Rant #2,499: Day By Day

Today is my personal "day from hell," and I am not looking forward to it in any way, shape or form.

After going about my daily job search duties and then taking my son to work, I have to go directly to the Town of Oyster Bay Job Center for my most recent review.

It is more like I have been ordered by New York State to do this, because they want to check up o me; they want to make sure that I am not sitting with my hands folded and my legs crossed when I am supposed to be looking for a new job.

I guess that is their right, since they are paying me a weekly stipend to do jus that, but I just find it all so fruitless, all so annoying, and most importantly, all so intrusive.

They say I have to apply for a minimum three jobs a week, and they even give you a form to fill out so that you can keep track of this--you can also do it online if you like.

Heck, I sometimes apply for three jobs in a minute, so I obviously don't have any problems filling out this form.

It is just that the checking up on me--and not just me, of course, but millions of others--is just do intrusive, such a waste of time, using up time that I could be using to find a job.

And the balderdash they keep on feeding me about the "benefits" of being an older worker--please, I have heard enough of that, tell potential employers about the benefits, not me. I know what they are, how valuable they are, but tell the people that really count to hire older workers, don't tell me.

After I have to go through this nonsense, I have to run over to the doctor to get physical therapy. Let me tell you, this gives me way more relief than going to the Job Center does, and at least I feel I have accomplished things when I go through the regimen there.

It's just that I have to rush from the job center to get physical therapy today, and I have virtually not time to breathe.

Right after physical therapy, I have to scoot over and pick up my son from work, and then I actually get a bit of a reprieve for a few hours, although I know myself, and during that time, I am sure I will be looking at the job sites to see if there is anything that I believe fits my talents, so I won't be at any real rest during this period.

Later, my wife and I end the day by fulfilling long-standing doctor's appointments that we have. Nothing major, just beginning our yearly checkup, but as you know, waiting in the doctor's office is akin to watching paint dry, and I don't believe we will be home before 8 p.m. or so.

Even though I have been out of work a few times since the late 1970s, I never remember being so very busy during these periods of work inactivity.

If it is not one thing, it is another, and I have to say that I have rarely been bored during the past nearly 100 days; I seemingly always have something to do, and there is very little down time.

Maybe that is a good thing, but I almost feel like the proverbial hamster running on the wheel in his cage, running that wheel but never getting to the end.

I felt that way when I was working, and I am beginning to feel that way right now.

But whatever the case, today is my day of dread, so let me go ahead and attack it the best way that I know how.

I don't know any other way of doing it.