Looking for Work

Searching for a job is anything short of demoralizing - seems like a harsh description but believe me it is challenging and I can't think of a better way to describe the process.
I am 50 years old. I have been working since I was 15 - by that I mean I have been working in exchange for money since I was 15 prior to being paid for work I provided free-labor. It wasn't child labor - it is what you do! I grew up on a farm. My father was the jack of all trades and we were his helpers. Our farm was 320 acres. The actual arable land was 100 acres the remainder was a hillside of sedimentary rock. We lived in a valley with the Rocky Mountains in the back drop. It was a beautiful.

Farming in British Columbia is not for the faint of heart. It is a way of life - a passion - at least in my opinion it has to be because the revenue from the farm wasn't enough to raise 5 children as a result my father worked full-time for a transport company. When we moved to the farm (my parents purchased it from my grandparents) I was 7 years old. The fields needed to be plowed and planted. I remember my father planting the fields by hand: round and round he would go turning the wheel of the hand-seeder. I recall picking rocks from the fields he plowed. Hours and hours of work in the hot sun - the days seemed like an eternity. It was a difficult task physically and mentally because regardless of how many rocks we picked there always seemed to be a thousand more waiting to be carried away. Just when we thought we were free he would turn the ground again. One summer I remember spending the day picking rocks with my older brother. We could see the heat waves dancing above the ground - enticing and taunting us - all we could think of was plunging into the lake. It was all we talked about: how good it was going to feel to rid our bodies of the heat that had consumed us for 10 hours. But as the day came to an end the clouds rolled in as we looked overhead we knew our hopes were being swept away by the storm that was willfully finding its way into our sleepy hollow with the first lightning strike our plans were derailed. 
But plowing the fields and picking rocks was just the beginning of summer work project because once the planting was complete it would have to be irrigated. Every day we moved sprinkler pipes and once a week we disassembled the irrigation system, loaded it onto a wagon and hauled into the next field. Several weeks would pass until harvest time which was an emotionally charged time on the farm because the crop had to be cut when the weather was good. If the crop got rained on it was ruined and all that hard work was for not. Our mother would agonize, worry and predict the worst outcome. At least once a season the crops were rained on which is another reason that farming has to be a passion because growing oats, alfalfa and barley certainly wasn't deemed as a cash crop but it did pay for the equipment. Seems rather strange to me now that most of the crop's proceeds simply paid for costs of doing business. That is how we spent our summers.
But the end of summer didn't mean the end of the working season because adjacent to our farm was a  3000 acre woodlot or as we called it: a Christmas Tree permit which explains why to this day that the smell of sap and pine needles brings back memories of work not magical moments of red suits and cheer. Prior to beginning the harvesting of trees we would dig up the 5 acres of potatoes that my parents planted and move them to the root cellar. In many ways there always seemed to be a master plan: keep working. The weekend after the first frost which was usually in late September or early October my father, grandfather and uncle loaded their chainsaws into the back of their trucks. We spent every daylight hour trekking along the mountainside searching for 2 foot, 4 foot, 6 foot, 8 foot, 10 foot and 12 foot trees to cut. My brothers and I were the 'haulers'. The trees were dropped and it was our job to drag them to a designated area for collection. At the end of the work day all the trees would be loaded and transported to the tree yard where the trees were bailed into bundles. The only part of the job I enjoyed was tagging each tree. It was an easy job that required a stapler but that job was usually given to one of my younger sisters.
There were times when we threatened to strike but my dad was always a good sport about our mutinous behaviour.  He tried to make it fun - he would laugh, tell us how great we were and then raise the stakes! It was hard to quit when we knew he worked hard but the year that we cut 10,000 trees was over the top. I guess if we had been paid by the piece there might have been some incentive but our incentive was the personal satisfaction and gratification that comes with an honest day's work - I suppose.  We were rewarded with a family vacation to California: 24 days on the road in a station wagon but that's another story.
Then when I was 12 years old he decided to build a butcher shoppe. I don't know why - I guess it was founded in the rational of trying to get by. He taught himself how to be a custom-cut butcher. If I remember correctly it was 12 months after he had purchased 14 cows. We were so excited when he brought home the calves. We rushed to the barn with eager anticipation ...... The meat cutting commenced when he slaughtered the calves. Initially, the meat cutting was conducted on the kitchen table which would explain why the butcher shoppe was built a few months later. Again, it was a family business.
When I was 16 I thought the way to escape work at home was to get a job; a plan that quickly back-fired because what I failed to factor in was the fact that the work day doesn't end at 5:00 not for farmers. So by the time I was 16,  I could run a tractor, chainsaw and a band saw; I was competent and well-versed but more than anything I understand first hand the meaning of hard work.
Over the years I managed restaurants, owned my own business - twice, worked for a large grocery retailer as the Health & Safety Co-Chair, worked as a sales rep for a manufacturing company, event manager, fundraiser, administrative assistant and volunteered extensively; I was the chairperson of the Parent Advisory Council, representative of the School Planning Council, fundraising chair of a variety of associations, art director and set design, publisher, want-to-be writer, author of several fundraising strategies, secretary and board member of the BC Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association of Canada. I have managed campaigns, ran for city council, been actively involved in politics. I have been a speech editor and a speech writer and in my spare time I am a painter, plumber, electrician and carpenter. I am competent in many ways. I finished a bachelor's degree while raising 3 children and working 30 hours a week. I have an endless amount of energy. I am fearless but unemployed.
I have applied for 50 jobs in the last 3 months. Searching for work is an onerous task and yes, a demoralizing one!

