The Unemployment Cafe

reality check!

2013-03-05T11:30:00.000-05:00

moments of massive irritation & supreme bliss share something: both are temporary states.

Dear Diane Von Furstenberg.....

2013-03-03T19:16:00.000-05:00

The Unemployment Cafe - Resource Sunday

2013-03-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

I started this blog when I was newly unemployed, way before the 2008 economic crash. The purpose was selfish -- I wanted share random thoughts on life without censoring myself. I definitely didn't create the blog to offer advice and tips on managing the day to day realities of unemployment. At that point, what did I know? I was at the beginning of being unemployed and honestly, had nothing valuable to share.

Looking back on that time, I can recount what I loved and hated about unemployment. This may not apply to you but here goes...

I loved wearing pajamas all day.

I hated ignored phone calls and emails.*

I loved having the time to research, think and then write.

I hated agonizing over cover letters.

I loved saying no to underpaid freelancing jobs that would barely cover commuting costs.

I hated wondering if I made the right decision in saying no.

I loved emails and phone calls from friends & business contacts.

I hated not having good news to share.

I loved maintaining my focus on making new contacts.

I hated maintaining my focus on making new contacts.

Being unemployed - whether by choice or not -- is a nerve wracking time because for the one good thing that happens in the course of a day, there are usually 2-3 not so good things to strategically manage and emotionally process. It's a balancing act of not letting your worries overtake your sanity.

Not fun. At all.

One way for me to manage the anxiety was to get out of my apartment and out of my head. Of course if you can afford a therapist and/or career coach while being unemployed, you are a lucky person. But if you can't, you will have to devise your plan to fight the inevitable isolation, anxiety and worry. The good thing is that plan only has to make you feel empowered and engaged.

And that's where Resource Sunday comes in. Resource Sunday is a list of articles and free & low cost events to help unemployed/underemployed people either maintain business connections or establish new connections. Please share!

March 6, 1-2pm
Resume Workshop Seminar - Giving Your Resume the Right Direction.
Free
Whether you are actively searching for a job or just thinking about one, invest some time in yourself and attend our free workshop / seminar to help make your resume a winning one.
More...

March 26, 6-7pm

How to Network: Developing a compelling narrative to connect with people

Free

We need to communicate our value to many people in any number of circumstances. Developing and keeping on top of what we say can be hard and especially hard when we are not sure where exactly we are heading. Join coach Win Sheffield to learn how to talk about yourself without fuss and without bragging.

More...

March 27, 10:15am-Noon
Linkedin and Twitter Skills For Your Career
$35
Learn tips for creating and managing your online profile and communicating via LinkedIn and Twitter.
More...

Made In New York Digital Map
A list of tech companies that are currently hiring.

Is Twitter Killing the Resume? via @AolJobs

7 Tips for Networking via Entrepreneur Magazine

Please share!

*This is why I try to answer every email even if I can't help. Unless the person is an unrepentant a**hole. Those people can swallow rusty nails.

Pic via.

"Effective March 3, 2013, a $1.00 fee for each new MetroCard purchased...."

2013-03-01T14:37:00.000-05:00

".....in the subway system at a MetroCard Vending Machine or station booth, or commuter rail station will be charged."

That's right -- the MTA needs to get their money!

..and don't forget to buy our shoes on your way to interesting!

2013-03-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

...interesting!

Check out Regular Black Women podcast...

2013-02-28T15:00:00.000-05:00

Regular Black Women with Jacquetta Szathmari is an "uncensored informed podcast on politics, race, class, gender, current events, and culture."

It's a fun, rollicking, informative conversation! And yes I've joined Jacquetta for a few shows!

Happy Thursday....

2013-02-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

For some reason, this cover makes me happy.

Maiysha

Have you checked out the Cheesy Song of the Day Project....

2012-02-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

where I select an appropriately cheesy song to love and laud as my heart sees fit? The best part? You can share your Cheesy Songs of the Day too!

Pic via.

