Stream of Consciousness - January 22

 

Well. This should be interesting, as there is a TON of stuff rattling around in my brain - much to none of it related, so what better place to dump it than a stream of consciousness? Put on your seat belts and lets get started!

1 - I lost my job with Diets in Review. I've written for them for close to three years and, honestly, this was a total shock to me. I was told it wasn't me, but it was a staffing decision.Keep me in mind if you hear of a writing gig - a paying one - because I could use the income. As could everyone, I'm sure.

2 - Based on that, all of us have to drop out of martial arts. That was how I paid for the lessons, and with that income gone - there go the lessons. Riley just started, and Emma was set to make her black belt in June. That was sucky, telling my kids.

3 - But not quite as sucky as telling them that "Big Al", a close family friend, died Saturday evening. He had stage 4 lung cancer and had been in the hospital for a while, and was in a medically induced coma in intensive care for the last week. But, damn, that was a terrible conversation to have to have. If you smoke, CUT that shit out. Now. There's nothing like seeing the faces of your older kids who went to the hospital to visit a man wasting away from this dreadful disease.

4 - Which, for those of you playing along, makes FIVE funerals in the first 3 weeks of January.

5 - I am sick, AGAIN. Sick in November, again in December, and again in January. Each and every time, it's the middle of the month. I went and bought the jumbo size bottle of sambucus, and once this passes, I'm going to try taking it every day and see how February goes.

6 - I'm going to be flying to CA at the end of the month for a can't yet be named job - and I will be in the incredibly weird position of flying for a job with very little income - so lay it on me - what are your favorite can be packed in a carry on snacks that aren't carb heavy, travel well and are filling?

7 - So, I'll have free time. Now, I guess is the time to get my house CLEANED and ORGANIZED. My husband, he will be so thrilled.

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
• Link up your post below.
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Now…

1. Grab the button

(it’s over at Fadra's place)

2. Write your post.

3. Link up there.

Comments

[Megan]

Wow. Sorry to hear of so much suckiness in recent weeks. I'll keep you in mind for any writing jobs I hear about. Are you only interested in blog writing work, or would you also do magazine articles or web writing?

I would normally grab a granola bar in the flying situation, but that's probably considered carb heavy, right? The airport in Charlotte sells this completely awesome (and only slightly overpriced) sweet-and-spicy peanut trail mix mixture, but I haven't been able to find them anywhere else. I haven't looked in Norfolk, though.

[addy]

Huh sux about the writing gig. I always enjoyed your articles there. I will be in San Diego and there abouts for the last week of January. You anywhere close? I buy yogurt and protein shakes at the airport, maybe some almonds or pistachios and some water?

[KatieButler]

That stinks about the writing job. A friend is in a similar situation, after years in the industry. Hope something comes your day.

[Heather]

Sorry about all the yuck lately, especially the family friend. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you & your family!

[bama Cheryl]

Sorry about losing the job. I'll keep my ear to the ground for you. Feel better soon -- and try to stay that way!

[Nicki]

May this be the end of the not-so-good times for you. I'm sorry about the loss of the job and losing a family friend. Here's to things looking up.

[Wendy]

Here's one job idea: http://www.livingsocial.com/jobs?&job_id=oePTVfwB

I know of a bunch of WAH gigs but none of them pay that great. Another one might be Demand Media Studios, although they have cut back to the bone more recently as well. Also Leapforce, which to my knowledge pays $13.50 an hour.http://www.leapforceathome.com/qrp/public/jobs?sref=fe2338c7fd45951c84a19391409040c1

If you've ever thought of secret shopping, I could plug you into some sites my friends work with. It does involve some writing when you do your reports.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

[Sabz]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. A close family member has smoked for years & won't quit even in the face of chronic bronchitis & other resperitory issues. I abhor smoking!

Snacks - nuts, cheese sticks, granola, fruit. Of course take an empty bottle and fill past security. I'm sure you know that one. Or pay $3 for a 20c bottle of hydration.

How long is the flight from east to west? Drink plenty of water!!

[Fadra]

That's too bad about the writing gig. I've been to that site lots of times and never knew you were a contributor. And I feel even worse for your kids. I just started my son in Tae Kwon Do and I know how expensive it is. I hope things turn around and I can't wait to hang with you at BlissDom.

My fave snack these days is something I got to review called Somersault Snacks. I think you can buy them at Whole Foods. Here are the details.

http://allthingsfadra.com/2011/12/somersaults-review-junk-food-alternative/

[UKCraftySal]

I'm so very sorry that life just keeps throwing horrible things at you. I'm hoping (again) that this is the end of the bad stuff. xx

[C.B.]

Good luck with everything and I hope you feel better. Very sorry about your friend!

[Julie @ dutchbeingme]

Wow that is a lot of stuff that just happened... hoping that over the next month life will settle down and you can relax and find some time for yourself.

[Katie R]

Hang in there--something is sure to turn up. In the meantime, could you and/or the kids clean the martial arts studio/do reception duties/etc. in exchange for classes? Most yoga studios have work-"study" programs like that, perhaps you could make a similar deal?

As for carryon food, I always pack a sandwich, carrots, grapes, a treat (like a small serving of candy), and an empty water bottle (which I fill after security). I can munch on the items over the course of several hours, or as a meal.

[Donna]

I am feeling for you. Life can be a real pain sometimes but life has also showed me that good times ALWAYS come a'calling again. Hang in there. You are doing a great job as a Mum, wife and all round great woman. Donna from Australia.

[beth]

Beef jerky! If you have a dehydrator, you can make it yourself. It is way better and less expensive than the packaged kind. I buy a big piece of chuck tender roast for about $7, freeze slightly so it slices very thin and then follow directions. 1lb of meat will fill a quart sized ziploc after dehydration. I made fun of my husband until I tried it - it's good!
Or dried fruit. Those individual packages of Jif peanut butter with whole grain crackers. Or Baybel cheeses?

[Sandy]

This January has been a tough one here also. Am trying to keep a positive attitude, but sometimes when the shit keeps hitting the fan it can be tough. Thank god for my runs(even if they are on the treadmill due to snow). I think that may be the thing keeping me from flying over the edge!!
Sorry about your job , your friend, financial constraints etc. Sending you positive vibes!!1 Keep smiling. :)

[Sandy]

Btw, tried the sambucus in Dec. Ended up with the flu, recovered from that then got a major cold that lasted 2 weeks and ended in a sinus infection). So much for sambucus. ugh!!

[Maybe Lady Liz]

Boy, it's a tough world out there for us writers, sorry to hear about the gig falling through. But hopefully this will just open you up to the new job in California. I just quit my full-time job to expand my blog and finish my novel, and as cheesy as it sounds, I'm finding that one door closing usually opens others. Best of luck! And PS, I love individually packed trail mix from Trader Joe's as my go-to flying snack.

[kyooty]

Bummer on your job loss. I loved reading your articles.

[Cindy]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and job. I enjoyed reading your post on their site. Their loss. As for the flight, Lara bars. They're great when I travel.

[Jim Crews]

It's totally our loss :(

Carmen was a great asset to our site. Unfortunately the economy isn't recovering for everyone and with recent changes in the google algorithm we have dramatically lower revenues than we need to sustain our current staff.

It's not Carmen's fault and I hate to see our website listed here as a reason for stress and pain. We did everything we could to maintain, and unfortunately lots of people are feeling the pain of this.

Best,
Jim Crews
President - DietsInReview.com