The Sh*tty Day thread

[EricDent]

Not really sure what to do, not really a "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" day, more of a "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" life...

Been doing retail for several years, but every 2-3 years at one place I just get tired of it.
I've tried applying to some other sorts of places like grocery stores.
Thinking maybe if people come in to buy stuff they actually need, then maybe they would be nicer.

It's not that I actually hate working where I do, it's the kind of customers that we have attracted with these "promo codes".
They come in to buy the cheapest stuff they can, and usually return it.
For example a guy bought about 12 bottles of cologne/perfume and returned all of them.
They were $5 each...
People come in to buy just a case of water or soda just cause it's on promo code.

When you can easily go to the normal grocery store & pay about the same (or less) for the same stuff.

Got a couple interviews, but due to a couple mistakes (got fired for breaking company policies) I don't seem to get a call back (of course it doesn't help that most of the places just want part-time or stupid available hours like 6 am-1 am).

Can't afford to go back to school & have no clue what I would even take anymore.
The only thing I liked doing was using illustrator to trace anime pictures.
However that particular field of work is extremely hard to get into/very competitive.
I tried for a few years while living in Seattle (Austin is also a pretty big tech town, but I'm not getting any younger).

[EricDent]

I guess not too many things to add to that...

Besides the fact that rent just keeps going up and pay stays about the same (this place apparently doesn't give raises).
They don't match 401k, and the medical insurance is a joke.

My car is pretty old (1999 Jeep Cherokee) with over 250,000 miles on it, so eventually I will need a newer car.
My credit sucks, mostly cause I couldn't afford to pay any sort of payment (even debt consolidation/forgiveness didn't help).
If I went into bankruptcy, then nobody would ever let me rent an apartment or house again.
My parents are in their late 60s, and are trying to retire, so I don't want to be a burden on them.

All this crap, and the few things I like doing I can't do as often anymore due to lack of time.
Can't watch as much anime as I did, cause I'm at work (or way too tired to bother watching).
One of the games I play decided to do a reset (despite saying they wouldn't do that).

Basically like people say, life sucks and then you die.
If (and that's a really big IF) there's anyplace after this life, they don't want me there cause I promise you, I will take over and make all the rules change.

[DannyBeane]

I'm miserable. I've been miserable for a few years now. I don't want to get out of bed and I am always tired. Its not laziness I just physically want to stay in bed all day, till I have a headache, and then that makes me want to stay in bed even longer. I hate my job. I hate working third shift. I just bought a new house but to guarantee I could afford the mortgage I picked up more hours for the job I hate. All my friends I hung out with regularly have moved away and are married/making lots of money/having families. Waking up feels like a formality. There is a lot of stuff out there I want to and need to do but when I can scrape together the energy to start it, I get exhausted and quit halfway through. I feel like I am going to always be alone. I feel like I have almost nothing in common with the people I do associate with. Over the past 2-3 years I could probably count on one hand the amount of times I was happy to wake up and enjoy a day. Every day feels exactly the same, the only thing that changes is the date.

[O.Supreme]

Greetings DannyBeane,

I was actually going to post here on my own, before I saw your comments. I am no PHD, or M.D. so I don't even want to sound like I know what is good for you because I'm not qualified. However...I know a lot of people are down on religion in general, and you cant blame them especially seeing all the problems people cause in the names of various gods or causes. But that's just it, its people making the problems. I can only suggest that you, if you feel inclined, perhaps look into the scriptures themselves, then ask yourselves "who" if anyone out there is really "doing" the word. If not, I understand, perhaps someone else here can offer a bit of worldly wisdom, but just know that your life is definitely worth something, as much as it may pain you some days.

In the past week, I've experienced the following-
1. Taking my wife to visit her Grandfather who is dying, he will be put on hospice care soon.
2. Taking my Aunt to the Emergency Room because she (accidentally) OD' on her 3 new back medications, on top of the 20+ she is already taking
3. Having to talk to my Father. I'm sure I didn't mention it here, but after 44 years of being married, my parents are in the process of a divorce. I am positive my dad is having some serious mental issues, because there is no reason he should leave my mom for some other w*ore in a retirement home. He wants my name off of his bank account, which if fine, I don't want to be responsible for him in any way shape or form.
4. A Squirrel that has been digging in our attic for the past couple of weeks actually dug all the way through the sheetrock and made a small hole in our bedroom ceiling this morning. The bad news is that our landlord would not pay the $900 the exterminator wanted to get rid of it.