#tweetoftheday via @SoundSystemSDC

2012-02-19T22:17:00.001-05:00

Mitt Romney is watching Celebrity Apprentice taking notes for when he's on there next year.
— Steve in Bloomington (@SoundSystemSDC) February 20, 2012

hilarious tweet about Pat Buchanan from @neoblaque

2012-02-17T12:50:00.000-05:00

Pat Buchanan whining about bias towards him is like an arsonist whining about smoke in his eyes. #p2 #tcot
— Neo Blaque (@neoblaque) February 17, 2012

and a little musical send off for Sky Daddy's favorite child Pat Buchanan:

2012 Evolution....

2012-01-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

Filtering the crazy and unnecessary out of my life. From email to news to people, this year has to be about deciding what is worth my commitment and energy. I've been letting in too many distractions from a fear of missing out on something I think I may need or want.

Instead, I'm going to trust myself to choose wisely and go from there. So no I don't have no time for people like Buzzie's crazy sister from Newlyweds:

2012 Evolution....

2012-01-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

I will maintain my sanity by calling out passive aggressive behavior from jump. No more ambivalence and ambiguity being accepted as the status quo. Life is too short to indulge in this kind of counterproductive, infuriating emotional crutch.

I can't.

Dearest @SatanClaus, thank you!

2011-12-19T22:37:00.002-05:00

You have brought me a snippet from ALL NEW AbFab! You love me! You really love me!

Source

Gloria Cain Soundtrack (part 1)

2011-12-04T14:52:00.001-05:00

Mary J. Blige 'Not Gon Cry'

Toni Braxton 'He Wasn't Man Enough'

Sinead O'Connor 'Last Day of Our Acquaintance'

Marianne Faithfull 'Why D'ya Do It?'

Othello, Entrepreneurs, Angela Bassett and more...

2011-10-09T23:45:00.000-04:00

A completely unscientific yet incredibly personal selection of news/events to make your life engaging, sassy but most of all, kick-ass!

October 19, 7pm
Free
The Real Cost of Unemployment

The uncertainty of being unemployed and underemployed takes a toll on more than our wallets. The NEXT New York Conversation hosts panelists from the worlds of labor and finance discussing the real world implications of living without a steady paycheck. Prior to the panel, there will be a Pink Slip Plus networking reception.

October 23, 7:30pm
$29
Conversation with Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett does a one on one with producer Jordan Roth to discuss her career & role in Katori Hall's new play The Mountaintop.

October 24
Free
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
It's time to take control of your career and life.

October 30, 6pm
$10
Othello
from The Secret Theater website:

Paranoia, betrayal, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder propel this highly physical adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, depicting returning U.S. Afghanistan War veterans. An honorable war hero, Othello (Wayne T. Carr), finds himself doubting the honesty of his new bride, Desdemona (Valerie Redd), when his most ardently loyal soldier, Iago (Alan Brincks), begins to suggest that she may be having an affair. Told through the perspective of the contemporary American soldier, this production prompts the questions: What do you do when the thing you most cherish is lost, and are you prepared to live with the consequences?

Pic via.

A collection of comments & articles on Occupy Wall Street protests against income inequality...

2011-10-09T14:16:00.004-04:00

The so-called upper classes always get upset when reality crashes their garden party.
-Pokey on Mother Jones

At this point, protest is the message: income inequality is grinding down that middle class, increasing the ranks of the poor, and threatening to create a permanent underclass of able, willing but jobless people. On one level, the protesters, most of them young, are giving voice to a generation of lost opportunity.
-NY Times 'Protesters Against Wall Street'

It was hard keeping that promise Monday night when I saw her pay a visit to the Occupy Wall Street encampment so she could look down her nose and mock the folks there. I thought it downright cruel the way she and her producer cut one kid from the herd and then tried to make him look like a fool. This was cool kids mocking outsiders on the playground, and it made me angry.
-Baltimore Sun 'CNN's new host Erin Burnett: Smug, superficial and acting like she knows'

