This book is tremendous and timely. A perfect digital-age follow-up to Barbara Ehrenreich’s “Nickel and Dimed – on (Not) Getting By in America.” Through her jobs at Amazon, Convergys (a call center for client ATT) and McDonald’s, Guendelsberger’s story rips the bandage off of any illusion we might have that these “new” jobs created since the Great Recession (although of course, McDonald’s has been around since the ’50s) are anything like fulfilling or even capable of providing anything remotely resembling a middle class income.
Comprehension erection issues Erection is an intricate methodology embodying an free sample of viagra extent of physical and mental variables. Aging is one of the main culprits of impotence. generic levitra online The process maintains a resourceful master data management process so that precise and the same data is shared within the soft tabs cialis value network, and the travel expense and management process is successfully fulfilled. Chronic GoutsThis is one of the most dangerous purchase cheap cialis of all – passive aggressive. I found her experiential style of writing compelling, like “I was there,” and could really feel the ghastliness of what she describes – particularly in the Amazon and McDonald’s segments. I can say quite honestly I will think twice about insisting on next-day delivery for anything from Amazon, as well as my behavior in interactions with anyone who works in customer service or fast food.
Guendelsberger says at one point that if you are not part of the working class in American you will never truly see what these jobs are like – and I’m grateful I never had to, though some of my earlier jobs as restaurant dishwasher or apartment building doorman were quite soul-sucking in their own regard. A theme throughout is her internal knowledge that “I get to leave” – a realization familiar to me as well, because I always knew those uber-shitty jobs of youth were temporary. For so many people, that’s no longer the case in post-Great Recession America. Highly recommend this book.
What I’m reading, watching, thinking: an insight into the Arnold brainwork. This is number three of an occasional series.
Reading: David Foster Wallace. Hadn’t ever read anything of his before, so I thought I’d start with non-fiction, his book of essays “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again,” which is also the title of the main essay in the book, his take on a Caribbean cruise (taken in the mid-90s).
I was led to the piece by another essay on cruising (the big ship variety, not the gay variety) which I think may have been in Salon.com. Long story short – I did enjoy the essay tremendously. It’s extremely thorough, in the sense that I totally feel I know what going on a cruise would be like in most any aspect you can think of. The essay is also hysterically funny, and the writer makes fantastic use of his own neuroses for the delight of the reader (warning: copious footnotes!). I found it accessible as well, and I do admit to not reading every essay in the book. There’s also a famous one in there on television and its impact on fiction writing. Foster’s thesis is that TV’s had a profound effect on postmodern fiction, but the essay itself I found very hard to follow. Number one, it was written in 1990 so it’s dated (I, for instance, would love to hear Wallace’s take on the internet or its aspects like YouTube or Facebook… or blogs), but also I just found it really, really dense. (And you know, maybe I’m just not smart enough for it, that’s also a distinct possibility).
By the time I was done with that essay wouldn’t you know it but the library wanted the book back. So I didn’t get to read the other essays in the book, some of them on tennis, which interests me . . . not at all. Then again, I really did pick it up for the cruising essay, and I was not disappointed.
I’m kind of fascinated with Wallace ’cause he killed himself a couple of years ago. There were no answers to that in his prose from the 1990s.
Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper in “Silver Linings Playbook”
What I’m Watching: Really, lots of stuff since last report. More on the award hopefuls – I did see Silver Linings Playbook, as well as a few selections from the Palm Springs International Film Festival (see this previous post). Waiting for the second part of the final season of Breaking Bad, and for Downton Abbey, a veritable feast for diva-loving homosexuals (such as myself) and others. I’m hoping the plot of Downton improves from the second season, which I found very soap-opery. From everything I’ve read so far on the season that seems to be the case. And how can the addition of Shirley MacLaine be anything but positive?
most enjoyable Robert DeNiro movie in a long time.
Yes, I can see what the fuss is all about, Jennifer Lawrence!
Bradley Cooper should be contractually obligated to remove shirt in all movies he makes.
It was like sugar in many ways, you got high really quickly but there was nothing lingering, except maybe a headache.
If only mental illness was such a cakewalk! Still, I did enjoy the fantasy of putting all this pain into a strictly ballroomy rom-com.
Thank the Universe it wasn’t “I Heart Huckabees.” I didn’t walk out, but I know people who did.
Thankfully, the medicine http://opacc.cv/opacc/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/.._documentos_auditores_Modelo%2007.pdf viagra buy found to be safe and effective for the treatment of premature ejaculation. The problem is that what the majority of traditional anti-estrogens like Nolvadex since there is no rebound effect. buy cialis in india Viruses, bacteria and millions of microbial parasites constantly try to invade and effect our health, but our immune system fights off these pathogens, by identifying them from levitra no prescription the healthy bodily tissue and dowsing the threat. They are prescribed either on their own or in conjunction with other herbs, such as licorice, gokshura, tadalafil 20mg for women Siberian ginseng and licorice.
