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**pinion** · 06-30-2005, 04:55 PM

^

Glad I could help you out Jake. Feel free to send a pm if you need anything else....expect adive on getting a girl. I'm not much help there

**TheJake** · 06-30-2005, 05:03 PM

seems to be a rash among us guys...

**omisan** · 06-30-2005, 05:53 PM

Look at it this way: at least you're not facing another late night at work, simply because the people around you are dumbasses

**space virgin** · 06-30-2005, 06:41 PM

*hands Omisan a loaded .45*

**benna2** · 06-30-2005, 07:28 PM

Jake, it sucks that you're feeling shitty. I think everyone starts to feel like this at some point in their lives.

Sometimes I just feel like I am looking at my life and all I see is a big empty hole. But then I think about the friends and family that I have who all love me and realize how lucky I am. I'm sure you have lots of people who feel the same about you. And hopefully they can try to cheer you up.

But you're right about travelpunk...when I do need to vent I turn to the great people on these boards because I haven't been let down so far.

Anyway I don't know you, but from reading your various posts, you seem like a generally happy and well rounded guy with a good sense of humour and an adventurous streak. Try to find that guy again because he is still around.

**Joker** · 06-30-2005, 08:28 PM

jake, been there, bro.

It sucks a biggun. I lost my last job because mentally I couldn't focus and my work suffered. No sleep, and too much time in the kitchen was a huge stress-balloon waiting to bust, and it did. Needless to say, I had a week and a half off to ponder things, starting mountain biking again, and feel 100 times better. Find an activity to occupy whatever free time you have. You'll feel better, and it'll get your mind off your problems. And honestly, if that doesn't work, talk to a doc. I can tell you for personal experience that Zyrtec is good stuff.

As for heat, umm, guys, in the kitchen at 9pm this evening, i happened to look at my pocket thermometer.

It read 93 degrees. This was dark out, with the windows running and the fans attempting to move air.

Given the fact I walked in at 11:30 and immediately broke a sweat, and stayed in the kitchen for 11 hours+, umm, yeah. It gets up to 110 degrees in there during dinner service. Imagine the heat with a 500 broiler, 24 burners, 4 500 degree ovens, and a flat top going full tilt... And somehow I got connived into climbing on the roof around 1pm and cleaning gutters!!

Come to find out, the sous chef told me in a year and a half of working there, he went from a size 40 waist to size 32 pants.

I could stand to lose a couple pounds...

**LaurieL622** · 07-01-2005, 10:16 AM

Quote:

laurie are there any pics on tpunk to go with your 130 posts?

nadda, jake. i think 128 of my posts have been from my cube at work...like i've mentioned before...travelpunk has saved my sanity when i'm bored here, which is 80% of the time. i dont even think i have any pics on my laptop at home..i still use the ol' disposable camera for my travels. for the age i am, i'm technology illiterate...as anyone can tell from my ipod thread.

**travelpunk** · 07-01-2005, 08:05 PM

Amen to that, Steve!

Go to Barnes and Noble and browse through some books for an hour or four

. For me, I hit the self improvement, investing (real estate, stocks, starting your own business, etc...), and travel sections. I'm usually fired up about something that I've just learned every time I walk away from that store. It's free too

Anyways, hang in there bro

.

**bellelass** · 07-01-2005, 09:21 PM

I suggest a binge. Sure, the problems still exist afterwards, and you have spent money on alcohol, but its a good escape. Yay for binge drinking.

I also suggest getting out and exercising. When Im depressed it does the trick. Endorphins are amazing.

Sorry you're so sad matey. We can have a fine piss up in sedona hows that?

**Sijuki** · 07-01-2005, 09:37 PM

Jake man I know how you feel. When I was laid off for 4 months this past winter it was probably the worst depression i had. There were whole days I would do nothing but sleep and lay in bed and I felt like shit all the time cause i wanted to do something, whether it was work, or even go for a walk to get some exercise, but it was freezing cold and i just couldn't get the energy. But like Tony said, just do something like go to a B&N or Borders and just browse for something you like. There were some days I would go to the Borders by my house and realize i wasted 4 or 5 hours there, but i felt a little bit better cause i either learned something or read something that got some idea cranking in my head. It has basically been about 4 months since I started my business and got my job at Home Depot, and things just about really couldn't be much better. It is just a time where you have to 'stay the course' as they say. I understand the money too, for a couple weeks there i lived off the unlimited roadside assistance to get gas for my car cause that was just a luxury i could not afford. Lucky for me I had help with utilities, but it was still rough. But hold on brotha, you can make it.

