Chatter Chatter Chatter

Out of 300 million people 78 million are baby boomers…one third of the nations population. Commonly referred to as a pig in a python. (Ken Dykwal) As a boomer in the middle of the demographics it has been a wild and wondrous ride; do what you want, go for what you want and get what you want. We went from hippie to yuppie to the never ending line of greedy geezers. Here we are, no hair, no waist, no job, no retirement and no longer living large. We are all asking “What the hell am I suppose to do now?”

I am of a generation that was told to get a good job with a good company, work hard and retire with a pension. Well we all know how that turned out, we were merged, acquired, downsized, or the position has been eliminated. We landed on our feet and became very agile. We entered the five year plan where if you wanted a raise you changed jobs. Everything started moving fast and everyone was living large and change wasn’t so devastating, as long as the money was there. We all know how that turned out.

It seems to me we are being reminded of what is real and true. In away I thank the economic downturn; For bringing me closer to my friends and family. For slowing me down so that I can give my undivided attention. I am thankful for the new friends I have made in my networking efforts, the opportunity to learn, love, hope and be humble.

Humble is the biggest one. The titles are gone, the prestige and glory are gone it is just me. Who am I? I was once defined with titles and roles and now they are gone and I don’t know who I am. I have spent 13 months unemployed having personal epiphanies realizing what is true and real. I am still not quite sure whom I am or what I want to do. However, I know what I don’t want and that is to go back to those titles and roles. I have now realized how soulless my career has been working in a corporate office in a Grade A, all American, standard 6x6 cubical. I would leave every day and have no feelings of accomplishment. It was a trudge and I don’t want to go back.

Well here goes the mind chatter…how will you keep your house, how will you maintain your lifestyle, what about the dogs, what about, what about, what about. This is change and fear speaking to keep me away from my true reality. My last blog was about the Wild Hair and I ended with what would be real and true to me. So why am I still sitting here? Why am I still looking for work in the same ole same ole. Why do I make health insurance my excuse? I don’t know, maybe it is because it is 20 degrees outside and I don’t feel like it.

Chatter Chatter Chatter

What is my passion? Story Telling, I love to tell a story.
What are my strengths? Helping, Making it Happen
What are my weaknesses? Don’t believe in myself

If one of my strengths is making it happen then the big question is, what is holding me back from realizing my passion? Oh yeah, I don’t believe in myself. I am a smart person. Why can’t I realize my passion? Why am I following the noise? I guess I need to think about what I need to change. The opportunity will come once I make a change. So what is the change? I keep thinking I should sell the house but I like it here....Would someone please slap me silly?!

I Got Friends

Since I have been unemployed I have seen, heard, and read about social networking. There are a bazillion ways for us to communicate at the speed of a thought so we can react at the speed of a knee jerk. I am very excited about this new technology and want to engage. I am having a hard time of figuring out how to integrate these technologies into my every day life.

I would like to use social media with my circle of influence but here is my dilemma; my peers are duds. Yes duds! Most of them have a computer and use it for surfing the internet, shop or look up something medical. Only a few send emails and when they do it has, FWD:FWD:FWD and then the subject which is usually one of those urban legends. You know the ones that condemn you to eternal bad karma if you don’t forward to 15 more people. I have begged and pleaded to please stop sending me these emails but they continue to show up in my inbox. God…please help them figure out how to remove me from their distribution lists; which by the way, I am impressed they created a distribution list in the first place.

Now, I don’t know where my mind was when I set up a Facebook account, as Facebook is all about friends. I have friends and family and some who live out-of-state so I sent them a request to join Facebook. I thought it would be fun way to keep in touch and share what’s been going on with each other. I waited and waited and no one joined my Facebook page. I felt like the unpopular kid in school…my page had no friends ;~(

I tried to educate them on the functionality of Facebook and the benefits, like sharing pictures and videos. I got a lot of push back, as they didn’t want the whole universe to see their stuff. Here is another technology challenge…. They use cameras that use film. Then they go to Wal-Mart and use the kiosk to print out hard copies. OMG! This hurts me. So, I gave up on them and have all their kids as my Facebook friends. Now here is the reality with this; I know all the details of their day…really!

I would like to acknowledge, Jackie, Pam, Karen and Kay. These ladies have crossed the line and live wildly on the .net