You will not be surprised to learn that I took a particular interest in a book review, in the opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal this morning, of Martha I. Finney’s Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss.
And I was reassured that I seem to be doing the right things, just by instinct:
- I didn’t blow my stack over losing my job. In fact, beyond some peevish moments while dealing with paperwork — y’all know how I hate forms and such — I haven’t actually felt anything like anger, much less acted out. That’s good, because according to the review, the book says “Throwing a tantrum is out. Not only can it get you an unwelcome reputation as a hothead, it could lose you what little you can hope to take away in benefits.”
- I still get up at the usual time, shave, get dressed and go to the usual place for breakfast, thereby staying in sync with this advice: “Ms. Finney presents some basic strategies for depression- avoidance, including such simple tactics as getting out of bed and getting dressed as if for work.”
- The reviewer disagrees with the book one on point, and so do I: “And downright unhelpful is Ms. Finney’s suggestion that one abjure such ‘stress hormone-inducing substances’ as coffee. The last thing an unemployed java junkie needs is to go job-hunting sluggish and glassy-eyed from caffeine deprivation.” Amen to that. I’m trying not to overdo the coffee, because it can cause anxiety (even in the best of times) — but I’m not about to go cold-turkey.
- The reviewer also objects to the author’s advice that the job-seeker call attention to himself by starting a blog. “Exactly how many employers will be eager to grant you an interview if they think that it might become material for your blog?” wonders the reviewer. That might be a good point for someone who wants a job in banking. But this is what I do, folks. This is my way of staying in shape for work.
The very best thing about this review is that I don’t feel compelled to read the book itself. That’s good, because being unemployed is hard, tiring work, and it takes all your energy and time. I say that based on one day. But at least I can say that every day I’ve been unemployed so far, I’ve received a standing ovation. Here’s hoping the second day is that good.
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Hey Brad, I am impressed with your approach thus far. I guess the teaching is out. I’d be interested in the opportunities you come across.
A cup of joe in the morning sharpens my senses which is especially helpful when writing or reading.
Society is transitioning towards online news sources. Blogs are obviously a major source of such news, for better or worse. What’s your take on this? Do you see your blog becoming more of a commercial enterprise?
You know Brad, people tell me ” things just happen”. I kinda don’t see the world that same way though.
Seems you’d enjoy writing without editors now….. picking and choosing your own topics….
maybe even telling the people of South Carolina all the things the State chose to stifle, like my story.
I sent the State my story and they maintained silence… but my story is affecting everyone in America right now….
Someone stole fifteen years of Social Security money in my name. THEN I found this account at Fidelity Investments…..
And Fidelity says I must subpoena my own information….
Meanwhile I have two Medicare Part D accounts…..
and I never had an identity problem until I went back to the Social Security Administration after working eleven years with my disability, which is a lifetime illness……
Now Fidelity is AIG Brad. Fidelity’s former head is the Creator and Go To Man for SSA privatization….
And the AIG /Valic system is interconnected with Fidelity.
Now I believe people would be interested to hear how all my investigations have been stopped at the FBI, Secret Service, HHS OIG
And I believe they’d enjoy reading the SSA Inspector General report that looks like a drunk eight grader wrote it.
But that rough draft of the Deputy Chief Council for External relations that was stamped received a month before the letter at Gresham Barrett’s office is really important.
If you’d be interested in helping publicize a crime going without recourse,
I would be extremely grateful. You know the State won’t tell this story.
I had to chuckle…
I’m a medical supply salesman, and have been for more than 25 years. Over the last five years, my job has evolved from driving around seeing folks to 8 full hours everyday of phones calls, e-mails and faxes in my home office. This is where I had to chuckle. While I’m very busily employed, starting about 7:30 each morning, I DON”T get dressed, I don’t shave (at least until my wife gets home), I don’t leave the house, and I drink PILES of coffee.
Oh, and sometime in that first hour, I usually read Brad Warthen’s latest blog entry. I wish you a successful job search. I also, sefishly, hope that it leads you to something that allows you to keep enriching my life with your wit and wisdom.
Have a great day!
Welcome to the world of unpaid blogging!
I’m glad to see that we’ll still have your insight on the blog if not in the newspaper. Keep up the good work, Brad.
Brad, you can take comfort in the fact that the recession has about run its course. With the steady hand of President Obama at the helm things are turning around everywhere. The DOW soared nearly 500 points yesterday. Gasoline prices are up. Not good for motorists but a sure sign that the recession is ending. Home sales are up. With your talent and experience I expect your job search will be short. But don’t expect to continue your career in the print media. It seems all but assured that we’re seeing the end of that dinosaur medium. In some ways I’ll miss the morning paper but mostly it’s just a minor luxury at best anymore. I know you loathe discussing it but surely you can see how ridiculous the front page has become. Sunday’s paper devoted fully half of the front page to a 12 year old basketball player! Nice story, but half the front page?
Keep us posted on the job hunt. I’m sure there will be plenty of fodder for the blog.
Morris has a highly provocative piece on the flag today. Brad, do the writers ever get threats that actuallly worry them? What type of hate mail is he going to get over this?
Randy, I expect he’ll get plenty… just check out some of the online remarks readers are leaving.
That flag WILL go away one day; it’s inevitable, despite the cries of the heritage-screechers. But I’m going off-topic again… sorry.
