I'm posting this on behalf of Spellbound, a regular member on our boards. She is currently in a desperate situation, and considering how close this community is, I hope there are some of you who are willing and able to help her. It was not her idea to make this thread (ArtEChoke, another chatroom regular, has encouraged me to post it, with her permission), but I felt it should be done. I asked her to provide a short description of her situation, so that all of you can get a good idea of what she is facing:

"Well, let me begin by saying….I never thought I would ever be in this position…not ever in my lifetime. I’ve been looking for a job since November...unemployment assistance ran out in March. I’ve been interviewing steadily for a variety of positions in my field of IT project management, but have received no offers. I have a Ph.D. in Management/MIS, an MBA (Economics/Statistics) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, with a Marketing and Economics focus. I never expected anything like this would ever happen to me. Over the last few months, I lowered my standards to accept anything out of my field , even looking for car-selling jobs, commission-only recruiting jobs, travel agent jobs – anything that will pay the bills. I’m at the end of my rope now…. rent is due tomorrow (I think I’ll receive a “3 days to vacate” notice after the 3rd), lights will be turned off on the 2nd (trying to work with them), along with the phone and water turned off next week, etc.. My family has helped as much as they can – my dad is elderly and doesn’t fully grasp the situation and my mother is in the early stages of Alzheimers – she still thinks I’m teaching at the University (from years ago).

It was not my idea to ask for assistance here…..I’ve never been in this type of situation before and find it humiliating and highly embarrassing. ArtEchoke and Tal (who has already helped immeasurably) asked if they could help through SP and I simply wasn’t in a position to decline. This all upsets me a great deal and I’m having a difficult time dealing with it. For those of you who decide to help, I cannot pay you back until I get on my feet…until I get a job. To the people that I am close to…..Tal, ArtE, Falstaff and others…I don’t know what I would have done if not for your friendship and emotional support over the past months. I wouldn’t be here, I don’t think."

You might have noticed that Spellbound has the golden Distinguished Member title here, which means she has contributed substantially to SP. I have done what I could, and returned to her the money she has donated, but that money has nearly run out by now.

Spellbound has a PayPal account she's used to donate to SP in the past, so just click here (https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=deborahstevenson@comcast.net&item_name=Help+for+Deborah&no_shipping=1) if you would like to send her some money to help out. If you consider the money you sent to her a loan, please specify this in the "Note" field when you make the transaction. She would also welcome any job offers at deborahstevenson@comcast.net

Thanks in advance to any of you who will help.

EDIT: To emphasize, the link above will send money directly to Spellbound. SP has nothing to do with it. So by donating money there you help her exclusively.

EDIT #2: When you are making a donation, please include your board username in the note, so Spell will know who to thank.

[ July 01, 2004, 01:02: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

Godspeed Spelly...my heart goes out to you. My brother lives in your neck of the woods (Portland), so I know how abyssmally crappy the job market is in that region at the moment. He's dealt with the same thing recently. He spent over a year without a job and once he found one, he was laid off 6 months later. You're not alone, and don't for one minute feel ashamed. There is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. It's just the state of things right now.

I'll make a donation as soon as I can - and I'll keep an ear out for any jobs. Not sure how much I can accomplish from Houston, but I'll try. You have my prayers and best wishes, regardless.

edit - just sent.

Hey SP! Let's all pitch in. Dig deep, biatches! Pretend it's Christmas in July. I'll even make Splunge wear a Santa suit! :D

[ July 01, 2004, 00:41: Message edited by: Death Rabbit ]

Job hunting is tough work. The problem with looking for work 'outside of your field' is that people decline you saying you're 'over-qualified'. I hate that.

The irony for you is that in New Zealand and all Europe and other parts of the world, there are massive IT projects underway to overhaul accounting systems in order to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards and there is big demand for good IT project managers, especially in the big banks and financial institutions. I know we can't find many good ones.

Unfortunately for you, the USA is one country that is still holding out against moving to International standards so non of these projects exist there.

All the best anyway. I'm sure it will all turn out OK in the end for someone as intelligent as you.

I've done what I can, I really hope things work out for you. You don't deserve this :(

Damn, if I weren't in a kinda tough economical position myself, I would give everything I could spare, which usually is a bit. Unfortunatly, I don't get funds from school due to it being summer vacitation, so I cannot give anything right now.

Godspeed, Spelly.

