Bigotry at its worst:  In a little over a decade, I lost six jobs due to layoffs.  At the time, I was between 50-60 years of age, and I was so naive at the time, that I couldn't imagine why I was having trouble getting another job...not only a permanent job...but getting work as a temporary employee, etc. 

Then one day, I saw a small article in the local newspaper, which said, that the number one complaint to the EEOC (Equal Employee Opportunity Center) was age discrimination! (ageism).  About a month later, I saw another article come in online, which stated the results of a survey done of workers over 40 years of age which was stunning! 

About 88% of the people who answered the survey, claimed that they were discriminated against while looking for work;  and a whopping 92% of the people over 40, who already had jobs, claimed that they were discriminated against when they when they were seeking a promotion! 

These numbers were appalling!  Could this be happening in America?  Boomers discriminating against other boomers?  To make a long story short...I found out the hard way!  Could there be discrimination because of my age for all this time, which eventually lead to my downfall?  Back in the 90's, I was pretty nave! (naive)

Hateful people throwing a monkey-wrench into your life;  In August 2006, I started writing seriously, and in early January, 2008, I joined a local writing club.  The club had a newsletter that circulated to about 800 members nation-wide.  Later that year, I thought it would be a good idea to place an ad in the newsletter for charity, and the full-page ad would cost me $100.00. 

Everything for the ad was submitted and paid for by September of that year, for publication in the newsletter for either November 1 or December 1 of that year.  November one came and there was no ad in the newsletter.  I called the office and all I got was bla...bla...bla...So, I waited patiently for the December i issue.  When December came, there was still no ad in the newsletter.  Again, I called the office, and I got the same bla...bla...bla only from a different person.  I smelled a rat at this time, and I knew there was something going on!

In January of the following year, I got a ridiculous call from the President of the organization, and told me that a few members of the Board and newsletter had been dismissed, and they were ready to publish me ad.  What?  The ad had Christmas clip-art all over it...what would it look like published in March of the following year?  I demanded my money back and I quit the club, etc.  There's always somebody, usually a person of hate, in some organization/business, etc. who will throw a monkey-wrench into your life, etc. 

You're hated if you're a success in this society!  I mentioned this fact in another article, but it should be repeated, because it's so true .  I was driving to work one day, and listening to the radio in the car.  The program was a talk show, and the host of the show was interviewing Leslie Stah of CBS and 60 Minutes.  This happened in the 1980's. 

She told the host of the radio show and the listening audience, that, as soon she visited one of the affialte television stations at CBS, she had made ten enemies!  Why?  Because she was successful; she was a woman; because she was attractive and appealing to men; because she made a lot of money; because she had staying power for over 30 years in the public eye...and on and on...This is an example...that if your are successful...you will probably get all you want in jealousy; resentment and hate, etc. 

Negative work places;  Because I've had so many job layoffs, I got a chance to work as a temporary employee at more than twenty companies over the years.  All I saw during that time, were negative places...work places of gossip and put-down of others.  I even saw three fist-fights and broke one of them up myself!  At one company, I saw a memo come out from management scolding the employees for too much gossip and put-down of others, and it had to stop!  I can honestly tell the reader, that there was no company that I really wanted to work at...all were too negative! 

Bikers are the worst who ride their bikes on sidwalks:  I've almost been trashed about a dozen times because of these inconsiderate fools.  The sidewalks were cut for the disabled...not for bikers!  These inconsiderate fools can't have a little consideration to let you know they're behind you...they just wiz on by...endangering your life...just more of the same hateful and inconsiderate people...

Hate around the neighborhood;  In one incident, I was walking to the store one Sunday morning, and I noticed a man who, apparaently, had just got beaten up by somebody.  He was falling down in the parking lot...and then would get up...walk a few steps and fall again on the asphalt!  He was in bad shape!  I called 911 and told them to send an ambulance!  The next day, there was picture of a man and a women in the newspaper who beat this guy up!

In another incident in broad daylight, I was walking down the street about noon.  Up ahead, I noticed a man and a woman fighting on the sidwalk...slapping and punching at each other.  Oh no, what am I walking into, I thought to myself.  I was thinking about crossing the street.  All of a sudden, a car pulled up and the woman jumped in it and drove away!  I dodged a bullet...

And yet, another incident, I was walking in the neighborhood, when I was walking toward three poeple that were noticeably drunk or high on something, etc.  When I walked by them, one of them looked at me and said, "Do I look like I have gold on my lips?"  I just kept on walking, and I thought these guys were going to jump me from behind, etc.

Because of all the job layoffs I have had to endure, I finally found myself homeless.  I learned of a program at the VA Medical Center, whereby the veteran was helped to get back on his or her feet.  After four months in the program, I had perfect attendance in the job program and got my completion certificate.  Because there were no vocational counselors in the program, I was given an extension of three months. 

