Round 1!

Fail.

I wish...

I could get my photography business going....or into something that I could even call it a business.

I have a website (sort of)...I have a camera...But you always need more equipment, or help in some way shape or form.

So, every time there is a giveaway where you can win photography stuff, I enter it.  Now, I don't enter every single one.  Because sometimes I feel like I just don't need the products being offered or I truly don't like it.

In this case, I like it and I need it.

So, today, I'm entering a giveaway with Crave Photography in hopes of winning a nice new lens, 1 on 1 mentoring, and a business marketing plan, all things I desperately need and want.

So if you too would like to "Jump start your business (photography)"...then you can enter here to win!

Twelve goals for 2013

Hookay, so these are NOT New Years resolutions...because we all know those never happen.  I'm actually starting this in October so I'll have time to think about it.  This is a list of twelve things that I hope to accomplish in the year 2013, in no particular order (also, trying to do it as if I don't have a job yet, because that changes a lot of things).

1. Lose 50 pounds.  Ambitious, maybe.  But that's like one pound a week.  I can hack that, right?  I do play on going to see a nutritionist and make a plan.
          UPDATE: Nutritionist seen.  On a meal plan. Down 11 lbs.

2. Get my photography blog up and going.  I got it back under control, but still don't have all the kinks worked out.
          UPDATE:  Website/Blog is all clear and up, check it out! www.alexisburton.com

3.  Be more active.  That kinda goes with #1, but I want to be more active in general, not just for exercise.  But since we live in CO, I want to try to take advantage of the hiking, maybe start biking, and definitely do a lot more walking.
          UPDATE: Looking into learning to ski.  Bought the pants.

4. Complete the Couch-to-5k program.  This goes with #1 and #3.

5. Have a family portrait taken.  All four of us, ha!  This will definitely be towards the end of the year,   AFTER I lose the 50 (or more) lbs. haha

6. Build something (like a coffee table/storage bench).

7. Refinish some of the furniture we got from Craig's List.
           UPDATE:  One down, five to go.

8. Branch out in clothing styles.  I did buy a pair of skinny jeans...but....I'm still not 100% convinced that that was a good decision...
          UPDATE: Liking the skinny jeans, got a pair of very pink shorts.

9.  Do not take for granted the area in which I live.  Every time we move somewhere, where there are cool things/places nearby, we always say, "We live here, we can see it any time." Hopefully that'll stop in 2013.
           UPDATE: See #3.

10. Be more open to activities that I previously would have said "No" to.
           UPDATE: See #3 and #9.

11. Limit Facebook and Pinterest time.
           FAIL
12. Make better decisions and stick with them.

Well, there it is.  Something to tackle in the '13.  Hopefully I can get work on these throughout the year to make 2013 better than 2012.

Oh, beeteetubbs

I quit....

but I already have a babysitting job lined up that pays me twice as much....so I'm not too torn up about it.  And....we get to go to Iowa for Christmas...

I think I made a mistake...

I bought skinny jeans....


I look like a meatballs on toothpicks....This was too embarrassing to post as a Facebook status....

Although, Ed, my mom, and a BFF said they look pretty cute.... I'll wear them....sometimes...

How do you....

quit a job?  Especially, when you don't want to give them the professional 2 weeks notice?  I basically had the final straw today at the big ole craft store (we're not supposed to say the name of it on social media, especially if we're not saying positive things. Not that I think my blog, with a whole readership of 2 will have any affect on said craft store).

After just a few weeks of working there, they wanted to promote me to manager....I guess because the current management can't get it under the control, and I had control of the front in in a few short weeks.  But then the big boss came in and made a bunch of cuts, so I actually didn't get promoted.

I feel like I work too hard, for too little.  I'm always available when then need me and when they say jump, I generally ask how high?  They've been able to call me in on my day off and I've been there.  They also ask me to stay late all the time, which I do, no questions asked.  They give me tasks that they expect to get done while I serve the customers.  and I do. and I do it well. and fast.  So fast, they bring me more stuff to do and comment on how other employees can't get their acts together and do anything.

Well, today, after having arranged everything with another employee to have Saturday off, because I haven't had a Saturday off since I started working, it all fell through.  I had asked another employee to switch with me, which she agreed to.  Then I asked the manager to change it on the schedule to make it official.

The next morning, I noticed that it had not been changed.  So I asked the employee again if it was ok, she agreed again, and then I told the manager again.  So after about  FIVE days of this, I asked again and the manager said, oh well the employee said she might not be able to switch, ask again.  So I did.  And of course, the employee now says she couldn't.