Well... I don't know what to say...I'm so overwhelmed by all of your caring. :cry: From deep in my heart, I thank you all for your support and kind words. And especially...for those of you who sent money: Dark Goddess, Death Rabbit, Splunge, Gopher, Seayer, BTA, Takara, dmc, Shadowhunter, Harbourboy, Aldeth, Falstaff, Sarevok...and those in process and who have helped in other ways: Dareth, Lokken and Rastor....I'm so overwhelmed at your generosity, a mere "thank you" can't possibly convey what I'm feeling at the moment. I know we all care for each other here on SP -- but I never expected anything like this. Thank you all so much for your friendship. :cry:

[ July 01, 2004, 21:10: Message edited by: Spellbound ]

Godspeed. I so wish now I had an account already set-up with internet transfer options :( Unfortunately, I'm a cash only guy and I don't even have a traditional account.

I make websites, though, and it's holidays for me now, so I could make a couple even right now payable to the paypal account. Drop me a PM if anyone is interested.

chevy, I just left a message for my ex roomate to call me. He needs help with this http://www.cabledogg.com Maybe I can be the middle man for a SP money transaction this time :p

I don't know if I can help you fiscally, but I hope things will be looking up for you and your family soon. Best of luck to you - I deeply hope both your community at Sorcerer's Place and your community in your neighborhood can support you while you are between jobs.

It is always sad to look at someone in need. But after all there friends and to help each other is what a friend is meant to be.

Spelly, don't feel bad about it; most of us have crossed the line of desperation more than once, but with your friends (hopefully me to be included here) supporting you there is no challenge you can't take.

I've been there myself before and all I can practically say is hang in there dear; and ALWAYS act cheerfully and interested at job interviews, after all we're sensitive animals and most of the time we respond better to emotions... So sometimes an enthusiastic person gets the job while a sad looking person; though the best at the position, does not. It sounds stupid and really it is, but consider what I've said.

Just hang in there fellow member.

I just sent Spellbound a possibility for a job in her specialty, so hopefully she can get back to me soon. I do know of a few more in her regional area, but they may not be as close to where her degrees lie.

I have to say I'm very proud of how the whole community has responded to this issue - I couldn't have hoped for more. Just another example of the excellence of the SP community.

Hey - what are friends for?


I know where you are, and where you've been - and have been there myself. I know how important good friends can be at a tough time like this.

Job hunting is a mofo, but I KNOW that you'll find something great.

She told me that she's already submitted applications for some of the jobs that I told her about. Hopefully we'll hear back shortly that she's found a job.

It is a pain in the ass but it is not all so bad :wave: I have sent some money so have a drink on me.

I've sent you some job listings (you already know about them at the time of this posting.) If I had any money at all, I'd send it immediately. When I start work, I'll send my first paycheck to you. It may not be much, but it should help. I truly hope you find something, and that you never have to worry about money again. You're a great person, Spelly. It's a pity that no one can see that and hire you. (I'm not referring to SPers, rather, the employers.)

Anyway, best of luck, and may you have some success in this.

Hi everyone.... I've been updating my earlier post with everyone's names, but I wanted to repost it here again. My deepest thanks to :

Dark Goddess, Death Rabbit, Splunge, Gopher, Seayer, BTA, Takara, dmc, Shadowhunter, Harbourboy, Aldeth, Falstaff, Sarevok, Jaguar, Fade, Dareth, Lokken, Uytuun...and those in process and who have helped in other ways: NaeVa, Chandos and Rastor.

I was able to pay the past due parts of my electric and phone bills today -- and have made arrangements on the water and cable. My biggest hurdle will be tomorrow, when I talk to the landlord to try to get them to let me keep my lower rent for a month or so more.

None of this would have been possible, if it had not been for each of you. There is no way I can express the gratitude I feel for how you've helped me. (I found out the lights would have been turned off at 9am tomorrow and the water on the 3rd.) You are all very special people and your graciousness of heart is just staggering. Thank You.

[ August 16, 2004, 05:00: Message edited by: Spellbound ]

No worries.

What a team! SP rocks. :roll:

Hey, we all help out where we can. I wish it was more, but...

Anyways, good fortunes for you.

I just noticed this edit in D.R.'s post:
Hey SP! Let's all pitch in. Dig deep, biatches! Pretend it's Christmas in July. I'll even make Splunge wear a Santa suit! Ah ha! So that explains the package I received in the mail this morning. :D

/me puts on Santa suit.

