They say a recession is when bad economic problems happens to other people, depression is when is happens to you. Well, it happened to me.
I was a software trainer (and more) for 12 years (and some change), and I was laid off yesterday.
You get these “feelings” that something bad is going to happen, but the longer you are at a job, you think, “It won’t happen to me,” well, sometimes it does.
I deposited my last check, filed for Unemployment Insurance yesterday and today is a new day. I was blown away by the responses I got on Facebook, and it helps you get through the weird feeling everyone gets after being laid off. Thank you all.
Economic pressures of any kind stress any marriage, so I sat down with Colleen and had our economic plan talk. I think it is helpful to talk about the steps or points of ‘what ifs’ and discuss what we will do if ’such and such thing’ happens. To me, it makes the “monster in the dark” not so scary, if we already talked about it. Our marriage is strong, and I am married to the best woman, period.
I could get a job in a training position in the Real Estate field, because of my background. I could also get a job in a training position in any other field based on my training experience, but I want to broaden my view this time.
A bit of background, I was previously laid off in 1994. At that time all I knew was searching Title records, and I was stuck in finding any job, because there were none to be found. I didn’t know how to do anything else that would pay what I needed. I vowed never to be in that position again, and I’m not.
For the past 7 years I have worked very hard during off work hours to learn about Social Media, and it’s far reaching implications. I knew it was powerful way back then, and now the world knows. I want to see what the jobs market are like in the Social Media field.
I have options, but the question is, will my options have a job where I fit? Will those said jobs have enough money for us to pay for our house, utilities, finish crawling out of debt (We were 2 years away. If only my job would have… Never mind), etc.
I am optimistic about the future. This is something that millions of people have gone through what I am going through, and now – it’s my turn. The Bible says, “The Rain falls on the Just and Unjust,” and it’s falling on me. Trouble comes to all of us, and now it’s come to my door.
I learned this a long time ago, “You are not graded on the trouble that comes to you, only your reaction to it”.
In 1994, I chose to react in fear, anxiety and worse, but not this time.
This time I choose to face the rain, get a cool looking umbrella (Star Wars or something), and walk to the next part of my destiny that I was made to fulfill.
If you are in the middle of trouble right now, I want to let you know, there is peace in the storm. Sometimes you need to look hard to find it, but it is there. Gather what is important to you and hold it close, and the rest hold with a loose grip, because you may have to it let go. Many times what you let go, you will get back later, only better.
Anne Rice quits Christianity ( http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/30/anne-rice-leaves-christianity/?hpt=Sbin ).
That won’t mean much to some in the the Bible belt states, but it’s a sad moment for me.
I mean, let’s lay it all out on the table;
Christians are supposed to save the world (See the Great Commission), right?
Anne Rice makes a huge 180 degree turn in her life and changes her view from staunch Athiesm to Christianity (Catholic to be exact. Just sayin’), and after 10 years of trying to fit in to the “Christian” culture of, “Here’s a list of things you need to adhere to,” she felt like she wasn’t making the grade, and quits. That’s a sad state of affairs for Christianity, they can’t keep what God helped them catch.
When did Christian groups feel that the changes the Holy Spirit works on in our lives wasn’t good enough, so then people, lists, dogmas and voting for a particular political party was a better litmus test of spiritual change?
I’ve seen it over and over. It’s not enough for someone to become a Christian, they have to dress the part, talk the part, think the part and act the part.
See, here is the funny part, the more Christians create this, “We are perfect, and therefore you need to be just like us to be in the “right” Christian club,” the more failed Christians get caught, exposed in the news, all the time. Shall I mention names?
See, that’s why we need to be Christ-like, not other Christians like. We’ll get back to this later.
Have you read any of the gospels? The disciples weren’t robots who said exactly what Jesus said or did. Peter. Hello?
Have you read Hebrews 11? Some of those people weren’t upstanding “Bible Belt” verified Christians. Should I go down the list for you of what those people did? Note: They are Champions of Faith. Think about that.
Christians need to re-read the Great Commission, let the Holy Spirit change people on his timetable and finally, Christians need to get a whole lot more loving, real fast.
Christians are Christ like, not “just like other Christians”. I want to say that again. Christians are to be Christ like, not to be “just like other Christians”.