Has the manager switched it five days ago when I asked the first time and all was agreed to, I wouldn't have to worry about finding someone to "cover my shift."  Which two management members told me, very rudely, that I still had to do.

Had Manager1 taken care of everything, I would be all set.  I already tried to get my shift covered.  Manager1 didn't carry it out on her end, confusing the employee who then went ahead and made plans for Saturday.

It's not hard.  I mean, had manager1 (who is the hiring manager and makes the schedules) had done her job in a timely manner, you know, like I am expected to do and DO do, then I would not have gotten the shaft, like I ALWAYS do!

So therefore, after lining about some better paying jobs, in which I work less and get paid almost double, I would like to quit Craftstore without giving two weeks, because I don't need them as a reference.  And they can have the shaft!

(Although, I feel bad, because they probably get the shaft every day by other more incompetent employees.  annnnnd it's the holiday season.......grrrrrrr...bah, humbug.)

Not my dream job...

So, since moving to Colorado, I’ve been applying to all kinds of jobs.  At first I had high standards: something in education, teaching, community college, advising, etc.  Then we realized we couldn’t pay the bills if I couldn’t find a job.  So I lowered my standards some and applied to still academic, but not great positions.  Still nothing.  So I took to the retail market and started applying to places I might like to shop: whole foods, craft stores, banks, secretary positions, etc.

Well, something took.  I had applied to a craft store and low and behold, they called me the next day.  I went in for the interview, and literally answered every questions with a shy smiles and “Glitter!”  meeeehhhhhhhhhhh  Anyway, they gave me the job.  It was past a certain deadline so they could only hire me as seasonal and I could only make minimum wage, which in Colorado is 7.64$ an hour.  Shoot me.

But I took it.  Cause we need money.  Need to pay bills. Need to have some standard of living beyond figuring out which bill we could pay this month, or if we could go to the doctor or not, etc.

So after the first two weeks of working my rear off for 4 hours a day, 4-5 days a week, admittedly, not very much but tiring none the less, I got my first pay check…..wait for it….

Under 200$.

So I gave up that much of my time for under 200$?????????????

FML.

But every little bit helps, so I continued working…giving it my all, all that jazz….and after four weeks of working, the store manager comes to me all hush, hush secretive and all, and asks, “Hey, what do you think about becoming a manager here?”  Well I think I’d make a lot more than LESS than 200$ every two weeks!

So yeah, 4 weeks as a part time, SEASONAL employee, and they want to make me a manager….

Still have to figure everything out though.  Not even sure if I can do it with two classes and a practicum next semester.  But the money would be nice.

My reaction: Election 2012

I don’t like to get political.  My family and I disagree over politics, religion, and other facets of life.  I don’t like to argue with them about any of it.  As I am willing to see both sides, I will talk to them if they are.  But anyone with the, “Now the world will end!” attitude, I don’t have anything to say.

That being said, with the election over, I feel confident that our country made the correct decision.  I think the correct way to do something usually takes time and four years to turn a nation around with people fighting you every step of the way would take a lot more than four years.  Hopefully we can see more positive changes in our country that will help everyone and keep our country moving forward. I also think a lot of the problems our country has starts at home, before kids even get to school.  I’m also glad that women’s rights will not be set back 50 (or more) years.

What I do find disconcerting is the way some people are reacting to the decision that was made, as a country.  You can claim all you want that the world is ending, that you’re moving to Canada, Australia, Europe, etc. (which is hilarious in its own), or that you’re going to quit working and have 10 babies.  You’re not. The world is not going to end (I mean come on.  How many times has that been predicted?).  You aren’t going to move.  And most likely you’re not going to quit your job and started pushing out kids by the bajillions.  But hey, if you do quit your job, maybe I can get it!

I have seen more disrespect from Americans towards this president than ever before.  It’s shameful.  This is the guy, who WE elected as a country.  If this man was white, he would have never received such blatant disrespect that he has been shown these last few years.  I understand if you don’t agree with him, but come on people, this is 2012. 

Another thing, more general and less on the election (however it has increased with the nearing of the election), is other countries “jokes” and “cracks” at the United States.  Sure, there is a lot wrong with us.  Sure, we’re not perfect.  Don’t be a bully. We all make mistakes, make decisions that we think are “good” at the time but turn out bad. Let’s work together to make things better.

I did want to add some quotes from Facebook last night.  I am really proud to call some of these people my friends.  But their messages to the Facebook world kind of shows you what else was going on.  I didn’t post anything because these people said it better than I ever could have:

Example 1:

Okay, friends. Let's get real.

