More MEanderings

I sit here at this ungodly hour, contemplating how I can get the word out about my merchandise. Actually, this is something I think about quite a bit these days. No money for advertising, so it has to be via word of mouth.

I've managed to order a t-shirt and a teddy bear. They should arrive by the end of the week. Actually wearing the products is great advertising in and of itself. The teddy bear will be raffled off at the artists' market this weekend.

I've also created a catalogue and business cards to leave in places like hair salons, coffee shops and doctor's offices. It's a start.

There is some low-cost advertising to be had, but I can only operate on no-cost at the moment.
I have faith and confidence that my stuff will catch on. The writing is very empowering for women. Especially "I AM" which is the writing I chose to start with. Just convincing women they need what I have, that's the trick.

In the meantime, I continue to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I believe this may be the heftiest tome JK Rowling wrote. After that, it's the Half-Blood Prince. That one I'll have to check out of the library for now.

It's amazing how quickly money goes. I got paid yesterday, paid my bills and now I've little money to spare. It's frustrating to never have enough money to go around, isn't it?
I suppose at some point I'll have enough to go around and then some. But that's going to take some time. After all, when you're out of work for almost a year, it's tough to bounce back.
Truth be told, I don't recall how on earth I made it through. I fell down the stairs at my apartment building and couldn't work for a couple of days. The temp service I worked for at that time decided to "end my assignment." The days after are a blur.

Temp services have become a scam these days. They'll end your assignment if you wear the wrong kinds of shoes. I had a job that I really really liked back in the spring. It was also through a temp service. The company bragged to the service about how glad they were I was working there, how pleased they were with my work. Two weeks after they did that, they decided to "end my assignment" because they wanted someone with "more experience." This was so the company wouldn't have to pay employee benefits or a hiring bonus to the temp service. Three months later, the position I had worked was advertised again with a different temp service.
Working a job has become ten times harder in the last several years. Since Georgia's employment laws are all on the side of the employer, employers can pretty much treat employees however they want.

You can't pull an Erin Brockovich (my hero) in the state of Georgia and tell employers what you think (even if you don't use the "f" word). They consider this a sign of "aggression" particularly if it comes from a woman. It's as though freedom of speech isn't a constitutional right here in Georgia and free thinking isn't allowed.

I hate that feeling.

But, speaking of the job, I must get ready for mine. Have to go in early today. It's a good thing I have CDs to listen to all day: Sister Hazel, Cher, Michelle Malone, Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge and Dave Grusin to name just a few. It's background noise but it helps keep me sane.

I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today. I know hope is waning since it has been a week since he disappeared, but I keep hope alive until there is none left.

www.cafepress.com/penspen

Later.

Pen