Don't you ever wonder..

The past couple years of my life have been a trying time. I find myself growing everyday. Growing away from who I am not and at the same time from who I am. Facing so much sadness is unbearable. I watch the world around me everyday and I always find myself disappointed in everyone. The way we treat each other, the way we turn our heads in lieu of snide comments, the way we look at someone. Doesn't it hurt anyone else? Once you reach a certain point of perspective on your own life and the world -- does it change your perspective on everything? I feel like everyday there is less to fight for.

All I have ever asked for is for someone to prove me wrong, apparently that was too much.

Same old..

The weather this whole week has been about on par with my general attitude toward everything. I have been trying and trying and trying and trying to find a job somewhere. I am becoming so scared about what is going to happen. I don't think I should feel like going to college was a waste of money, yet I do.

I have had so many interviews where I am their second choice candidate, I am good. I really am. I am just never the best. I have been second in the running for design positions, a college registrar position, a 'generic' website company that designs sites for specialized fields, a veterinary receptionist position and I can't seem to even get an interview at a grocery store/shopping center for the life of me. I would settle for that, at this point I would almost do anything.

I keep an eye on every job board I can think of or find. I have signed up with most of the temp agencies in our area. I have given my resume to so many people and filled out so many applications that I am probably at higher risk of having my identity stolen than the guy on that secure credit TV commercial that puts his social security number on billboards. I watch our local county website too. The jobs on it are always few and far in between, other than like construction workers/traffic signal techs. I have finally gotten an opportunity at least, for an interview with the water company doing office work. I could do that, easily. I just need to convince them..

Yeah.. I am a bit blue still. I am hopeful that I can get some deferments on my federal student loans and postpone those for a little while due to unemployment. I have my fingers crossed anyway, it certainly would relieve a little of my worry.

Unicru -- the questions : Is this for real?

Ok, so lets break this down a little bit. Some of these answers are obvious, quite obvious really. Some of these questions ask you something using a double negative -- if that itself does not strike you as "uhh what?" you probably should be looking more closely at jobs such as Taco Bell or KFC.

IMHO, if you want to hire someone based on their personality -- interview them and talk to them. If they try to steal your wallet or car keys, I think you got your answer. Come on corporate America, get off your ass and stop being lazy. If you want me to lie, I can lie. Should it come down to that? Well no, not really because that is not who I am..and why should I have to suffer because I do what is right? By NOT hiring me, you are already missing out on one hell of a worker.

In the following section, my response and thought will follow the "correct" answer.

