Another UPdate on The Grimmy

[DrakeGrimm]

...the job I interviewed for just Dear John'd me via email. So, with no prospects, things are bleak. I decided a new thread was in order, rather than dredging up the dinosaur again. This community has been a major boon in getting through this rough patch, and I want to thank you all again for your sympathy, support, and understanding.

Anybody who still wants to help out, either with a private word or other ideas, I can be reached directly at my email, akukaishi@gmail.com  which is also my paypal ID for those so inclined. Some of you already have, and I am deeply touched and humbled by contributions from this community.

I am not attempting to ask for a hand out, or guilt any of you to action. You have all been wonderfully supportive during this time, and I simply want to provide a concentrated post with all the information available. Thank you all, for your kind words and genuinely caring hearts. I don't know if I could do this without you.

* DrakeGrimm hugs the entire community

[SerialBeggar]

I missed your previous thread, so give me a brief run down on where and what type of work you were looking for so I can keep it in mind if I spot an opportunity.

[mrultimate]

DG

I went back and read your previous thread. I can feel your pain in November 2008 I was laid off from a company I had worked for 18 plus years. I was out of job for six months until I found a job that paid roughly 9 grand a year les than my previous job. It lasted from April 2009 to January 2010. Once again I was unemployed. Every day I got up and looked for work, sent out resumes, went on every interview that came along. I finally landed my current job in February of 2011 I worked 8 weeks on a contrct and in April was offered a position. You sound like a person who doesn't give up. That is the best advice I can give you don't give up don't surrender to the darkness of the situation. I told my boss during my interview that I knew someone would hire me me and when they did they wouldn't regret it. She recently left for another position and she said "I remember what you said and I've never regretted hiring you." So hang in there. On a side note the economy in Texas is stellar espescially here in Houston if you are interested in relocating.

[Blitzwing]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation here....

Worked for the U.S. Postal Service here for close to 9 years until the Remote Encoding Center I worked in closed in early 2009, which essentially forced my re-location to New Zealand in Septmber 2009 in order to live with my then fiance'(who, despite my best efforts, never quite got into CoH...she loved the costume creator system, though), who's a native Kiwi.

Unfortunately, the job-situation didn't pan out there as well as I'd hoped, forcing my return home to Tennessee in late 2011...; since then, finding employment has been difficult at best for me, given my severely limited job skill-set.... 

I'm inhumanly fast at 10-key and Alphanumeric data-entry(approx 9100kph at %100 accuracy at last testing a few months ago), and have a natural aptitude for being on the radio(due to what's been called a 'perfect broadcast voice' by the manager of a community radio station I volunteered for while living in NZ).

...and that's where my skills pretty much end...; I'm very ill-suited for any kind of manual labor, and effectively 95% of all sales and/or CSR positions(with the possible exception of receptionist) are right out, no thanks to my triple-crown of ADHD, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Aspergers Syndrome(I'm generally a little bundle of nerves just -waiting- for an excuse to go off in public)!   

It's one reason I miss CoH so much...I was FINE interacting with people there, as the direct face-to-face factor was removed...which could also explain how I've done so well on the radio....

[DrakeGrimm]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation here....

Worked for the U.S. Postal Service here for close to 9 years until the Remote Encoding Center I worked in closed in early 2009, which essentially forced my re-location to New Zealand in Septmber 2009 in order to live with my then fiance'(who, despite my best efforts, never quite got into CoH...she loved the costume creator system, though), who's a native Kiwi.

Unfortunately, the job-situation didn't pan out there as well as I'd hoped, forcing my return home to Tennessee in late 2011...; since then, finding employment has been difficult at best for me, given my severely limited job skill-set.... 

I'm inhumanly fast at 10-key and Alphanumeric data-entry(approx 9100kph at %100 accuracy at last testing a few months ago), and have a natural aptitude for being on the radio(due to what's been called a 'perfect broadcast voice' by the manager of a community radio station I volunteered for while living in NZ).

...and that's where my skills pretty much end...; I'm very ill-suited for any kind of manual labor, and effectively 95% of all sales and/or CSR positions(with the possible exception of receptionist) are right out, no thanks to my triple-crown of ADHD, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Aspergers Syndrome(I'm generally a little bundle of nerves just -waiting- for an excuse to go off in public)!   

