Modern Guilt for Modern Times

I may or may not start a new temp job next week. I've been going back and forth with the temp agency, who has been going back and forth with the Big Company. One person has to confirm or pass information up and down the chain and the process gets slowed down.

On Thursday I told temp agency person I can start on Monday. Temp Agency Person said I'll receive an email on Friday with details of the assignment. I left my home in the afternoon.

I do not have a smart phone.

I have a new cell phone of normal intelligence (read cheap) that only person has the number to. I choose to not be attached to my cell phone all the time. I choose not to live that cell phone lifestyle. I have a a landline phone, and plenty of people have that phone number.

When I came home yesterday evening there was a message on my phone and an email from the Temp Agency guy. It wasn't the email with the details of where to go on Monday or the name of the manager. (Big Company has many branches). He just needed me to confirm that I can start work on Monday. Then once I'll confirm, he'll tell his people and so on and so on. But on Friday evening the temp agency and big company are closed.

So, I suppose I'm not working Monday. I don't know where I would go.

The point is that I have guilt over this missed message. Guilt because I choose to keep my cell phone number a secret. Actually it's so new that I don't even know the number without looking.

Maybe this is the reason I'm not making six figures as an executive - I like keeping work and personal life in their separate boxes.

I feel BAD I do not live the Cell Phone (or Smart Phone) lifestyle. I feel irresponsible like I'm letting down my employers.

However, God does not require me to have a cell phone. It's not one of the 10 commandments. Nor is it mentioned in the Gospel. Is there a Vatican encyclical or bull about this?

I realize I have to keep up with the times, but . . .

It's not like I am a doctor who must rush to perform lifesaving surgery.

Rejoice - Home in Wisconsin

Dominic Pio is home. Read the good news at dominicpio.com.
www.dominicpio.com

Done List

Today

• I updated my resume. It was easier than I thought.
• I made some phone calls to temp agencies and emailed them my new resume. Having had two successful temp assignments last year has built my self-confidence, so the phone calling was easier than I thought.
• I said some Hail Marys when I awoke and before I got out of bed for Dominic Pio. I'm praying he gets well and is able to go home soon. He and his mom have to get home due to something about badgers eating cheese. Actually, they miss the rest of their family, and the family misses them. I suspect Baby Dominic is sick and tired about getting needle pokes.

• I will continue with my novena for the eradication of my student loans.

Yesterday

• I met a friend at Starbucks to exchange Christmas presents. Oh my, that Starbucks really busy and noisy mid-morning. I walked in and thought, "Doesn't anybody work anymore?" Guess not, including myself. Actually lots of people there were conducting meetings and using their laptops.
• One gift I received was Symbols that Surround Us by Johan van Parys. I forgot I wanted that book in the past summer, but my friend remembered. It's a Catholic book published by Ligouri Publications. 

• I helped my dad with his paperwork. Usually I hate doing that because the man is so DISORGANIZED, but this was an easy task. I found the important document that he needs for a meeting today and felt good about helping him. Then I went home and turned on Dr. Phil who was doing a show on elder abuse. Grateful that my dad is able to live independently and not in a nursing home. 

Must Continue to Pray, Pray, Pray and Donate Blood

This is NOT me.

So many causes to pray for. I am continuing my novena. I am cranking up my prayers for Dominic Pio. This little babe reminds us that we should donate blood if we are healthy and meet all the requirements. I don't know how donating blood fits in with the corporeal works of mercy, but I'm sure someone can figure out a spiritual tie-in. We should donate even if we are afraid of needles. The person needing blood is probably more afraid of DYING. We can overcome our fear of needles. Let's not be wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.

I must go to confession before my plane trip next week, though I'm more likely to die on the highway to the airport than from a plane crash, statistically speaking.

Not me either. I'm not putting on high heels to hula hoop. That's just silly.

In lighter news, I bought a hula hoop at Target today. I just felt like it. I figure it's a cheap piece of exercise equipment that is fun. It's my apartment, and I can hula hoop if I want to.

www.dominicpio.com

Dirt on the Soul

The week before Christmas I went to confession, and was feeling all clean and fresh for the Holy Day and the start of the new year. I looked forward to becoming a better Catholic in 2013.

FAIL, FAIL. FAIL.

Feeling disgusted with my sinful, weak self who has already taken the easy way in important areas instead of the more difficult path.

I just want to cry.

Also, skipped saying my novena yesterday. Does that mean I double-up today or extend the novena for an extra day? What's the proper procedure?

Another non-edyfing behavior I partook in was following a dude-friend into the S.p.e.n.c.er store at the mall. I knew better. Yuck. Do NOT enter that store. It's base. Just seeing some of those products made me want to take a shower.

Lord, have mercy.

Eleventh Day of Christmas - Money Thoughts

Yesterday I started a novena to St. Therese of the Little Flower. Sometime last year, I dreamt of her, so I took it as a sign. I'm a little slow to heed the signs. But anyway, one of my student loans almost went into default if I didn't pay $10,000+ now. Gasp! So I made a phone call, sent a smaller check, and have more paperwork to do. On that loan, I ran out of forbearances.

Anyway, my intentions of this novena is to payoff my student loans. You see, my parents paid for my B.A. degree, but during my 30's, I decided to improve myself and go to graduate school, thus took out the loans. I didn't even finish graduate school! I dropped out of graduate school and went to art school and dropped out of art school. Back then, like many, many people, I did have a full-time job.

Also yesterday, I filed for unemployment, and that experience was pretty straightforward. Sure, I had to wait several hours at the unemployment office, but that's why I brought a book. I started reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki, copyright 2011.

Lesson One: The Rich Don't Work for Money. "The poor and middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them." This chapter talks about fear, greed, and ignorance. It mentions about rising above emotions and thinking. Hmm.

Ninth Day of Christmas

It's my first regular day of my new year in which I hope to lead a happier life by clearing out more of the clutter  and going boldly and excitedly into my unknown future.

So far, I've managed to talk to my contact at the temp agency and wash the dishes.

Dear God, having dirty dishes shows me that I've never gone hungry. Sure I've eaten crappy meals, but I'm not starving. Dear God, help me now that I'm unemployed again.

Dear Holy Sprit, please continue to hold and strengthen Mary, the mother of Baby Dominic Pio.