Debt & the conundrum

The US debt is roughly $13 trillion - the 'sequester': a package of budget cuts designed to ghastly - duly came into affect March 1. Unless Congress agrees on an extension to its budget, the government will start to shut down on March 28. It's a mess: an ageing population, its schools are mediocre by international standards, its infrastructure rickety, its regulations dense, its immigration hare-brained and it has fallen from first to seventh in the World Economic Forum's competitiveness rankings in four years. (Economist)
So it doesn't work but there is also another America, where things work. Recent numbers indicate that things are on the mend. The stock market just hit a record high, consumer balance sheets are being repaired, housing and employment indicators are improving. Maybe they can't wait for the 'rescue'.
One reason for the optimism is the America's inventors are as busy as they have ever been, and its entrepreneurs are seizing on their ideas with the alacrity as always. Investment in R&D as a share of output matched a previous record of 2.9% of GDP. America is home to 27 of the 30 universities that put out the most-cited scientific research - the shale gale. Pressed for cash, states are adopting sweeping reforms as they vie to attract investments and immigrants. Louisiana and Nebraska want to abolish corporate and personal income tax. Kansas wants to get ride of red tape, Ohio has privatised its economic-development agency......
In this can-do America, creative policy making is being applied to the very problems Congress runs away from. While the feds twiddle their thumbs states and cities are coming up with new ways to raise money for roads, bridges and schools. Chicago has a special trust to drum up private funds to refurbish old decrepit buildings. Indiana has turned to privatisation to raise money for road building.
Schools are getting an overhaul. 45 are developing new curriculum, test are becoming more rigorous, schools and teachers are being held accountable for results.
Regulation, innovation, infrastructure, education: each of these is crucial to competitiveness.
Perhaps the truth of the matter whether it is the US or Canada - I can only speak for the developed nations with a democratic system whereby the voice of the populace can bring about change - is this: we are survivors and builders. I believe one the biggest mistakes we made was when we decided to hand over our fate to the government. The shift has proven to be disastrous. Bigger government never proves to be effective or effiicient because the very nature of a bureaucratic system is red tape. The government needs to work for the people. provide services in exchange for the taxes collected what it does not need to provide is a comfortable job for a bureaucrat or public servant who counts the days to retirement. When governments fails to provide the basics then it is time to reexamine the validity of the public service. I can't help but wonder how we built this nation when the government never collected a dime of income tax instead this vast land was developed from revenue accrued from royalties and tariffs.  Excessive taxation has not led us to the promise land. We are struggling more than ever. We are not a productive nation when personal income tax tops out at 44%. It is criminal. For those who are unemployed or earn minimum wage - a percentage is a percentage. At 20% or 35% it doesn't matter if you earn more you will pay more.  to be continued

Lean In/Lean Out?

