I was living at or below the poverty line for years before COVID. As a senior developer, I wasn’t finding any work. Then when COVID hit, I wasn’t able to keep up with the work. I was finally earning 6 figures. I was able to travel (like in a jet, legitimate travel) for the first time–just because. It was amazing. I was able to network with people and provide value for people. I felt like my career was suddenly moving!

Then around 2021-2022 all my clients abandoned me, my network ghosted me, and I was back to square one. That’s where I am today.

I’m working on having a breakthrough because someone college-educated with a GitHub profile should not be standing at food bank lines every month.

True, and thanks.

Haha, this is true. Hence why I was looking for a way to serve people.

With me it depends on quality & depth.

If I socialize with a really good friend (or a romantic interest–which hasn’t been for a while 🙁 ) every day, that invigorates me.

But if I drag myself out to even one hour long social event for a week I have to spend 8 weeks recovering. 🤣 (OK, maybe not that long, but you get the idea).

As a man (straight) I consider it my duty to pay for a date, but if the woman wants to pay or go Dutch I’m not going to raise a fuss.

I’ll usually tell her straight up I do this as well. I figure if someone isn’t comfortable with me communicating something as simple as who’s going to pay for a date, how comfortable are they going to be with me communicating about other things as well?

Yeah, I’ve definitely been trying out various books on Project Gutenberg to get my brain away from opportunity-searching.

Unfortunately restricted on what I can do for free since I’m a tenant. But good thoughts, nonetheless.

Wow! Sounds exciting! Hopefully you got some play time this week!

Spending my day mostly twiddling my thumbs. Been (for the most part) unemployed for the last 3 years, getting by on small projects here or there. I went to a couple networking events this last week and got in contact with a few people that said they’re hiring. But, of course, I have to wait until Monday to actually get the ball rolling on that. Very frustrating but I just have to cross my fingers that this week I’ll get follow-through.

Haven’t been able to get out & socialize much post-pandemic due to financial constraints (esp. since I want to get married, and need to resume dating to make that happen). Would really be nice to get out & stretch my wings soon.

So I’m just twiddling my thumbs. Might write some more fiction. Might catch up on the few client projects I have, but one of the clients has gone quiet lately.

Yup, reddit never cared about the user. They’re not a nonprofit. They’re a business. So this wasn’t a surprise to me.

Yup, exactly. Yeah, I definitely love me some greens. I mean, ideally I’d connect with the right employer who’s ready to rock and roll on starting making some money!

Basically the guy I was talking to was a grunt worker, so nobody with executive power, though he did say he’d pass my email off; I’m not putting too much hope in them reaching out, but just figured–hey, what the heck, got nothing to lose.

With greens it’s kinda hit & miss. Especially since I can only go there twice a month, so if I do get greens I basically have to eat em (or get REALLY creative with em) within a couple of days.

I love the attitude! The best kinds of projects are the ones when you go in knowing you’re doing it wrong. Haha. What’s meant by a WWI pattern. Was it a pattern used by the military for military socks?

Yay! Yeah, any time I’ve started work and got that paycheck, man it was a relief. Glad you’re able to spend extravagantly on groceries. Hope you continue to do that.

I’ve learned out how to get creative. The added challenge is that my landlord & his wife often commandeer the kitchen (hey, their hose, so it’s only fair). I try to be out of their was much as possible, so it’s mostly PB sandwiches. I splurge on gluten free bread since my body doesn’t like gluten that much.

But I try to turn trips to the food bank into an adventure. What tasty goodies will be in the cart today? Who can I meet standing in line? There was even an internet sales rep sitting at a table for a promo offer. I was able to find out their corporate app sucks and offered to get in touch with his boss to fix it for their employees.

Nice! I’ve heard some people love it and some people hate it. I’d love to know how it compares to Nolan’s other films like Inception and Interstellar.

Yeah, but I’ve had plans of moving from my state for my entire life. I was making strides during COVID and then seemingly lost all the progress I had made when the “normal” returned for most people. I thought I had broken through, but I think I was randomly just lucky during that time, since I’ve been unable to adjust to what people consider normal (this was the case before COVID, too). So even walks feel like a prison since they remind me of where I live and my failures. Of course, I do try to focus on positives, like kitties that like me enough to say hi, chatting with neighbors (I’ve found most people in my area are coldly aloof and it takes a lot to get through someone’s wall). I realize I’m not defined by my failures, too.

Sweet! I’ve of course heard of D&D but never played. What’s going on with the board?

Yeah, just been looking for sustainable business opportunities for about the past 2-3 years. I think I might be able to leverage my network this week to give me a bit more breathing room. Most folks don’t want to hire me because I come across as a freelancer since that’s what I’ve had to do the past couple of years for survival.

I’ve been working on digging myself out of a “life hole.” I was making strides during covid, but when everyone went back to “normal” I found I haven’t been able to adjust to what 90% of people feel is normal. Contracts fell through, my network failed me, and I was left to fend for myself. Makes me feel left out and alone. I want to get married and live where I want. It’s like everything says I should be able to, I believe in myself and my abilities, but the season I’m in now makes me feel stuck. Not only that, but it feels like all the progress I made during covid has been lost.

But I keep taking it one day at a time. Some days I feel like waking up is an accomplishment.

That is so awesome you’re excited about your life, Middle. I hope it continues to head that way for you. Do you mind if I join you on the mountaintop soon? 😝

That sounds totally awesome! What do you like best about metal?

Nice! No idea what a wacken is, but sounds fun. Stay safe in the rain. I’ve found events are actually a lot more memorable with uncharacteristic weather. 🤣

I’d hope they wouldn’t submit a job app for me.

I’d hope they connect me with the right people.

From what I remember people need tech work done, not computers.