It's one reason I miss CoH so much...I was FINE interacting with people there, as the direct face-to-face factor was removed...which could also explain how I've done so well on the radio....

Are you sure you aren't my clone?

I've been diagnosed ADHD, and Asperger's. On the undiagnosed side I'm pretty sure I've got a mild case of social anxiety and clinical depression, but I'm not a doctor.

To answer a previous question elsewhere, I'm currently in Portland, Oregon. I would be hard pressed to relocate right now, as my girlfriend has deep roots in the area and this is a "I want to be with her for the rest of my life" level of romantic involvement. I'd rather be shot than walk away from someone as amazing as her. (Also, I'm dirt broke. I wouldn't even eat without the SNAP benefits I get.)

I can steal wifi from coffee shops and the like, which enables me to job hunt and do a little browsing and gaming for sanity maintenance, but yeah. Things aren't looking good for me, right now. I'm hanging in there, mind you, and I've not given up on our City. We will get our home back. Somehow.

[Segev]

Not trying to push religion on you, but I do suggest you look into your local LDS Bishop's Storehouse. The people there can help you with food, and I'm sure they can point you to other LDS programs to help find work and shelter and the like. There's a strong sense of community in the LDS church, so they tend to be good at finding good fits based on the person. And we don't limit our charity work to members, so that's no limitation.

[Fireheart]

If connectivity becomes an issue, the public library often has computers and internet, sometimes WiFi.

Be Well!
Fireheart

[ukaserex]

I fully sympathize with any and all who are out of work. It's tough, I know. Without going into too many details, I was out of work from July 2011 to July 2012. I spent the first couple of months filling out applications. Maybe 60 or 70 of them. Not one word. It got very depressing. On the bright side, I did level up several characters, lol.
Fortunately, I lost my job via a lay-off, not outright firing.  This made me eligible for unemployment, without which I would have had a much rougher time.

While I was at my weekly Bible Study, I shared my difficulties with the group discussion leader. Turns out, he is a major headhunter in the Southeast - although the companies he hires for are located primarily in Chicago, Boston and New York City. He asked to take a peek at my resume, and then ultimately, he tweaked it. He then sent the resume out to everyone he knew and asked the people on his list to send it out to everyone he knew - along with his personal reference letter vouching for my character.
Within the next week, I had my pick of job offers.

I share this with you all to let you know there is hope - but the way we got jobs in the early 90s, well, that just doesn't work anymore. 90% of jobs are now attained by someone, a friend, a relative or a friend of a friend or relative hand-walking that resume in directly to the person who decides who to hire. Today, more then ever, it is who you know, not what you know. I highly recommend you write down the name, phone number and e-mail address of every singly person you know, whether you like them or not. Then call or e-mail them and ask them for help. I assure you that at least 1 person out there that knows you knows someone or knows someone who knows someone who can help. I am fairly certain that anyone on this board would get a job if they could just get an interview. Network, network, network.

I'll be praying for you all.

[dwturducken]

Today, more then ever, it is who you know, not what you know... Network, network, network.

I can relate to this. I've moved back to my home town and have been looking for about 6 months with no luck. Everyone I knew moved away, is in business for him/herself, or says their company isn't hiring. Ironically, my wife and I can't go anywhere in town without running into someone she knows, and she's not from here.

[OzonePrime]

Hang in there. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Hoping things change for you soon!

[DrakeGrimm]

Today is especially bad. I'm low on funds so I'm doing some strict rationing until the EBT card refills in a week.

That I can handle, honestly. It's the emotional toll today brings. Today is the birthday of my grandmother, who passed away a year ago this past January. This will mark the second August 1st without her. She aggravated me, she drove me nuts, but she was family and I loved her. It also marks the one-week marker to my own birthday, which generally winds up being an annual depression spiral for me.

I hate feeling like I'm just whining, here, but I feel the need to at least express these thoughts somehow. I figure one of the greatest communities in cyberspace was a decent place. Thanks for all the support you guys have given me through these tough times. I'll weather the storm eventually, just as I know we'll reclaim our city one day.

