Friday, March 5, 2010

Into The Great Unknown


My last post reported that my computer had crashed. I took it to the local dech dude who pronounced it DOA. He managed to retrieve all my documents and pix and everything else off the hard drive, thank goodness, so I didn't lose anything except the computer itself.

Now for computing purposes I have to share the family computer. This presents a multitude of problems, not the least of which is that now I can't work because I don't have access to a computer I can dedicate solely to my job.

As a medical transcriptionists we're required, for purposes of privacy and HIPAA compliance, to have a computer that is not accessed by anyone else and that is not used for anything other than work. In theory that makes sense, but I believe that it's rarely practiced. I think most MTs use their work computer for more than just work. However, I can't in good conscience share a computer with 4 other people when it would give them access to a bunch of private medical records.

So this leaves me in a pickle. I can't afford a new computer because the company I work for doesn't pay me well enough to I can afford a new computer, but without a computer I'm unable to work in order to earn the money I need to buy a computer. You see my dilemma.

Because I was in a major panic about not earning any money, imagining the water and power being shut off, my home foreclosed on, becoming one of those people who sits outside WalMart with a cardboard sign that says "anything helps" just so I can feed my kids, I called the employment office to see if I'd qualify for unemployment insurance.

To my great relief, I do. Here's the strangest part of this whole thing, though: I tried calling my boss but she didn't answer her phone, so I left a message that I don't have a computer, I can't work until further notice, please call me. Not a peep out of her. She has never called me back. I called a couple of supervisory people and told them. Their response? "Oh, okay." That's it. And I haven't heard from anyone else since then. So, since I didn't quit, and I haven't been informed that they're letting me go, where does that leave me? In some vague gray unknown, I guess.

In the meantime, I'm looking for a job that doesn't require me to have a separate computer, and I'm taking advantage of all my free time to get some writing done. I need to have completed a first draft of my screenplay by May. I'm currently about 12 pages into act II so I have a ways to go. I want to finish the first draft of book two of my trilogy, and I have about one, maybe two chapters to go so I'm very close. Then I want to start revisions on book one so I can start the query process.

Being unemployed is a terrifying prospect for me since I've worked all of my adult life. I haven't always liked my job, but I've always had one. We're seriously tightening our belts to try to live within the unemployment benefits, and it's a huge challenge, but more than anything if I'm not spending this time working I'm going to use it to be writing.

Maybe it's a blessing in disguise? I certainly hope so. Wish me luck!

6 comments:

Cheryl said...

I think it is a blessing in disguise. Or maybe just what you asked for. You didn't enjoy your job and wanted more time to write, right? Your wishes are powerful, my friend. Maybe ask now to win the lottery...

Bethany Wiggins said...

Good luck!!! Just remember that you can grow from everything... how you grow is your choice. Don't let it get you down.

BTW, I left an award for you on my blog. You're such a delightful person!

ali cross said...

That is so, so weird with your boss and stuff. It would drive me CRAZY not knowing for SURE what the deal was! Ugh!

Good luck with all your stuff. It does not sound fun. At. All.

Stina said...

I had written a message but the internet killed it. :(

Basically, been there. Losing my job was the best thing that could have happened for me and my family. Plus it meant I could finally do something I've always wanted to do. Write a book. There wasn't enough time when I was working to read a book, never mind write one. And with my job (drug rep), I hardly had time for my family. It put a huge strain on my marriage. No job is worth that!

Also been there about the computer thing. You're lucky. My stuff couldn't be saved. Fortunately most of the important stuff had been backed up.

TerryLynnJohnson said...

Yes! Blessing in disguise! Now all the writing you can accomplish!

visiting your blog from shooting stars. very nice.

M. Bail said...

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments! You're all really awesome!