I attended a job fair Saturday after work just to see what sort of opportunities are out there for me. Turns out there really aren't any ... around here. Rockford Jobapalooza was kind of a bust. First off, there was an informational app. we had to fill out when we got there and we had to categorize ourselves as 'boomerangs' - people who grew up here, moved away, and want to come back, 'resident boomerangs' - same thing, but these people actually live in town, etc. etc. None of the categories states, "born in Rockford, left, came back, but want to leave again." I believe that describes a yo-yo or something; a person who gets dragged back in but doesn't want to be there.
So I sucked it up and let myself be a resident boomerang.
So Sha'Donna and I went up to two tables and initiated some awkward banter with the two media companies. Of course, both were small firms and were looking to hire people with way more experience than either of us have. I tried to namedrop the Trib while I was there, but it really wasn't working too great. The place was packed, which wasn't surprising given the unemployment rate in town (almost 10%), but I was shocked to be among the top prospects there. I don't know who those companies were looking for, considering that most people weren't dressed up and didn't have any resume copies with them (who shows up at a fair without a resume?). It was obvious to us that we were waaay overqualified for the positions open.
This only drives me more to want to pump out some stellar cover letters. Lately, I'm getting dumber though. I can just feel the intelligence falling away. And talk about creativity block. It's hard to move out to the city, but I have to make it happen soon before my laziness completely outweighs my motivation.
My family's getting more exhausting to deal with. They've got their own frustrations and it's nice to be able to mope at home, but it's not a constructive atmosphere.
I'm not sure who to be more active than I was this summer, but I gotta kick it into gear.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy T-day
Oh, Thanksgiving.
The day when those who've been avoiding their family all year are forced to confront them. And then, you have to walk on eggshells, avoiding deep convo and acting like everything's all good. For those, it's a day of much alcohol.
It's all a day of straight-up gluttony. Seeing as it's the one day I get off, I completely advocate stuffing yourself until you fall asleep from the tryptophan.
For us cynics out there, T-day's also a day of irony. Celebrating a relationship between the pilgrims and Indians, with the Indians teaching the colonizers how to survive, that was clearly betrayed with a bunch of bogus treaties. Honestly, as a child, this is the max of our Native American education - making hand print turkeys and discussing Squanto and the friendly Indians.
This Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning for me. Yesterday was a fucking draining day. I was so irritated and exhausted at work. Honestly, I guess (and hope for the future) that the day before Thanksgiving is the worst possible day to work at a bank. There was just a constant line and as usual, customers always pick me to be an asshole too. How can I project bitch more so I can look less inviting at my window. I specifically picked the least-trafficked window and yet, my stupid regulars - a Muslim guy who trusts me because I'm Indian and even treats me like an unpaid accountant and a confederate-flag man Don Johnson - wait for me to be free so they can waste all my time. Let's just say that by the time I left, I needed some drinks.
But as soon as I got into the car after work, my father informed me of the attacks in Bombay and the crazy hostage situation. The thing that bothers me more than usual is that this hostage/bombing attack appears to symbolically targeted at the West. While it seems clear that a militant Pakistani group was behind everything - and we all know that India and Pakistan are never going to be all good - foreigner/tourists were specially sought out. Yes, some train stations were attacked, where masses of people were sure to be collected - probably hundreds and thousands, if I know Bombay. But the fanciest hotels, those patronized by the elite, the upper class Indians, Westerners who want safe food, tourists, etc., were bombed. And then the Americans and Brits there were held hostage. All this the day before Thanksgiving, when Americans are certain to have their guard down as they launch into holiday mode.
This of course puts my crap day in perspective. As terrible as I felt it was, it was not that bad of a day.
As of now, it appears that most of the hostages have been evacuated/saved. I would think that this situation won't be completely resolved for a while. But I'm glad that things are dying down. And that my family - most of my relatives in India live in Bombay - is safe. I'm thankful for a lot of things right now, most of all that my rents chose to move to here so we're safe and sound and can watch this from a distance.
The day when those who've been avoiding their family all year are forced to confront them. And then, you have to walk on eggshells, avoiding deep convo and acting like everything's all good. For those, it's a day of much alcohol.