[LadyVamp]

You will succeed, DG.  Never give up.  It took me 4 years to land another job when I lost my in 2008.  I was fortunate to stockpile savings and have family to help me.  Between the two I was able to survive it.

This I will say:

• Don't give up no matter what
• Be prepared to move
• Keep slinging resumes/sales letters/etc.

[batqueen]

Lady Vamp is very, very right. You have to keep going, because that is how the better times will come along.
 
Winston Churchhill said "If you're going through hell, keep going."  Keep going, and on up the hill to the other side, finally. I have had some very hungry times- and I really mean the no food kind. I spend mental time in Coh and Titan to get me through everything. Things always change, which means this too has got to pass. It can't stay this way, even if it wanted to. things will evolve. Best thing you can do is have an impact on How things evolve. You have done the right things, but you need to keep doing them. don't stop. I read a quote in a guy's sig on the old Coh boards...

"Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They're just braver five minutes longer."
Stay brave.

[DrakeGrimm]

Birthday wasn't too bad, for once. Spent time iwth a friend, did some shopping. Special thanks to well-wishers and cheer bringers among us.

Still don't have work, but I'm not giving up.

[healix]

Hang onto hope....and complete it with action and not giving up....

[DrakeGrimm]

Had another job interview last Tuesday, that I feel went really well. Hopefully I'll hear something by the end of this week.

Food card's getting empty, but it will refill on the 8th. Friends have been helping out where they can. Once again, thanks to this great community, I will persevere. Like I used to say on my Regen on Virtue, all the time... you can't keep a good Grimm down!

* DrakeGrimm pops Revive

[OzonePrime]

Fingers crossed!

[healix]

Fingers crossed!

me too!

[DrakeGrimm]

Well, sadly, I did not get the job I interviewed for, despite managing to get a second interview. I am, understandably, a bit put off. Still, the search for gainful employment continues. Thanks again for all the well wishes and support! This community has done a lot to help me keep my head these past few months!

Can't keep a good Grimmy down!

[healix]

Something good is coming, Grimmy. Hang in there, and don't give up.

[Whyaylooh]

Hey, getting called in for the second round of interviews means you got close, right? You're just walking your fire, that's all.   In the meantime, how are things holding up with the essentials (i.e. food)?

Definitely keep hanging in there.  I'm hoping that things get better for you soon!

[DrakeGrimm]

I've got the EBT card for basic food stuffs. I can't cook anything(see also: hobo) but I can get some cheap(er) pre-packaged, pre-cooked stuff. Just nothing hot. It's sustenance, at least, right?

[JaguarX]

I've got the EBT card for basic food stuffs. I can't cook anything(see also: hobo) but I can get some cheap(er) pre-packaged, pre-cooked stuff. Just nothing hot. It's sustenance, at least, right?

keep at it, you'll make it.

Wish I could use your story to show that not everyone on food stamp is lazy, don't want to work, big Escalade SUV driving taking advantage of the system types that are actually the minority.

Sometimes crap happens in life and people just need some help to make it through, like most people with food stamps.

[DrakeGrimm]

keep at it, you'll make it.

Wish I could use your story to show that not everyone on food stamp is lazy, don't want to work, big Escalade SUV driving taking advantage of the system types that are actually the minority.

Sometimes crap happens in life and people just need some help to make it through, like most people with food stamps.

Where is the G.D. Like button already?






So, last night pretty much sucked.

Warning: HOBO DRAMAZ AHEAD

There's been this group of other street folk, not unlike yours truly, that have been sleeping near the spot I've had scoped out since April. They moved in July/August. They're everything I'm not, street-ly speaking. They're loud, rude, they drink, they smoke, and they leave garbage everywhere.

How does this impact quiet, polite, cleans-up-after-himself Hobo Grimmy? Well, some of the residents in the area have taken a strong dislike to these folk(with good reason) and have taken to screaming at them at all hours should they happen upon them camping out somewhere. Including threats of law enforcement. Which means our dear Grimm gets to pack up all his crap and high tail it in the general direction of Away every time it happens. Like last night.