Christians, have you read about Jesus? Really? He wouldn’t picket, scream, yell, toss in his allegiance to a political party, post Fox News posts over and over again on Facebook, boycott or hate. He wouldn’t.
If Christians would read about Jesus, and act like him – they could complete what the Great Commission commands them to do in a better shape than what’s happening now.
Until then, we will have more people who love God, and want to connect to him, but will end up being shunned by God’s followers, and leaving. Thankfully Anne Rice, stuck with God, but not the label of a “Christian”.
My wife and I are huge Disney fans, but we weren’t thrilled with the original DCA. I’m not a hater, but I think Disney was capable of much more. World of Color is much more.
We got the picnic lunch (Taste of Asia. Very good), and it was very nice to sit in the lunch area and watch the parade go by in our own little special area where we could sit down fairly close and watch. Nice extra perk. We also got our fast passes for WOC. I wasn’t in a huge “ridey” mood, so we went over to the Grand Californian, sat in comfy chairs and enjoyed the free WiFi and waited til it was time to get into our area.
We got into our Blue Area line at 7:15, and the line already had plenty of people in it. My advice is like any Disney show, send someone ahead to save a place in the line.
As I said, we were randomly assigned the Blue section. As we entered, we did what (I think) most people would do and head to the closest section, all the way over to the right (in the corner by the back fence, because the front corner was already congregated), because I wanted a place to lean/half sit on the wall. We had to look through the fence to see the show where we were in the lower Blue section, it was also tough to see the show around the people standing on the stairway to the right of us. Not complaining too much, but lesson learned, and wanted to share with you. One more thing, the Orange section (on the bridge) is now considered to be ‘more of the Blue’ section per the Cast member we spoke to. One last thing (sorry), even though you may be able to slip under the ropes at the edge of the Blue section into the Yellow section (more in front of the show, along the water), it’s not nice, and someone will ask to see your Fast Pass.
Suggestion: If you are in the Blue section, I would suggest heading to the upper section, which is a straight eye view to the show. If you have kids (or you are shorter), try to get as far forward, as you can obviously.
For more info on the different color sections, see the video I put together:
Waiting discussion: There weren’t any seats in the area we were in, and some people came prepared with blankets, cards, coloring books for the kids (Great idea, btw), etc. Waiting for the show in the area reminded me a bit like Comic Con, people sitting around in groups. Watch your fingers (or your kid’s fingers) if you are sitting on the ground, if people walk by.
Pre-Show: Was fun, but my grumpy self came out when they asked, “Is everybody having a good time?” I shouted back, “It would be better if I had a chair”. I think Sebastian gleered at me for that.
The Show: Incredible. It was like a well done symphony, building to a crescendo. It is amazing that Disney now can use lights, water, fire and projection to generate emotion. I did get misty (no pun intended (since it’s a water show) at certain points, loved the fun parts, and even enjoyed the Chernabog/evil characters section, too, because Good looks much better triumphing over Evil. The seawater look and effects were incredible, as well. I could go on, but I’ll stop now.
Side note: For Disney being known as a “family friendly” movies, they have introduced some scary creatures and moments in their movies (Chernabog (featured in the show), Bambi’s Mom, Lion King ending (which was featured in the show), even a moment in Toy Story 3, etc.), too. Just sayin’ There has been some discussion about the placement of the Lion King death scene, but I think it’s great that Disney can offer situations to discuss deeper subjects with kids. In my opinion, “Up” can offer the same conversation starters with couples about parents, or each other.
There was a nice placement of many Disney characters throughout the show. Fantasia scenes were nice to see, too. Obviously, they can digitally insert newer characters and films in certain areas, too. So, it has the ability of not getting stale.
Final thought: I could get nitpicky and complain about the smell of the mist coming off the show water, the strange use of fire for no apprarant reason at the end (With Fantasmic it’s easier, because its weaved into the show story), or the logostics issues (I understand that random Fast Pass disbursement helps people to get a better chance from time to time, but bad viewing areas should be blocked off (imho)), but in the end, Disney has come a long way to bring another great draw to DCA (For me, TOT was the first, TSMM was the next). When the Little Mermaid attraction (Although, I don’t know what it has to do with California. Just sayin’) and Cars land is integrated, all the ills of the original DCA will be forgiven.
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They say a recession is when bad economic problems happens to other people, depression is when is happens to you. Well, it happened to me.