It's all a day of straight-up gluttony. Seeing as it's the one day I get off, I completely advocate stuffing yourself until you fall asleep from the tryptophan.
For us cynics out there, T-day's also a day of irony. Celebrating a relationship between the pilgrims and Indians, with the Indians teaching the colonizers how to survive, that was clearly betrayed with a bunch of bogus treaties. Honestly, as a child, this is the max of our Native American education - making hand print turkeys and discussing Squanto and the friendly Indians.
This Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning for me. Yesterday was a fucking draining day. I was so irritated and exhausted at work. Honestly, I guess (and hope for the future) that the day before Thanksgiving is the worst possible day to work at a bank. There was just a constant line and as usual, customers always pick me to be an asshole too. How can I project bitch more so I can look less inviting at my window. I specifically picked the least-trafficked window and yet, my stupid regulars - a Muslim guy who trusts me because I'm Indian and even treats me like an unpaid accountant and a confederate-flag man Don Johnson - wait for me to be free so they can waste all my time. Let's just say that by the time I left, I needed some drinks.
But as soon as I got into the car after work, my father informed me of the attacks in Bombay and the crazy hostage situation. The thing that bothers me more than usual is that this hostage/bombing attack appears to symbolically targeted at the West. While it seems clear that a militant Pakistani group was behind everything - and we all know that India and Pakistan are never going to be all good - foreigner/tourists were specially sought out. Yes, some train stations were attacked, where masses of people were sure to be collected - probably hundreds and thousands, if I know Bombay. But the fanciest hotels, those patronized by the elite, the upper class Indians, Westerners who want safe food, tourists, etc., were bombed. And then the Americans and Brits there were held hostage. All this the day before Thanksgiving, when Americans are certain to have their guard down as they launch into holiday mode.
This of course puts my crap day in perspective. As terrible as I felt it was, it was not that bad of a day.
As of now, it appears that most of the hostages have been evacuated/saved. I would think that this situation won't be completely resolved for a while. But I'm glad that things are dying down. And that my family - most of my relatives in India live in Bombay - is safe. I'm thankful for a lot of things right now, most of all that my rents chose to move to here so we're safe and sound and can watch this from a distance.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Everything that goes up, must come down
Man, are things ever down.
A while back, you may recall I posted an entry extolling the merits of the dolla theatre. I pointed to it as an economic indicator, as the trashy theatre in town, the one that people get to make fun of in the good times, was packed during the lean times. I mean, movies that had been out for months were being patronized.
Well, a few weeks ago, that Rockford institution shut down with barely any notice. Like, I was reading the paper during my lunch break and the hed of the story said, "theatres to close (cuz, guess what - Colonial Art's gone too)" and later in the story, it was mentioned that the theatre closed the day off publishing. Sad, I wish I had a last chance to visit. Not that I frequented the place or anything, but it holds a special place in my heart.
As I said, the Colonial Village Art theatre closed too, leaving behind just the two Showplaces, which are far cleaner, but as I said, are less nostalgic for me. Granted, once the megachurch purchased Colonial Village Mall, the theatre lost all its indie cred, but I'll always remember watching the Royal Tenenbaums there and taking in those R-raters with Sara way before I turned 17.
Restaraunts and other businesses in town are shutting down left and right. Cannoli Cafe, which I had always meant to stop at, is now gone. Apparently, Tumbleweeds is closing too. They have the worst food but I'll miss in the way that it reminds me of Arianne, since she worked there. I don't even know what else is going. Really, I think the only places we can be sure of are the fast food place. Mickey D's, T-Bell, and the Roo are never going to go out of business, that I know fo sho.
Not just the mom and pop stores are affected either. I wasn't surprised when Lula's Boutique downtown announced it was closing. It's a cute store, but it's just not going to survive and in a non-stylish city like Rocktown. But when giants like Circuit City and Linens n Things crumble, that's a sign that things are rouuuugh. Ya, I always wondered about CC, just because Best Buy has so many more options, but I thought Bed, Bath, and Beyond could survive alongside Linens n Things.