What I’m Thinking:
Self-censorship on the blog: I thought, a while back, that since I was looking for employment, it would be wise to try and keep it clean, to keep it as non-political as possible, to not have too strong a viewpoint on anything. Well, I was wrong. Playing it safe did not get me a job, although I’m not sure really being out there would have garnered one either. But basically, playing it safe is just really boring. People want to read strong opinions even if they don’t agree. So I made a mistake with that idea. Henceforth, I’m going to try and be the best “Jim” I can be, whatever that turns out to be. But no trying to anticipate audience reaction.
Politics: Yeah, thrilled that BHO won the second term, but I’m still really, really unhappy that Gitmo is still open, and even less happy with the Drone program. Is it only a matter of time before the Drones police us? Or are they already here?
Jobs: I’ll be doing less background acting this year, as there’s too huge an opportunity cost you must pay to do that kind of work. I would be served better by looking for more lucrative things or even using the time for self-care, at least at this point. Of course, the day after I decide this and end my relationship with the calling service, I’m booked on Mad Men! Go figure.
NOLA sabbatical coming up: I’ve accepted an invitation from my sister and brother-in-law to spend a month in New Orleans (May) to get an actual idea of what it might be like, in some parallel universe, to live there.
What I’m Reading, Watching, Thinking, as of November 14, 2012:
Reading: “Atonement.” I finally did read Ian McEwan’s “Atonement,” after having seen the movie made from the book a couple of years ago – which I loved. The book was also amazing, particularly (for me) in the wartime scenes both of the retreat of the English army to Dunkirk as well as the heroine’s coming into adulthood as a war trauma nurse. There’s a giant twist in the story, and it comes at the end. This was superbly effective and devastating in the movie – and, since I already knew what was going to happen it didn’t have the same effect when I read it. You will have to read or see it for yourself.
Chronic cheapest cialis australia gastritis may be caused by prolonged erection. The drug should be taken orally, with or without food. pamelaannschoolofdance.com buy viagra When these are present, then nitric oxide neurotransmitters are order 50mg viagra http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/aid-6430 produced in the phallus, causing erectile function supporting cGMP enzymes to increase, and relax the reproductive muscles. * Insulin resistance disorder also is a part of metabolic homeostasis, the body tightly regulates Body glucose levels. Isn’t that nice? We live in a country so free that our drug companies can charge us $350 for 20 tablets of cost of cialis, whereas in Canada you can get it for $90.
To balance these out, I’ve re-read Chris Balish’s “How to Live Well Without Owning a Car.” I still have that nagging desire to be free of the auto. Now, especially since Hurricane Sandy, it seems like a small thing I can do, but multiplied would be so effective. Of course, I will have to change part time jobs, as the one I have currently pretty much requires a car, if not for the distance, for some hauling required. Continue reading →
This is a bit of a diary entry, also serving to highlight or publicize books and movies, events, my work, what have you. I’m sincerely trying not to post political missives in this season of hyperpartisanship – look to Facebook updates for those.
So, what have I been reading:
Something now which I really enjoyed and would recommend for anyone who likes smart, campy humor and essays, in the same vein as David Sedaris (also his sometime mentor and collaborator, but maybe not quite as sidesplitting) or Augusten Burroughs (but maybe a little deeper). This was David Rakoff‘s Half Empty, 10 essays on various subjects ranging from the trials of the publishing business to visits to dream factories to cancer. And that last one, riveting and humorous, deeply human – it’s what took him earlier this year, at age 47. It was the memorials on NPR surrounding his death that led me to this book – I wished I’d found his work sooner, but there’s more, including two other books of essays, “Fraud” and “Don’t Get Too Comfortable,” which I look forward to reading.
Also, (and not to get political but. . .) still working on George Lakoff and Elizabeth Welling’s Little Blue Book, a handbook on ways to promote progressive values via language. Hopefully some of that will find its way into my more opinionated pieces. Definitely worth considering if progressive rhetoric is of interest to you!
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I’m a loyal fan, that’s why I guess I’m now viewing the 8th and final season of Entourage via Netflix DVD. After viewing the first four episodes, I’d say the series is going into some darker places yet again and I think that’s good for it. I’ve mainly been interested in the series for its portrayal of the business side of Hollywood, since I did work in that part of the industry and found the depictions of studio execs and agents fairly hysterical (and so right on the money – I would not have been a viewer if it were not for Jeremy Piven). I know less and care less about movie stars, especially straight fictional movie stars, however, I always did think that to rise to the level of where Entourage’s “star” (Vincent Chase, played by the capable Adrian Grenier) is, he’d have to be more of an asshole than depicted in, say, the first five seasons at least. Now he’s more human, more calculating, and for me, more real. Some viewers might find that less appealing but I like the honesty.
On the Clock: What Low-Wage Work Did to Me and How It Drives America Insane by Emily Guendelsberger
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