Fairy Jobmother - my biased review of the new Lifetime show that is taking Project Runway's time temporarily.

This is an interesting pilot. Take a young attractive uneducated white couple with two adorable children who for the past 3 years live off welfare; and some big-breasted lady with an British accent (which I suspect to be fake) will come to whip them in shape and help them land jobs within a few days. WHAT A LOAD OF COW DUNG! Seriously this is a big load of horse manure. Why is this show a stinking compost heap? Well it's not realistic! Here is why:

1: After 3 years of unemployment the couple lands jobs after only 1 day of looking!
2: The couple only looked for work in their hometown.
3: The couple only used one technique for job searching and was successful.
4: Child care issues where not addressed once both parents acquired work.
5: The "fairy jobmother" didn't explain how to KEEP A JOB once you start.

If all anyone has to do to get a job is go to the hair dresser, then go to the local job placement center and get a resume drafted, then hand it out to all of the business downtown, everyone who honestly wanted to work would be employed. (long sentence I know but follow my thought) That is all this couple did.


new hairsyle for her - check
job placement center - check.
pound pavement downtown - check.
follow -up the same day with telephone calls and get an interview - check
land a job - check.
start tomorrow!

THE REAL WORLD DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY! Millions of American teenagers pounded the pavement all summer in their downtowns in cities & townships and many didn't get a job.

Most people who look for jobs pound the pavement, search the Internet, scavenge the newspaper, register at employment agencies, and make numerous telephone calls, and go on several interviews, only to be unemployed a the end of the day. And this can last for months, sometimes years!

Also once both parents are working how will they afford child care? Will this be a barrier to keeping employment? Will the cost of child care be so high it actually makes financial sense to stay on welfare and stay home to raise your children? How will you handle working when the child is sick? Losing a job is not always because of poor preformance or a bad attitude. Needing to take care of ones children can result in someone leaving a job. Not addressing this issue is just bad form on the part of the producers of this show.

This long triade can be summerized by saying the Fairy Jobmother over-simplifies the job hunting processs. And that is why it should be veggie garden fertilizer. That being said will I continue to watch? Of course, it's entertaining!

What a day...

Today was my first day back at work since the 15th. After such a long absence I was worried about what calmaties would await me at Mallville Public Library. Did I lose my touch for handling the unsusal? Would I freak out? Or would I give up and just go back home? Surprisingly today I was energized, and ready to take on anything that came my way. And today almost everything came my way:

1st: Employee Called in sick with little hope of getting a sub.
2nd; Both employess (of a staff of two) called in sick at my other location.
3rd: Unplanned Meeting with City Planner - thankfully postponed
4th: Unplanned Appearance by City Manager & Head of Public Works
5th: Threatened with a felt tip pin and cussed out by an angry patron (long story trust me)
6th: Weed smokers behind the library
7th: Adult couple making out (and grossing everyone out) in front of the library

With all of this I was still able to select religous materials for the libary, help patrons with computer questions (expect for the guy who threatened me,) help folks find books, check out books, and talk to my boss of an hour.

What I did not do was read the 154 emails that await me in my inbox.

After a day like today you may wonder why I even get out of bed in the morning. But the truth of the matter is: I LOVE MY JOB!

Sick and Tired...

Ever feel sick and tired of being sick and tired? Chronic illness and medical conditions can make one feel sorry for themselves without really meaning too.

Chronic back problems can make one upset they can't ride a bike, or sit in the stadium to enjoy the World Series, even if they can afford tickets.

Diabetes get angry they can't enjoy their own birthday cake.

And I am frustrated that one of the symptoms of my PCOS is chronic fatigue. Especially when there is so much in life I want to do if I had more energy. At times I really start to feel sorry for myself. But when I feel sorry for myself like Julie Andrews I start to think about my favorite things.

Now raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens are not my favorite things; but bright copper kettles filled with hot water and tea, this is one of my favorite things. So when the fatigue strikes, and my head zings, and I'm feeling sad, I simply drink from one of my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad!

Oh BEHAVE!

Why is it that an institution as old and established as a library requires rule enforcement?

The rules are really simple:
Come visit reguarly
Stay quiet
No food or drink (unless you are bottle/breast/sippy cup fed)
Borrow stuff (for free)
Return it on time
If you are late returning stuff pay your fines

Computer use rules are also simple:
it's not your personal computer so dont act like it is. Please observe the following:
Once you use your time limit please get up and give someone else a turn
Don't hog all of the elbow room
Be considerate of your surroundings realizing that no one else is interested in your porn viewing habits.

You think these rules are silly just wait a minute. At times librarians have to enforce stuff that should be common sense:

No you can't park your BIKE in the library. Invest in a lock genius!
No you can't let your child scream uncontrolled because you "need" to check facebook. Of course we believe that you are looking for a job. Even still take that baby home.
No you can't bathe in the public bathrooms. You refuse to clean-up after yourself.

Ahh, public service. gotta love it.

And of course... I am not blogging regularly because

Lets face it. I don't have the time. I am impressed that I spent time this morning figuring out how to apply false eyelashes. That skill and 5 bucks will get me a venti decaf-nonfat mocha at Starbucks.

Internet Presence

According to some very career minded librarians and trainers at ALA in order to position yourself well in the library profession you must have a strong internet presence. Basically you have to own a facebook, twitter (myspace account required but usage optional) linkedin, and a blog. By the way, you also must be active on all of these sites and always have something to say.

Well if that ain't a but of cow patties shoveled at my feet I don't know what is. However they do have a point. As a career minded person I should care a bit about where my career is going and have a plan on how to get there. I am not sure if this blog will be that avenue, but it is worth a try.

At the least, it is a good place for me to rant and rave and possibly have several million people read about in the future.