Work. Women. Balance.......Children & Families.
I try to imagine how all of this would be debated 100 years ago, 50 years ago or even 20 years ago.....
We work; work is what we do. We work in order to achieve a purpose or a result.
Sheryl Sandberg wrote about women 'leaning in' and Wente wrote about women 'leaning out'. Lean in or lean out? The glass ceiling and the ongoing question about women ....... I would love to see more competence but I would be a fool to say that to achieve that we need more women in leadership roles. It has never been a case of competence - I don't see any differences between men or women with respect to competency or ability; however, the one difference between men and women is motherhood. Yes, women, motherhood and all it entails. But, let's be realistic we've been reproducing for eons - it's not a miracle. We accept that, but what needs to change is how we perceive domestic work. For some reason the work that is conducted at home is not calculated in the nation's Gross Domestic Product. to be continued

Liberal Leadership

The Liberal leadership vote is just around the corner. Yesterday was the deadline to sign up to vote. The 'party' and the candidates have been working around the clock to get members and 'supporters' registered. In order to do this letters were sent to remind members and voters to register along with countless emails and a robocall at 9:00 pm last night. It seems to me that it shouldn't be that difficult to get supporters to do their part.
I am astounded by the general apathy among Canadians with respect to politics but on that note perhaps the apathy is deep-rooted in the fact that 'our voice' falls on deaf ears.
In BC, when the BC Liberals voted for a new leader after Gordon Campbell's resignation there was a similar frenzy. 90,000 new members were signed up during the campaign. During the campaign it seemed that Kevin Falcon and George Abbott were front runners but Christy Clark won on the third ballot of the preferential vote. It seemed democratic but things aren't always what they seem.
I am an avid supporter of democracy. I believe that freedom is more important than health - some would disagree. As a result of this passion I am appalled when there is a deviation a simple process. Recently, I put my name forward to run in the May election for the BC Liberals. I expressed my interest to the riding association president 9 months ago. But, 'they' were waiting I guess for someone better to come along. There wasn't a knock on the door. In September, we spoke again and I reiterated my interest to Jim;  set up a meeting with Mark Robertson from Liberal 'headquarters'  and Brian Bonney who from what I could gather was a committed volunteer. (Later, I would discover that Brian was working for the government in a newly created category: Multiculturalism outreach. Initially, I questioned the necessity of the role given Canada is founded on a multicultural society. It is the bane of our existence. Why would we need to have a separate department?
We met on numerous occasions from October to January. At the convention in Whistler it was confirmed that I would move forward with the process. I sent Mark a letter of intent. In return, he sent the candidate's application. I completed the application, signed up a few members, got the signatures I needed and had a criminal record check done. Still no interest from anyone else. Now I must add that at our first meeting Mark told me that they wanted a Chinese candidate.
At our meetings Brian asked me to prepare extensive lists of potential donors and volunteers. I was shocked when he told me I would need 400 volunteers. I thought to myself: where would I find 400 volunteers? That made me nervous because one thing I learned when I ran for city council is that success hinges on the success of a team. Regardless, I compiled my lists. I found a campaign manager and was eager to get started.
I went away on vacation in January - twice. Upon my return, I sent a note to Brian anxious to get started. I knew that a nomination meeting had to take place to make it official. I met with Mark and Brian on February 6, 2013. I was keen to proceed. When I sat down I said, "Okay, tell me what I need to do?"
Mark looked at Brian ...... Then Mark spoke, "While you were away a Chinese candidate stepped forward." I paused. "Oh, okay so what does that mean?"
Mark, "We want a Chinese candidate. We believe that we have a better chance of mobilizing the Asian vote if we have a Chinese candidate."
I said, "I think we should have a race."
Mark, "The 'party' wants an Asian candidate."
I responded, "I have a question. If I sign up members and work diligently to win the nomination will the 'party' parachute this candidate in regardless of the outcome?"
Brian, "The party would be fair."
Mark, "The 'party' will do whatever it has to do to ensure this candidate wins the nomination."
Brian, "But the 'party' would be fair."
I said, "Are you sure?"
Mark, "We are sure."
June, "Who is this guy?"
Mark, "He is a doctor who has been practicing in Burnaby for a decade. He writes for the success magazine and has always wanted to run."
Long story short I walked away from the meeting disappointed. When I got home I talked to my husband about whether I would pursue the nomination or let it go. I decided to pursue it.
to be continued.......   

