The neverending saga of Wr_G...

[GiBo]

There is a certain kind of person who can do well at things they hate. They figure it pays the bills and their babies' gotta have milk so they get out of bed every morning and trundle off to something that dulls their senses and makes them envious of other people.

Then there are people like me who have discovered through trial and much painful error that doing something I dislike is a surefire recipe for eventual failure, no matter how hard I try to make it work. The only thing that could entice me into a line of work I'm not enthusiastic about now would be mountains of cash and the knowledge that with said mountains I could walk away from it very comfortably in ten years or less.

I don't know what kind of person you are, but the people I know who are the happiest are the ones that have found something they enjoy doing and are pursuing it, even if they don't make as much money as a dentist or lawyer or financial wiz.

So the ticket, as I see it, will be to figure out what makes you feel good about getting up and going to work most days. There will always be times when it sucks, but if the majority of days are ones where you don't dread going off to make a living or even better yet, where you are enthused about what you're going to be doing that day then everything else will fall into place. Whatever that is, do it or something related to it, and keep an open mind. I don't know anything about what inspired you to get a film degree, but I'd guess that you might not mind working in the production side of things. Surely there are TV stations in Colorado that could use producers or cameramen. There are definitely stations in NJ that could use producers and cameramen. Maybe get a job with a TV station to learn the ropes, even if it's just sweeping the floors at first. Your management experience will look good on a resume, it shows responsibility and that you know how to work well with other people. Another thought is managing an outdoors store, if you don't mind the idea of working in retail. One of the big chains like REI or a smaller independent might need a good person. I skied with the bootfitter from one of the better known independent stores around here earlier this year. His schedule is flexible enough that he gets a lot of days in.

Just random thoughts from a guy who's never been very successful financially but has finally figured out what he likes doing, doesn't dread going to work in the morning any more, and finds that being a weekend warrior isn't the worst thing in the world.

This.

I make 30% more than I did 5 years ago and I would take my old gig back with the pay cut in a second. Nothing is worth not liking your gig. I used to actually not mind Mondays. Now I start getting anxious and depressed on Sunday nights.

I also don't like where I live (Jesus. It's a wonder I even stay as happy as I am!). So pick something you think you'll like somewhere you want to live and see what happens.

I'm forty-five with two kids and an ex who won't move. Don't be me. Don't get me wrong, I have a pretty nice life, but it isn't what I had planned. You are right where I was when the plan started to unravel. Make a plan to be where you want and don't compromise on your plan.

Oh and save money. Best thing I ever did. I couldn't imagine being my age, not liking my job and town and not having any options looming in the future. Save your ass off!

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I don't really mean this to come across as too hater-ish. And I am embarrassed that I know as much about your misadventures in life as I do. But seriously, the world doesn't owe you shit. You deserve nothing. You have squandered more opportunities than most people ever hope to get. You don't get a cool job and a hand built cabin in the mountains by asking for it on the internet. There are lots of people who would kill to make 50k managing a car wash and take care of their family. If that isn't good enough for you. Fucking do something about it. If you don't appreciate what you got, you don't deserve anything better. You can work construction anywhere. And you don't care how much you earn? Even better. You'll figure it out someday.

Did I ever say that the world owed me anything? No. I am not asking for a job to be handed to me. Sure, I squandered some opportunities. I was a drunked/stoned child with no grasp of reality. Now I am a sober adult trying to make an honest go at this whole life thing. I made 24k in 2011. LULZ. Thankfully, I don't have a family or a mortgage, etc cause I would be fucked.

[Tippster]

Again: http://www.newyork411.com/Sets_Stage...-cid-50746.htm

This shit can take you places.

[ColMan]

GTFO now! The job stuff will work itself out once you are living where you are happy (heck, you can make what you're making now @ Starbucks while you are looking for your dream job). As others have said, life is too short. If you don't do it now 2 years will suddenly turn into 10 and you'll regret wasting away the prime years of your life working at the carwash.

Is it possible to transfer between nursing schools? If so, get your girl to work on transferring to a program in Colorado. I would guess that a school in CO might also provide networking opportunities/better shot at landing a job locally after she graduates.

[powder11]

Did I ever say that the world owed me anything? No. I am not asking for a job to be handed to me. Sure, I squandered some opportunities. I was a drunked/stoned child with no grasp of reality. Now I am a sober adult trying to make an honest go at this whole life thing. I made 24k in 2011. LULZ. Thankfully, I don't have a family or a mortgage, etc cause I would be fucked.

Part of being an adult is learning to eat shit sandwiches. The more bread you have, the less shit you have to eat.

[warthog]

Eat shit, cash checks.


Oh wait, you don't care how much you make. I'm confused.
Chasing the $$ isn't always about working and having no life.
Once you figure out the balance, I am pretty sure you will be happier.