My list was taken from a forum at >>>>WrongPlanet.net<<<<
1.You love to be with People.
SA
-- Why would you bother applying to a *insert job here* that involves working with the public, if you do not like it?
2. You like to plan things before you do them.
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
3. You are proud of the work you do at school or on a job.
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
4.You think of yourself as being very sensible
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
5.You are more relaxed than strict about finishing things on time
SD
-- Obvious opportunity to lie. Actually, I enjoy sleeping in the storage area while I am on the clock.
6.You change from feeling happy to sad without any reason
SD
-- I can see how this relates to personality, but there are people with real issues who face these problems, is this technically discrimination for them since if they do not strongly disagree they are in fact hurting their range score?
7.When you need to, you take it easy at work
SD
-- Right...another clear opportunity to lie? I mean, I am one hell of a worker and I work until I am done. When that is done, I find more to do because that is who I am. Sure I know plenty of people who abuse their breaks, hide in the bathrooms, etc etc..If you are going to examine us this thoroughly you might want to invest in a lie detector.
8.You like to talk a lot
SA
-- Why is the answer Strongly Agree? If this is for sales, yes you need to talk your little butt off to make that sale. If you are a stock person, cashier, does your manager seriously want you babbling on about your whole life story while 25 people are waiting in line to check out?
9.You don’t worry about making a good impression
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
10.You would rather not get involved in other people’s problems
SD
-- Interesting. So once again, talk talk talk, being nosey is ok. Got it.
11.You say whatever is on your mind
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
12.You get angry more often that nervous
SD
-- Ok what? You give me two..not so good things and I have to pick one of them? Well, I don't usually get angry and I really am seldom nervous. But hey, pick that Strongly Disagree so you don't hurt your range score.
13.You have confidence in yourself
SA
-- This is not a bad question. Self-esteem is cool.
14.There are some people you really can’t stand
SD
--There sure are, but you better lie.
15.People do a lot of things that make you angry
SD
-- You better lie about this one too.
16.You like to be in the middle of a big crowd
SA
-- Instead of doing your job, you should be dancing on top of the shelf -- maybe swinging an item to sell or something..
17.Right now, you care more about having fun than being serious at school or work
SD
-- This is not a bad question, although a bit obvious.
18.It bothers you a long time when someone is unfair to you
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
19.You agree with people more often than you argue
SA
-- This is not a bad question. Lets not make mountains out of mole hills.
20.When people make mistakes, you correct them
SD
-- I disagree with this answer. If you keep allowing people to make mistakes, eventually everyone is doing it and then you have a whirlwind of problems that could have been cutoff from the beginning if you would have just nicely said, "hey, I think you do it this way".
21.You swear when you argue
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
22.People who talk all the time are annoying
SD
-- Since they want you to talk a lot, you should not be annoyed by others who do the same...
23.There’s no use having close friends; they always let you down
SD
-- Someone was a little emo when they came up with this question. Sorry for your loss.
24.It bothers you when you have to obey a lot of rules
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
25.You have no big worries
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
26.You work best at a slow but steady speed
SA
-- Ok, seriously? Some people can work fast. If you give me a stack of books to return, do you want it to take 5 hours or 20 mins?
27.You love to listen to people talk about themselves
SA
-- oi vey.
28.Many people cannot be trusted
SD
-- Hey, why are you sticking that *item* under your shirt? Oh! You brought it in with you? Well okay!
29.You do some things that upset people
SD
--sigh..
30.You have no big regrets about your past
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
31.You were absent very few days from high school
SA
-- This is not a bad question, if you exclude my senior year.
32.It is fun to go to events with big crowds
SA
-- undecided.
33.Your stuff is often kind of messy
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
34.You’d rather not compete very much
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
35.You do not fake being polite
SA
-- You do NOT fake being polite? So what does this mean, you are never polite? You have to fake being polite? These double negatives are a real doozie.
36.You have always had good behavior in school or work
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
37.You don’t care if you offend people
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
38.You are not interested in your friends’ problems
SD
-- You should care about your friends problems, but why does this matter for work sake? If anything it gives you an excuse to call off from work because you were out with your recent dumpee friend all night and you are too hung over to stand up.
39.You always try not to hurt people’s feelings
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
40.You are a fairly private person
SD
-- Announce breast size here.
41.When you are annoyed with something, you say so
SD
-- This is not a bad question. There is a time and place for everything.