Without an auxillary place to sleep, I'm afraid I only got a brief 1.5-2 hour nap in before the screaming started and threats got issued. So I'm rather over-tired and stressed out, today. Ah well.

Just needed to vent about that, thanks again for all the support and well-wishes. It's really appreciated.

[TonyV]

Where are you, still in Portland?  Do they have a shelter where you can stay at night to avoid the yelling and screaming?  Didn't you mention that you have a girlfriend there?  Is crashing on her couch a possibility until you get back on your feet?

[JanessaVR]

I've been sending you $20 a paycheck for a while now.  Let it not be said we don't try to look after our own...

[DrakeGrimm]

Where are you, still in Portland?  Do they have a shelter where you can stay at night to avoid the yelling and screaming?  Didn't you mention that you have a girlfriend there?  Is crashing on her couch a possibility until you get back on your feet?

I am still in Portland, yes. Ren lives with her dad, who lets me stay over sometimes, but I can't stay there -all- the time. A few days a week at most. Most of the shelters around here are either full up, or unsafe for someone with electronics. I cannot store my laptop elsewhere, and need it with me anyway so I can look for work/apply for school/etc. Other friends in the area simply don't have the space to let me couch surf until I get back on my feet(Ren's mother lives with her boyfriend and Ren's sister in a basement apartment, which is pretty cramped, for example).

Janessa, I cannot thank you enough for how much you and others have helped. In addition to the little bit of money going a long way for someone in my position, the emotional uplifting such concern and care brings is almost more valuable. Thank you, again, and thanks to this community as a whole for still being one of the best online communities in existence.

[DrakeGrimm]

I've completed my FAFSA and am filling out paperwork to attend Portland Community College on a general academics 2-year, with the intent to transfer into a 4-year program after. I don't know if I'll be able to get enough grants/loans to get a place to live during this time, but here's hoping.

DHS wants me to prove I'm still broke and unemployed, so I have to fill out a form and go to their offices at some point. Not sure I can afford my bus fare there and back, but I'll figure something out. *sighs* And of course, there are certain people in D.C.(I am not naming names/affiliations, this will not become a political discussion) who are trying to kill or reduce SNAP. As an "Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents," I am one of the people who would be cut from the program under the current round of proposed revisions.

All in all, Grimmy's in kind of a bad mood today. Thank you all for your continued support. It helps more than I can ever adequately express.

[Kaos Arcanna]

I've completed my FAFSA and am filling out paperwork to attend Portland Community College on a general academics 2-year, with the intent to transfer into a 4-year program after. I don't know if I'll be able to get enough grants/loans to get a place to live during this time, but here's hoping.

DHS wants me to prove I'm still broke and unemployed, so I have to fill out a form and go to their offices at some point. Not sure I can afford my bus fare there and back, but I'll figure something out. *sighs* And of course, there are certain people in D.C.(I am not naming names/affiliations, this will not become a political discussion) who are trying to kill or reduce SNAP. As an "Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents," I am one of the people who would be cut from the program under the current round of proposed revisions.

All in all, Grimmy's in kind of a bad mood today. Thank you all for your continued support. It helps more than I can ever adequately express.

Hey, Grimmy. Just wanted to drop a line out and see if we can find out how you're doing.

[Segev]

And of course, there are certain people in D.C.(I am not naming names/affiliations, this will not become a political discussion) who are trying to kill or reduce SNAP. As an "Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents," I am one of the people who would be cut from the program under the current round of proposed revisions.

I'll order these in reverse order of importance, as I hope the last bit will be more stand-out than the first:

1) Speaking as somebody who would like to reduce various welfare programs' budgets, there is something grotesquely wrong when we DO have people on government assistance who drive SUVs and live large on it while people who genuinely need the help are barely scraping by. There is tremendous waste in these programs, and frankly, I'd like to see them de-centralized so that the Fed. isn't administering it by long-distance criteria and instead the money and therefore the decision-making happens at a state or even municipal level.