Brad, great job so far! But, despite Randy’s sage advice, I can’t figure out how to get a thumbnail profile pic up, even though I’ve registered. (I couldn’t find the link you mentioned, Randy.) I’m reasonably tech-savvy, so I’ve no idea why this is eluding me… I expect I’ll figure it out eventually.
One thing I’ve noticed about blogging and social media in general is that there’s a big boom in users in the 40-50-60-somethings age group. Maybe you should create a “What You Should Know” topic for new bloggers to lure them to your new site?
Off topic but- The State had an article on the dispute regarding the convention center hotel in which they referred to the “tenants of contract law.” Did their proof reader get laid off as well?
I should have mentioned that this is in today’s paper.
Finally got it, Randy! Doug Ross posted about http://en.gravatar.com on another thread.
Anyone who wants a profile pic should visit that site.
Glad to hear you’re doing so well.
I wonder if you might consider running/editing a blog with multiple guest columnists a la Arianna Huffington or Matt Drudge (ok, so you’re not insanely partisan – but maybe that could be your “hook”).
OOPS! “[T]enants of contract law” is a direct quote from Judge Manning’s order. I hope his law clerk has been sent back to remedial vocabulary.
It was an unemployed salesman, curious about the wide variation in quality of cups of coffee, who researched coffee roasting and brewing, and built himself a home coffee brewer… which became Mr. Coffee.
The general advice about not starting a blog is good for most people, not just the unemployed, because they have nothing important to say.
But a writer should have something worthwhile to say, and a blog or website with feedback should be used to get the constructive criticism which is vital to discarding bad ideas, being introduced to new ones, and honing ones writing skills.
“feedback should be used to get the constructive criticism which is vital to discarding bad ideas” – Lee
Despite the preponderance of such criticism, Lee has steadfastly held to his ideas.
Lee, I’ll add salesman to the list of former occupations; economist, engineer, fire captain, hall monitor, marksman, autism therapist, and WIS reporter.
In a preverse way, I’m happy that Lee made the transition with Brad. I will actually agree with him in regards to honing writing skills (he’s actually a fairly intelligent chap).
perverse
Travis mentions something I have thought of — with so many out-of-work journalists, maybe I should invite some to contribute to the blog.
Randy,
Make up whatever falsehoods and smears you want to add to your list.
No one takes you seriously. You are almost like a cartoon of a close-minded government school teacher – nothing but personal invective aimed at anyone who suggests a reform of your corrupt system.
Hi Brad: I’m Ms. Finney herself same self! Nice to meetcha. The thing about silly reviews is that they leave silly impressions. Although an author can’t be peevish, because that would appear to be poor sportsmanship! But if I were in your shoes I wouldn’t have been interested in the book either based on what was printed.
Send me your email address and I’d love to send you a copy of Rebound — I’ll even post-it some spots that you find especially interesting. I like snarky contrarians…we have more in common than you might think!
Hi Brad: I’m Ms. Finney herself same self! Nice to meetcha. The thing about silly reviews is that they leave silly impressions. Although an author can’t be peevish, because that would appear to be poor sportsmanship! But if I were in your shoes I wouldn’t have been interested in the book either based on what was printed.
Send me your email address and I’d love to send you a copy of Rebound — I’ll even post-it some spots that you find especially interesting. I like snarky contrarians…we have more in common than you might think!
Oh…my email address is martha@rebound.com!
Thanks Brad – that’ll be 5% of your blog’s revenue, which is…
hm.
😀
(You can see the problem with blogging for a living.)
But seriously…
I definitely think having guest columnists would suit you:
You’re an Editor, so it plays to your strengths. The “new printing press” of The Internet is damn near free – so there’s technically not much stopping you from actually creating your own whole online newspaper.
I’ve thought of starting a news blog myself, but I’m not a Journalist by trade, and whenever I spend too much time reading or writing about politics, I remember I’m supposed to be working on my screenplays.
(Plus I’m not sure I could make any money off of it.)
But since I can’t help but think up about it sometimes, I’ll throw out a few more ideas for your: take ’em or leave ’em: you’re The Editor.
Possible blog title: “The State of The State”.
(Kind of a double entendre there.)
Get a mix of SC writers and National writers – and Arial! – on board.
Consider a 3 column style with those deemed politically “Left” on the left side of the page, those deemed “Right” on the right. Those in the middle…
Consider a section for GOOD news – it’s just as news-worthy as bad news, and God knows we could use some in a Recession.
Consider some BOOK reviews – something sorely lacking in most papers.
While we’re at it, you could even consider a film review section (why not?).
If your site gets busy, consider delaying the appearance of comments until they’ve been approved (to prevent juvenile and vulgar posts).
Add a “Preview Post” feature that allows us to edit posts (or reconsider posting a drunken rant) before submitting.
Perhaps most importantly: make some calls (or hire someone to do it for you) to local businesses to get some online advertising onto your site.
Figure out a cost-effective way to get Search Engine Optimization done so your site is easier to find. Google actually offers free tips on SEO.
Wow, long post there -sorry about that.
But I can see that if I had a preview feature, I could have known it would look different from the way it appears in this little box here, and I could have made sure it looked and read better.
Hi Brad…offer to send you a copy of Rebound remains. Just email me at the corrected email below:
martha@reboundyourcareer.com