A while back, you may recall I posted an entry extolling the merits of the dolla theatre. I pointed to it as an economic indicator, as the trashy theatre in town, the one that people get to make fun of in the good times, was packed during the lean times. I mean, movies that had been out for months were being patronized.
Well, a few weeks ago, that Rockford institution shut down with barely any notice. Like, I was reading the paper during my lunch break and the hed of the story said, "theatres to close (cuz, guess what - Colonial Art's gone too)" and later in the story, it was mentioned that the theatre closed the day off publishing. Sad, I wish I had a last chance to visit. Not that I frequented the place or anything, but it holds a special place in my heart.
As I said, the Colonial Village Art theatre closed too, leaving behind just the two Showplaces, which are far cleaner, but as I said, are less nostalgic for me. Granted, once the megachurch purchased Colonial Village Mall, the theatre lost all its indie cred, but I'll always remember watching the Royal Tenenbaums there and taking in those R-raters with Sara way before I turned 17.
Restaraunts and other businesses in town are shutting down left and right. Cannoli Cafe, which I had always meant to stop at, is now gone. Apparently, Tumbleweeds is closing too. They have the worst food but I'll miss in the way that it reminds me of Arianne, since she worked there. I don't even know what else is going. Really, I think the only places we can be sure of are the fast food place. Mickey D's, T-Bell, and the Roo are never going to go out of business, that I know fo sho.
Not just the mom and pop stores are affected either. I wasn't surprised when Lula's Boutique downtown announced it was closing. It's a cute store, but it's just not going to survive and in a non-stylish city like Rocktown. But when giants like Circuit City and Linens n Things crumble, that's a sign that things are rouuuugh. Ya, I always wondered about CC, just because Best Buy has so many more options, but I thought Bed, Bath, and Beyond could survive alongside Linens n Things.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Double O Seven Stars
Back to the movie reviews. I saw the new James Bond flick this weekend. And I will say, it was the first movie in a long time that I felt was worth the $10, not just a way to stay out of my house on a weekend night.
The James Bond much-acclaimed theme song - OK I guess if you like Jack White. It was a duet with Alicia Keys, but I couldn't even decipher that it was her voice, so that should tell you a lot. It sounded too experimental for a mainstream radio hit.
Daniel Craig - hot. He's the blondie Bondie and I know people had a lot of issues with him because of that when the first movie came out. But whatever, haters. He managed to look good in all situations, as a British boating prepster and when he was diiiiiirty, covered in ash.
The girl was pretty too. Like Catherine Zeta Jones if she had Latina in her. And she wasn't a nasty ho with a ridic. name like Pussy Galore. I guess I can believe it because it was the 60s, but really? Pussy Galore? This girl's name was normal, but she was still kick ass.
The story was topical too, which was refreshing. There was none of that campiness that usually keeps me from watching Bond. Seriously, one of them or the other seems to always be on TV (ya know, on SPIKE - the "man channel") and my dad always watches but I can never get passed the first few minutes. The only one I prob. ever watched was the latest one with Halle Berry.
Of course, the gadgets were cool. Cars were front and center - lemme just say Ford got a nice shout-out. And British people are sometimes hilarious. Especially when they think they're sticking it to the Americans. Sorry, former colonizers. Her Majesty's Secret Service doesn't hold as much power as it did pre-WWII when Brittania had control over what seemed like half the world.
The James Bond much-acclaimed theme song - OK I guess if you like Jack White. It was a duet with Alicia Keys, but I couldn't even decipher that it was her voice, so that should tell you a lot. It sounded too experimental for a mainstream radio hit.
Daniel Craig - hot. He's the blondie Bondie and I know people had a lot of issues with him because of that when the first movie came out. But whatever, haters. He managed to look good in all situations, as a British boating prepster and when he was diiiiiirty, covered in ash.
The girl was pretty too. Like Catherine Zeta Jones if she had Latina in her. And she wasn't a nasty ho with a ridic. name like Pussy Galore. I guess I can believe it because it was the 60s, but really? Pussy Galore? This girl's name was normal, but she was still kick ass.
