The Mental Journey Around The World Begins With A Ride To Rosemont

Today is the day that I set aside as a second New Year's Eve.  It's pretty much the last day that I said I don't even have to think about a job search.  Come tomorrow, February 1, I will be at least tentatively going on job search sites.  It only feels right as tomorrow is the day that I call IDES to certify for the first time.

Thankfully, my worry that this would be a call (and a direct deposit that followed) that saved me from starvation turned out to be unfounded as my severance pay was direct deposited on Friday.

Looking at my balance, which was smaller than I thought it was going to be due to a larger taxing than I anticipated but still bigger than it had been since my college graduation, I tried not to immediately do something rash like buy a car (well, put down a nice down payment at least) with it.  I want a lot of it to just sit there for the uncertain future, but I definitely have a little of it to play around with.

The timing seemed impeccable, therefore, that yesterday was the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show (http://www.adventureexpo.com/Default.aspx?id=a8383584-b8b3-4a9d-8be5-223cd2db9ab2) out at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.  Were I still employed, and having to save up money to go on a trip, I probably still would have gone to hear Rick Steves speak (yes, I'm one of those obsessed fans).  But with digits in my bank account, it became a different sort of playground.

I picked up brochures for all of the possible destinations that I would possibly want to go to.  Peru (which was supposed to happen two years ago), Nicaragua (which I was told at the booth was actually the safest country in Central America for now, even for a solo traveller), New Zealand (surprisingly, only around $1500 for two weeks), Honduras, and Panama.

Anyhow, thankfully I got through all of the booths quickly enough and sat down to listen to the speakers before Rick Steves.  The Lost Girls (http://www.lostgirlsworld.com/).  They focus on solo female travel, but they did remind me of a lot of work abroad options I hadn't even thought of as that's how they paid for a lot of what they did.

I know this is technically cheating on my no looking for work pledge, but I bookmarked a link that was sent to me as spam on Twitter: Jobs Abroad (http://jobs.goabroad.com/).  I don't want to do the teaching thing.  I don't have the patience for that.  But I would love to do something like administrative work for archeologists or anthropologists or that sort of thing (which according to the presentation is available).

Oh, but back to the fun stuff.  As I woke up this "morning" listening to the radio, the oldies station I listen to here in Chicago was playing a commercial for one a day deals deeply discounted on Funjet Vacations (http://www.funjet.com/).  Half asleep, I checked it out and today's was amazing.  Today's was three days in Cancun for $449 (about $1,000 including taxes and fees).  That doesn't appeal to me, but they've previewed the others (http://www.funjet.com/specials/dailydeal.asp?xmlfile=daily-deal&OAC=&plCode=) and some of them are really exciting.

Maybe I'll reward myself with one once I've actually started the job search.  After the snowstorm we're supposed to get here in Chicago tomorrow, I'm probably going to need it.

How I Spent The Third Week of the Rest of My Life

Sick days are not as much fun when you're unemployed.  I'm learning that today.  Far from feeling like a vacation, I feel like I want to get out of bed and play on a nice, warmer Chicago day (or at least go watch Fulham v. Liverpool at Small Bar - Fullerton) but completely lack the energy.

At least I stocked up on supplies a couple of days ago.

But the more I stay inside, the further it seems that I want to go.  Yesterday I found myself enthralled by a travel commercial for a trip to the Caribbean.  The cheap airfare, of course, would be offset by the fact that the hotel is probably not as forgiving price-wise.  But it seems as though a lot of other people I know took vacations while unemployed, so I figure I might as well during the same situation.  Of course, this involves me getting my mysterious severance check.  I don't want to call about it, but I think I'll inquire with the person who was laid off the same day about it.

Even without a vacation, this last week was pretty expensive.  Though most of it was medical.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 ($137.07)