HoHoHo!
Many of you have been very good boys and girls this year! You can expect something special in your stockings this Christmas - an autographed picture of chev in his SP thong! And for those of you who haven’t helped out, your punishment will be severe - two autographed pictures of chev in his SP thong!
HoHoHo!

:p :D

/me takes off Santa suit.

Seriously, I know that those who are able to help have done so or will do so soon; obviously, not everybody here can afford to contribute.

Good luck, Spelly!

[ July 02, 2004, 16:37: Message edited by: Splunge ]

quote:
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obviously, not everybody here can afford to contribute.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saddly this is my case...
This is almost my situtation, here in Argentina job is very hard to find, I got to the very bottom and thankfuly I have friends who could supported me. But even when all things seems to be against one, have to keep fighting. Sometimes we see that bad things only seems to happen to good people but in the end we will win the fight. And that's what happen to me.
I posted something about here, because the good people I see every day here, because all the things I enjoy here (by downloading files, posting) I have the need to help anyway I can, and that's what I'll do as soon as I can.
Just hang on Spellbound, fortune will smile upon you sooner than you think.
Best regards

That is a pretty regular situation for a student (or in other words: "monthly") -for some at least. ;) Have you thought of finding jobs outside US -like from EURES (http://europa.eu.int/eures/main.jsp?lang=en&acro=job&catId=482&parentId=52&level=2)? Fat chance, but you never know...

Thanks everyone. The job hunt still continues.. *sigh*... I have 3 possibilities currently. One is a professorship at a small college in Mississippi (initial interview went well), another is a project manager position with T-Mobile (interview was today -- and I felt it was so-so) and lastly, I have an interview tomorrow with a technical recruiting firm for a recruiter position (total career change). So we'll see...I'm trying to stay positive, but I've been down this interview road before -- it's all meaningless until I get an offer. I'll keep you all posted.

Good luck -I know the pressure too well.

We all feel for you. I just went through a bout of unemployment myself, and I pulled through. You will too. :thumb:

Spelly, I have been out of the loop for a while -- I just saw this today. Since my divorce I have been strapped, so no help there, but let me say I know what it's like to be scratching the bottom of the money barrel. You are a professional and a sweetie, and I wish you nothing but the best. Stay strong. You have a lot of people from all over the world behind you.

I only just saw this post and I feel so bad for you. You're a great person, Spell, you're intelligent and caring, you definitely have what it takes to find a job.

Maybe though, if you've run out of possibilities in your region, you could consider moving to find a suitable job elsewhere, as an "if the job doesn't come to you, you go to the job" thing.

No matter what comes, put on your lovely smile and know that at times you've got it rough, things can only improve. :)

Well, everyone..... GUESS WHAT??? :D :D :D
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I HAVE A JOB!!!!!! :D :D

Yes, it's true -- finally! I have accepted an Associate Professorship at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. They made a very sweet offer that I couldn't refuse (of course we all know that even if it hadn't been so sweet, I still couldn't have refused it -- but it truly was exceptional). I start work on August 23rd. I'm in the midst of packing currently, then will get on the road on Wednesday of this coming week to drive 2,500 miles approx. That should put me in Tahlequah by next weekend. The school is quite beautiful -- old brick buildings with carved steeples and spires sitting on spectacular grounds with huge oaks and hardwoods everywhere. The town is very, very tiny (14,000), but somewhat near larger towns of Muskogee and the city of Tulsa. It is sitting directly in the middle of Tornado Alley, so I'll have to keep my eyes out for spotting those. It's a big move for me and I'll definitely miss Seattle to some extent (though not people-clogged roadways) -- going from 5+ million people down to 14,000 will be quite a culture shock. ;)

I wanted to take this last time to thank everyone here who helped me so much in my time of need. I will never, ever forget the generosity shown by each of you -- and will be paying back each of you over the next few months. Without you guys, I can tell you, I would not have survived this. At the best I would have been homeless -- but because of you, that didn't happen. I will never forget that.

And so... with that... it's ON TO OKLAHOMA!!! (*Spelly sings "Oklahoma... where the wind comes sweeping down the plain... Oklahoma! OK!) :D

:roll: Congrats, spelly :D

I have to say, the people here are truly exceptional.

Good fortune to you Spelly.

