I've been putting on the happy face and pretending that everything is business as usual here in Roy's World, but the reality of the situation has forced me to come out in the open - things are really not good here.As most of you know, I've been unemployed for almost 2 1/2 years. I search daily for work, I'm always sending out my resumé to businesses looking for people, but the result is still nothing. And my unemployment benefits ran out at the end of March. There was a bill passed in Congress that supposedly extended benefits until June 2, and it was worded - both in the press and on the Rhode Island Dept. of Labor and Training website - as extending benefits for those who had exhausted their benefits. The wording was deceptive; what the bill did was extend funding for Tier 3 and Tier 4 federal emergency extended benefits so that people who had exhausted all other regular state and federal unemployment insurance; I'd already exhausted both Tier 3 and Tier 4, so I wasn't eligible for any other extension.
Only I didn't find out I wasn't eligible until after I'd written my landlady a check for May's rent. I was calling the DLT's extensions hotline every day, and it took me over a week to break through the busy signal solid wall in the second week in May. So now I have a negative bank balance; I belong to a credit union, and my account with them comes with overdraft protection, an extra I'm about to lose because I haven't been able to make up the difference. And of course now June's rent is due, and I'm behind two billing periods on my Internet access, phone, and utilities.
So the prospects are not good. Which is why I'm posting this heads up. It looks probable that I'll lose my apartment and Internet and phone access by the end of this month. I'll keep this and my other online free accounts open and I'll try to check in from time to time via public access (i.e. a public library). But at some point the photos and the regular posts will no longer be possible.
I hate this. I've enjoyed sharing my perspective on Newport, and the scenery and historic spots here, with all of you all over the US and the world. I'll probably have to leave Newport, as well, and that's going to kill me. Well, not literally, but you know what I mean; I love this place with all my heart, and leaving it will take a big chunk out of my soul. But what can I do?
So be forewarned that the time is coming, and soon, when I'll pretty much be gone from the WWW except for an occasional "Hi, howarya!" It's been great, but as the late George Harrison sang, "All things must pass."
Oh, Roy, this makes me sad. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Hope something great in the way of employment lands in your lap this week. xox
ReplyDeleteroy, say it ain't so....this is very sad on all sorts of levels.
ReplyDeleteyou are such an extremely talented and creative fellow, your sustained unemployment is terribly alarming and illustrative of just how hard times are right now.
my good thoughts and prayers join the stream with willow's
i wish i had a magic wand to wave and make buckets of bucks fall on you and a wonderful job to be had.
when/should you no longer have your own internet access, i do hope you will utilize public internet so all of your friends out here in cyberia can still stay in touch.
namaste!
I wish I could help you, Roy.
ReplyDeleteYou're overdue for a change for the better.
Man, Roy. This frustrates me, which must be about a thousandth of what you feel. I'm really sorry to hear about this.
ReplyDeleteRoy I know what it's like to fall on hard times but at least for now I have a job. Keep plugging away, lower your standards a little and do anything, anything. You will be missed and it's such a shame you have to leave in order to find work. Have you thought about a sharing situation to help with the rent? If there's anything your blog friends can do to help you financially please let us know. A little from a lot can make a difference. Good luck. And I really mean that.
ReplyDeleteRoy.Be Strong.Keep Your Vision And Focus.
ReplyDeleteI feel a strong bond with you.Look, I will go look for your email & send you my non-cyber details.Try & Find A New way Hey .
Bestest Regards From Your Friend Tony.
I too will send you my address. Oh, I wish there was something I could do. But I'm about to be overdrawn (again!) myself. :(
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that you do not have to leave your beloved Newport.
I will miss you more than I can say.
so sorry to see the sad news. I will miss you! take care Roy and just think a new location will bring excitement in the discovery of new walks and new flora and fauna to photograph...best of luck!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad, too, Roy. I hate it that you are suffering financially. Look at all of the
ReplyDeletelove on this thread for you.