2) In a more directly helpful suggestion, Grimmy, I strongly encourage you to seek out your local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not for the religious aspect, but because of the Bishop's Storehouse. That's only the tip of the iceberg of assistance programs that this privately-funded charity has for an able-bodied young man down on his luck and having trouble finding work. I don't know the full gamut of services, but help finding work is also very prevalent, and I can guarantee you that if you needed a ride somewhere and couldn't afford a bus ticket, you could probably get a volunteer from the church membership to give you a ride. Mormons are extremely community-oriented as a rule, and take the ancient ideals of Christianity where it comes to "love thy neighbor as thyself." And there are enough of them around in any given urban area in the US that you won't be leaning so hard on any one person as to cause them hardship.

So please, I encourage you to look up where the nearest ward is, and contact information for the Bishop thereof. Explain your situation and ask where you can go for help, and maybe to seek assistance in getting back on your feet. That you're pursuing education will be taken into account, as well; they might have suggestions to help you get there, too.

[srmalloy]

1) Speaking as somebody who would like to reduce various welfare programs' budgets, there is something grotesquely wrong when we DO have people on government assistance who drive SUVs and live large on it while people who genuinely need the help are barely scraping by. There is tremendous waste in these programs, and frankly, I'd like to see them de-centralized so that the Fed. isn't administering it by long-distance criteria and instead the money and therefore the decision-making happens at a state or even municipal level.

And, on the other end of the problem, you have Tea Party candidates running on a platform of dismantling government assistance programs... while signing their entire family up for Medicaid. There is hypocrisy, fraud, and waste on all sides.

[Segev]

I won't condone the activity, though I will point out that it ironically illustrates exactly just how abusable the systems are. "Dismantling" them - in the sense of turning them over to localities to manage and getting the Fed. out of them - is a way to help cut that waste, fraud, etc. out.

It certainly doesn't do anything but reinforce my point to which you responded: the system is seriously flawed and the solution lies somewhere in cutting back on to whom it's given through more local responsibility.

[Ironwolf]

Yes, Segev! I agree - Grimmy good luck with your searches for work and unfortunately I don't have any contacts on the west coast.

[Segev]

*cough* As a tea party member myself, while I agree with you, Ironwolf, in principle, I would request that we move this discussion to another thread dedicated to the topic, assuming anybody does want to further discuss it. This thread really is meant to be Grimmy's place to talk about his "adventures," and keep us informed in the event that things turn around for him.

[DrakeGrimm]

Thank you for the suggestion to take the politics elsewhere, I appreciate that.


So, here's the deal.


I may have a job, I may also have  a place to live, through the generosity of some former City folk. I'm in the process of getting paperwork filed for both, so nothing is 100% concrete yet.

My SNAP benefits have been reduced due to budget cuts brought about by sequestration, the shut down, and general jackassery in D.C.

November is going to be super tight for me, but that's when I should start working. Just a little further. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm pretty sure this time it's not a train! Thank you for your support and assistance, everyone!

[Kaos Arcanna]

Thank you for the suggestion to take the politics elsewhere, I appreciate that.


So, here's the deal.


I may have a job, I may also have  a place to live, through the generosity of some former City folk. I'm in the process of getting paperwork filed for both, so nothing is 100% concrete yet.

My SNAP benefits have been reduced due to budget cuts brought about by sequestration, the shut down, and general jackassery in D.C.

November is going to be super tight for me, but that's when I should start working. Just a little further. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm pretty sure this time it's not a train! Thank you for your support and assistance, everyone!

Good to hear from you, Grimmy! Here's hoping the news is good for you!

[Tubbius]

Here's hoping it all works out, Grimm.    Does this mean you'll have to change your nick to DrakeHappy? 

[healix]

Here's to the future!

[OzonePrime]

Great news! Thoughts and prayers have been in your corner. Hope everything keeps getting better!

[Segev]

Good luck, good sir!

[DrakeGrimm]

It never rains, but it pours.


A few years back(2009), I lived with room mates in an apartment in South Dakota. Things didn't really work out, as break downs in communication and mishandling of money/bills in general(mostly by said roomies, grummble grumble) resulted in all of us getting thrown out--albeit politely. We packed our stuff, went our separate ways, and that was that...or so I thought.

Some City folks gave me a room to stay in recently, and things worked out well. I got my job offer, and put in for their lease. The job is a go, but it is a work-at-home position. Without a home, I have no job.

