Lost My Job, So Now I is a Carny

For those of you who do not know me, which is probably all of you. I am a 53 year old married man, 4 children, two house mortgages, car payments, yadda yadda.  I have 8 mouths to feed, which include a Basenji, Tabby and Cockatiel. By the way for those of you who do not know what a Basenji is, it looks like this:

Opps wrong picture, here it is:

The basis of this blog entry is the fact that I lost my job a few days ago. I know many friends and acquaintances who have seen similar situations arise. But somehow I never thought it would hit home. But I never discounted it either. I live in Upstate NY, not a thriving Metropolis, but a nice area.  Like many areas in the country the malls are becoming filled with Halloween stores in all the vacated chain stores. The same is true with the down towns and pretty much everywhere in general. I think we all were glad to see Bush out of office and placed optimistic thoughts with our new president. But like the beginning of football season where all teams are at no loses and no wins, we feel as though “our” team can go all the way. The coaches first locker room speeches are full of vim and vigor. But after a few weeks of not so great performances, those speeches become more and more empty. The enthusiasm wanes and the losses and gas prices continue to rise. So be it. So after a few days of reflection, introspection and 17 other “tions” you can think of, I came to the realization (notice another “tion”) that no matter what, I need to get back out there and make the almighty dollar for my family and I to survive. Ok I have a few things going against me. Many would say “nails in the coffin” Not being 25 any longer I have to deal with the very real fact of the practice in discrimination because of my age. My only skill was in a dying industry of upscale men’s fashion and the fact that most men dress casual now, both in the workplace and free time, this sector of the retail industry has been hit hard.  (As hard as a mom and pop bakery. Hell everyone loves an loaf of old world baked bread, but why pay $8 a loaf when you can go to Walmarts and get it for $2. OK maybe the taste isn’t the same, but let’s face it, this is the new backbone of the American way of life). And the last nail in the coffin, is the area I live in here in Upstate New York, is not exactly bustling. Those of us left are dealing with raising taxes and lost of jobs everywhere. But hell, I am a survivor, always thought of myself that way, always stated that to others and now I get to prove it. As John McCain once said “YEEE AHHH” . It’s funny all the sayings that come into your mind or people saying to you, “oh it could be worse” or “one door closes and another one opens.”  Let me tell you folks, if anyone gives me those happy horseshit lines again, they can KISS MY ASS, I am going to work at a CARNIVAL !!! There are other recourse’s, like those other American ways of life, collecting Unenjoyment Benefits, while I stand in line and get my food stamps and hell maybe I can even get on the welfare. Naaaaaa, I ‘ll just learn how to grow pot in my basement and make some serious cash  like they do in British Columbia or even Columbia, the wife put the kabash on that, sooooo…….. I am getting ready to join the carnival. So moms make sure your kids are safe, your hands are wrapped tightly around your purses and watch out. The Circus is coming to town……. Being the entreprenuer that I am however. I thought to share my story with you the reader for the next seven days in a seven part series I am calling:

I IS A CARNEY

So packed away with me during my first week will be my trusty laptop which I will hopefully be able to give you my nightly entry in this journal of what life is like on the road. My opus like Kerouac did without his intelligence driving the prose, nor his grasp of the English language. But hell you won’t see a single LOL or BFF. I promise to use the spell check and will do my best to complete sentence structures to the best of my ability.. Up front I can only tell you my intent is to write here each night over the next 7 days. But life being what is, might shoot a monkey wrench in this theory. However I will deliver you 7 parts even if it takes 20 days and a nervous breakdown. I will cherish I am sure, any comments directed this way, while I rest at night in my bunkhouse? tent? under the stars? As long as my Net-gear card picks up a signal we are golden. Soo the background is set, my 5 pairs of jeans are packed along with my shaving kit, will I need it? I am going to try and commit to memory every inch of my mattress tonight, so I don’t forget how comfortable it really is. For some reason I am not nervous at all, a bit apprehensive yes. But it’s reassuring I still have more teeth then both of the guys together who interviewed me for this new career choice. Finally, you are all probably wondering how this opportunity came about. The simple fact is, a few weeks ago we went to the Labor Day Fair and there I got to meet an interesting chap. After talking he informed me that he took home over $1000 a week. Bam!! That came back to me in a flash and at least for the mean time, that is just what I will need to keep the creditors away from the front door. So let’s get ready to whiff the aroma of cotton candy in the air and sound of large compressors humming as the Tilt-a-Whirl goes spinning by. Bring your imagination along with me as we get ready to (as we say in my business) “hit the circuit” Peace.

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Posted by Glenn on Sep 16 2009 Filed under TRAVEL. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry