Off Topic Forum...

[Ban Hammer 13,283]

g'morning everyone. i see carla's already got the coffee taken care of.

now did i miss some shirt lifting in here?

[trailmix 77]

Good morning all!

Wow Carla, 100 books, sounds divine! I'm sure it's the same feeling as when you are starting a trilogy and you know you have 2 more books waiting

Well I just captured a small frog out on the patio, they jump fast btw.

Anyway a small frog doesn't seem all the horrendous based on what I have been reading in my free paper today. Apparently lots of animals get displaced in flooding (which makes sense of course) and normally docile creatures like rabbits and squirrels get angry.

Front page of the paper today is a guy with 3 dead alligators in the back of his truck, which seems really foreign to me, not just because they are alligators, but because he killed them and posed for a picture with them. There is another picture on a page further on (same story) of a woman posing with the same alligators. Just seems weird to me.

[Krikit 1,164]

Good morning all!

Wow Carla, 100 books, sounds divine! I'm sure it's the same feeling as when you are starting a trilogy and you know you have 2 more books waiting

I love that feeling!

Well I just captured a small frog out on the patio, they jump fast btw.

Anyway a small frog doesn't seem all the horrendous based on what I have been reading in my free paper today. Apparently lots of animals get displaced in flooding (which makes sense of course) and normally docile creatures like rabbits and squirrels get angry.

Front page of the paper today is a guy with 3 dead alligators in the back of his truck, which seems really foreign to me, not just because they are alligators, but because he killed them and posed for a picture with them. There is another picture on a page further on (same story) of a woman posing with the same alligators. Just seems weird to me.

I would have read the same story however my PAID subscription never arrived this morning.

[Marilyn. 340]

this job search is getting frustrating...When I place an ad I get a lot of responses but then they ask for my rate which I say is 8 to 10 dollars an hour and then I never hear back from them again.. I am wondering if my rate is too high... I don't think it is, I think it is fair...

[trailmix 77]

this job search is getting frustrating...When I place an ad I get a lot of responses but then they ask for my rate which I say is 8 to 10 dollars an hour and then I never hear back from them again.. I am wondering if my rate is too high... I don't think it is, I think it is fair...

I think your rate is probably fair too Marilyn, however it may be the market you are reaching that isn't right - for the rate.

What I mean is, if you are a dual income family that can actually afford to have someone come in and take care of your children, you probably aren't going to be looking for someone on craigslist - you are probably going to use an employment service (because in theory they will have already checked your references etc etc).

This is just a theory, but the thing is, for someone to be able to afford to pay you $10 an hour, how much would they need to be making an hour - $30 -$40?

Anyway, just a thought.

I would have read the same story however my PAID subscription never arrived this morning.

Krikit, I think you need to call them and see if you can get the free paper, it seems to have a more reliable delivery service

Edited August 29, 2008 by trailmix

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah I get what you are saying..

I have seen quite a few ads on craigslist for people offering to pay $8 to $10 or more an hour... that is how I came up with that rate..

[Krikit 1,164]

I would have read the same story however my PAID subscription never arrived this morning.

Krikit, I think you need to call them and see if you can get the free paper, it seems to have a more reliable delivery service

[SpiritAlight 1]

Oops I was so groggy that when you said about your 100 books Carla, and that you ahd already read five, well that just blew my circuits.

I love books.

I love to look at them

smell them

make them

(book binding, in an ancient art kind of way and modern)

collect them

(although I have given many away and try not to keep more than a couple of boxes worth, too much to move around, ha!)

touch them

and read a few pages from time to time.

Hey, you have to know how to sit well to read entire books.

$8-$10 per hour for childcare in your home Marylin?

It depends on what your local market can afford.

Go to a richer neighbourhood and try marketing your services there.

Leave flyers or a calling card in mailboxes.

Ha!

Krikit did you really have to remove a bra at the airport?

That is ludicrous.

Charles, stick around.

All kinds of whacky things happen all the time.

No photos though.

Sorry.

Killing creatures for game is just wrong.

Yesterday, on my way to the dentist, there was the usual blast of sirens on Clark Street in Lincoln Park, only this seemed louder and more intense.

It was not a usual ambulance, it was a firetruck.

They made their way through the small and very busy street, leaning on their horns to squeeze through.