As a member of #OWS, I'd like to see people give money to help economic victims in shelters/food pantries til New Years. Not to politics.
-Bill Buster

Long story short? I am now of the opinion that while I sympathize with the anger and frustration of the protesters, their chances of success are so spotty, that I am just going to wish them luck, and move on to what I feel are more productive interests, such as trying to get the President’s Jobs Act past, pushing to interest progressive billionaires in rebuilding our infrastructure, and preventing these insane Republicans form gobbling up what is left of my country.
-ShoqValue 'My Thoughts in Flux About Occupy Wall Street'

In some ways this "movement" represents the best of American spirit while at the same time representing the worst of the internet generation spirit. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" is not an emotion that generally leads to solutions. Some people, in trying to be supportive, have advanced the theory that this can be used to register more voters. Nice idea, but doesn't address the issue of registered voters who simply don't go to the polls because they're "too busy".
-Sharon W. on ShoqValue

Now, two Queens men hope to change that by starting Occupy the Hood—a solidarity group that means to educate poor blacks and Latinos as to why a successful OWS will have the most significant impact on their communities.
-Alternet 'Occupy the Hood: Black Protesters Start Chapter to Educate, Diversify OWS'

Pic via.

Today in #Cleaningmyapartment...

2011-10-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

If you don't want to break your hip, do not use furniture polish to clean the bathroom floor.

But if you want to break a hip, go for it!

Speedy Romeo is coming...

2011-10-06T10:12:00.000-04:00

...to Classon & Greene! There were rumors that the restaurant would open in the summer, but the new launch date will be next month.

I am so looking forward to my first time!

Since moving to Clinton Stuy* there have been so many additions to the neighborhood:

Urban Vintage (love their Mexican Mocha!)
Bedford Hill (best coffee in the neighborhood)
Dough (Brooklyn's version of Doughnut Plant)
Nero Doro (comfy Italian food & free Wi-Fi)
Salva Vida (next on my list)
Sud (Italian)
Black Swan (not a tribute to the movie, more like an Irish pub that scratches the burger itch nicely)
Simply Polished (a super clean mani/pedi joint - JACKPOT!)

It's a good sign that small business are pushing forward despite the recession.

*This area only exists in my mind.

After a horrendous day....

2011-08-24T21:41:00.001-04:00

I watch Despicable Me. Better than Valium.

Saturday.

2011-07-30T22:53:00.000-04:00

Lonely Watermelon.

2011-07-30T22:46:00.000-04:00

An Appreciation of Gil Scott Heron.

2011-05-30T15:14:00.001-04:00

The best poet laureate the United States never had, Gil Scott Heron, died last Friday in New York City. Mr. Beer wanted to share his thoughts on Gil's immense contribution to our culture and the life he lived.

An Appreciation of Gil Scott Heron.

I’d been waiting for the axe to fall for some time… from everything I’d read and seen recently, Gil--HIV Positive, crack-addicted, in and out of prison--was in rough shape even for him. The last time I saw him live, nearly two years ago, I vowed I’d never again. He was rail-thin, and his voice, so rich and deep on his great soul albums of the 70’s, came through the microphone more as croaked warbles and raspy whispers. This version of Gil was a sad reminder of the toll that heavy drug abuse can take. This version of Gil, singing his famous songs about the pain of addiction (“The Bottle,” “Angel Dust,” “Home is Where the Hatred Is,”) was a sad reminder of the tragic and ironic turns of life.

Still, the sadness I felt from hearing the news that Gil died on Friday surprised me. I guess I’d imagined a sudden outpouring of attention, a sudden celebration of his underappreciated career. Yesterday, while driving in New York City I scanned the radio in search of a tribute. Surely somebody on the radio waves, I guessed probably WBAI or WNYC, had taken notice, hadn’t they? After all, Gil was as New York as they come—he’d been here off and on since age 12. He went to high school here. And to prison. He recorded here, and played the famous No Nukes Rally at MSG in 1979. He died in New York. He wrote “New York City” with the chorus: “New York City, I don’t know why I love you, could be you remind me of myself…” in one of his many wonderful songs about New York. On the radio though, sadly there was no tribute. As during his career, in death, Gil’s real genius was left to be appreciated by the aficionados.