The good news is that she gave us a $500 credit on our rent to purchase items necessary to get rid of it, and repair the damage, which my father-in-law and I can do for much less. Then with the leftover funds, I can replace the rear breaks on my car which are in desperate need, so desperate, that I wont allow my wife to drive the car until they are fixed.

So you see, yes a lot of bad things are happening, but I still pray every day with my wife and children, and although we may not have what we want, somehow, we always have what we need.

[lhb412]

[jellydonut25]

I'm sorry to hear that guys...it sucks when you feel like you're in a rut and I've definitely been there before, but I sometimes think maybe things need to get worse before they can get better. You may need to leave your job, or your city, or something and really shake things up to find something that makes you happy.

When I lived in Buffalo, my wife and I were doing okay for a young couple (only 22 when we first got married), but we got stuck in a rut pretty fast and we were miserable. When we made the decision to move to Texas, we got to the point where we had TENS of dollars to our names, and it was kinda scary for a while. I've had a great run since then until this year where I lost my job recently and now I'm looking for work, which is just a suckfest of a process...

So, I dunno, maybe try to shake things up a bit, even if it's just forcing yourself to get out more and do some stuff...

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

Like Jelly I was in a really bad rut about a year and a half ago. I was still stuck at home with my parents and I was in my thirties, my job sucked (it still does) and I lost any inclination to do the things I found fun. But later that year I got offered to move in with my cousin so I did which was one of the goals I wanted to do. Then about 9 months after that I got a promotion at my job as well as full time. Over the past several months I began to loath my job about the only thing in my life that sucks right now but I'm in the process of starting my own business which I will have up in running this spring. Plus I met an amazing girl who likes a lot the the same things I do we aren't officially a couple yet but all signs point to us dating.

So right now the only bad thing in my life is my job but I just recently got a $0.70 raise so depending on the raise I'm supposed to get next month for my anniversary is going to be dependant on if I stick it out for 6 months at my job if I don't get what I find sufficient I'm going to hunt for a better job. I do have an associates in Management which I'm hoping to put to good use either at my current job which may have a managerial position open up or I'm going to look for an office job making $5 more than what I am now and a constant 40 hours a week.

[DannyBeane]

Thanks for the nice words guys. I could use some new scenery but I just bought a house in May so I won't be moving for at least the next 3 years. Ideally I need a new job. I've been stuck at the same low paying hospital registrar job for the past 5 years working 3rd shift on the weekends and I feel those hours are killing me, however I need the shift diff to guarantee I can cover my mortgage should my roommate move. My Film Studies/Video Production degree has been all but useless, but I've been toying with the idea of starting my own production company. As long and stressful as it can be, I love working behind the camera but its just been a net drain on my finances. I just don't know if I have the confidence to fully jump in with a video production company. The business side of it terrifies me.

I don't know why I was such a down in the dumps yesterday though. I was just more miserable than usual. Feeling like a complete failure. I did get a full days rest and talked to a few few friends I haven't seen in a while via Facebook/text message and its lifted me up a bit. I probably just need to get my camera and go out and photograph something.

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

Danny I would recommend getting a business partner if that's something you want to do. Surely there's someone you know and trust that could handle the business side of things while you work the rest. That's the good thing about my business partner and I we both bring uniqueness to it he's a lot better at business than me don't get me wrong I'm good with business but I'm good at marketing plus we have other complemantary traits too.

Don't feel bad about being down it happens to everyone again as jelly mentioned you have to have some negative in your life before some positive stuff shows up so every once in awhile we get in funks.

[eabaker]

Danny, have you ever sought work in the industry? One of the major respects in which my film/tv degree paid off right away was that, as classmates entered the industry in various positions, we were all able to get one another's respective feet in various doors.

[jellydonut25]

Yeah, I've been having some sh*tty days recently. Looking for work is just the WORST. Hundreds of applications, no responses, it's just shredding my self-esteem.

[lhb412]

Not exactly sh***y, but... and we're all nerds and collectors here so I think we are familiar with this state of being ... I'm shedding. That is, for years and years I've been buying movies and books and nick-nacks and I've reached a point that's far from straight-up hoarder (indeed, I like to keep things tidy), but it's clutter, and I've reached that 'enough!' point where there's just too much stuff I don't need. My ideal space is something like a library, but what use is stuff in a library if you know you'll never use it again? Never read or watch it again and you're having it just to have it? A proper collection needs to be pruned, currated. It's like bonsai.