I was walking in the same direction.

Got to where they stopped and looked up.

No fire.

No smoke.

Nope.

It was a kitteh!

A kitteh! I tell ya, stuck on a window ledge.

It looked like it had squeezed through a tear (how did that get there?) on the window screen and was stuck 3 or 4 stories up.

What I witnessed was a fireman inside already, opening the window, reaching through with a big uniformed protected arm, and grabbing and pulling the cat in...and then securely closing the window.

I almost cried.

there were people everywhere stopping and watching and smiling.

This, in tough town Chicago.

Wow!

So impressive.

Firemen do save cats! only not with the ladder. Hee, hee.

I wonder if they broke into the apartment?

Well off I kept walking and cried tears of joy...and some of fear for the gum surgery to come.

I just remembered that...how sad to have not told anyone about it yesterday except the dental assistant.

[Marilyn. 340]

no, I would go to their homes..

where I am looking includes a wide area which includes a lot of rich neighborhoods..

[SpiritAlight 1]

no, I would go to their homes..

where I am looking includes a wide area which includes a lot of rich neighborhoods..

You may use a sliding scale, and then figure out how you could afford to live like that.

Well, I'm sure you know what you are doing.

I/we are here just supporting you in finding things that will work for you.

Are you looking to be a nanny, too?

[trailmix 77]

no, I would go to their homes..

where I am looking includes a wide area which includes a lot of rich neighborhoods..

So now I am confused, it seems you have already done your homework - so you know the rates in your area. So you post on craigslist that you are available....someone replies that they may be interested - you write back and say you charge from 8-10 dollars an hour and never hear from them again?

What else do you send with your reply....what other information?

Spirit, I love the story!!

[Marilyn. 340]

no, I would go to their homes..

where I am looking includes a wide area which includes a lot of rich neighborhoods..

So now I am confused, it seems you have already done your homework - so you know the rates in your area. So you post on craigslist that you are available....someone replies that they may be interested - you write back and say you charge from 8-10 dollars an hour and never hear from them again?

What else do you send with your reply....what other information?

Spirit, I love the story!!

well, I put the basic information in my ad... and then someone will email me, just asking what my rate is and I will email back with my rate and then I never hear from them again...

the thing is there are quite a few people whose rates are lower then that... and some that are higher.. so I picked $8 to $10 because it seemed like the average rate..

but I have a feeling a lot of these people are going for the lower rates..

oh and when I do get someone who is still interested they are turned off by my Canadian references or my lack of recent references...

[trailmix 77]

no, I would go to their homes..

where I am looking includes a wide area which includes a lot of rich neighborhoods..

So now I am confused, it seems you have already done your homework - so you know the rates in your area. So you post on craigslist that you are available....someone replies that they may be interested - you write back and say you charge from 8-10 dollars an hour and never hear from them again?

What else do you send with your reply....what other information?

Spirit, I love the story!!

well, I put the basic information in my ad... and then someone will email me, just asking what my rate is and I will email back with my rate and then I never hear from them again...

the thing is there are quite a few people whose rates are lower then that... and some that are higher.. so I picked $8 to $10 because it seemed like the average rate..

but I have a feeling a lot of these people are going for the lower rates..

oh and when I do get someone who is still interested they are turned off by my Canadian references or my lack of recent references...

Yeah the lack of U.S./recent references can't help.

I know you aren't keen to sign up with an agency, but it may be an easier way to break in to the market. Once you have some U.S. experience under your belt you can always go out on your own maybe?

I can definately see people going for the lower rates. If someone only wants $7 an hour and they seem to be responsible and nice etc etc - why would they choose the $10 or even $8 an hour person.

Edited August 29, 2008 by trailmix

[SpiritAlight 1]

Thanks for your comment Trailmix.

Dear Marylin, it seems like you are quite the conundrum (proper word??).

What if you spoke no English and had no references and just "got off the boat" from the Phillipines or somewhere.

They may hire you to cook, clean, baby-sit, do windows, shop and pay you a silly low amount.

Hmmmm...you are trying to be respectful and be respected.

A tough place to be sometimes.

Sigh....

Don't give up!

Ask for what you deserve.

Edited August 29, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[MissStacey 1]

Everything is fine with the TB test!! I'm still trying to calm myself down I was in such a panic over it.