• 11:09 a.m. U.S. Post Office - Clemente Branch - Free.  I went to pick up what I thought was one box of person effects from my old work.  It turned out to be four boxes.  Without a car, I had no way of getting them home so I just got information on how to get it redelivered.
• 11:46 a.m. Chicago Public Library - Bucktown/Wicker Park Branch - $0.30.  My uncle gave me a printer for the holidays but I still haven't set it up yet as it will just be one more thing to pack if I move.  So I went to the Logan Square Library to print up my insurance cards before I went to the post office.  I discovered it doesn't open until noon on Tuesdays so I took the bus to the Bucktown Library.  The express computers are hidden there but I got out by noon which was when I wanted to finish my errands.
• 12:36 p.m. Walgreens - Free.  I was worried since this was the first time I tried to use my insurance card.  I wasn't even sure if it was real or a scam.  When the pharmacy assistant couldn't find it on system, I got more worried.  Eventually the pharmacist did and, thankfully, told me it only saved $10.00.  I didn't bother filling the prescription.
• 1:20 p.m. Target - Free.  When I first got to Target (which felt almost as bad as filling my prescription at Walgreen's), the pharmacy assistant told me I needed a new prescription from my doctor to get my meds.  I managed to convince him to call over to Walgreens and he did, asking for help the entire time.  I had the thought, "this incompetent guy has a job and I don't," but I quickly dismissed it from my mind.
• 1:46 p.m. Chipotle Mexican Grill - $6.38.  Knowing I wanted to take my Effexor as soon as I got it from Target (I was told it would be a 45 minute wait), I went across to Chipotle.  Had I not, I felt like I might pass out or go off on the Target staff.
• 2:39 p.m. Target - $130.39.  Even though I came back over an hour after the first visit, I was told that the pills still were not ready.  The same incompetent employee came out to show me the price.  It was still only $10.00 cheaper at Target - but $14.00 cheaper than it would have been at Walgreens.  So that was something.
• 7:03 p.m. AMC Loews 600 North Michigan 9 - Free.  My friend Tony won free tickets to the premier of No Strings Attached.  I wasn't going to pass up on a free movie.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19 (Free)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20 ($24.00)

• 2:37 p.m. Logan Theater - $4.00.  Even though the choices were slim, I went to see Megamind to get out of my apartment.
• 7:03 p.m. Whole Foods Market - $20.00.  I had signed up for a Food and Beer Pairing class a week or so prior and I'm glad that I did.  The vegetarian options tasted so amazing that I wondered when the next chance I was going to get to have food this good would be.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 (Free)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 ($20.00)

• 1:45 p.m. Blue Line Club Car - Free.  I had made plans to go to The Southern whether anyone else wanted to go or not.  It turned out a couple of people wanted to go and I met up with them a Blue Line.  They were both having Bloody Mary's.  But since I hadn't eaten yet (and wanted to save money), I just got a water.
• 2:18 p.m. The Southern - $20.00.  I almost felt guilty at how little money I had spent here in relation to the amount of free food that I had been given.  But I really went there to satisfy my macaroni and cheese craving because there was a silly boycott of cheese products by certain Bears fans to spite Green Bay.  And whenever there's a silly boycott, I make it a point to break it.  And I got the side of grits, which blew my mind.  I actually only spent $17.00, but I forget to get my change as I was still a bit out of it.  Hence, $20.00.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 ($20.00)

• 1:04 p.m. Michael's Original Pizzeria & Tavern - $20.00.  After what I spent on football the last week there, I was a bit scared to be among the people who were Green Bay and Pittsburgh fans.  But I couldn't handle being around Bears fans so I went anyway.  Thankfully, we split the bill by tables so I got some of their delicious pizza, part of four pitchers or beer, and an order of nachos for $20.00.  It felt like a bargain and I was still there for 8 hours.

MONDAY, JANUARY 24 ($23.28)

• 1:15 p.m. Northwestern Arkes Medical Pavilion - Free.  While I liked not paying a co-pay to see my doctor to get my meds changed to a cheaper option, the bill that will eventually arrive scares me a bit.  At least when it arrives, I'll have money to pay it.
• 2:06 p.m. Soupbox - $7.03.  It was warmer in Chicago than it had been, but a wind gust as I walked up the Magnificent Mile made me want to duck in for some warm soup.  The soup was a bit disappointing and more expensive than I thought it would be.  But it did warm me up.
• 3:07 p.m. Walgreens - $16.25.  I was pretty much out of everything made of paper in my apartment.  I bought in bulk this time so I won't have to go back.

So that's $224.35.  Not exactly what I would want to spend in a week, but minus the meds, it was only $94.35.  So that's not too bad at all.  My total money spent since I've been unemployed is $481.69.

Hey Doc, I'm Really Living Like The Other Half Now

One negative side effect of actually chillin' out in my apartment and not rushing around all over the city is that it seems I don't have that much (on the unemployment front at least) to write about.  It wasn't so much that my funds were low, but more that the temperature in Chicago was approaching overdraft fee levels a lot (and once when it did hit -3) so I didn't want to leave my apartment regardless.

