3/28 - NYS Unemployment Now Way Below Poverty Level

Yesterday in the mail, a letter from the Department of Labor ( DoL) came in.  At first I thought that it was to appear before them to go over what I have been doing on my job search.  I had to do that one day last year which was a joke to begin with.

On openng it I read that due to the Federal seqeuestering of funds my unemployment has been reduced significantly.  Already the amount I get of $21,060 / yr gross is below poverty levels of $27,570/yr and now with the new cuts it will be way below that at $18,722/yr.  Thank You very much Governor Cuomo.

New York is not only taxing people out of the state but now the state wants to starve those that do not have jobs.

I openly challenge Governor  Cuomo to be un-unemployment for over a year then have it reduced and still feed his family, pay bills ( oh that is a luxury according to Nassau County Department of Social Services), pay rent or mortgage, utility bills, health care costs, car expenses for a family of 5 on a net amount of $300 a week.  Of course the state does not take those factors into consideration and use gross amounts for their figures.  But still the challenge is there and he cannot tap his millions is savings.

Of course that will never happen, plus if he did go on unemployment it would not phase him because he is a millionaire already.

Maybe what the state should do is cut the salaries of the over paid politicians and beurocrats instead of hurting the people who need it the most.  That would bring millions back into the state.

Over the winter they tore up a nice park in Manhasset to put in sporting fields.  The park was used by many people for so many things.  Now the land will be for sporting events only.  Now how many millions did that cost?  That money would have been better spent helping people feed their families and foster job growth instead of chasing jobs away.

New York has really gone to hell.

Even if it looks like my trip to the Keys may be put off for a while, I am still going to plug along and hope that someone there makes me a bonified job offer.

'till next time

3/17 - Higher taxes

In the 3/16 edition of Newsday, it was reported how taxes are on the increase for homeowners.  Only a few short months ago Newsday reported that property taxes were on the increase with some areas seeing a 30% increase.

As I wrote about in an earlier edition of this blog, our LiPA bill is starting to increase since Sandy hit.  I am certain that it will go up even higher.

The school budget vote that is due in a few months will only add to the increase in our taxes.

With these insane increases more and more people will have no choice but to leave Long Island.  I am ready right now and would do so if I can be assured of an income.  Looking at the real estate prices I find more and more short sales and REO's than ever before giving testimony in how bad thing are here on this sand bar.  But the government does not care and is forcing people to seek more economic areas out of New York with the tax increases.

But at the same time I still see homes for sale in my area that only a millionaire can afford.  There are three new McMansions a block away from me with one of them that sold for $1.2 mil.  Down the street are three more that sold very quickly for $900k.  And mind you, none of these have any yards.  It is just a building only.

Are the owners over extending themselves?  A these going to wind up in foreclosure soon?  But this seems to be the trend here on Long Island, build a McMansion where ever you can.


With the way that costs are going up and jobs are disappearing, who can afford these?  Really.  Not me.

'Till next time.

3/26 - Snow last week

It has been a busy week for me. Nothing too positive financially unfortunately. But at least I did get the chance to make a few dollars running network cables for a small company.

Later on I met with a networking group of senior executives such as myself out on the island. I hope that it might lead somewhere. The leader of the group so happened to be an aquaintance from years gone passed.   It was good to see him once again.  We are to get together and brainstorm new methods for me to try.  So far as you know my search has been at a stand still.

During the meeting it started to snow pretty heavily.  I had to take the back roads home which by surprise added only an extra half hour to the trip.  The idiots were out driving like bats out of hell sliding and skidding around me.  That was the worst part of the trip actually.  I kept the speed at about 30 to 35 all the way for safety.  Thankfully I have a big and heavy car so it went through the snow without much of a problem.  Then when I was 5 miles away it started to rain and it was freezing on the road as I drove.  But that did not stop me I just kept on going. 

It looks like my trip to the Keys is on hold once again.  Medical issues cropped up which is putting a monkey wrench into the works.  So at this stage I have no idea as to when we will go to the Keys.  I am ever hopeful that someone there give me a call or email and we can start talking job offer in the meantime.  I am sure once I get things sable I can do a solo trip to meet the prospective employer face to face.  But first is to get some conversation going to start the ball rolling.

