Miscommunications happen, you learn from them and move on. You are not a monster, and certainly not worthless, you are the victim of bad circumstances. It isn't my place to criticize your family, but as a friend I feel you are being treated ridiculously unfairly. I wish I could help, give you a place of your own to stay away from the drama, but I can't.

I've told you this, other friends have told you this, you're a great person, and we all know you are working your butt off to find a job. I know it's a family thing, but it seems unreasonable to give you an ultimatum when you don't control the job market.

Just my two cents, and my concern for you.

Semi-update, nothing new on the job search other than sending out a few more applications, but I'm actually looking into becoming a local pet sitter. I registered with a website with a basic profile so far, but I'll add in my info later. It costs a little bit of money to get a background check and such, but I think it would be well worth it.

I need to figure out how to be 'bonded' though. I mentioned all this to my neighbor and she seemed thrilled about it and even mentioned that someone else in our neighborhood may want my services soon. I have no idea what to charge though, but my neighbor said she'd definitely put a good word out for me since I often take care of her dachshund when she needs me to. I've also taken care of a friend's cat and fish before.

So it'll be kind of a side-career, but considering I love animals and am a proud owner of a dog, I think I would enjoy being a pet sitter.

You know what, just typing this I feel a hell of a lot of confidence. Like I would be the perfect person for this kind of job since we've had pets all my life.

You fill out a job application. Take the time to answer 100 questions and answer truthfully that you wouldn't lie, steal, or try to cheat the business. You show that you have held a job for 5 years and was never fired. You have no criminal charges, you can work any time, you are loyal, dependable, and a hard worker.

You offer to be everything the company could possibly hope for in an employee.

Then you get an email saying you're not good enough for them.

I just don't get it. Why can't I get a job? Not even a basic, simple stocking job?

Why doesn't anyone want me?

Well, I can't say what should you read first, but I personally would pick out the African Folktales.

I was thinking about doing that actually, since the African Folktales are only a few pages long apiece. I posted the same question on Facebook and ended up getting two votes for Starship Troopers, so I was thinking about starting it up for now. Looks like the chapters are about 20 pages long each which I think I can handle.

The Art of War looks great though, I'll have it next on my list. And I'd love to see your suggestion. I'll take a look a little later to see if Anansi is in any of the stories from Nelson Mandela's book

Thanks for the votes XD


*Edit* - one of the stories features a character named 'Spider', but in the description it does say "This character is also known as Anansi", so there's at least one story with him in it

Starship Troopers has been great so far, I wasn't expecting it to be exactly like the movie, but remarkably it's very similar. The biggest difference I've seen so far was the fact that there were different aliens at the very beginning. Still, considering the movie is among my all-time favorites, I am loving reading this book!


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Quad's in the Forest now too. It's been a long while, and I really don't know very many that are on. I see Jorogumo is on, a few other pictos, but as always I'm afraid to approach and screw up some RP or something, so Quad's just sitting by his favorite tree near the Ruins. I was able to make someone happy just a moment ago when he cast a mini spell on them, and then they ran off XD...

Ah well, not sure what else to have him do, but for now he's still on and still giving out transform spells to whoever comes his way.

Whoot! 8D

Do some research on that company to see how related to your field it is, and decide from there. Otherwise, if I was in your shoes I'd be banging my head against a wall and asking for advice too. \o/

I spoke with my professor who taught me everything there is to know about hydrogeology, and he pretty much said to take the job at Publix but go to the interview with the other company and see what they have to offer. One possible outcome would be to work at both as two part-time jobs. Another would be to put my 2 weeks notice in with Publix if I were hired if the other company definitely wanted me.

In any event, I'm going to the interview tomorrow and gonna prove that I'll be the best damn produce clerk they can get.

Thanks for the help. Just glad that I should have a job soon.

Interview went great, if I get a phonecall in the next few days it'll be for one store opening in April. If not I may still be picked for the other store which opens in June. Either way, I'll be glad to work for a great store.

I've tried to mention this before and got half the community yelling at me for it. It's really sad. I've seen so many go and almost left several times myself. Only Orin and Cyda have kept me here.

Those sound like neat plans, Quad :3 I'd love to go to a few places, myself, but financially speaking any of that is pretty far ahead, for me. Best of luck to you with it!

And yeah, I've noticed some of the targeting of newer players, too. I can think of a couple of names you might not be naming in particular. I try to let things slide unless it's something that's becoming a real issue, and I try to be nice about things :/ There are definitely a few instances where better tact might have been used, though.

<3 Glad my words could give you some encouragement Quad, you know I wish the best for you!

