Not the Birthday present I expected

[Hawaii Islander]

My birthday is Monday the 19th.

Friday the 16th, I get to file for unemployment.

Funds for the research project ran out.

I think I want a more stable full-time job, even if it's not biology related. I'm considering moving to the mainland, a change of scenery just might be what I need.

[warwick.hoy]

Seriously, You'd rather not live in Hawaii? (okay I can prolly come up with a number of reasons to not live there; cost of living etc.) May I suggest Alaska?

Bummer about the unenjoyment, but hey you get to live off the state for a moment.

[Hawaii Islander]

I was thinking more along the lines of the greater Boston area. I haven't been back home in 21 years.

My employer paid unemployment insurance to the state for the two years that I worked for them.

A co-worker of mine is also out of work at the end of the week. She has toddler just starting to walk. She wasn't going to file for unemployment benefits, because she thought it was welfare. I had to explain to her that unemployment benefits were covered by unemployment premiums that were paid into the system. She'll be filing for unemployment at the end of the week.

[MJ5150]

I got laid off two days after I got married. I know the feeling.

Good to see you have some kind of plan formulating in your mind. Too many people look at unemployment as a free ride to sit home and watch Price Is Right for awhile.

-Mike

[mike_v_s]

I got canned 3 days after my wife found out she was pregnant with our first. Our situation kinda necessitated my finding a job immediately. I ended up "merchandising" cigarette displays at $8.00 bucks an hour for 3 months before I found something decent. Losing your job sucks.

Mike

[IAmTheDood]

only time i got laid off was a month after 9/11/2001. i got married 9/29/2001. She was 6 months pregnant with our daughter.

i had to move 2 hrs to metro detroit after i couldn't find a job where we were .. moved early Jan, had to find a new doc, new hospital, new everything for the kid who was born Jan 30th.

sucks man but you'll get through it!

what are gas prices now in hawaii?

[toytech]

Might try the San Francisco Bay Area, there is a ton of biotech here. My wife is a microbiologist at Bayer in Berkeley. Plenty of music scene around too. And no Snow ever.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

A co-worker of mine is also out of work at the end of the week. She has toddler just starting to walk. She wasn't going to file for unemployment benefits, because she thought it was welfare. I had to explain to her that unemployment benefits were covered by unemployment premiums that were paid into the system. She'll be filing for unemployment at the end of the week.

Good for you! When you're out of work, you should use the options and services available to you. Whether you've recently paid into the system through unemployment premiums or not, you've supported it through tax money. I simply do not understand the mentality that says 'it's welfare'. You've paid for those services one way or another, and you're entitled to make legal and appropriate use of them. It's also part of our social contract in the US to support each other when we're in a tough spot.

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Good for you! When you're out of work, you should use the options and services available to you. Whether you've recently paid into the system through unemployment premiums or not, you've supported it through tax money. I simply do not understand the mentality that says 'it's welfare'. You've paid for those services one way or another, and you're entitled to make legal and appropriate use of them. It's also part of our social contract in the US to support each other when we're in a tough spot.

The mentality for some stems from the feeling that our taxes and those programs are implemented inefficiently. Supporting the idea, supporting through taxes, and supporting the piss-poor execution are three separate things. I agree with one, am forced to do another and vehemently urinate on the last.

If I added much more, I think I'd be crossing the hazy political line here.

Mike

[Pilgrim]

I gotcha, Mike. Good specificity in your comment, and well said.

[Ericman197]

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

vehemently urinate on the last.

Have you actually done this or are you just all talk?

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by Ericman197

Have you actually done this or are you just all talk?

"Piss poor execution" as a concept is difficult to pee on, much less vehemently. Just like pissing on long division as a discipline. Sure, I could take a leak on a 5th grader's homework, but I'm not actually draining on "long division". That being the case, I'm all talk with potty breaks every 2-5 hours.

Mike

[MoD_Scotty]

FYI: all military service people that get an honorable discharge are entitled to 6 months of unemployment insurance benefits.

After 8 years of service, I had zero regret about milking that sucker for all 6 months.

Back to OP, good luck. I agree that Norcal is a great place to live. San Jose, San Fran, Monterey...all beautiful places. Lots to do, and tons of high-paying jobs. Of course, the cost of living is insane, but for a biologist, you should be able to do pretty well.

[Marcury]

What a drag! Happy Birthday anyway!

[iamlowsound]

Happy birthday, mine is the next day. Although my unemployment ended at the start of April.

lowsound

[Hawaii Islander]

Thanks for your comments of support and happy birthday wishes!