The Heart of the Matter

To add to my post earlier today I believe it is necessary to address the issue of my father and his perspective that women should be the primary caregivers. First, it is necessary to mention that he believes that the role is invaluable. I recall him telling me a story about his parents moving from Saskatchewan to BC in 1934 with a horse drawn wagon and a team of work horses hauling all their worldly possessions including an automobile. My grandmother had 4 children under the age of 6. When they embarked on their journey the youngest child was 6 months old. They were on the road for weeks. In his words, "I don't know how mom did it!"
Now I can't deny that father isn't a chauvinist actually he is quite prejudice in many ways; however, when it comes to family dynamics he believes in a division of labour. He went to work outside of the home and my mother managed the work at home. Never once, did he indicate that domestic work wasn't 'real work'. In our particular household it wasn't a matter of raising children and looking after the home because we lived on a farm the list of duties and responsibilites encompassed much more.
The challenge we face as women is that raising children has no value in the monetary sense of the word. Yes, everyone proclaims that it is a 'big' job with no pay. That is of course if we are measuring everything in life with a dollar sign. And we do!
Nothing is going to change until we place a 'real' value on the work that is conducted at home. If we hire the services of someone to clean our homes, care for our children, prepare our meals, look after the general maintenance of our home it would be expensive but for some reason we don't perceive it in those terms. The contribution to the GDP is immeasurable. Women who stay at home should be able to contribute to Canadian Pension Plan. to be continued.