Today, however, as it was the start of a new week, I went to see the doctor.  I made the appointment last week on the day of the horrible pill charges.  But, my doctor wanted to consult with my in his office before switching me off of the expensive Effexor XR to regular Effexor.

Now I've been going to my doctor for years, but we don't have what you'd call a great doctor/patient relationship.  While he never dismisses anything I say, he doesn't seem to understand poverty and how much things cost.  On occasion, he's given out free samples of things (just to get me addicted to the wonderful stomach cooling power of certain prescription antacids, I think), but he doesn't get how expensive some of his              suggestions are.

And now, with pretty crappy prescription coverage (I'm hoping this discount card proves its worth eventually), he doesn't even begin to grasp my financial situation.  He did the nice thing and wrote out all of the possible pills that I could take so I could look them up online this time.  But, for example, when it came to my Flonase, he couldn't believe it was $65.00 without much insurance help.

I just thought to myself, um, yeah, don't you read the news.  Medical shit's expensive out here!

And it's going to cost me more than the $40.00 that you prescribing meds with generics used to cost me.

Anyhow, my bigger worry was actually that I had never used my new insurance before and I had no idea if I paid upfront (which I couldn't afford) or on the back end.  It turned out it's going to be billed to me once they run it through my insurance.  If what was explained to me back when I first got it is correct, it should be no more than a $50 deductable.  I'm not holding my breath based on what's happened so far on the medical cost front.

Though I did get something in the mail today that should help.  IDES seems to have their stuff together so far (despite reports I've heard to the contrary).  I got my debit card in the mail (it won't have money on it on February 1) today after getting my letter of finding on Friday.

Now if only I could get my severance check so I could actually pay my rent without having to wait for three direct deposits of unemployment all would be right.  Still, it's good to know that I'll have money to swipe when I need it starting this weekend because my bank account's getting pretty low from my last paycheck three weeks ago.

Though nothing that not going out into this cold for a couple more days won't cure.

How I Spent The Second Week of the Rest of My Life

As of this morning, I am officially unemployed.  I mean, obviously, I was two weeks ago or this blog would have been a pretty silly way to spend my work time.  But, I finally got around to filing a jobless claim with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) (http://www.ides.state.il.us/) so the next time the numbers come out, I am one of the statistics.

Why did I wait so long?  I guess it's my personality.  Not just to be lazy, but also to not lie about this fact.  I didn't do a thing to look for a job in the past two weeks.  But, now that I've applied (since it's the rules to receive the payments), I guess I've reached the next phase of joblessness, a tentative job search.  IDES actually requires as part of their application process to fill out a job placement form on the Illinois Skills Match system (http://www.illinoisskillsmatch.com/).

The funny thing is, when I left college I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life so I've never taken a test like this.  It could be fun.  Tomorrow.  I feel as though applying was a good task for the day.  That and doing a lot of reading.  Barring something crazy happening, I will not leave my apartment today.

Though I did a lot last week and here's the wrap-up (a day late, since I'm lazy).

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 ($3.00)

• 5:37 p.m. The Southern - $3.00.  I had planned on going out to the suburbs to a Yelp event but, thankfully, a friend of mine reminded me that there was a Tweetup/apprecial party much closer to home.  Vodka drinks were free as was a macaroni and cheese buffet (the party was to build up hype for their forthcoming macaroni and cheese truck).  I had four drinks, but forgot to tip on one.  Oops.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 ($7.00)

• 5:02 p.m. McCormick Tribune YMCA - Free.  I was hungover all day.  I had planned to run errands but the gym was as close as I got.
• 6:50 p.m. Margie's Candy - $7.00.  Someone on the internet, and I'm not naming names kept saying they craved ice cream. This made me crave ice cream (a three scoop, old school banana split sundae to be exact).  So much that I got it before dinner.  It seems like I have to stop letting the internet give me cravings.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 ($19.00)

• 2:42 p.m. Logan Theater - $4.00.  Part of me wants to pick up and go on a road trip (combined with job hunting, of course) to Washington D.C.  I figured that wasn't practical so instead I went to see Due Date to satisfy the urge.  It didn't work.  I now want to take a road trip more.
• 7:21 p.m. Small Bar Division - $15.00.  They were celebrating winning the Best Soccer Bar in the U.S. award.  I had to go to help them celebrate.  And to get some veggie chili for dinner.
• 9:26 p.m. The Whistler - Free.  My friend Kyle was playing a jazz gig here and since it's yards from my apartment I made it my free concert of choice for that evening.  I ended up only getting water since the Lion Stout that I had at Small Bar was habving me feeling a bit ill (even though this place specializes in fancy cocktails).