The rental application came back denied today because this rental company from 2009 is claiming I now owe them $1900 and change. I have no idea how it could be so much, as rent at the place was barely over $600 monthly, and the space was not trashed or damaged when we left it. They also didn't pursue this debt very hard, because this is the first I've heard of it almost four years later, and I haven't exactly been hiding(my mother's contact info hasn't changed and was on the original rental application, for crying out loud).

I'm...panicking. I have until November 4th to either get some sort of deal brokered with the old rental company, or find a new space that will accept me despite this blemish...or I'm back to square one with no job and no place to live. If anybody has any tips, leads, or knows anybody in the Portland, OR area...now would be a great time to hit up that rolodex and touch base with me. Thank you for listening, guys. It helps more than I can ever express in words.

[JaguarX]

dang dude. I don't know anyone in that area at all. I know someone that does, an ex-cox player, but don't know anyone personally directly so I'm personally useless to your situation. But still cant help to say that the situation you are in sucks and wished I could help.

[JanessaVR]

If you lived in Sacramento, I'd be happy to help you out.  I am sorry, but I know absolutely no one in Oregon.

[Segev]

Once again, my best advice is to look up your local LDS church and contact the Bishop. There might be a family with a room to rent that he'd know. Sorry I haven't got anything more solid than that.

Talking to the prior rental company and working out a payment plan based on your expected income from the current job and the COL at the new place may be your best bet. If they've not pursued it very hard, they might be willing to work with you in exchange for a clear plan to get the money they feel they're owed.

I know my first apartment out here in TX was $575/month for a tiny two-room thing (a tiny living room/kitchenette with a modest-sized bedroom and attached bathroom). They ARE pay-in-advance, though, so such places might be hard on your means anyway. I doubt they cared about credit, though, because, well, you pay up front.

There are also motels, though those get pricey fast. Still, they're addresses.


I strongly suggest getting in touch with the Bishop of your local LDS church. I know it sounds like I'm pushing religion, but I'm really not: the support structures and charity services of the LDS church are very solid, and they do it with NO paid positions so everybody is doing it because they want to help. They get to know you personally and help out to your needs as best they possibly can.

As always, I wish you well and good luck.

[downix]

Segev is right, the LDS are one of the most charitable organizations I've ever dealt with. Someone in need comes first, what religion comes in a distant second.

Understand this is coming from a dedicated heathen.

[CoyoteSeven]

Segev is right, the LDS are one of the most charitable organizations I've ever dealt with.

Provided you're not gay.

[downix]

Provided you're not gay.

Point...

[Twisted Toon]

Provided you're not gay.

What? they don't want you to be cheerful? That's a bummer.

[Segev]

Provided you're not gay.

I don't think you're asked at the door what your sexual orientation is, first of all, and secondly, I would be shocked to learn charitable aid was refused strictly on such a basis. Believe it or not, we don't hate people for being homosexual. "Hate" and "Servant of Christ" just doesn't work together. (It doesn't mean the church approves of everybody's choices, but you don't have to "hate" anybody to find their choices disheartening.)

The only kind of person who might be turned away is somebody who walked up to the door while spewing anti-mormon venom. Even then, I wouldn't be certain of it, but I would be unsurprised. You don't walk up to somebody and demand help while calling them names. ^^;

Anyway. Regardless of sexual orientation, religion, or whatever, going to the LDS Church for charitable help - especially if you want help working out a specific-to-you program and path towards self-sufficiency - is going to help.

[DrakeGrimm]

I have spoken with both rental companies, and the collections attorneys.


I am basically boned.

The final debt stands at 1500 and change. The collections attorneys are willing to work with me on a payment schedule or even a lower-amount lump-sum settlement, I just don't have it. The current rental company will not re-evaluate my application unless the debt is paid in full or brought below 1000 with a payment plan in place. The collections attorneys cannot--or will not--file any reports on the debt until the debt is paid in full. The charges incurred are, with the exception of a single line item, entirely incurred by my former roomies, who nobody can really track down.

