Thursday, September 11, 2014

They are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing. The Merchant of Venice, 1. 2

well, long time no write....

I have been pulled in many directions since last I posted here.   I have been busy writing theatre reviews for two publications:
www.STAGEmagazine.org    and     www.DelcoNewsNetwork.com

I have been busy spoiling the grandchild mentioned in my last post--Tiny Lady arrived on March 26, 2013 and weighed in at 8lbs.-13oz.    She is the sweetest, most beautiful little girl in my world.  She has a darling little personality and loves to make us all laugh.  I may finally have another actor in the family.

But the most impactful thing in my life has been the lose of a job I'd held for six years.   The company I worked for downsized at the first sign of a drop in business and when all was said and done, about 1,500 of us were out the door.

And I have found myself in the impossible position of trying to get gainful employment at 61.  It has been exceedingly frustrating.  People write you off after a certain age.  They make assumptions that you can't possibly be current on business practices or technology.   What did they think I was doing for the past 15-20 years?  I was working--using current technology and staying abreast of business practices.  Hello.

I've had several phone interviews and at least a dozen face-to-face meetings.  I've registered with every employment/staffing agency in the area.  And nothing.

One employer told a recruiter that he hired someone else because he/she had press release experience and he really needed that.  I had handed the man a copy of a press release I'd written during my interview!!!   And I'm a regularly published writer.   Sheesh.

I have run out of Unemployment benefits, I have used up the small 401K I'd managed to save up and I'm at the end of my rope.

I try to present a professional and positive outlook when I interview. (It gets more and more difficult as each week goes by.)   I can only assume I am the victim of age discrimination, but how do you prove that?

I need some blessings to come my way.  I put this out in the universe and pray for your help.