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14 ($55.00)

• 10:58 a.m. El Charro - $5.00.  I used to go to this place so much that I was the Mayor on Foursquare.  This was the first visit this year.  I had breakfast at home, but I wanted to make a quick start to get to the museum.
• 12:55 p.m. Museum of Science and Industry - $2.00.  I finished seeing the exhibits I had missed the week before - only paying for coat check and for a donation.
• 7:37 p.m. Lincoln Hall - $30.00.  This is where the wheels kind of came off my spending habits for the week. Their sister venue, Schuba's, has really good macaroni and cheese.  And I was with some people who like to drink late into the night.  I was supposed to leave for a dive bar after dinner, but the company was too good.
• 1:42 a.m. Clarke's - $18.00.  $8.00 of this was the cab home since the 74 bus doesn't run that late.  But most of it was the fact that I was really hungry and their North Shore Potatoes taste really good.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 ($40.00)

• 3:32 p.m. Michael's Original Pizzaria & Tavern - $40.00.  I was there to watch the Pittsburgh and Green Bay NFL games with fans of the two teams.  How I spent $40.00 is kind of a blur, but I know it involved a lot of pitchers of Miller Lite.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 ($15.00)

• 11:30 a.m. Small Bar Fullerton - $15.00.  Going back to the bar for the Bears and Jets games was probably not a great idea but, besides getting brunch, I only had one beer the entire Bears game.  We left before I could get a second and watching the Jets fuck up Tom Brady.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17 ($31.35)

• 11:31 a.m. Hot Doug's - $8.25.  Since it was a holiday, a bunch of people got a trip together to go to Chicago's #1 tourist restaurant outside of downtown (though that may be Kuma's Corner) and, even though I could go any day with less lines, I went.  I learned they'll make a veggie dog with the toppings of any of their special dogs for the regular price.
• 5:17 p.m. Walgreens - $6.15.  Even though I didn't fill my prescriptions, I did get other necessities.
• 5:58 p.m. Aldi - Milwaukee - $16.95.  It was a fitting way to begin my third week of unemployment to get cheap groceries again after all the unnecessary spending of the weekend.

So that's $170.35.  That's not going to work at all.  In a week that barely included any groceries (and didn't include my precription (this week's total will be higher, but contains necessities).  If anyone ever sees me dropping $40.00 on Miller Lite again, please smack me in the face.  I'll write it off this time as a celebration of unemployment.  My total money spent since I've been unmeployed is $257.34.

This Medicine Is Supposed To Make Me Happy, Not Upset Me

Today was a testimony in frustration.  I figured on the second anniversary of getting laid off, I would pretend like I still had a job and get up nice and early to run the errands I had to run.

First of all, I should have known better than to think that I would want to go outside once the reports of ice and my friends slipping on it started to come in on Facebook and Twitter.  And, secondly, I should have known that I would not want to go to sleep at a decent hour to accomplish this if I didn't have to.  When I finally did go outside at 10:30 a.m., I should have realized this wasn't going to be my day.

I did discover that the Logan Square Library isn't open until noon.  I figured I'd pass the time picking up my personal effects which were being held at the post office.  When I got there I discovered that I had four boxes waiting.  Four.  I guess things build up in 11 years.  I finally just printed off my insurance cards at the Bucktown branch.

The most soul sucking errand, however, was getting my prescriptions filled.  I went to Walgreens first, only to be told that they only gave $10 off with my prescription discount card.  I checked the card's site and it looked like Target had it for much cheaper.  After dealing with the less competent employees and long waits there, I was really hoping that was how they kept cost down (like Wal-Mart).

However, it turned out to be the same $10 discount.  I had accidentaly looked up Effexor as opposed to Effexor XR.  But that did bring up a bit of advice...

If anyone reading this is on a prescription, check with you insurance to see if a similar prescription (in this case, a high dose as opposed a gradual dose) is available and check with your doctor to see if they'll switch it.


Here's my example:

• Effexor 75 MG XR: $154.86
• Venlafaxine 75 MG XR: $127.52
• Effexor 75 MG: $42.75
• Venlafaxine 75 MG: $34.26

I mean, I had that extra $100.00 now, but it would probably come in handy in the future.  I left a voice message with my doctor to change the script, but I haven't heard back yet.