I can't pay this debt without keeping my job, and I can't keep my job without paying this debt. I'm at a loss for what to do, here.

If anybody has any ideas or information, I have a few lines of thinking on this, but I don't know what I can do.

If you want to donate to the 'save Grimm' fund, my paypal is akukaishi@gmail.com
I do NOT expect anybody to do so, this is strictly voluntary.

If you have information regarding a place I could set up my office in the Portland, OR area, my requirements for employment are a landline phone and broadband internet in a quiet setting.

I'm going to be hitting my entire network of contacts in an effort to find a solution. Any assistance is appreciated, even if it's just good thoughts and well-wishing.

[Segev]

My best advice right now, aside from "talk to the LDS church because there might be some personal help they can point you towards, specific to your situation," is to see if you can get yourself a motel room or a "monthly" or "weekly" rental place to set up in, short-term, pay down the debt to that magical "under $1000," and then re-negotiate with a payment plan in place.

[JaguarX]

I have spoken with both rental companies, and the collections attorneys.


I am basically boned.

The final debt stands at 1500 and change. The collections attorneys are willing to work with me on a payment schedule or even a lower-amount lump-sum settlement, I just don't have it. The current rental company will not re-evaluate my application unless the debt is paid in full or brought below 1000 with a payment plan in place. The collections attorneys cannot--or will not--file any reports on the debt until the debt is paid in full. The charges incurred are, with the exception of a single line item, entirely incurred by my former roomies, who nobody can really track down.

I can't pay this debt without keeping my job, and I can't keep my job without paying this debt. I'm at a loss for what to do, here.

If anybody has any ideas or information, I have a few lines of thinking on this, but I don't know what I can do.

If you want to donate to the 'save Grimm' fund, my paypal is akukaishi@gmail.com
I do NOT expect anybody to do so, this is strictly voluntary.

If you have information regarding a place I could set up my office in the Portland, OR area, my requirements for employment are a landline phone and broadband internet in a quiet setting.

I'm going to be hitting my entire network of contacts in an effort to find a solution. Any assistance is appreciated, even if it's just good thoughts and well-wishing.

Hate when that happens. They wont look at the application until they see in writing on the report that the debt is at or below 1000 but even if you pay it down to one $1 it wont reflect on the paperwork until it's paid off in full thus no matter how much you pay off it will still say $1500 on the paperwork and by paperwork I mean the c. report that the apt. rental people use for their checks.


And even if ya go the hotel route, which will get quite pricey, on top of trying to pay off that debt, and then find the apt., to work, ya have to find one with internet connection (IINM) which in itself tricky if it's anything like here, where internet connection in those types of hotels are unheard of even wireless. Landlines, many motels here have it with the cache 22 of it doesnt come with the room but the phone providers wont set up service in motel. Down here you would be royally screwed even though there isnt anything royal about it.

I been in similar situation with room mate, one reason I will never do it again ever. EVER. Luckily though, I had the cash to cover it but thta could have been $2000+ I could have used elsewhere instead of paying for someone else mess.

Man, I hope it works out, never been in that deep of a situation, hopefully never will, because then I wouldnt know what to do. especially out here where the "charity" places never have any help and unless ya have a drug problem or serious issues, then ya on your own. Even the shelters are not taking any more people. They are filled up (it's a hot topic down here though. They are trying to make it a requirement to have ID or some other citizen form to even stay in one of those due to the large amount of illegals taking up the space. On the flip side, many people who end up i nthat situation tend to also get robbed and with it goes their ID stuff so then it would be blocking out a lot of legal people that need the help.)

[Segev]

Well, good luck on raising the money to push it below $1000; do all you can, because it's all you can do. Things will work out eventually.

[Segev]

Has anybody heard anything? It's been several weeks, and last we heard he was hoping to get his apartment situation resolved... Kinda worrisome when the last news wasn't all that good.

[microc]

on the back rent issue get a statement of monies owed in writing. also ask for a report of all monies given to the rental people. when you rent there should have been a deposit taken. this is for damages and or non payment. if the renal contract had a deposit taken ask where did it go?? if they did not give it back to you ask for it to be placed on the back rent if there is some. also call your states welfare office they do have places that are section eight they may not be nice but you can put a roof over your head till you can get some where. also ask for free legal help and have the free lawfirm send a letter of bankruptcy to the rental company. the company will then write the debt off.