As to the wealthy...while I think there are those few that understand and take pleasure in the low-handed methods they take to get rich, I think many of that so-called '1 percent' really do not understand what it's like for those who don't have enough to get by. While a humour website, Cracked did an article recently that I think held a lot of truth for the disparity between wealthy politicians and the everyday Joe. It's somewhat awful to think that they can't even try to put themselves in others' shoes, but at the same time, for many of them, it is pure naivety.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't make you more angry, but you might find it an interesting read.

Job update - no call from Publix yet but I know I could still get a job with them soon. But the bigger news is that I have an interview tomorrow with the environmental company. I really hope I get this job because it would be a step toward my dream. I'd be happy to get the job with Publix too XD. I just want a job haha!

The interview went great, I really enjoyed getting to meet with them. The lab isn't that hard to find, and I ended up getting there about a half an hour early, but it was fine because they went ahead and did the interview. Small place and looks like a great company to work for, should know by the end of March or the beginning of April if I've got the job or not. So I'm waiting for two phonecalls now

So I have a new hobby - chain mail jewelry. Essentially you use jump rings and interlock them to make different things. Here are many, many examples

I actually came up with a kind of invention doing this, but I haven't really decided if I'm going to be like "Hey look what I'm making!" or if I'll be like "It's a surprise, don't tell anyone." But so far I have made three of the things and it involves working with these jump rings. I really am thinking about making lots of them for gifts as well as to sell.

Anyway, if I make anything that comes out awesome, I'll be sure to share.


Edit - Here's one of my creations:

I can't believe how much I can relate to that, it was a hilarious read and yet so true! Although I'm jealous that he said he was perpetually skinny and I'm the opposite, I can't seem to lose weight no matter what XD. But really, this was amazing, thank you for sharing and I'll definitely read his blog.

So I am totally set on jump rings thanks to Mom buying me $30 worth XD



Gonna be making some awesome stuff with these. I am still waiting on some tiny gold rings but they should be here soon. The empty container at the top is where those will go.

I've learned that I am very passionate and curious about training with various kinds of weapons. It's not that I am learning about them so that I can hurt anyone, but rather, I enjoy learning about them so that if I was ever threatened I could defend myself. I feel like I have a little more peace of mind since practicing with my weapons.

One of my biggest fears is someone breaking into my house. When I am living on my own, I will definitely have a security system so that will make me feel less paranoid, but I do enjoy learning about different weapons as it has really built confidence for me.

I've never been trained in any of the weapons, I've learned everything on my own through practice. I cannot say that I am a master of any of them, especially since I've never had to use them to defend myself yet, but I do feel like I am prepared if the situation arises.

So here is a list of what I've trained with, as well as what I would like to learn how to use. If there's any weapon that you guys think I should try, let me know!


Trained with -
Katana
Bo Staff*
Hunting Knife
Sai
Nunchucks
Shuriken
Kunai
Boomerang


Want to learn -
Archery (most likely Compound Bow)
Bullwhip
Slingshot
Spiked mace
Morningstar
Jow Ga Spear
Kwan Dao (Horsecutter)
Tomahawk (or another form of combat axe)
Throwing Axe



*I do not have a proper bo staff, but will get one sometime. What I have trained with is a metal painting pole

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I really like making lists. I don't know why XD

Anyway, there's a nice shiny new list at the bottom of the updates page (just above the comments) of everything I want to learn about in my life. It of course will have more additions later when I think of other things I'm either already good at or would like to learn about. Please understand that this is not at all mastery in any of these, but more like...having enough experience in them that I think I've got them down pretty well. It also kind of makes me think of what my professor called an 'ego wall', or otherwise, having a checklist of accomplishments and skills that I can be proud of. Maybe spending more time trying to learn about these things while I'm searching for a job will keep me from going into another depressive fit like I have been.

If there's anything up there that you think you can help me learn about, please let me know. I'm more than happy to accept any help on any of them, even advice for anything like rollerblading or bass guitar tips.

Also if there's anything on the list that I've checked that you would love to know more about, please ask! I'd love to share my knowledge in return!



Okay...crazy idea. You guys know I have that river otter puppet that looked like Iugulare, right? What if I practiced puppeteering by having her do video question and answer sessions? I would actually kind of enjoy giving it a shot...even if I may embarrass myself in the process XD. Would you guys be interested?

I don't know if I have an Iugulare voice yet...

Yeah...I may try it one of two ways - either do a livestream where the Q&A is live, or record Iugulare speaking answers to questions listed via Youtube. Either way, I think it will be pretty fun to try.


