My engine seized up on I-95 in VA... Tow truck took me off the highway to a hotel in Emporia but i'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere with no money or working car! My car is full of my belongings and I have no way of getting anything anywhere right now. the nearest truck rental will not rent long distance... trying to get a truck/trailer to at least get down to Orlando... I have no money for this at all... all I have is tied up for the movers so they can deliver my belongings in Orlando...

Is anyone nearby at all?? can anyone help??? please???

Today is my last full day in NJ... i'm all packed and ready to head out. The moving truck arrives here tomorrow morning and i'll be heading out shortly after they leave. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get to FL but the GPS says it takes 15 hours to drive. I will more than likely have to make an overnight stop at least once, not to mention rest and meal breaks along the way.
My best estimate is i'll get to Orlando sometime Friday or Saturday.

I MAY stop by megaplex but I can't promise. If I arrive early I can at least crash with someone while I wait for the movers to arrive on Sunday. This is if anyone has room for me. But once again.... that's a big MAYBE since anything can happen.

The computer will be shut down and packed away sometime tonight, then i'll be available by phone only. so call/text if you need me. (609-477-6941)

Thursday morning the movers come to cart away my possessions and truck them down to FL, then after a little bit of cleaning and some goodbyes, I head down myself. I have never driven so far before, and I hope I don't run into any issues with my car on the way. I have to load up the trunk and back seat with some stuff I can't pack, but that'll be it for me in NJ.

I still have a lot to ponder and worry about. Renting/selling my place up here is going to be a hassle but I have no choice.

I still have some things left to pack away, the computer being one of them. but that will be done tomorrow.

Wish me luck guys!

So it looks like i'll be getting a u-haul and moving myself down to Fl... so I have to ask for help. Planning on moving out in NJ on the 25th and moving in down in FL on either the 27th or the 28th depending on how long it takes to drive there. Anyone going to around that can help?

Got the call back today... i'm hired!

I have to wait to hear back from human resources to fill out all the paperwork and get my ID. Was told it could take up to two weeks for them to process everything, meantime i'm apartment hunting now.

Anyone want to help?

Had my interview today and I have to say that it seemed to go very very well. I was able to express my experience towards the managers who interviewed me, as well as proving my willingness to relocate to the area for the job. After about two hours, we parted ways. They will notify me within a week since they have two other locals who are also interested. This is the final hurdle. I hope I did good!

AC was a big blur to me. I did my usual routine... between staff work and medical I was busy, but it was still nice seeing my friends. I dunno if anyone else noticed the palpable change in energy, but it seemed like it was a lot lower key this year compared to other years. I dunno if it was because it was so hot and muggy, or the fact we have 2 new hotels which spread the con out even further. I only got to hang out at tonic on sunday night because it was the only tolerable night to sit outside.

Meantime the megabus was a mega flop as far as I was concerned but I was lucky enough to be able to catch a ride back home with Raz.Even in a small packed car it was more comfortable than the damn bus.

I'm down in Orlando FL for the week for my final interview tomorrow. Keep tuned for news and wish me lotsa luck!

Hi All, Got into Pittsburgh yesterday Afternoon after spending about 7 HOURS on the damn bus. I wouldn't have minded so much except there is no way a person my height can easily stretch out and relax enough to be comfortable. It was a damn nightmare to deal wit, adding that I only got 2-3 hours sleep the night before.. so I was a zombie by the time I got here. But I got into my room and hit the pillow HARD. A 2 hour planned nap turned into a 6 hour lack of consciousness. But I managed to get up and head downstairs for some socializing and food.

Today is going pretty well and i'm having a good time, even though I think i've walked something like 5 miles already. I'm going to head out and get some dinner now, but if anyone wants me, you should know how to reach me, or just drop by my room. (625)

Hi Guys..... I'm doing some house cleaning in anticipation of moving... which isn't definate yet... but should do it anyway.

I came across a whole bunch of fur and foam and other fursuit related materials... Does anyone want or need any of it? Feel free to come and get it.. or if you want it shipped, can you pay for the shipping?

Give me a shout!

Got a call from the car dealer today.. the car is fixed! The replaced every part of the Air Conditioning system with brand new parts. This repair cost them $1700 in parts and labor... not costing me a dime! Gotta love it!

Unemployment approved my benefits in full... finally!... should be seeing money in my account in a few days.

Disney is moving forward, was told to expect a call for a face to face interview soon. Depending on the schedule, I MAY be able to schedule it for megaplex weekend and kill two birds with one stone. If this is the case, does anyone have room for a coon? Just asking now in case it happens... plans can change.

I'm still putting in applications all over, going to see who has any interest in me.

