My loyal readers may have seen a comment posted on this blog a couple weeks back from a Jeanine Ramirez from NY1. Ms. Ramirez is doing a week of features on how the economic downturn is affecting Brooklyn and your MatchGirl will be featured in one of the segments.
It's slated to air on NY1 (on your NYC cable system) Wednesday night at 11PM and then to be re-run in the 8PM hour Thursday. Of course, those of you thrifty enough to have canceled your cable (I, gentle ones, am not among you) and those of you who do not live in NYC, can look for the link online - and yes, of course, I will be posting it here. Ms. Ramirez also mentioned that she had been in touch with our friends over at Brokelyn for the same segment. So set your DVRs, my dear readers, and put a little pop-up reminder on your Outlook/Google/Blackberry calendars and don't miss me (hopefully not making a fool of myself) on cable TV.
xo
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Buddy System
Listening to The Takeaway this morning, I heard a woman speaking to the benefits of using the buddy system in one's job hunt.
This is a pretty interesting concept - pair up with an unemployed pal, or create a network of them, to urge each other on in your hunt for a job. As, gentle readers, I have written before, I do not have too many unemployed friends. But I like this idea. Instead of a career counselor or a job coach - to whom one has to pay huge fees - grab your nearest unemployed friend and brainstorm your strengths and weaknesses and where you will be able to use those skills. Brainstorm the type of job you want and the type of job you can realistically get. Brainstorm the companies you should apply to and the companies that you want to apply to. The best part, the hardest thing to do when you're unemployed and have nothing but time on your hands, is that you and your buddy assign goals to each other, with a time-line - a to-do list that you actually have to complete.
One aspect of this that I really like is the brainstorming your strengths and weaknesses. Especially if you have a friend as your buddy. Because, let's be honest, my dears, we are not always honest with ourselves - about our strengths or our weaknesses. And another set of eyes is a valuable tool in your hunt for employment.
Just a thought.
This is a pretty interesting concept - pair up with an unemployed pal, or create a network of them, to urge each other on in your hunt for a job. As, gentle readers, I have written before, I do not have too many unemployed friends. But I like this idea. Instead of a career counselor or a job coach - to whom one has to pay huge fees - grab your nearest unemployed friend and brainstorm your strengths and weaknesses and where you will be able to use those skills. Brainstorm the type of job you want and the type of job you can realistically get. Brainstorm the companies you should apply to and the companies that you want to apply to. The best part, the hardest thing to do when you're unemployed and have nothing but time on your hands, is that you and your buddy assign goals to each other, with a time-line - a to-do list that you actually have to complete.
One aspect of this that I really like is the brainstorming your strengths and weaknesses. Especially if you have a friend as your buddy. Because, let's be honest, my dears, we are not always honest with ourselves - about our strengths or our weaknesses. And another set of eyes is a valuable tool in your hunt for employment.
Just a thought.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A Summer Wasting
It happens every year, doesn't it? The summer is half over before you've even realized that it's begun. Well, that's what happens to me, anyway. Most years. Of course, my fellow New Yorkers (and New Englanders) will argue that summer has barely started, as it rained for a month straight. But it is summer. And it's nearly over. Of course, there are things that I haven't done - for a variety of reasons - no money, rainy days, no date, sheer laziness ... And, I can't change some of these things - not with a snap op of my fingers - but there are loads of things left to do this summer and lots of them are free! So, as long as the rain holds out and I can overcome lazy ... there's not much reason, gentle readers, I shouldn't venture out on my own, now is there?
The Pool Parties at the state park on Kent and North 8th Street.
Free films at McCarren Park, there are loads of free films all over the city in the summer time, but these are in my own backyard.
And, as I'm off to a free show at Governor's Island right now ... the rest will have to wait
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Food Security/Insecurity?
Overheard on the mean streets of Greenpoint, Brooklyn this afternoon - a 20-something, hipster-ish (who am I to judge?) guy on his cell phone in a matter of moments switching gears from talking about paying for something for his fixed gear bike to telling the person on the other end that he spent three hours in an office today applying for food stamps.
Now, gentle readers, your MatchGirl knows that things are rough out there. And she would certainly never begrudge someone a little joy - new handle bars for your bike, fancy new shoes, an overpriced cocktail - especially in such times. But, there was something in that conversation that just rubbed me the wrong way.
I recently spoke to an old friend who was explaining that in taking the job they currently have that they had taken a significant pay cut and that they had been on food stamps for a while during that transition. Which is fine. That's what they are for. And those of you who are collecting unemployment, are probably making less than half of what you were making previously (unless you've got a little summin' summin' under the table and on the side). And maybe you've contemplated food stamps. I know I have. For me, at this point, I have decided against it. If I can scrounge up a few pennies to hit up Mugs for brunch on a Sunday morning, then I think I am OK with my current food budget.
Of course, I don't have a family. I only have myself to look out for right now. Those of you who find yourself in a different position may very well want to check out food stamps and the food services programs that are offered here in New York.
But don't let me catch you paying for your food with government aid and then dropping a grand on a trendy bicycle!
Now, gentle readers, your MatchGirl knows that things are rough out there. And she would certainly never begrudge someone a little joy - new handle bars for your bike, fancy new shoes, an overpriced cocktail - especially in such times. But, there was something in that conversation that just rubbed me the wrong way.
I recently spoke to an old friend who was explaining that in taking the job they currently have that they had taken a significant pay cut and that they had been on food stamps for a while during that transition. Which is fine. That's what they are for. And those of you who are collecting unemployment, are probably making less than half of what you were making previously (unless you've got a little summin' summin' under the table and on the side). And maybe you've contemplated food stamps. I know I have. For me, at this point, I have decided against it. If I can scrounge up a few pennies to hit up Mugs for brunch on a Sunday morning, then I think I am OK with my current food budget.
Of course, I don't have a family. I only have myself to look out for right now. Those of you who find yourself in a different position may very well want to check out food stamps and the food services programs that are offered here in New York.
But don't let me catch you paying for your food with government aid and then dropping a grand on a trendy bicycle!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
That's What I Want
Just a quick question for the unemployed amongst you, my lovelies, and please do feel free to either post your comments below, or email them to your MatchGirl at UnemployedBrooklyn (at) gmail (dot) com.
What is it, my gentle readers, that you do to make a little extra cash during these tough times?
Do you sell your prized possessions on Ebay?
Are you having a stoop sale (so very NY), yard sale, tag sale to get a few extra bucks for that big night out?
Going on dates with inappropriate men just to get a fancy dinner and a $13 cocktail?
Playing beer pong in Vegas?
Clipping coupons like your grandma used to?
Waiting tables or tending bar under the table?
If you, like me, are living on your unemployment check, you know just how tough that can be. As you know, I've decided to make a few little critters out of re-purposed fabric and sell them on the fantastic site of the crafty, Etsy, but I wonder what it is you are doing to make ends meet these days ...
Monday, July 13, 2009
FUNemployment
Above are a couple of little stuffed elephants I have made for some babies I know. After the first one was a big hit, and some interest was shown, I've decided to try my hand at selling them on Etsy.
Keep an eye on LesEnfantsTerribles.etsy.com for a whole slew of crafty prezzies for the kids in your life ... and probably some grown up stuff, too!
xo
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