Roy, I'm horrified that this is happening to you. I don't know what to say except that I send prayers and good thoughts to you and am hoping very hard that good things come your way. Soon. x
ReplyDeleteRoy, what can I say that hasn't been said. If you are unable to post on a regular basis with your stunning photographs, your fine words and your love of music, it won't just be another light going out - it will be a star no longer shining. Keep strong, keep fighting and keep in touch
ReplyDeleteOh, Roy......I am devastated....both by your unfortunate state and by the idea that we are going to lose you, your lovely prose and your fantastic photos. Damn!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best of good fortune.....may things get better instanty....please come back soon.
Love, Lo
How incredibly sad. Nothing makes you feel low down and like crap than not having a job, but 2 1/2 years is hard to comprehend. You feel you're selling your soul every day of the search. Surely, you've heard a million times there are jobs out there even in the worst of times...true, but easier said than done. New England's taking things especially hard.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the luck. Work hard and be strong.
Thanks everybody! This response means a lot. It also emphasizes what I'll miss the most. I'll at least make sure I have a gmail email address so I can drop by a library and leave occasional messages here and there. Meanwhile, I'm still working to stave off this disaster.
ReplyDeleteIt saddened me to read this post. Sending you great blasts of healing energy to right your situation. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteRoy,
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as everyone else here does. I am joining with Willow and everyone else wishing the best for you. I have been hoping for a long time that something would come your way and not knowing what to do. Most of the time we are but a paycheck away from where you are now, and so know the feeling. It seems like so many are suffering right now and no one seems to know what to do. The stress and worry levels seem to be very high for most everyone right now and so I will continue to pray that something comes along.
I totally agree with what Baino said about the sharing thing. I know that a lot of people are having to do that and I think as times get worse then it will become more of the norm. We must do what we have to do. I will pray that you do not have to leave Newport, but if you do then I will pray that sometime you can come back.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
God bless.
Your photography is utterly amazing, and it has been such a blessing to share your vision and to read your words. What, practically, can any of us do to help? I can't believe a board of tourism hasn't snapped you up. Your snaps make where you live so achingly beautiful, and have certainly caused me to want to visit. I'm saddened to hear about the unemployment snafu. We were about to be caught in it, when finally my husband got a temporary assignment. It won't last much longer, but has kept us afloat and we are so grateful. I so much want that, and more for you.
ReplyDeleteI think its time for us all to go to your Lulu link again, and buy some of your photography!
So sorry to hear this, Roy.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear this--I've had hard financial times in my life, so I understand some of what you're going thru. I'll certainly miss your excellent photos & commentary & your comments over on RFB. Very best wishes.
ReplyDeleteOh Roy, NO!
ReplyDeleteYou mean unemployment benefits run out?
I echo all that has been said and do hope that you don't have to leave.
Roy if I could help ya I would. I'm constantly looking o'er my shoulder waiting for the "corporate hammer" to fall( again ), as the layoffs continue. Under the table work is sporadic and doesn't pay for the forced health care, here in MASS.
ReplyDeleteMany times I've been unemployed but always was able to pick up some kind of work...not so easy in the midst of the second Depression.
If I still had my house, you'd've been more than welcome to a spare room, but alas, 'twas one more dream lost to the greed of the bankers and my own joblessness( at the time ).
"Happy Days" are definitely not here again...
Well, that is what happened. I thought I was eligible for an extension as well. You have been doing something useful. You have created an amazing blog. I've been lurking every now and then. Set up an account immediately and post. If some of your followers could donate $1.00 each it might help. You gotta think outside the box. Maybe sell an online book of poetry or photography? I will donate if you tell me how. Good Luck. Don't stop blogging.
ReplyDeleteBoard of Tourism sounds like a good idea, too. Online guidebook of Newport. Good luck, again.
ReplyDeleteAs with ALL others I am very saddened. Your in my thoughts each evening as I remember those troubled....I always question what it happened to "the good guys". Take care and may nothing but the best come your way.
ReplyDelete((((Hugs)))) Something wonderful may be just aroundthe corner. Never give up to hope, to search, to try something new and unusual.
ReplyDelete