I had the car towed back to the dealer yesterday so now they will have to see what the hell is wrong with it. I swear this is getting to be monotonous but i'm hoping that it will be the last event.

Guess who's car broke down yet again??

A/C Compressor seized up AGAIN!!!!

Back to the dealer tomorrow... if you listen really hard you may hear me screaming!

I keep telling myself this every day but I dunno if I believe it anymore. I keep trying but it's like pushing a rock up a hill with a straw.

Still looking for work... work that doesn't pay crap or is temporary anyway. Sure I could get a job at $10 an hour, but that would be counter productive when it would cost more to go to work than i'd make working. I'm going to hold on to hope here and keep trying cause thats all I can do.

I've spread my resume out to 10 states in different fields and many of them haven't even called me back. Even with jobs that I KNOW i'm qualified for. I wish I knew what the secret is to getting a job today. I guess you have to know someone to get anything in life nowadays.

I tell ya... i'm fed up... just completely fed up

This world had gone to hell completely... millions of people unemployed (including me) and the politicians deny theres any problem. Employers are allowed to post "entry level" jobs and state that a list of advanced certifications and experience is REQUIRED. thats NOT an entry level job! The other jobs either expect you to work for them for only 3-6 months...even if you have to relocate to another part of the country... or are only willing to pay you just above minimum wage.

People will stand there... with their hands out and expect you to give them everything they want... if you don't give them what they want.. they'll demand it until they get what they want even if they don't deserve it, or could have just as easily gotten it themselves. Today I witnessed someone in wal-mart... screaming and yelling for no reason... angry about something that iu['m still not even sure what it was because I was trying not to pay him any mind.. but this idiot comes into MY face and yells at ME for not giving him what he wants.. I surprised him however by charging him and getting into HIS face ... telling to stop acting like a jerk and GTFO... you shoulda seen the look on his face as he stuttered and then decided to leave the store... to a nice round of applause by the people around us.

I have experienced a LOT of stupidity in my life... helped out so many people and while never demanding thanks or retribution.. have just simply been stepped on..ridiculed..or simply ignored by the very people I helped. It hurts like hell each and every time... but should I change my ways? I don't know anymore.. I just don't know.

I got my car back and all is well.

OMG They did so much work on it.... they replaced the sensors.. carbon filter, fuel filter, and vacuum lines, each repair did not clear the code... the culprit...... a dry rotted rubber hose that runs from the fuel filler neck to the top of the fuel tank... they had to drop the fuel tank to replace it. They sure did the right thing though... they washed and waxed the car .. detailed it inside and out.. and even detailed the engine compt.

SO far so good :) Lets hope it stays that way!

So... I went back to the dealer Tuesday to pick up my car after they replaced the AC compressor, recharged the system and tested everything. I pay the bill and get into the car to head home... I get to the end of the lot and guess what... the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN!!!

After saying quite a few heated and not so nice words I turn around and go right back into the dealer... I threw the keys on the desk and just about flip out. The manager can't say anything and gets a disgusted look on his face as he calls in the mechanic who worked on the car. The mechanic says " I just cleared the code, I didn't fix anything" I'm ready to flip at this point and I tell the manager I want the car fixed! I can't pass an inspection with the check engine light on and he agrees. So off I go back home to wait for the call.

It's now THURSDAY and my car STILL isn't fixed. The last thing I was told (yesterday) they already replaced TWO emissions components and will be running some more tests to make sure they fixed the actual problem for good.

Anyone want to buy a car from me?

The dealer called me today. They got the car up on the left and took a good look at everything. Even the OWNER came down to look for himself. They determined that the AC compressor failed, seized up and burned the bearings and clutch. This caused a terrific amount of heat to be generated and caused the residual grease and grime found on the side of any engine to catch on fire. Luckily I caught it in time to stop it before it caused any major damage. The only thing damaged from the fire seems to be the wire going to the AC compressor.

The owner and I both agreed that this is simply a mechanical failure and not necessarily the fault of anyone. It's simply something that could have happened now... or a thousand miles from now. The Owner said that he wants to do right by me and agreed to pick up the costs of the towing and parts and i'll pay for the labor. This is no simple job and will still cost me $400, but the total was in the $1200 range so this is a decent compromise. The owner will also extend a 6 month warranty for this repair and will also give the rest of the car a looking over, including testing out the evap system and clearing the codes.

The parts are on order and the car should be completed by tomorrow afternoon. Anyone have an extra $400 laying around? :P

As most of you know I haven't had very good luck with things lately... well it JUST got worse.

