@ KennyR
I know how you feel, Mate. I'm almost 31 and I've been unemployed for a year now. I've been living off the kindness of friends and if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here writing this message.
There's nothing wrong at all with having pride. My last two jobs I lost, due to pride. The first one, I was a manager at a pet store and my store manager locked an abandoned cat in a cat carrier for over 18 hours, without access to food, water, or a litter box. Upon discovering the animal, I informed our groomer that she was to bathe the animal (who had defficated all over itself). She refused and I took it upon myself to take care of the animal after we closed the store. Needless to say, some customers found the cat, who I had then placed in a 'cat cage' in the front of the store. They accused me of abusing animals, took the cat from my store and to a vet, who called me and informed me that the cat had a respitory and urinary infection. If I didn't take care of the animal, I would be charged with animal cruelty. I called my manager and confronted him about it, who informed me 'he didn't think it was a problem'. I filed a complaint with the corporate office and was fired two days later.
The last job I had, I was being harassed by my supervisor. I filed a complaint against him and even had proof of the fact. After HIS boss blew me off, I went to human resources and filed a complaint against my supervisor and his boss. I went to lunch one day, only to come back and get fired because I was 'viewing pornography'. Their proof was someone logging into my machine, while I was at lunch who 'found' it. I took legal action against the company and prepared a 30 page deposition against them. What was their proof against me? Nothing. In fact, they didn't even have PICTURES of what they accused me of 'looking' at. The judge decided in favor of me, but guess what? I still lost. I didn't get my job back (not that I wanted it), I didn't get severance pay, I didn't get anything. In fact, all I got out of it was difficulty finding a job out of it. I'm classified as a troublemaker now. Oh, and a month after I was fired, the said supervisor was terminated for sexual harassment.
I have 3 years of college as a commercial artist, but I made the mistake of moving to Texas, where there is NO demand for graphic arts. I have YEARS of IT experience, but I don't have my MCSE, so I'm not considered for hiring. I have tech support experience, but most companies are outsourcing now, thanks to Bush.
The only job I had ANY security in was with the military, but I was a sniper and quite frankly, I don't feel like killing anymore. It leaves a nasty taste in your mouth and it's one that will never go away. I could go back to the Army, but then I get sent to Iraq to do what I told myself I'd never do again.
You have to have hope. It's all we've got. If you lose that, you lose everything and none of us have that much to give.
-M
@MikeyMike
Thanks Mate! For the first time, in a long time, I feel alot better. Thanks for the second wind.