42.Your friends and family approve of the things you do
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
43.You have to give up on some things that you start
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
44.You avoid arguments as much as possible
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
45.People do a lot of annoying things
SD
-- Right...lets believe that. Just like this: "this unicru test is not annoying at all" SA.
46.It is maddening when the court lets guilty criminals go free
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
47.You hate to give up if you can’t solve a hard problem
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
48.You know when someone is in a bad mood, even if they don’t show it
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
49.You can wait patiently for a long time
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
50.You are unsure of what to say when you meet someone
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
51.You like to take frequent breaks when working on something difficult
SD
-- Are you trying to see if I am lazy?
52.You finish your work no matter what
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
53.You look back and feel bad about things you’ve done
SD
-- On the fence about this one. I do feel bad for making fun of an overweight person when I was much younger.
54.You ignore people you don’t like
SD
--Able to be professional, not a bad quality..really.
55.You don’t believe a lot of what people say
SD
--You should believe everything everyone says because they probably got it from the TV which we all know to be a reliable source.
56.You keep calm when under stress
SA
-- Right..
57.You got mostly good grades in high school
SA
-- you should probably lie if you didn't. I am curious what you say if you dropped out of high school.
58.You don’t act polite when you don’t want to
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
59.You show it when you are in a bad mood
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
60.You ignore people’s small mistakes
SA
-- On the fence still. Small mistakes usually escalate.
61.Your moods are steady from day to day
SA
-- only when I am not feeling bi-polar.
62.When your friends need help, they call you first
SA
-- Sorry I can't come in to work today, friends need me more.
63.You don’t care what people think of you
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
64.When you go someplace, you are never late
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
65.You get mad at yourself when you make mistakes
SD
-- I get upset with myself when I make mistakes, because I should not be making mistakes.
66.You are always cheerful
SA
-- Finally a question about my personality.
67.You make more sensible choices than careless ones
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
68.You are unsure of yourself with new people
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
69.You give direct criticism when you need to
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
70.You are careful not to offend people
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
71.You could describe yourself as ‘tidy’
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
72.You like to be alone
SD
-- Separation anxiety.
73.When someone treats you badly, you ignore it
SA
-- "you take crap and abuse".
74.You chat with people you don’t know
SA
-- Instead of working.
75.Other people’s feelings are their own business
SD
-- How are you feeling today? I am not a psychiatrist, but I did read a book about it.
76.Slow people make you impatient
SD
-- Really...
77.You would rather work on a team than by yourself
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
78.It is easy for you to feel what others are feeling
SA
-- nothing to say.
79.People are often mean to you
SD
-- That emo person got to put in two questions!
80.You do not like small talk
SD
-- I love to talk, it is what I do best. I do it way better than I work.
81.You’ve done your share of trouble making
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
82.Any trouble you have is your own fault
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
83.You are a friendly person
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
84.You do what you want, no matter what others think
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
85.It is hard to really care about work when the job is boring
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
86.You have friends, but don’t like them to be too close
SD
-- Hi emo question writer.
87.When you are done with your work, you look for more to do
SA
88.You criticize people when they deserve it
SD
-- You should, if it is appropriately needed.
89.You sometimes thought seriously about quitting high school
SD
-- Did you even finish high school?
90.You do not like to meet new people
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
91.You are not afraid to tell someone off
SD
-- I am not afraid to. I am, however, smart enough to keep my mouth shut.
92.You try to sense what others are thinking and feeling
SA
-- Way more important than doing quality work. " I wonder what he is thinking"?
93.you don’t work hard because it doesn’t pay off anyway
SD
-- Ok, this emo dude got in like four questions.
94.You do things carefully so you don’t make mistakes
SA
-- This is not a bad question.
95.You could not deal with difficult people all day
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
96.You do not like to take orders
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
97.You rarely act without thinking
SA
-- lol.
98.People’s feelings are sometimes hurt by what you say
SD
-- This is not a bad question.
99.You are somewhat a of a thrill-seeker
SA
-- So you want thrill seekers. Interesting! Sorry, I called off work for the last week, I was sky diving and had a stroke.