LIPA announced that they are going to raise our electric rates.  Like that we have not noticed them sneaking up already.  LIPA claims that it is because of fuel hikes but we already know that it is to pay for Sandy.  The rates are going to shoot up by at least $20 to $20 a month or more.  We already pay the highest electric rates in the country and this is really going to bury the consumer.

Driving in town I noticed that it is budget time again.  The school budget is coming up for a vote and so is the library budget.  What this means is yet even higher taxes for Nassau County residents.  People can no longer afford to live here as it is.  Now it is going to get worse.

We have started to sell of some of our possessions not only to make extra cash, but to make room as well.  As it turns out the building we are living in will be on the market later this spring, tentatively.  So when the sale does go down we will be forced out and will need a place to live.  By reducing what we own will make it that much easier to pack when the time comes.  But the big question is where are we going to go?  Especially since I don't have a job. 

'till next time

3/16 Bloomberg Smacked Down and dumb robber

Last year NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg put a ban on the sale of soft drinks over 16oz in size as a effort to battle the bulge. He caused a lot of outrage not only with consumers but with vendors as well. I have to ask, who in the hell does he think he is? And what right does he have to dictate the portion size of what people eat or drink?

Yesterday a judge over turned the law citing that there were too many loop holes in it. Mike is appealing. Good luck Mike.

One thing Mike did not think about is if it was illegal to sell or buy a 32oz soda, then what is stopping someone from buying 2 16oz ones instead? And from a business stand point the could have increased profits. Example, a 32oz soda would cost $2.25. while a 16oz soda would cost $1.50. To buy 2 16oz sodas is now $3 for the same amount in a single 'banned' soda at an extra profit of $.75. No one though of that.

I remember growing up that a small soda was 4oz, a medium was 8 oz, and large was 16oz. Today small is anywhere from 8 to 12oz. And the large is now the 32oz'er. And let's not discuss the 7/11 Big Gulp. It's not about thirst but all about profits and customer satisfaction.

And let us not forget that even the burgers are getting bigger too.  Before it was a regular burger, then the quarter pounder,  then double quarter pounders and let us not forget Wendy's triple quarter pounders.  Plus the fires as well.  OMG.

I can see where Bloomberg is going with this. A lot of Americans a heavier now than when I was a kid. But I don't think that the size of a soft drink is the main culprit. It has a part to play but it is not the evil that Mike makes it out to be. I feel that it is in our food chain. Farmers give growth hormones to animals to make them grow faster and fatter. The animal is slaughtered and the hormones are deep in the flesh and cannot be removed. We now eat the flesh and hormones and as a result a lot of people now need girdles.  And yes I am putting myself into that same category.  I wonder if Rago has one my size?  :)

I also feel that my industry is also to blame. How often do you see someone sitting at a computer? I know you are if you are reading this. Years back there where no home computers and people where more active. As an example, today you need to send a letter, you click the mouse and an email is sent. Years ago you had to walk to the corner or a block away and put the letter into the mailbox. Technology has helped us but hurt us as well.

 I can see where Mayor Bloomberg is coming from but dictating that people can no longer buy sodas larger than 16oz is down right unconstitutional.  He should concentrate on the more important issues, like crime, high taxes, unemployment, the failing infrastructure.  Not sodas.

Now here is one that will make you laugh and is off topic.  A robber, Joseph Spivak of holbrook went into the Backporch bar in Holbrook during business hours wearing a ski mask.  He went behind the bar and pulled three steak knives and ordered the bar tender to surrender the cash.

She complied with his wishes and gave him the few hundred dollars in that was in the register.

On his way out he ordered a beer and sat at the end of the bar.  The bar tender took her time pouring the beer and while she was doing that she point out the perp still wearing the ski mask to the owner of the bar.

Needless to say Spivak was detained by the owner and a few patron until the police arrived to escort him to jail.

Spivak, you are one dumbass.  First robbing the place in day light and during business hours then having a beer?  Yep you are one dumbass that is for sure.   Only in New York.

