal, even without the stomach.

[Smash255]

Supper went as planned - scrambled eggs and bacon.  I need to run by the store tomorrow and get some hamburger meat so I can fix spaghetti for supper.

Ummmm.......

[Smash255]

Dumb question, but did you exercise?

[Smash255]

Dumb question, but did you exercise?

No

You really need to start some type of regular exercise.  I just don't comprehend your refusal to do so.  You need to lose weight, you need more energy (napping as much as you do isn't normal), you need some type of physical activity.