SO, these questions..are annoying. Anyone with half a brain would think about them and think of all the possibilities. How is it fair to score/range people you have never met. Maybe they just over analyzed the question, maybe they are bi-polar, or maybe they just had a bad day..because you know the perfect 10 who fills this application out NEVER has a bad day.

Come on America, help each other out.

Check out >>>>Melbel<<<<

Maddening? Lets figure out how Unicru works.

Have you ever filled out an Unicru questionnaire and never heard back about the job? Do you find the questions bizarre? Do you want to beat them at their own game?

While job hunting, I have run into MANY sites that use unicru. Let me start off by saying, they are never looking for you to agree or disagree -- stick to the Strongly agree/disagree answers. >>>>Wiki it<<<<.

>>>>WrongPlanet.net<<<< features a forum of information regarding how to handle these 'personality tests'. I think their is a lot of information you can get from a personality test, but each person is different -- and just because they disagree with something certainly does not mean they could never amount to being a good employee.

I am simply being a good samartain and passing along the useful information that was passed on to me.

http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=47170

Quote:

With the increased use of personality employment tests, the résumé and cover letter may soon be a thing of the past. Perhaps just another condition for living in the computer age, with online job applications and background checks galore, personality pre-employment screening is quickly becoming a common feature in corporate America. Awaiting job applicants at many large retailers are 100 questions designed to measure personality compatibility before an interview is even scheduled. Anything, it would seem, is fair game on these personality tests, with questions ranging from comfort levels in crowds to an applicant’s opinion regarding the legal system. Applicants are given a score--color-coded green, yellow or red--that indicates which applicants are worth interviewing in person, with little regard for actual work experience. Critics have called the tests discriminatory, resulting in lower scores for some racial or socioeconomic groups. Unicru, an Oregon-based company, is one of the administrators of the personality tests and provides the questions and guidance for pre-employment screening used at numerous retailers in Chico. Founded in 1987, Unicru estimates it will process up to 15 million applications this year for its clients, which include Target, Raley’s, Albertsons and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Kim Beasley, Unicru public relations representative, said the tests “try to measure underlying traits that are important to clients [including] customer service attributes, sales [and] dependability.” David Scarborough, chief scientist at Unicru and one of the test’s creators, is perhaps its most passionate defender. He said for hourly jobs, personality can be one of the best predictors for job performance. “I personally believe that when you use a well-designed test, you are helping that applicant find their way into jobs that they are going to be successful at,” Scarborough said. The benefits for employers are hard to ignore. Chris Ahearn, spokeswoman for Lowe’s Home Improvement, said the Unicru testing helps by making the application process more efficient. Illegible handwriting on applications is no longer a problem, she said, and the system “can gather information about potential employees and then plug them in where they best fit.” Lowe’s has been working with Unicru for about three years, and although Lowe’s does not release turnover figures, Ahearn said the Unicru system helps with openings that “change frequently.” But with ambiguous questions and others that refer to private matters, the real concern is whether or not these tests discriminate against specific groups of people. If applicants are completing the test honestly, questions about comfort levels in crowds may lead to discrimination against those with mental disabilities, such as social anxiety disorder. In a June 2005 case in Illinois involving a psychological test called the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, presiding Judge Terence Evans cited a federal Health and Welfare code that states it is discriminatory for employers to use “qualification standards, employment tests, or other selection criteria that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability.” Scarborough said unlike the MMPI test, Unicru’s are “designed to measure normal personalities.” Although Scarborough said to date there has not been a successful lawsuit against Unicru, Claudia Center, the senior staff attorney for Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center in San Francisco, said she thinks there is definitely a case to be made against the tests.

Posted by: >>>>YowlingCat<<<< of WrongPlanet.net


So basically, we are getting lazier and lazier. Because someone might not have perfect hand writing and you might have to try a little harder to read their application.....we should just ask stupid questions?

So

Yeah, that did not work.

Needless to say, I had a kind of terrible day. Followed by watching the final episode of S2 torchwood which made me cry.

):

Second working interview.

I got a call today looking for a second working interview. I am excited and nervous, because that probably means there are a couple other people just as good as me.

Please send a little prayer my way..I could really use it.

-Sigh-

I am praying so hard right now for a break. This has been such a difficult time for me job hunting. I am over qualified or quickly looked over because at an average job, there is a good chance I would leave as soon as I found a career level job. But, career level jobs are no easier to get because everyone and their mother is after them. I am getting knocked out of the running because of my lack of experience which is hardly fair, but I completely understand it.

I would just really like a break. I have to start repaying student loans soon. They are expensive, particularly considering I have not been able to find a job. It makes me almost feel like I wasted my time going back to school -- because it just put me into a monster rut.

Yeah, I feel a little down..but please give me a break. I really need it.

Anyway, if you could toss a prayer my way -- I would appreciate it. I am just so tired of feeling so down and like such a failure.

I have had a couple interviews that I thought went really well, I am REALLY hoping to hear back about a reception job. I love working with animals and I know it is a job that I would be more than happy to plant my feet at...I guess it is just beyond my control at this point and I need to have a little more faith in myself.