The Feminine Mystique

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's CEO has just published a book, "Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead." I haven't read the book but I have read the article written in the Economist, March 16th edition.
Ms. Sandberg believes that women derail their own careers. She refers to it as 'leaning back' during meetings or sitting in a corner and not at the table. She believes that women question their capacity and ability to lead more than men do. They demand less with respect to pay rises and promotions. Moreover, she proclaims that women apply for positions when they 'feel' their qualifications match the position 100% whereas men apply if they meet 60% of the requirements. Much of this she attributes to the reality that one day women will have a family because of this they often accept less meaningful jobs. In turn, women pass up chances to take on more responsibility at work. Sandberg says, "Don't leave, before you leave."
Sandberg argues that a woman's most important career decision is whom she will marry. Will she have someone to help with domestic chores or will she be asked to sacrifice her career to support her partner?
But Sandberg doesn't think that women are entirely responsible for their lack of leadership because corporate structures and cultures work against them. Maternity leave is almost non-existent in the U.S. In Canada, a year of maternity leave is given (6 months maternity leave and 6 months either maternity or paternity). But this isn't the only deterrent child care costs have risen twice as median incomes which means returning to work makes little financial sense.
Her book, 'Lean In', appears exactly 50 years after "The Feminine Mystique", in which Betty Friedman argues that traditional gender roles compartmentalized women as homemakers, to their and society's detriment. Friedman's argument inspired a generation of feminists, who lobbied for equal treatment and professional opportunity for women.
But "Lean In" is not revolutionary according to the Economist because it is written for women who, like Sandberg, have expensive educations, good salaries, self-confidence and progressive partners. She does not address what women should do if, after they lean in, they find themselves pushed back.
They find "Lean In" to be a brave attempt at an uncomfortable subject in corporate America.
I haven't read "Lean In", but I will.
I am certain that Sandberg makes some valid points with respect to the glass ceiling.
I was raised in a farming community. There were no distinctions between men and women or boys and girls. If there was work to be done we couldn't opt out based on gender. At an early age, the same age as my brothers, I was driving a tractor and throwing 70 lbs. bails of hay onto a wagon. I learned to run a chainsaw, shoot a gun, operate most power tools and essentially run with the boys. It never occurred to me that the work place would be any different. It wasn't until I was in my early twenties that I discovered that equal opportunities had a twist. Even though, I had been raised by someone who had equal expectations for all of us on the farm those expectations didn't transfer into life outside the farm. My father raised me to be tough, strong, iron-willed and relentless. This is what he expected and it was what I learned to expect from myself. I never considered limitations.
I was a late bloomer on the education front. I went back to school at the age of 24 with the high hopes to go to law school - all politicians seemed to have a law degree since politics was my lifelong goal it seemed fitting. So that was my plan. When I was in my second year I got pregnant with my first child.  During my pregnancy it never occurred to me that I would change my long-term plans. I wrote an exam when my son was 10 days old and returned to school when he was 5 weeks old. I wanted to take full advantage of maternity leave. I worked 30 hours a week and attended full-time classes throughout my pregnancy. I had a plan. But something happened when my son was born. It wasn't hormonal or spurred on by anything other than the hard, cold fact that I fell hopelessly in love with this tiny, individual who needed me. Yes, he needed me. It wasn't something contrived or an issue of gender instead it was an instinctive response. And so, I made some changes not initially but gradually. I continued going to school and working because we couldn't afford it any other way. I worked the night shift at a grocery store it was a union job so the pay was decent and my husband worked during the day. We were a tag team. When our daughter was born less than 2 years later I continued with school and work but added a small business to my to do list. Then I took a break from school. In the back of my mind I still toyed with going to law school but I wanted to be the primary caregiver.
When my third child was two years old I returned to school full-time and completed my degree. By that time I was 35 years old still trying to decide what I would do with my life because according to those who are keeping score - myself included - I hadn't accomplished much despite the fact that I was raising 3 children, working 30 hours a week, running my own business and volunteering for a variety of organizations and associations.
Then 40 came and went. Now, I am 50 years old and still toying with what to do with my life. My life has been full - it has been a good life - sure I haven't done all the things I set out to do and I'm still toying with that. I'll get there!
The point I need to address is this: my father raised me to be able to do anything I wanted - no limitations but when I became a mother he changed his tune. When I told him I wanted to continue my education he said, "You should focus on your family let your husband worry about earning a living." He didn't seem to realize that I couldn't be a stay-at-home mom it was unaffordable. I had to work. I wanted to work but there had to be a balance. As a result, I had to work at jobs that were meaningless. When I told him I was going to run for public office he thought I shouldn't take it on. My father symbolizes what women face: run like hell as fast as you can into a wall. Well I am still running like hell most of the time in too many directions. I want to do so much: write that Pulitzer Prize novel,  finish one of the twenty screen plays I've started, and last but not least be the next Prime Minister of Canada. The crazy thing about it all is that I believe I can do all of those things even though my father might try to deter me because what he doesn't realize is that regardless of what he tells me he was the first person to demonstrate that women can do anything they want to do.
Yes, we will be mothers - I wouldn't have it any other way. We can have it all but not always at the same time. What has to happen is that when we are ready...... for example when we are 50 years old and our schedule is cleared - get out of the way because "sisters are doing it for themselves".

Frustrated!