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As you may have known I'm back in Michigan after spending so long in New York. I just couldn't afford to live there and I sacrificed so much to stay there. Today I was walking through the urban area of the small town I'm back in where all the shops and bars are. And what am I surrounded by? Frat boys and wannabe bullies(I'm thinking graduate students). Thank god for my years in New York. They were yelling all kinds of insults that would have broken a weaker mind.
I'm still dealing with unemployment in a state filled with it. I am an introvert and have mild ADHD which makes things harder.
In spite of what is said, the economy and finding work is still tough... Hang in there, Kenneth...
Why did you decide to move there? Do you have family and friends there to support you and get you through?
Don't let the turkeys get you down.
The way it seems, we will never be accepted as a part of society and I personally don't want it anymore. The morons you encountered are the epitome of what's wrong with society. Can't wait for the day when someone they try to harass turns around and kicks their asses. They are not going to learn from it, seeing as how they are incapable being decent human beings, but it's always funny watching people like this getting beaten up or a taste of their own medicine. To me, they will always be subhumans.
I'm seriously hoping you won't be unemployed for much longer. Good luck!
Hi Kenneth,
I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina. When I think of the USA, I think of a huge cosmopolitan country with a wide diversity of people. But when I read these kind of stories it's hard for me to imagine that in the land of freedom there are still morons insulting others in the streets because the way they look, dress or wear their hair. That I don't even see it here (My country is smaller in territory and population) . Although my city is more like New York, even in small towns there is no type of discrimination at all. People just don't give a fck about others . That can be good or not.
I hope your unemployment status comes to an end soon. Take this time as a time for yourself and try to enjoy it. I am sure something will come up soon.
Hi Kenneth,
Thanks for checking in! Sorry to hear you had to leave New York. I would stay far away from the idiots and find some kindred spirits if you can. Life is much too short to deal with imbeciles.
I certainly hope you can find suitable employment soon my friend! I am also an introvert and do not go anywhere unless I have to. I just don't feel I'm missing anything out there! Please stay well and keep us updated here. We care about your well-being!
Ted
I'm so sorry to hear about this, Kenneth. I'm glad you had the experience of having lived in New York, however, because if nothing else it gives you a reference point to constantly remind you and give you a fairer comparison of what more open-minded people can be like -- and that there are plenty of them around (although obviously not so much in your small Michigan town where you currently reside).
Is there any chance of you being able to go back to school yourself? If you happen to be in a financial situation that allows you to take advantage of some classes at a local college nearby, that would give you something of great value to focus on (if unemployment in your area continues to be a serious problem in your region).
... Just a thought, anyway.
As far as being an introvert goes, there is so much to be said for a person's manners -- someone's politeness, common courtesy, cordiality, etc., as well as their personal ethics towards others. Extroverts don't always impress me. It's what's inside a person that counts, not what they say or brag about. Simple positive behaviors like kindness, treating others with respect and fairness, a general attitude of helpfulness, and other similar qualities of a man's character can make a person go a long way in life.
The jerks of this world will most likely continue to stay jerks, even as many of them age and supposedly "mature"... although occasionally I've been surprised to witness somebody being willing to "turn over a new leaf", making changes for the better in both their behavior and personality.
But these are not in general the kind of people you want to go out of your way to be nice to -- it's the genuinely nice people that you want to find and get to know better, especially whenever moving back to a small town that you're new to. or have been away from for awhile.
Although I know very little about ADHD, you certainly have always impressed me as someone who's got a good head on your shoulders; so my prediction is that eventually over time, you will either find yourself a good match for a job for yourself and/or decide to back to school to focus on gaining more knowledge and maybe even a getting degree of some kind...
Whatever you decide to do, my best to you!!
- Ken in San Francisco
I work with the special needs population including those with ADHD. I get a lot of joy out of my work and while there is no foreseeable cure for ADHD, please note there is medication available to control the symptoms.
If you lack health insurance, you will be able to sign up for ObamaCare next Tuesday and there will be many plans for you to choose from. The most important thing to remember is no insurance company can turn you away because you have a pre-existing condition.
I am indeed sorry you are still unemployed. I know it's tough out there (I am in California) and you could put your inconvenience (I don't like the word "disability") to good use by applying to work as a special ed assistant/aide at either a public or non-public school. What better person to help others deal with their situation than someone (you) who has it? Besides helping students and/or adults coping with their inconvenience, your empathy and sensitivity would be a blessing. You would earn a decent salary that could perhaps include benefits. Plus, the work would be very rewarding.
I love what I do and don't consider it to be work at all as I spent many many years as a paralegal earning a lot of money and now am earning a lot less than what I was making but the difference is I am a lot happier.
You might also consider sending emails to companies you would like to work with instead of waiting for them to advertise.
As for those frat boys and wannabe bullies, hold your head up high and ignore them. That's the advice I give to my students because no one, "typical" or not, deserves to be treated like that.
I wish you the best.