Blog Interrupted!



            

     Good Lord!

 

     When I started this blog,  my intent was to post once a week. My second post was going to be a little background information about me, however, there has been an unexpected development. 

     On September 19th, I was let go from my job!  My employer of thirteen years eliminated my position, gave me six weeks of severance pay (plus Unemployment), and sent me on my way.  Just like that.   

     Now, you might expect that I would be devastated, and that this would be a huge, scary ordeal.  In fact, it's been quite the opposite.  Once I got over the shock of it, and my hurt feelings, I was nothing but immensely relieved.  Relieved that I don't have to get up at 4:30 a.m. every day; relieved that I don't have to make that drive down to Troy anymore (one hundred miles and two-plus hours a day, five days a week); relieved that I don't have to contend with traffic on I-75 anymore; relieved that I don't have to spend $200 - $300 a month on gas anymore; and relieved that I don't have to deal with the brutal office politics of the place. 

     And, to be honest, it was more than time for me to move on.  I was bored, bored, bored with the job.  It wasn't challenging anymore - it was becoming mind-numbing.   In fact, I was already  planning to begin a preliminary job search after the new year. 

     The only reason - or, I should say - one of the main reasons I stayed as long as I did (besides the people there who have become my good friends) was for the tuition for school.  One of the benefits my previous employer offered was tuition reimbursement, and I took full advantage of it.  Since 2002, I have been going to Oakland University (www.oakland.edu) part-time, working on my bachelor degree. 

     I've only got one more class to go.  The long-term goal was always to leave my previous employer after I got my degree, so having my job eliminated and being cut loose now is really just putting this goal a year ahead of schedule. 

     So, between my severance package and my unemployment insurance, I've got the luxury of time to look for a new job.  I don't have to rush out and grab the first thing offered to me.  I've got six months to be methodical and thorough in my search for an opportunity which will be a good fit for me. 
  
     Since my last day at work, I have been busy updating my resume, reactivating my unemployment insurance and Michigan- Works (www.michiganworks.org) account, and otherwise reassessing and getting all my ducks in a row.   Now that everything is in place, I am determined to find a new job in a timely manner, yet relax and enjoy my unexpected time off.  

     I am optimistic and excited about seeing where this new road leads. 

Until next time,
Robin in Flint



A Beginning

     My name is Robin, and I live in Flint, Michigan.  On purpose.  Yes, that's right.  On purpose.

     You know, the Flint, Michigan of Michael Moore's 'Roger & Me' fame.  The place that, according to the FBI, is the most dangerous city America.  No city with a population over 100,000 had a higher violent crime rate than Flint did in 2011. 

 http://247wallst.com/2012/06/11/the-most-dangerous-cities-in-america-2/

FBI statistics show the following for Flint in 2011:

• population: 102,357 
• median income: $22,672
• unemployment rate: 18.9%
• 23.4 violent crimes per 1000 people (2392 incidents total)
• 52 murders

     Last year, Flint had the second-highest murder rate, and the highest rates of aggravated assault, burglary, and arson in the nation

     Grim, I know.  People were (and still are) horrified that I moved here; and they aren't shy about letting me know it.

     But here's the thing: I've been in Flint for ten years now, and I like it here.  There are regular, good people here (I'm one of them) and there are great things going on; only nobody ever hears about any of it because, as is the standard for American journalism, only the ugly and horrible gets press.

     This blog is partly in response to my friends and relatives who are constantly dogging me about living here (and I'm looking right at YOU Law Turner); and partly just because I want to do it. 

     I want to write about what it's like to be an average, ordinary person living an average, ordinary life in a city with, unarguably, one of the worst reputations in the country.  Yes, it's challenging to live here, but it also has its rewards.

     Ah.  I sense some skepticism.  Skepticism can be good, but just remember this (and this is one of my favorite quotes - one I try to live by):

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."  (Herbert Spencer)
 

     Put aside the skepticism and the contempt.  Open your mind and follow (vicariously) as I live the 'good life' in Flint.  You may be suprised at what you'll discover. 

Flint (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

Until next time,
Robin in Flint