People make me so angry. *careful if you are squimish*

Scott and I had to run to wal-mart today to get some dog food and toilet paper. As we arrived, my gas alert went off, so we got gas at the conveniently close station before heading into wal-mart. Scott pulls up next to this car, I look to the left and the lady is looking at us then her cheeks puff up and BAM, she barfs. It instantly made my eyes water and gag reflexes kick in.

From the looks of her car, she threw up out the window and down the side of the car going down the road. She was covered in vomit.

I know this is all gross. but here is what ticked me off.

While we are sitting there filling up, they are throwing napkins and garbage out their window. The one girl finishes wiping up the side of the car with the window cleaner that someone is going to find a quite nasty surprise on very soon...anyway -- they get in the car and leave.

A monster pile of vomit and trash left laying on the ground. I get that someone was sick, but since when is it okay to throw your trash on the ground? I mean the garbage can was literally a foot away, is it that inconvenient?
-----
This time change thing gets me every time. Yeah..I am wide awake at 5am. hmm..what to do.
I already re-did this blogs layout, signed up and posted a DSO scrapbooking challenege, watched episode 18 of ER. Ho-hum. I guess I can turn on my sleep playlist and hope it bores me into a nice little sleep coma for a few hours.

iPod Touch

Scott bought me an iPod Touch last week because I have just completely been dieing for either an iPod touch or an iPhone. When I thought about the pros and cons of the phone vs. the touch I realized pretty quickly that it was kind of silly to pay for the iPhone and its monthly required service when the touch does the same thing. Granted, it does not have a camera -- thats no biggie really, I have a couple excellent cameras. The iPod touch is slimer than the iPhone also, so it is kind of nice to have something that thin and light in your pocket, purse or whatever.

I absolutely love the the iPod touch has a built in speaker just like the iPhone. Sure, it is a bit on the quiet side, but it is perfect for when I am doing my hair in the bathroom, trying to sleep, or whatever.

The applications are pretty fun. I found this super addictive cube game that I have a blast playing. This application is a battery drainer though because its constant touching and what not.

I have a 60g iPod that I gave to Scott. I quickly realized 60g was a lot, even for me. But I know he was dieing to get his paws on it and play with the different operation systems you can run on it. He has installed linux on it and is doing a lot with it. Don't get me wrong, I loved that iPod. but you can just do SO much more with the touch. I pulled up applications for cooking, health issues, news, IM's. social networking, gosh, they even have some that you can lock down with a security code for recording womanly things..lol.

Naturally, as soon as Scott played with my iPod touch, he had like 10 new apps on it of weird stuff I am completley clueless about.

The only con is if wherever I go does not have wifi, then it obviously does not connect online. Which is fine, it is not the only reason I wanted it.

All in all, I am super happy with my decison of going with the touch over the phone.

Scammer Alert. -- Credit Protection Association, L. P.

I am in a frenzy because scammers royally tick me off.
You can find one of my complaints right here.

Basically these people send you a moderately official letter saying you owe X amount. They don't say who. If you call, I am pretty sure they will tell you it is from a previous cable company(it seems to be their pattern).

Scott had Charter and had closed it well before I met him, so the account would have been at least six years old. I called Charter to see if they were in fact trying to collect for some reason and they said no, but they did owe US 3 dollars.

When I called Credit Protection Association, L. P. back to tell them whats what, they were extremely unprofessional, clearly a sign of a legitimate company. I was hung up on twice too.

I have reported these scum bags to the BBB and Consumer Report. I hope they rot in jail (:

Sincerely,
Holly

De Veers Diamonds (comedy skit)

I thought this was hilarious, I just saw it on Comedy Central.

XKCD

It made me giggle. I love XKCD.

It made me giggle.

David after dentist

This little boys response after having 'laughing gas'. There have been many spoofs on this youtube video. Two of the best:

Chad after Dentist
and
David after Dentist Remix

Is this going to be forever?

After laughing about it, I have to wonder what kind of dad would film this (and have to also wonder if some of this was provoked/encouraged).

A new favorite song

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why’d you have to wait?
Where were you, where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me

Why’d you have to wait?
To find me, to find me

-The Fray, You Found Me.