The following week, I was tossed out of the work program, by my vocational counselor.  No reason was given!  I've always called this a hate crime!  Has anyone ever been accountable?  No!  VA employees are paid handsomely by the taxpayer, to help the veteran.  I could never trust my doctor or my vocational counselor again!  I left the VA in 2007, and got my own private insurance. 

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In 2010, this society is hateful, dangerous and mistrustful...it's not like 1975 or 1980!  I had a decision to make about ever showing my work in public again! 

As a woodcarver, and in the art world for over 30, I have participated in over 40 arts and crafts show all over the state...indoor shows; outdoor showl; large and small shows.  I really loved this time in my life, as I would enjoy setting up my display and mingling with the people. But, I gave up woodcarving, and took up writing in August, 2005. 

I was in the hospital for over three months in 2005, during hurricane Katrian, and so I had a lot of time on my hands.  It was during this time, that I thought up the idea to have a show again...this time it would not be in the arts and crafts area.  The show would be in the writing field.  But, how can I put together a show in the writing field.  The answer to that question would come about two years later, when I saw some wonderful specialty paper at the hobbly shop..

This paper is magnificent, and comes in a variety of flavors such as baseball; football; cooking; pencils; jungle animals; candy corn; grass; outer space and so forth.  I love this paper and I was determined to do something with it. 

The idea for the show began to blossom.  I found the displays for the show and bought one.  All during this time (about 3 months) I tried to keep the costs and the time spent down, as not to lose too much.  The paper was standard size (8.5 x 11) and putting everything together began.  The show would be a summery of my website and my writing site.  The visitor could pick up a business card and see the rest of the show at their leasure, etc. 

Along the Bumpy Road of Life; (family display show) (CANCELLED);  Forty of these scenes were finished for myself and hang on the wall of my apartment.  All are laminated.  They look great, and because they did, I had high expectations for the show. 

The show was not a stand-alone show.  In other words I could not do the show on my own, because of the cost involved.  The show had to be in conjuction with another celebration with a non-profit organization, business, etc.  The show would be a summary of my work, and the visitor could pick up a business card and to to my sites to see everything else.  The lettering on each piece at the show would be bold for easy reading by the visitor.

My enthusiam was high during the three months I worked on it...every little idea I got made it better.  The show was really going to look good, I thought to myself. 

But, then one day, I started reflecting about the negative things that have happened to me, and the negative things outweighed the positive things.  I was going to have to deal with others to make this work, and I illustrated in the writing club piece, I was not too happy about that.  I would have to deal with people's politics; their religious beliefs; and I would have to deal with people who have an agenda; the agenda of putting a monkey-wrency into your life to make it more miserable, etc. 

Because of this, and many other reasons, I decided to cancell the show (physical; tables and chairs) and just do the show online.  That way I have no other people to deal with; I can put up what I want as long as it is in good taste; I don't have to deal with the jealousy and resentment that people display whereever they go, etc. 

I can do everything from the confort of my own home; and not deal with the "little minds of the world" anymore!  So, the idea for the show was CANCELLED...but the idea to put it all online will continue.  I had to scann all the items anyway, and this way I have the ability to put up more than the original 72 that would be at the physical show.  Of course, I am now saving the money to do the physical show...tables; lamination; covers for the tables, etc. 

One of the most important things in not doing the show in public...is that there will be no contact with people...therefore it will help me in not contacting the flu! Doing the show online, and I don't have to worry about the flu as much, etc.

I've always felt enthusiastic about the show, but I've never felt enthusiaic about getting out there in the public again.  It's too dangerous out there!  Too much hate; bigotry; recism; greed; selfishness; inconsiderate people; people of put-down...and on and on...SHAME! 

There's always a person of hate on every board; every committee; every office, every newsletter...every company...

Too much negativity and bad behavior out there.  We all live among a bunch of negative, thankless, and  selfish people.  In 2010, is seems like there's a trend among individuals, in which there is less and less integrity and values in society, etc.  If this is true , I am not part of the trend! 

Along the Bumpy Road of Life (family show)
http://humordoctormd.homestead.com/bumpyroad.html

Reasons for cancelling the (live) show: The society in the U.S. in 2010 is more negative (in  general), than it was when I participated in shows, back in 1970-80.  There is more danger and hate everywhere, in my view!  There are more negatives in doing this show than positives for me.  Briefly, I would have to put up with people and their prejudices; their politics; their religious beliefs, etc. 

I would be under a microscope; what is educational and what is not; what is in good taste and what is not; what is funny and what is not; what is creative and what is not; and, of course, their willingness to change things.  And, then there is the ever-present person, who will throw a monkey-wrench into your life, so that you don't reach your goals...you know...the jealous and resentful type...with a donut-hole mentality!  Whew!  Thanks...but no thanks! 

I will continue to produce the show...but it will be online at my website and writing site and in the safety of my home. 

SITE MAP For Hopelessly Lost Souls;
Copyright; 2010; Jerry Aragon/The Humor Doctor
Website name; humordoctormd
http://humordoctormd.homestead.com