Part of it is several years of comics buying. Trade paperbacks, deluxe hardcovers, etc. In my early 20s I came to a realization that I loved comics and I wanted to make a concerted effort to sample everything I've heard about, different countries and different time periods, different genres. On the plus side; I now have a great idea of both the breadth of comics and my own tastes, and I also have a bunch of volume 1s to stuff I know I'll never buy volume 2 for. A lot of them are legit works of art I admire, but probably will never read again. Making tough calls about what to continue collecting and what to sell or donate.

... and then there's just dozens and dozens of DVDs of stuff I've already upgraded on Blu!

My early New Year's resolution is to make sure I truly want something before I buy. Take more advantage of libraries and online streaming and rentals when I want to check out something new, instead of indulging in what I now realize has been too much retail therapy.

[XvGojira]

[jellydonut25]

I'm definitely with you guys there on DVDs and Blu...I used to buy a ton of stuff AND burn a TON of stuff too. I have SEVERAL 150+ CD books FILLED with DVDs...and I've actually watched everything in them, but 95% of it only ONCE. I've definitely gotten to a point where I don't buy things unless I think I'm going to re-watch them at some point. I've scaled WAY down on the number of things I buy every year, and aside from a few exceptions (stuff I unabashedly adore on my first viewing), I generally wait until I get that "itch" to re-watch something before I even think about buying it....and even then, sometimes I'll hold out for a TV/streaming/premium cable viewing, and if I still REALLY like it, THEN I'll buy it.

Then there's the stuff that I actually DO feel inclined to watch somewhat "regularly" (once every year or so), but is on TV all the time. Independence Day, the various Charlie Brown holiday specials, Friday the 13th films, etc...mostly, with these movies, I just get an "itch" and watching even PARTS of them on TV is enough to satisfy my nostalgia until the next time they pop up on one of the three stations constantly airing them.

I save a lot of my purchasing for stuff like What We Do in the Shadows, or Ex Machina, or The Guest or John Wick (to pick some recent examples): Stuff that not only will rarely ever be on TV, and even when it is, will be so chopped up, it's pointless (some older stuff falls into here too...when's the last time Halloween III aired on TV? It gets excluded from all the "Halloween" marathons)

And then with "collectibles" I really just focus down onto stuff I think is really unique and cool, AND honestly, utilitarian. I bought a Crimson Peak pint glass today and I don't care that I could probably flip it for $50 right now...I'm gonna drink out of it like a mutha.

[lhb412]

[EricDent]

Seriously whoever thought it would be a good idea for retail stores to be open on Thanksgiving should be shot.
Not sure if it's set in stone, but most likely our store is going to be open from 5 PM to 11 PM on that day.
I am going to try to get around working that day, by maybe working Sunday instead.
If not I am really tempted to say "screw you" and just not work.
I always thought Thanksgiving was some sort of National Holiday where everything (except maybe gas stations) were closed.
My family has always had dinner at about 4 pm until last year when I HAD to work at 6 PM.
It wasn't even worth going in to work, cause I only made about $5,000 on my register (we get paid extra for ringing up lots of $).
We aren't even opening early on "Black Friday" (which I worked at about 8 am last year and made about $30,000 on my register).
Unless it's an emergency, please don't support any store that is open on that day.

Not really sure, but this might be the last year my brother will be living in the area.
He is thinking of moving either back to Seattle or to New York.

I will consult with my mom (she does the cooking) to see what she thinks.
If I do go to work, I am really tempted to give every single person coming to my register the most evil stink eye look they have EVER seen.

[The Shadow]

That sucks, especially when it's looking like retailers are backing off of being open on Thanksgiving this year (a few have already announced that they won't be open that were open last year).

[lhb412]

Working on holidays is the woooorst.

I do see a bit of a backlash against the 'Black Friday' madness that ramped up to ridiculous levels over the last decade, thank god.

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

I haven't had Thanksgiving with my family in about three years due to working retail. It's something I've made peace with and yeah it does suck not being able to spend a family based holiday with your family but oh well. My work gives us Holiday pay and for one day we get an extra 25% off merchandise. So during that time I stock up on all my essentials.

[jellydonut25]

I'm fried. Mentally, physically, and emotionally.

EVERY SINGLE NIGHT this week, one or both of my kids has just been MISERABLE. I'm not getting sleep. I'm also not sure I like my new job.

Every day the past two weeks has been:
-Wake up at 5:30 AM. Get myself ready, get the kids ready, take them to day care, go to work.
-Drive 90 minutes (or more) to the job site I'll be working at for the day.
-Get a variety of things accomplished, mostly less than I should, because I'm running my computer wifi off my phone, and being a new hire, I still have to set up all my stuff.
-SWEAT. I'm working outside a lot, wearing Nomex chemical spill resistant "clothing" because of working at chemical plants.
-Finally get home around 6 PM or later.
-Listen to my son scream, whine, cry, fuss, etc, pretty much the entire night. He was so good for the first few months, but he's just been HORRIBLE the past 3-4 weeks.
-Play with my daughter, a toddler with infinite energy, all night.
-My wife puts my son to bed while I get my daughter ready for bed.
-My son (almost as if he KNOWS) wakes up from being put down about an hour after my wife puts him down, which coincides almost exactly with me finally getting my daughter to sleep.
-Now, try to get my son to sleep, which usually takes several tries, sees me standing on my feet and my arm getting sore from having a fussy baby writhe around in it for an hour.
-Then my daughter wakes up SHRIEKING, from...I dunno...a nightmare? So I go and finally wrestle her back to sleep.
-Too fried and looking for some peace and quiet to actually go to sleep, so I watch a little TV or like half a movie.
-Finally go to bed around 1:30, where I have a hard time falling asleep because I've got about a third of the bed to try to get comfortable in.
Repeat.
4 or fewer hours of sleep.
Kids crying at me for 5 straight hours.
A job I don't know if I like. (I feel like...I didn't get a chemical engineering degree to have to be outside in the Houston heat. I don't mind occasional site work and such, but this seems too often...PLUS a horrid commute)
A manager I'm pretty sure I don't like (I don't think our personalities mesh, and I definitely don't like what I perceive as hand-holding, hovering, and mistrust; ie, today, the guy I normally work with at a site was going to be out in the morning and I had to pick up my company car in the afternoon, so we figured we'd just skip the day and I'd work from home for the morning. NOPE; my manager asked me to go down to the site this morning, so I drove all the way down there, but because I can't actually do any work [legally...I don't have all my background checks and security clearances approved yet] without this other guy there, she basically just sat with me while I was on my computer, doing what I would have been doing from home, only slower because a personal hotspot on my phone is slower than my at-home wifi...and a random conference room at a chemical plant is actually less conducive to getting anything done than setting up in a quiet room at home)

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have a job that I'm not super thrilled with than no job at all, but not being able to unwind at all COMBINED with this job is just wearing me down.

[Hybrid Gojira]

[Dr Kain]

"OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" RETAILERS AND THEIR THANKSGIVING DAY SALES!!!!!

Anyway, I know by this point and after 1243 jobs applied to over the last four years and getting nothing but rejections I should be used to this, but I just can't get over this latest turn down. I'm doing a long term sub job for a teacher who had knee surgery until Xmas break. The other fourth grade teacher I work with turned in her resignation last week as she is leaving after Thanksgiving Break. I had an interview for her position today but as usual, they went with another candidate. I just don't know what I am doing wrong. I work my ass off at every school I sub at. I go above and beyond what anyone expects out of a sub. I network. I make friends at the schools. Yet, I can't get hired. That is now 3 for 3 long term positions I have done now that have not gotten me a full time job like I keep being told is supposed to happen. WTF?! When the hell am I going to be allowed to start my "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" career that I have been working my ass off for for the last 6 years?!

[DannyBeane]

[Dr Kain]

[jellydonut25]

It sounds like you are, but you should definitely be open to applying in other states. I dunno if they have anything like this near you, but the way my wife ultimately got an offer here in Houston is that in Buffalo, there was a huge like teacher job fair at the convention center, with schools from all over the country.

I never would have thought we'd move from Buffalo to Houston, but it's been the best thing for us.

I think in most states, you can apply for a position, and even start teaching, as long as you get your license within a year of starting. So, yeah, it sucks to move but sometimes it's for the best.



In any event, I know how frustrating it can be to have a hard time getting your career off the ground and it SUCKS. I've been out of college for 8 years and just recently got my first job that will actually utilize my degree in chemical engineering (although I have to admit, the job I had right before this one, I really enjoyed, so I never complained or tried to break into my field). I've been laid off 3 times and have had 2 different job searches that lasted over 6 months.