'till next time

3/14 - Landmark Destroyed by fire

A devastating fire ripped through a landmark 100 year old building in East Egg on March 14th displacing 50 people from their apartments not only from the building, but neighboring buildings as well. Four retail stores in and next to the building are now gone. One store, a dinner next door to the building might have a chance of reopening depending on the smoke and water damage.

It was reported that the fire started about 1 pm on the roof of the huilding from careless use of a torch in high winds. At 3pm an announcement from the Emergency Managment Office went out telling residents that the road and surrounding roads are closed due to the fire. The Long Island Rail Road statn which is right across the street from the fire was only partly affected as to the parking lot as closed for fire apparatus and police vehicles. Train service was not affected but passangers were shocked when they exited the trains into thick dense smoke.

Power was cut all along Main Street affecting even more businesses not in the fire scene.

One man, a cook in the Japanese restaurant in the building lived above the restaurant. Now he is not only homeless, but jobless as well.



The people that were displace are now sheltered at the local senior citizens center. A cry for help has gone out to help provide the people with clothing and other items.

Later in the night it was thought that the fire was out, but it erupted once again and fire fighting started once more. Building like that can have hot pockets buried deep inside and smolder for hours and days waiting for just the right moment to flare up again. This was just the case.

Fifteen fire departments from the local area responded to help fight the blaze and give support to the home town fire department.

There was an article in the on-line news media called the Patch where people can post photos and comments.  One thing that got my goat is that trolls come out and start trouble without knowing the first thing that they are talking about.  It shows the stupidity of some people abound.  But this is no different as with any other forum as trolls seem to come out of the wood work.


'till next time.

3/9 - One year of being unemployed

Saturday the 9th of March I celebrate one year of being on unemployment after losing my job to a 26 year old back stabbing kid who by the way quit less than a year later.

It has been a very rough road so far.  Three or so interviews and nothing more.  I've gotten plenty of song and dance's from recruiters and not one of them has put their best foot forward in placing me.  Not one.  I've even reached out to several and one a few times.  Not one of them has returned any of my calls or emails.  Even those from my LinkedIn and Facebook accounts.

The job market here on Long Island has been decimated by the economy.  Stores are closing up, large companies are moving to cheaper markets and a lot of small businesses are closing their doors forever.  As an example, Grumman here is laying off 800 people which is only going to add to the competition for the few jobs that are here.  And what few jobs that are here are going to the under 30 set for they work for no money and do not require the same benefits.

Of course there are plenty of low end type of hamburger flipping jobs for $10 and hour.  Am I bitter?  I guess you can say 'yes' to a point.

Even the local NYS Department of Labor said that the job market here is non existent and admits to the wide spread practice of age discrimination.  They also said that they are powerless to do anything about it.  Maybe it is time for a new governor who has the fortitude to stand up and do the right thing.  The jerk we have in office is a total waste of time.

During this time I've sent out thousands of resumes and like I said earlier, only about three interviews that went no where.  One of them I am greatful for it did not look like a good plsce to work for.

Even reaching out to the vendors that I've done business with for leads or suggestions has been a waste of time. They don't want to know me any longer. I look at it like this, they made money off me and you would think that they would want to take care of the guy that took care of them which would mean potentail additional business. But this in New York, the dog eat dog state. I will remember who helped me if and when I get another job.

Now the building where we live is going to be on the market in 4 months which means we will need a  place to live.  Rents here on Long Island are astronomical even for dumps.  And since I've been out of work for a year there is no way I can get a mortgage.  And even then I need to be employed for a solid year first to qualify for one.

So we have no idea where we are going to live.  My wife wants to stay here on Long Island, which we cannot afford to live here any longer.  I want to say screw it all, pack up and head for the Keys and take my chances there which she does not want to do.  Is there a divorce on the horizon?

Reaching out to people in the Keys as been for the most part fruitless.  At least one person recommended an employer who I sent my resume to but have not heard back.  One person said they forwarded my resume onto the owner of the company but again I have not heard back.

I spoke to one person, a realtor who told me that there is a crying need for computer consultants there which sounded promising.  Then from a person on LinkedIn said that consultants come and go very quickly.  This was echoed by another person who I spoke with on the phone very recently.  That is not a pretty picture at all.