Gil’s most famous track “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” a scathing and hilarious poem recited over a drum beat, is cited as an early example of rap music and led to him being labeled “the godfather of rap.” Although he clearly enjoyed the recognition, Gil himself was uneasy with that title, probably because the connection to rap emphasizes his spoken word tracks at the expense of the straight ahead music. In fact, in the majority of his catalogue (much of it for years out of print,) Gil laid down some of the most original, introspective, and insightful soul music ever, by anyone. And god-damn was it funky.

At the end of the day, perhaps Gil’s problem was that there was just too much going on in his music for the fickle pop ear to easily understand and consume. At its core, Gil’s music challenged the whole notion of conventional genre and form. Go ahead and try to find his music in a record store (if any still exist) and you’ll understand why he was so difficult to market to mass audiences. Sometimes he’ll be in the Jazz section, or you might find him in Spoken Word, Soul, RnB, or Funk. These days he might be in the Rap bin. Gil’s music has cross-pollinated with all of these forms, but the final product was really something undefinable.

Jazzy? With collaborators Brian Jackson, Hubert Laws, and Ron Carter playing on early records, undoubtedly. Soul-ful? Without question. Listen to the long out-of-print album Bridges… you’ll hear the social commentary of Marvin Gaye crossed with the deep soul of Bill Withers.

Rap? You can trace Gil from Melle Mel to Public Enemy to Common and Kanye. The heart of Gil’s music was Blues though, wasn’t it? It had that blues lament. That nod to the past while moving forward. That’s why calling Gil the godfather of a musical genre seems so misapplied. It would be more appropriate to call him a musical historian. Gil himself often joked that his music could not be easily defined—that to find him, you’d have to search for “miscellaneous.” To me that’s the wonder of Gil. In the era of SoundScan, Autotune & personality masquerading as talent, there will never be another like him.

#crushoftheday....

2011-05-23T17:58:00.000-04:00

Dr. Reza Aslan.

I know he's married.

Pre-Rapture Dance Party @ 22nd and Broadway...

2011-05-22T02:41:00.000-04:00

I meant to upload these yesterday but I got preoccupied with other stuff... so ENJOY!

#doughnuts & me: a love story...

2011-05-21T21:14:00.001-04:00

Thank you, Doughnut Plant.

The Unemployment Cafe

reality check!

Dear Diane Von Furstenberg.....

The Unemployment Cafe - Resource Sunday

"Effective March 3, 2013, a $1.00 fee for each new MetroCard purchased...."

..and don't forget to buy our shoes on your way to interesting!

Check out Regular Black Women podcast...

Happy Thursday....

Have you checked out the Cheesy Song of the Day Project....

#tweetoftheday via @SoundSystemSDC

hilarious tweet about Pat Buchanan from @neoblaque

2012 Evolution....

2012 Evolution....

Dearest @SatanClaus, thank you!

Gloria Cain Soundtrack (part 1)

Othello, Entrepreneurs, Angela Bassett and more...

October 19, 7pmFree The Real Cost of Unemployment

October 24Free Entrepreneurship Bootcamp It's time to take control of your career and life. October 30, 6pm$10Othellofrom The Secret Theater website:

A collection of comments & articles on Occupy Wall Street protests against income inequality...

Today in #Cleaningmyapartment...

Speedy Romeo is coming...

After a horrendous day....

Saturday.

Lonely Watermelon.

An Appreciation of Gil Scott Heron.

#crushoftheday....

Pre-Rapture Dance Party @ 22nd and Broadway...

#doughnuts & me: a love story...

October 19, 7pm
Free
The Real Cost of Unemployment

October 24
Free
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
It's time to take control of your career and life.

October 30, 6pm
$10
Othello
from The Secret Theater website: