Modeling Victorian...

 

A home and a schoolhouse from"A Victorian Housebuilders Guide, Woodward's National Architect of 1896".

Underemployment and Taxes

I've been working here and there since May, making money where I can and doing my best to stay off of the Public dole.  The problem?  Though I'm making enough to stay in our apartment, pay our current bills, and feed my family; I don't have enough left over to pay any taxes.  None, nada, nil.  I wonder how many millions in the  country are in the same position.  Unable to find full-time employment or not making enough in contract work to pay for necessities and Uncle Sam.


Best I can hope for now is to put some needed software (Modo 401, iLife09 & iWork09) on the evil credit card and hope it's enough to offset the taxes owed.


I so hate this.

Employment and the New Economy

It's now been over a month that I've been on furlough from Paradigm. To be honest, early on, I was quite distraught, rushing to the Unemployment Office and signing up for Social Services. Now, after weeks of steady contract work from my former employer and others (thank God) we're doing fine. We've not had to tap into any State funds - which makes me feel better, as I hate taking from others for something I've not worked to receive.

What have I been doing? CAD work and 3D modeling, rendering, and some video editing. I've also been working on a family project that's hush-hush. I'm happier working from home. From time to time I become anxious, worried that my "all" won't be enough, but God, through His Holy Spirit comforts me and I quickly relax and get back to work.

More and more this event, or series of events, has me thinking that working under this new economy may mean working for myself again. Relying only on God, family, and myself for jobs to keep us under a roof and fed. The realization comes to me that working for yourself and having a job is no different - or shouldn't be. In both we have to produce enough to justify our income. We have to serve or provide product to enough people to survive, and in the end, God is in control and puts before us opportunities that we need to prepare ourselves to meet.

Unemployment and Memorial Day

One week ago today I was laid-off. My resume' is now updated and have put quite a few "feelers" out there with people I've worked with over the years. There's been no bites (not even nibbles) but I've no doubt that soon I'll be working again. Of course, the word "soon" has a very non-specific meaning, and the older one gets, the longer period of time the word encompasses.

My boss, or ex-boss, at Paradigm has been very gracious, letting me use my office as needed and the company laptop during this transition. To increase my experience he's even allowed me to borrow the HD Camcorder to become familiar with its functions and features. On Saturday my daughter, Rebekah, and I took the camera to the Veteran's Cemetary. Being Memorial Day weekend, flags were set up alongside the entrance road. Waving gently in the breeze, Old Glory made for some wonderful shots of the grave markers, memorials, and grounds. Walking through the cemetary gave us some time to reflect on the those who've truely sacrificed for us, for our freedoms, our liberty, and made my current situation puny in comparison to the suffering some of them endured.

God forgive me for my whining. In light of the blood spilled for generations who, too often, view their sacrifices in scorn, contempt, or indifference, my current situation seems so small, so very insignificant.

Technology, Family and our Apples

Tonight we had an experience that 10 years ago would have been close to impossible, we connected via iChat using video and voice. My two daughters, one in middle Tennessee, the other in Texas, and we talked for hours over the Internet. Though the video was large there was only a very slight lag, nothing distracting.

The night started when Debi was trying to help my oldest daughter with her taxes. I recommended she connect to her via iChat and share screens - so she could direct my daughter with no, or very little, confusion (it is the IRS). That ended up being a great success and my wife loved the experience.

Soon after Debi called my middle TN daughter and walked her through connecting via iChat. Soon we were all singing and dancing to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody - seeing each other while doing it. We laughed and laughed.

We might have been able to do this with PCs...but Apple's iChat put all the video in one window and was extremely easy to setup and use. We love our Macs - love the fact that it's easy to use, to enjoy each others company. The good of technology without the hassles and frustration I've experienced over the years with Windows.

Microsoft is, in their current campaign, making a point about the cost of buying an Apple vs a PC - They may have a point, though I'd have to argue with the details on most occasions. The biggest benefit to me for the Apple is that I now have time to enjoy my family instead of troubleshooting and tweaking a PC. The Macs in the house work - yes, they just work. So save your money - I'll take my time so I can enjoy my family.

Thank you, Apple.