[Blondeshell]

if the renal contract had a deposit taken ask where did it go??

I'm not sure how I feel about this typo. 

[Hyperstrike]

Drake,

Just kicked you a few bucks.  Not enough to cover the rental debt, but hopefully to at least keep you eating.

[DrakeGrimm]

With the donations I've received from this amazing community, I have now been able to pay off the debt. The debt payment will report on Monday. On Tuesday, I can find out what I need to do to get re-screened by the current rental company.


Thank you, everybody who supported me during this time. Your kindness, generosity, and emotional support during these times has been nothing short of heroic. You have proven, beyond any measure of doubt, that they can take us out of the city, but they can't take the heroes out of us. I have never cried so much before in my life.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel once again, and I can almost see the rest of the path on the other side. For the first time in a long time, I genuinely believe I have a chance to make it. Thank you again, I cannot say it enough.

[Twisted Toon]

Well, to quote Mercedes Lackey ( not to mention your sig)

"We put ourselves in "the attitude of heroes"--and we all became a little more heroic." - VV

And...

We are Heroes. This is what we do. 

[batqueen]

so glad to finally hear something from you again!

[Hyperstrike]

I'm not sure how I feel about this typo. 

Depends on whether or not you're the one waking up in a bathtub full of ice with a couple messy open wounds on your lower back and a pair of missing kidneys.

[healix]

Grimmy...this gives me yet another thing to give thanks for. I am so happy for you.

[Segev]

Glad to hear things are looking up! Good luck! And, where applicable, work hard!

[Hyperstrike]

And note to Grrimmy.  If you ever run across those ex roomates BUST THEM IN THE NUTS!

[Segev]

Nah, just ask the people you paid the debt to if they can make sure to keep a negative mark on your ex-roommates' credit ratings even though yours is now clear.

[Twisted Toon]

After a stint of being unemployed (about 8 months of it) I had been contacted by a security company that wanted me to work at a school as a security guard. It was a nice job. Met a lot of nice people there too, both students and teachers. Unfortunately, things didn't work out (honestly, I think it was a misunderstanding on their part) and I was terminated after 2 months. Been unemployed since then another 8 months). I've been lucky because I have a good friend that didn't kick me out when I couldn't afford to pay rent any more. Of course, I do the cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, odd errands, and pooper scooping (2 dogs) duties. I have put out a lot of applications in that time. Finally got an email to set up an interview.

Friday will tell if I get a really awesome Christmas present or not. 

By the way, how are things going with the Grimmy?

[Hyperstrike]

Hope Santa brings you a nice, gift-wrapped J.O.B. (Job Offering Bucks) for Festivus this year!

[Twisted Toon]

It looks like I'll be getting a nice present this year. The hours aren't the greatest (anywhere from 10 to 30 hours in a week). But, it's better than nothing.

I'm still wondering how things are going on the Grimmy front.

[beveri8469]

hope Grimmy is doing ok with everything.

[Whyaylooh]

Don't want to overstep my bounds, but for folks who are worried, the last word I received from Grimmy was that he's doing pretty well!

[Twisted Toon]

That's good to hear. If he's working, I guess it just means that he's too busy to log onto the forums. 

[JanessaVR]

I certainly hope he's somewhere warm for the holidays.  I'll send him a little something.

[DrakeGrimm]

Yes, to allay most fears, I am, in fact, doing okay. Sorry to worry everyone! I've got a new job I've been going through training for.

Some major updates for me:

I've got a job!!
I'm on the lease!!!
I get paid three times in January!

I'm still reeling a little, financially, but I'll be fine. Just a bit of a tight spot, nothing as doom and gloom as before.


It's my friends I'm worried about, now...but I'm going to make a whole new post for that.

[JanessaVR]

Grimmy, I am so happy for you! 

[OzonePrime]

Great news! Glad things are finally changing for the better!

[healix]

Awesome to know that your new year is starting well!!!

[Tubbius]

Just now saw this, finally.  Right on, Grimm