The leader of the free world doesn't actually have the power to ruin our country. You do.

If you spend instead of save. If you see someone in need, and pass them by. If you have an opinion/ a concern/ a thought - and you keep it to yourself instead of emailing your congressman. In this world - you can text or Facebook them! If you choose to be wasteful. If you

choose to buy something made from a foreign country when you could buy something made in the USA - it is hard to do, but you can try.

Mother Teresa called us to stop waiting on leaders. She said that we should serve others one by one - each day taking one more step to making things better.

So I'm issuing that same challenge to you - and to myself. If you want our country to be great - then make it that way.

However, if you are going to sit behind the comfort of your computer screen and complain and place blame - never stopping to think for a second that you could be part of the problem or trying to be part of the solution - then you aren't doing anything but wasting time and hot air.

Our president can't do anything without the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Sentate and the House will do what they think is best for the people they serve -- and who give them their jobs. If you want change - tell some one until they listen. If you want to complain, keep posting on Facebook. Doing so will accomplish the same amount of change as rocking in a chair. You'll be busy - but you won't get anything done.

Example 2:

Poise is grace under pressure; class is handling a letdown with dignity.

If you were disappointed tonight, that's fine by me. Just keep it classy, folks.

Example 3:

Hey, friends, family, all of you. Whether your candidate won or not, we are all Americans. We are all in this together. And unless you actually leave the country, which we all know you won't, how about we work toward a better future for everyone, and not just those who vote the same as you? How about you spend as much time actively working toward the changes you want to see as you do on FB bitching about it. I look forward to making this a better place for all Americans to live.

And some examples of why I’m disappointed:

Australia looks good to me right now. The us should just have a door mat that reads welcome to the us, the land of nothing we'll screw you over

I'm sorry for the secret service agents. I surely wouldnt take a bullet for him. Glad y'all will. I can't even sleep I'm so confused and upset. Wow.

And one of my favorite ones, which has since been taken down from Facebook so I don’t have a word for word:  someone first called everyone stupid and then recanted asking everyone to pray….

pot, kettle

Siggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Presidential Election 2012

WOOOHOOOOOO!

The Job Market

Finding a job can be difficult: national unemployment is at 7.8 percent, food and gas prices keep climbing while wages stay the same. These "challenges" as I shall refer to them from now on, are simply obstacles to YOUR "American Dream" which can, and must be overcome...sure it will take blood, sweat, and many tears, but challenges can be beaten. It might take clawing, biting, and all the strength a person a muster to continue fighting the job market, but YOU CAN WIN. Below are a few things that helped my while I was looking for a job as an unemployed graduate student in the Spring of 2010.

Focus on measurable, tangible, goals/results. Spending your time worrying about the jobs that you did not get eats away at your ability to apply for the next job, and the next. For example, when I was unemployed, rather then worrying about how to pay the bills next month, I told myself to spend at least one hour a day researching, rewriting resumes/cover letters, and psychically applying for jobs. Focus on the amount of time spent applying, not on how many job offers you do not get.

DO NOT READ REJECTION LETTERS/EMAILS. Who the hell cares if you did not get the job? Forget those people that did not hire you and focus your attention on the other millions of people/companies/schools out there that have not met you yet. Show them, by applying for their job, that you are not defeated, the job market has not claimed another victim, but created a survivor!

Have realistic expectations. Do not worry about job titles, salary or status when applying for jobs. Apply for EVERYTHING! Beating the job market requires a commitment to playing the numbers game. As a friend of mine always says, "finding a job is like hitting on people in a bar, you keep hitting on everyone, playing the field, until something happens".

When, notice I said when, you get an interview for ANY job, even if you do not want it, that is a WIN! There are millions of people on the job market right now, and the fact you got an interview mean you are the best of the best. Some positions have hundreds of applicants, so for you to get an interview has meaning.

Finally, and most important, realize being unemployed is a temporary moment in your life. Very few, and I mean VERY few people spend the rest of their life unemployed living under a bridge. This is not to minimize how difficult the job market can be or the experience of the people who DO end up living under a bridge. But in general people are unemployed for 6 months to a year from the date they start looking. 6 months of anxiety,  depression and anger about being unemployed seems worth it for a job/career that meets your financial, emotional, and human needs. Also realize you are not alone in this fight, friends, family and spouses can provide much needed support during your transition from a frustrated, unemployed grad student to an overworked, unappreciated, but realistically happy,  member of the AMERICAN WORKFORCE!

Good luck on your fight against the job market,

Edward R Burton, Former Unemployed Grad Student.