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Well, unless I hear something soon from one of the companies I interviewed with, we're going to Plan B - I'm going to take Chemistry 2 in the summer. I will try to take it at a community college in Baldwin County rather than my university, since I've heard it's not only easier but they're not teaching it at a professional/graduate level like at my university. So basically, I get the general knowledge I need of the course so I can finally pass it and have my degree.

Not exactly what I wanted since I had the opportunity to get credit for the course from working, but since noone would hire me I don't really have any more options.

So I've had a pretty awesome day. I first took care of an errand, then went to my university and filled out a transient form. I've decided to take Chemistry 2 at a community college in the summer, and have a professor's recommendation that it's the best thing to do right now. She also mentioned that there's a career expo in Houston in September that she wants me to go to.

So after I got all that done, I went to my grandparent's for a little while and had lunch, and then decided to run by Jimmy Lowe's fruit stand to get some loaves of bread. I took the bread to Municipal Park and fed the birds there. There were more seagulls than geese this time, which was alright, but I was glad I went because I got to feed one white goose that had a bummed foot. I made sure he had his fill of bread.

On the way back home, I decided to stop at Laun Park and took my boomerang. That place is absolutely perfect for throwing it, and I even made a friend that watched me throw the entire time. It was not the best day to throw since it was very windy, but after a few tries, I actually got it to return to me to where I could catch it! I am glad my practice has paid off, and plan to head back there some more to throw the 'rang some more.

I'd like to get another one that doesn't go as far. The one I have goes 50 yards, where some of the smaller ones go 25-35 yards. I was kind of dumb and got essentially an 'expert' boomerang while I am still a novice thrower. Still fun as heck though and I can't wait to throw more!


I think what was the best part for me was that I was worried as hell that people were going to freak out that I was throwing the boomerang, but instead what happened was that I had someone watching and enjoying it as if it was a performance, and then I got to tell her about it, how it works, why I was doing some things (i.e. waiting until the wind died down to throw), that sort of thing. It was really fun getting to teach someone else about something foreign, and I was so glad that in addition to practicing and trying to get the throw right, I got to entertain her as well. The whole experience was really rewarding for me.

I was 'hired' by my grandmother today and took care of some things she wanted done, such as putting away winter clothes and working in her garden. I'll be going to her house again tomorrow and Thursday. I got a little money for the work today, and decided that I'd love to use it toward a new boomerang. Just gotta decide which one I want, there are so many to choose from!

Also Fall Out Boy, one of my favorite bands ever, released a new album today. I highly recommend it, already been jamming to it all day.




Edit -

I think I know which boomerangs I want. I definitely want the wildfire, but now I can't decide between the aspen or the yanaki. I should hopefully have enough to afford both by the end of the week.

Colorado Boomerangs Aspen Fire
Colorado Boomerangs Yanaki

Colorado Boomerangs Wildfire Tri-Blade

A few others I was looking at were the two Eric Darnell boomerangs, but I think I want to go with these two. I'm already excited XD


Edit #2 -

Well my plans have changed, Mom ended up ordering the Wildfire boomerang for me, but in return I have to do some extra chores to pay off for it. But this means that the money I've earned from my grandmother is mine to spend or save as I see fit.

I guess it's not so bad. Should get it sometime between the 23rd and the 27th.

My new tri blade boomerang is crazy fun! I was at the park for at least an hour throwing it. Learned several things too, especially that I don't have to put a lot of muscle into the throw, but rather it works great with a flick of the wrist. It's just like throwing my shurikens and kunai, don't think about the throw, just throw. So anyway, I'll throw this one a few more times by itself, then will use it as a warm-up boomerang to my Channel Craft 50 yard boomerang

So I'm definitely making progress with my boomerang throwing! Today I caught my boomerang four times, and had two consecutive catches! Both are records for me since before today I had only caught my boomerang once. I've learned that it does not always come back to the same spot you throw it, so you want to watch it and move in the direction it is coming (usually a few steps back when I threw) and try to catch it there. I had a few collisions where it bounced off of my hand, thankfully this isn't Mad Max or else I would have lost a few fingers.

I also ordered my 3rd boomerang today - Channel Craft's Spirit of Wind. I was originally going to order another Colorado Boomerangs one but it didn't have good reviews, and I trust the Channel Craft one because my Spirit of Earth boomerang is well made and hasn't broken despite my newbie attempts to throw it. I know better now, I was throwing it totally wrong when I first started.

So here's the new one I just ordered, straight from Charleroi, PA! Channel Craft has some pretty neat stuff too, I may have to order some other things from them sometime.

The interview went great, and I'll find out tomorrow if I've got the job or not. It would definitely be produce, and I followed my sis-in-law's advice and went in confident. I think I've got this.