One of the lovely side effects of suddenly stopping Effexor (besides crying spells) is head rushes.  I was getting those pretty bad, so I couldn't wait to get the prescription filled this time.  Next time I know to check in advance.  Or I should have just gone on the internet where I just discovered that Pfizer has a $4 co-pay deal (http://www.effexorxr.com/) that takes $50 off the higher price one.

Live and learn and cry a little, I guess.  At least I'm happy now.

When The Flood Gates Open, The Green Paper Flows Out

When I was employed, I had a problem.  Well, I had lots of problems, but that's neither here, nor there.  Anyway, my problem as it relates to this blog is that I could go days without spending any money.  And then once I began to spend (usually on a weekend), the floodgates just opened.  That's what happened this weekend.

Technically the spending isn't over yet since there's a trip to Hot Doug's with a group of people from Yelp who (mostly) took the day off.  But since I only get the veggie dog, that should be under $10.  But, probably won't.

I consider it to be my, slightly delayed, celebration of unemployment, however.  That and the fact that Pittsburgh and Green Bay both won while I was in a crowd of Steelers and Packers fans on Saturday.  Still, the $40 that I spent on Miller Lite at a pizza joint hit home a bit harder since I don't know when the next time I'll have a steady income is.  I mean, for $40 I should have been drinking beer and not flavored water.

Anyhow, there's not much excuse for spending money since I discovered something pretty amazing through a friend of a friend on Facebook.  Most shows that don't feature national acts at Empty Bottle are free if you RSVP on their website (http://www.emptybottle.com/home.php) 24 hours in advance!

Now, I did this for Del Rey last week and pulled a no show since I didn't feel well.  I hope I'm not blacklisted since it's one of the best deals going in Chicago for live music.  I guess the broke hipsters (not to be confused with the amazing site) who frequent that place really have a lot of pull.

This week coming up (through Friday) is also a free week for the Shedd Aquarium.  So if I wanted to appreciate the beauty of slightly off-color water (and I probably will), I was better off just doing it there.

But there are more playoff games this week, so after chilling at home as much as possible, I'm sure it will be off to the bar again on Sunday to drop a ton of money.  And maybe win some if the Bears get "upset" (a tough feat to do as underdogs) against the Packers.

My Time As An Insurance Have Not In The United States Is Over

"Just make sure to wrap yourself in bubble wrap for the next 12 hours or so."

And with those words, the final process for me being insured again was set into motion.  That wasn't necessarily a scary one week or so among the 65 million uninsured in the United States (or is that number less now, I'm not sure), but I do feel more comfortable have a security blanket between me and really intense medical bills.

In the end, I didn't need to call around to anyone.  The insurance broker called me.  At first I worried it was just a scam.  But, if it is, it's the most elaborate scam I've ever been caught up in (not that I've been caught up in many).  Everything seems legit.  PJP Health Agency (http://pjphealthagency.com/) contacted me after I filled out some forms on the internet.

They recommended that I purchase insurance from Heatlh Insurance Innovations (https://www.hiiquote.com/index.php) based on my information.

I was a bit worried since I have what some would call a pre-existing condition, but based on facts like I'm not overweight and I don't have AIDS, I met the criteria and wasn't turned down.  I guess I probably have the Health Care Bill to thank for that one.

The policy's particulars are as follows:

• $2,500 deductable for hospital care.
• $50 deductable for up to three doctor's visits per six months (including specialists).
• ~54% reduction in generic drugs.
• ~15% reduction in name brand drugs.
• $124.48 per month, month-to-month, for up to six months.

I'm a bit annoyed about the lack of a true prescription benefit that ended up being confirmed since I thought I heard on the phone that it was a co-pay.  But, hey it beats paying full price I guess.  I'll have to see when I go to the pharmacy tomorrow what kind of deal I'm really getting.

But, hey, it's not a bad price overall.  And if I don't like it, I can cancel after a month and look again.  And I will write horrible things about them in this blog.  Which, apparently now has a reader in Singapore.  Thanks for reading, whoever you are.  I'm not sure how a blog about unemployment in the United States will help you, but I appreciate seeing you pop up on my analytics.

The only other price under $200.00 was Blue Cross/Blue Shield for $165.00 a month or so.

The big thing is, as of 12:01 a.m. this morning, I'm insured again.

I'd write more, but I'm off to the Museum of Science and Industry for another free day today and on the bus as I type this (actually passing near my old work at the present moment).  And I'm not even wrapped in bubble wrap.