I sold my explorer to get a car that'd be better on gas and a bit cheaper to operate. I found a decent car last week at a dealer in PA so I bought it and got it home. I had the windows tinted on it professionally to keep the car running cool but it seems to have a problem with the AC.. Back to the dealer it goes.. they look at it.. recharge the system but don't see any issue. So I get the car back, and they tell me to come back if there's any problem. So off I go... get home and the Check engine light comes on.. I Get the code read and it says that it has a small Evap system leak... might be the gas cap, since that's the most common thing. Go buy a new gas cap and call the dealer. Service says give it until Monday to reset and come in if it doesn't.

Today Aeon and I were going for a drive down to Del to see Ron and get a part for my radio. The AC goes out on the way there so I turn around and head back home. Get in my parking lot and there's smoke coming from under the hood, pop the hood and the engine is on FIRE! so after emptying the extinguisher under the hood I get the fire out and call 911, the Police and Fire Dept comes and hoses down the engine to make sure it's all out.

I called the dealer up and told them what happened... they'll be picking up the car on Monday and taking it back. To make sure i'm covered I called my insurance company also to make sure they were aware of what happened, and can ensure my rights are protected in case the dealer wants to play games.

so... i'm without a job...not getting any unemployment benefits... totally broke.. and now have no car!

Someone please shoot me already.

i'm not finding any jobs in the NYC/NJ/Philly area that are hiring someone without a bunch of certs I don't have. They seem to want everything handed to them already up here so they won't even look at my resume. I've put in resumes at over 200 jobs between CT and Fl and all points between. I've only had a couple of interviews and none of them have offered any definite jobs yet.

Now i'm starting to look further West, with a recommendation from a friend in Cincinnati OH, another place that I have NO CLUE about.

Now the thing that i'm getting flustered about, is that since I don't know anything about any areas of the country other than where I am now, what should I look for, and where should I focus my attentions? I'm pretty much open to going anywhere, but I have to be able to afford to live there, and MUST have friends around so i'm not miserable and lonely all the time.

Can anyone offer any advice?

So.... I look at my unemployment status and see my claim is on PENDING status. I call up and ask them why.

They say that i'm a student (i'm attending college) I said yes.. i've been in college for 3 years now. Well they screwed up the application when I had my initial telephone interview 2 months ago and didn't put down that I was in school. So whenever I filled out the claim forms online I put that I was attending school... which it asks.. and because their computer dosen't show me in school it put a hold on the account.

So now I ask what I Need to do to get this corrected... they have to do ANOTHER telephone interview.. so she schedules one for me.. IN A MONTH!!!!! there are no sooner appointments!.. .This is total HORSESHIT... how the HELL to they expect people to survive without money they are ENTITLED to?!?!?!

I hate this goddamn state!

well... not much has changed. I've been applying for job after job after job and haven't gotten any calls. Right now everything is on a holding pattern but i'm running out of fuel fast. Disney still hasn't called me back and while i'm remaining hopeful, I have to remain real also.

I sold my truck this week and bought a car to try and save some money and I honestly hope it's the right decision. I loved my truck so much, but it was getting too expensive to drive, and if I do move to FL, a car is more useful and economical. I still can't help but wonder if I did the right thing or not.

I'm pondering the whole idea of moving. I WANT to move to FL very badly, but should I wait until I have a definite job or just go? I think one of the reasons i'm not getting called back for jobs is the fact that i'm applying with a NJ residence instead of a FL one. While I say in my cover letter i'm wiling to relocate, do they even bother reading that far? It's really frustrating me and making me wonder why I even bother.

Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas that may help?

Hi Guys.... I just found out that  thedoggygal had her house broken into and her computer and drawing materials were all stolen. She's an amazing artist and really deserves some help... so if you can, please donate something to her at her paypal doggydiva.thomas921[at]gmail.com

The Del Gov signed into law the ability for same sex couples to marry in Delaware. Hopefully more states will follow and we can give proper rights and freedoms to everyone!

I counted the amount of applications i've submitted my resume to... it's 136 so far.. I got 4 calls/emails and ONE physical interview. The interview I got seemed to go well, but they never called me back so I have to assume they went with another more qualified candidate.

I had a telephone interview this week that raised my hopes for working for Disney World. The managers on the phone were very upbeat and positive towards me, saying they liked my resume and qualifications. They went over the job requirements, pay rate, benefits, and hours. I was in complete agreement with everything and we concluded the call with them saying they would be calling me back with a date to come to FL. Now i'm not going to say I landed the job just yet, after all, anything can happen. When I get a definite start date i'll dance for joy, until then i'm going to be subdued and keep looking.

In the meantime, funds are still low. I sold some of my stock options I had just to get some kind of money to pay bills. Unemployment still hasn't decided about my benefits even though I sent out an appeal 2 weeks ago. I have no way of knowing how long it takes to go through the process, but i'm still without any form of reliable income.