The story was topical too, which was refreshing. There was none of that campiness that usually keeps me from watching Bond. Seriously, one of them or the other seems to always be on TV (ya know, on SPIKE - the "man channel") and my dad always watches but I can never get passed the first few minutes. The only one I prob. ever watched was the latest one with Halle Berry.
Of course, the gadgets were cool. Cars were front and center - lemme just say Ford got a nice shout-out. And British people are sometimes hilarious. Especially when they think they're sticking it to the Americans. Sorry, former colonizers. Her Majesty's Secret Service doesn't hold as much power as it did pre-WWII when Brittania had control over what seemed like half the world.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Will Ferrell is my hero
Here's a video for you, sure made me feel better:
Sha'Donna told me about this a while ago and with the magic of Google, all I had to type was "Will Ferrell bank teller" to get this. As I was saying, the fact that Will Ferrell was in my exact situation years ago - a bank teller living at home with his parents, trying to get his shit together - and then he turned into Will Ferrell superstar millionaire comedian extraordinaire is the best motivation.
If he could do it, so can I. I ought to print out his pic and keep it in my pocket while I'm at work. Ok, that might be a little over the line. If I believed in that New Age stuff, I'd say I'm visualizing a girl-version of his future for myself.
I have great hope that one day, my writing will get published and someone will option it for the big screen and then Sha'Donna and can write a memoir about tellering, which of course, our agent will get Will Ferrell to writer the forward for.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Oh yeah, we did it
So the results are in and Obama killed it! By a landslide. By a fucking avalanche.
Hope exists, thank god. As cheesy as it sounds, I've got something to look forward to the first time in a long time. And as I said, this whole election was about change on such a grande scale. Not just minorities rising up by Gen X and Gen Y claiming themselves, making decisions about what the future of this country should be.
Though McCain called himself the underdog (multi-millionaire underdogs, ha what a joke), Obama kind of had everything going against him. Racists, xenophobes, reverse-ageists, anti-elitists, in your face. Despite every scandal over his middle name, over his illegal aunt, over his Indonesian upbringing, etc. etc., he came out on top, looking dignified.
Hope exists, thank god. As cheesy as it sounds, I've got something to look forward to the first time in a long time. And as I said, this whole election was about change on such a grande scale. Not just minorities rising up by Gen X and Gen Y claiming themselves, making decisions about what the future of this country should be.
Though McCain called himself the underdog (multi-millionaire underdogs, ha what a joke), Obama kind of had everything going against him. Racists, xenophobes, reverse-ageists, anti-elitists, in your face. Despite every scandal over his middle name, over his illegal aunt, over his Indonesian upbringing, etc. etc., he came out on top, looking dignified.
This election signified so much. A reporter on CNN said it all when he declared this election a great nonviolent revolution. That we, the people, were attempting to change the political system from the inside. Maybe it's not quite to that level. Not a people's rebellion. I do believe though that things will change, that things are in the process of changing already with someone who believes in the future, believes in the government for the people and by the people (and not just the top 5 percent). I say, viva la revolution!
I don't mean to sound extremists but I do believe that the time for conservatives is over. Conservatism may not be dead, but the current administration's failures have shown that individualism just doesn't work in a society. Obama's not exactly a socialist but he's the most liberal Dem. we've got, and honestly, more and more, I think Americans are starting to realize that social welfare policies benefit the whole and what's the point of taxes if we're all not going to be helped somehow. Screw federalism, I'm all about my country protecting me. We are the United States for a reason. With Dems in the House and the White House, this could be a time for not exactly liberal agenda, but legislation promoting real equality getting set in place. Sad as the gay marriage ban in Cali made me, this is a time for progressiveness in our nation. For judging people by their character rather than their orientations.
Historic yes. Who woulda predicted a black man in the White House by '09. I love that I did not see this coming. I'm so giddy. I so wish I was in Grant Park last night.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Yes We Can
I think Obama's gonna win it. It's only an hour after voting ended, and lame as I think the electoral college is, Obama's killing McCain. Awwwwwwesome. As a proud Illinoisian, young liberal, I could not be more excited. I only wish that I could go to the rally in Chi. So close and yet so far, ha.
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