I only now discovered this thread. :(
So glad it turned out all right, Spellbound. I really am. When I read your words in Tals post it went straight to my heart.

Sadly, even if I had seen it earlier I couldnt have helped in a financial way. I am sometimes not far form asking my parents for support myself when bigger bills come in like insurrance, taxe etc.
Good luck to you.

I cant say how great it is that the people of SP helped out here. Tal has a community he can be truly proud of. This is outstanding. Impressive.

Wonderful!
I really feel happy for you spellbound - my heartfelt congratulations.
Erm, one (selfish) concern comes to mind though - will you be able to get a decent net connection and come 'round SP at times?
Either way, congratulations and I hope you become very happy in your new house and job.
:borg:

Ooooooooooooooooooooooklahoma....good stuff. Watch out for tornadoes. Good on ya, Spelly. Watch out, students! :p

Thanks everyone! And... yes... they do have cable and DSL there, I guess because of the uni dominating the town. Hehe, when I first got a look at the place, my future boss, who was driving, turned to me and said "Don't worry...they have phones here." Then he went on to tell me about the ISPs in the vicinity. ;)

Yay! congrats Spelly :)

That's indeed good to hear :)

That's wonderful. As for the tornado zone, I have it on reliable information that you are absolutely safe as long as you don't live in a trailer park. :)

Yay!!!!!!!

Go Spelly!

(Yes, I know I already congratulated you yesterday.)

WHEE!!!

Congratulations Spelly, I'm so glad things have worked out.

Good luck in Oklahoma.

Edit: To anyone who saw my duplicate posts, that wasn't a deliberate effort to spam. The 'Add Reply' button seemed to take a really long time to respond, and it seems like I got a little impatient. :rolleyes:

Way to go Spelly. Knew you had it in you. :thumb:

And its not even a job at Der Wienerschnitzel! Good thing too, you might have actually figured out what was in those things.

Congrats Spelly!

All's well that ends well. :)

Be easy on the students, ok? ;)

[ August 16, 2004, 18:48: Message edited by: Uytuun ]

Congrats, Spelly! :)

And I changed my mind - I decided I want that $10,000 back. :xx: :p

Culture shock is an understatement. I travel a lot in my job, and I can say that areas that are in the midwest-south area are just, well... I'll be polite and call it "different".

Glad to see things became okay eventually, Spelly. Congrats! :) :)

Way to go Spelly. I'm really glad something came around for you. /me offers big hugs. :D

This thread has been here for a month and a half? Wow, I never even saw it! Congratulations, Spellbound!

Professor Spelbound signing in...... :D

Hey everyone! Well, I finally made it. Arrived in Tahlequah, Oklahoma last Saturday night and was teaching my first class Monday morning at 9 am. Classes went very well this week....Mon., Wed. and Fri., I have only that one class, Tuesdays and Thursdays are my long days -- I teach at the Broken Arrow campus, about an hour and a half away. The students have been great and all the faculty have made me feel very welcome. I finally have a huge office, which makes me feel a little like a queen bee. ;) And to top things off, I finally found a house to rent just in the nick of time -- the movers will be here Monday afternoon. I was fast running out of time to find something, so I was getting a little nervous.

It feels great to be somewhat settled again...and I can't wait to get my PC out of my car and into my home office! :D

I'm glad things are finally working out for you, Spelly. I wish you continued good luck. :)

Congratulations. I was unable to help you, but I am glad that things worked out for the better.

Well done Spelly!
Great to here things have taken a turn for the good - although, I don't know what you mean by very very small town. Here a town that size is called a city... almost.
Anyway, good luck with the teaching!

I fill a bit like an a**e. I didn't realize the topic was here, eventhough it actually is here for 2 moths now! Not that I could have helped you anyway. I'm near broke and I got as much knowledge about foreign labour systems as I got ovaries.

Anyway, reading this whole thread made me all weak and sentimental. You guys really made something of the boards. :thumb:

Spelly, I'm free tomorrow. Perhaps I can help you move! I'm quite sure members will collect money (in time) to pay the ticket. :p
I hope everything will be fine from now, and I'm really glad to see how things worked out. :)

I only just saw this post, and even though I wouldn't be able to contribute back then anyhow (seeing as I'm a college student now, and we all know how much money we see....), I just wanted to say congrats on your new job. I'm sure it will be great. :)

This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to be a member of this board... Even though there was an extended absence on my part... :rolleyes: