Karen Continued

So yeah, it was nearly a year ago that I was laid off from FedEx. I wasn’t especially bitter, though I was sad about leaving one year short of qualifying for retiree health care.  Anyhoo…

Today I interviewed for a new job. Retail. Yeah, retail. It seems like a step down, but it’s something I’m sure I’ll enjoy. Hopefully, I’ll be working in the cosmetics department of the nearly built Bloomingdale’s in Santa Monica.

So let’s get some good wishes going for a little part-time job and (more importantly) health care. I’m not going to get all political and shit, but there’s no way a self-employed couple can afford decent health care in the US.

The second interview is next week. Here’s hoping!

FedEx’s job layoff realignment means that since my job has been eliminated, I’m now given a choice of open positions to take. I’ve been with the company for 19 years, in a professional position for half of that time. I applied for a position I could qualify for, but it was quite popular; one of only 3 professional positions in the area. I didn’t get it. Neither did a Senior Manager who also applied for it and was waaay more qualified than me.

So what jobs were offered to me? Checker/Sorter or Handler. I would be the person who either stands at the conveyor belts with a scanner or the person throwing your packages into trucks or containers. Nice. I guess that means my time at FedEx is over.

Wish me luck.

I work for a great company. One that has a “no layoff policy”. This has made me feel safe and secure for the 19 years I’ve worked there. Unfortunately, the bad economy combined with the anti-union atmosphere has resulted in the layoff of 1000 salaried workers. I’m one of them.

I’ve been given a list of jobs for which I can apply. There are positions I don’t qualify for and entry-level positions with the lowest pay offered. Nothing much in-between.

Do I swallow my pride and take a shitty hourly position after having an awesome make-my-own-hours salaried position, just to keep my healthcare? Do I take the modest severance package and dive headlong into financial instability, but working for myself?

This is what I get for blind confidence in the company I work for.

When I was speaking to my mom last week, she couldn’t remember what day my birthday was. She was just a couple of days off. I know she’s 85 years old, and I should understand that kind of slip, but I have to admit I was a little hurt. As I thought about it more, though, I remember that she’s not the woman who gave birth to me, so the day isn’t one that’s ingrained in her memory. In fact, I came to her several months later.

So I wondered… Yesterday, was there a 60 year old woman somewhere in the South Bay silently wishing me a Happy Birthday? I silently wished it she was.

“No man is an island” - John Donne

Ya know, I don’t mind being an island. Most times, I prefer it. This year, specifically this New Year, I decided that I shall this year try not to be an island. I want to reach out to people and connect. I think. Anyway, I decided to update and befriend people on the Facebook page I signed up for last fall.

It’s difficult, not being an island. I’m generally quiet and will sit back and enjoy the conversations around me without taking part. Facebook has forced me to respond to people and converse, albeit in the form of brief sentences and comments.

I’m getting a little skittish, though. I’ve got 38 friends on Facebook at last count. I see more people that I know, but I’m a little overwhelmed now, and I think I’ll just sit tight and wait until I’m more comfortable before friending anyone else.

This New Year’s Resolution may be slightly more difficult than I thought. I think in the end, though, it will be quite rewarding.

I’ve finally taken care of the last part of the mess that was my car accident. The car has been repaired, the seatbelt rash is gone, the bruising has all but disappeared. The last reminder was my mangled key ring. This key ring is very special to me, not just because it was from Tiffany; it was a gift that Steve picked out, himself, without my input. For Christmas this year, he bought me a new one.

This being Thanksgiving week, I was reflecting on things I might be thankful for. The Galaxy’s record is not one of them. Though, I am thankful for the friends we’ve made through the Galaxy this year. Steve’s decision to start hanging with the Riot Squad was a good one. I have to say, I was initially reluctant. I’m pretty quiet; don’t like to talk, and won’t even make eye contact with most people. The Riot Squad has been welcoming and accepting of both of us. I’m really glad to have met them.

Don’t tell any of them, though. I don’t like people to know I like ‘em. They’ll just want to talk to me.

It’s been a soccer heavy weekend. Saturday we went to watch Hollywood United play in a charity match. Not stellar quality soccer, but it’s a good time. My favorite celebrity player, Anthony LaPaglia, was there. Got a pix with him! Yay!

I don’t typically bug celebs for photos or autographs, but I really like this guy.

Afterwards, we went to the Yardhouse in LB for drinks. Lots of NY Red Bulls fans and MLS fans in general were there, as the MLS Cup is this weekend. Met the authors of a couple of awesome soccer related blogs, du Nord and The Offside Rules. They’re a couple of super nice guys. I always feel a little awed by people who are so clearly more clever than myself.

Sunday was the MLS Cup. We didn’t care about either team, really. We only went because it was being held at our home stadium. Afterwards, the Riot Squad and a bunch of NY fans adjourned to the park for beer, tacos, and bicycle jousting. When it became dark out, the party was broken up by the cops. Good times!

Oh yeah…that makes perfect sense!

It’s the future! Have you ever noticed in movies, a way to show that it’s taking place in the future is to have a black president. Well, we have our black president, and we’ve made our way into a more tolerant, forward-thinking time. Well, maybe…

It looks as though Proposition 8 will pass. What a shame. Why in the world would people think that gay marriage somehow undermines traditional marriage. Will married couples suddenly divorce to find a same sex partner? Will children become gay by learning that it’s okay for a man to marry another man that he loves? How does this teach tolerance and compassion to children?

This is a civil rights issue. I understand it’ll take time, as it did for African Americans. I’ll be patient, but it won’t stop me being disappointed.