**worldwidemike** · 07-04-2005, 09:09 AM

Jake...my young padowan...

They're all giving you good advice. Since you can't get the bike fixed, start running. Of course, since you live in Arid-zona, and its blast furnace time, you'll probably want to do it in the morning. Of course, I'm the opposite, and like the challenge of running during the heat of the day. I play mind games with myself. I try to imagine that I'm on a safari and Africa and bandits attacked (or whatever), and that's why I'm running in that much heat.

Anyway, just start s-l-o-w. Run at a pace that feels like if you went any slower, you'd have slowed down to a walk. That's what I call my marathon pace (what I did when I ran it). Pick a route, run it for a couple weeks, then increase your distance. The progress WILL make you feel better about yourself.

And as for travel, there are literally craploads of neat things to see in the Phoenix area. Do a series of posts (with pics) on stuff other Tpunkers can do in your home state. Hike Squaw Peak or South Mountain Park and give us a travelogue/photo series from it, with commentary. Then, do some research on the native American sites and hit them, tell us about them, and show us pictures. Visit LaurieL in Tucson and have her take you to San Xavier del Bac. Gorgeous church. Don't forget to see the inside and its murals.

I know you're low on money, but heck, save bucks...take the bus! Stuff you'd be doing in you were in Europe. Be Travelpunk's official correspondent on the scene in the Valley of the Sun....my son!!!

worldwidemike

**pinion** · 07-04-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by worldwidemike@Jul 4 2005, 09:08 AM
Of course, I'm the opposite, and like the challenge of running during the heat of the day.* I play mind games with myself.* I try to imagine that I'm on a safari and Africa and bandits attacked (or whatever), and that's why I'm running in that much heat.

I make up little stories like that too when I'm on long runs, I'm glad I'm not the only one

Of course I don't have the heat problem, usually its why I'm making myself run in the freezing rain

**LiveFreeorDie** · 07-04-2005, 12:18 PM

Jake - I don't want this to sound patronizing, but you are young and have your whole life ahead of you. It is easy to look at the here and now and get really down, thinking that the rest of your life will be just like this.......it happens to everyone. However, the current dull patch you are in WILL pass. Trust me. Anything you can do to busy your mind AND your body, as other have said, is crucial. Read some books...perhaps they will give you some inspiration for the future. Get some exercise...even if its walking...and even if you have to do it after dark when your temp is down to a more civilized 98 degrees

In the midst of your job search, what about volunteering somewhere? Even if its only part-time and short-term...there are always organizations that need help. Go walk dogs at the SPCA, or help out at a homeless shelter. All of these things will definately make you feel a little better about the world, and your current place in it. Lastly...spend this time thinking up some goals for yourself for the next couple of years. They do not have to be grandiose, but figure out some things about where you want to be and then start planning backwards as to what you think you need to do to get there. If you have a beacon to shoot for, it might give you a little better feeling of having a plan...as opposed to feeling like you are completely adrift.

It's not easy to figure what to do in life...in fact it is really fucking hard....but you will pull through this and it will make you stronger.

BTW, don't forget about the goold 'ole public library for a much cheaper source of books (and other things too, including DVDs).

There are generally more cute girls, though, at Borders and B&N. You can spend all your time browsing B&N, make a list of what you like, and then hit the library to actually get the books. Good luck!

**pinion** · 07-04-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by travelpunk@Jul 1 2005, 08:04 PM
Amen to that, Steve!

I always do a double take when I see my real name on the boards

**kingcrazylegs** · 07-05-2005, 03:36 PM

Jake, dude all I can say is dude, I feel ya. I have been stressing about the job thing myself, so I know how it is. I have been jobless (by choice) for 5 months and started looking for a job a couple months ago. It is frustraiting I know. I am still waiting to hear back....blah.

I haven't read everyone's advice, but what I can say is you just have to look to what you know in your life, and stay positive.