Several people told me that there is no work there unless you want to work in the hospitality industry which is OK but I am a computer support geek.

I've even been told that it is very expensive to live in the Keys but when I crunched the numbers living in the Keys is far less than what t it is here on Long Island.  Plus the stress level there is a lot less as well.  Those that told me that the only industry there is hospitality also said you need two jobs each just to survive there.  I have to wonder way if it is so much cheaper there than here.  Is the pay that low to begin with?

Another person sent me an email saying that it is very rough to make it in the Keys.  They made it sound like that it is a struggle to survive.  Yet by observing them on Facebook they apparently are very well off and are doing quite nicely for themselves.  So I must wonder.


During this year I've helped a person in the Keys with a virus on their machine and did not charge them at all.  I never got a word of thanks for my help.  I set up a 'Business Page' linked to my Facebook account as an attempt to establish my presence as a consultant and invited people from Facebook to 'Like' the page.  So far not one person has clicked 'like' on it even those who that I clicked 'Like' on.  Very frustrating and disheartening.

Now that a year has gone by, I am no closer to my dream of landing a job in the Keys than I was when I was terminated for my age.  But I will need to see what transpires in the next four months.  Will I find a decent paying job here on Long Island where the job market has been decimated or will I be able to take the chance and head to the Keys?  Or someone will step forward and help me land a job in where I long to live?  We will need to wait and see.

'till next time

3/6 Pneumonia Epedemic

I have been seriously out of pocket recently and here is way.

My father in law was stricken with pneumonia just before Christmas and had to go to St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY.  He was in for a week and a half then they released him on New Years Day.  About a week and a half later he had to go back in but was in worse shape.  The pneumonia was running rampant in his lungs.

We feel that St. Francis released him too early.

He stayed there and his health deteriorated even further.  January 25th the hospital called us and told us that they thought that he was not going to make the night.  So he came home to die and on Janurary 29th at 10:55PM he did just that.  Pneumonia took him from us.  I wrote previously on the shoddy care that Good Shepherd gave him.

My mother in law was stricken with the same disease at the time of my father in law's death and had to go into St. Francis as well.  My wife stayed in the E.R .with her and it was so crowded they were doubling and tripling up pantients in the exam rooms and into the hallway.  Most of the patients had deep wet coughs.  It was obvious that pneumonia was having a field day.  My mother in law was lucky and came home after a week.

When she was coming home my sister in law went in with the same thing, pneumonia.  She was so bad they had to put her on a ventilator for 4 days.  Eventually she got off the machine and was discharged to a rehab facility which was actually a nursing home.  The place was a dump.  She had the window bed.  Her roommate and the nurses kept opening the window so she caught a chill.  The nurses even refused to toilet her.

Her husband had to get her out of there for the care was beyond pathetic.  The condemned get better service.  Next thing you know she is back in the hospital with double pneumonia.

Could it be that she too was released too early from the hospital?

We caught up with her in the E.R. and it was standing room only.  They had patients stacked up in the hall.  If there was a fire the death toll would be astronomical for it was that crowded.  Many of them had some sort of pulmonary issues and were coughing up their lungs.  You could not find a spot in the E.R. where someone was not coughing up.

My wife was hit with some sort of upper respiratory problem and we went to see our doctor.  He told us that they have never seen it so bad with the amount of cases involving pneumonia.  All of the hospitals were overcrowded with it.

No one is going to admit to it, but I feel that there is a true epidemic going on here.  Everywhere you go or talk to someone you hear of another case of pneumonia.  Nassau County is doing a bang up job in not letting the word out.  Gotta be a gag order.

But why all the cases?  We feel that it is remnant from Sandy.  As many know most of Long Island was out of power.  LIPA dropped the ball.  And without power, there was no heat and people were freezing.  Plus now add mold into the picture and you have the perfect setting for all kinds of lung problems.

But again, Nassau County is not stepping up to the plate and admitting to an epidemic and getting the CDC involved.  Gotta love Long Island...not.

'till next time.