I just returned from a journey to the Broomfield Colorado Workforce Center, where they theoretically are able to lend assistance and connect employees with appropriate employers.

Upon entering, I was given a form to fill out, and directed to a list of employers in the area who were seeking applicants. I filled out the form, putting all my job skills and experience categories into the appropriate fields. (Incidentally, most of the skills I listed experience in were related to software engineering stuff.)

Then, a friendly job helper took me to a terminal, where she entered my information, and proceeded to run search queries. Pretty much anything related to my primary skills is bone dry. Either there's nothing, or the employers who are looking for somebody are so stringent in their stated requirements that it's doubtful they'll ever be able to find anybody. (Which might be the point.) No surprises there.

I said I would be willing to look at jobs outside my skill set. Maybe a career change. So she ran more searches, and came out with results that looked less than promising.

One of the constraints I had placed was that I make a minimum of $10/hour. If I'm going to stay in my apartment, and still be able to buy groceries, there's pretty much no way around that. If I moved in with someone else (please no), things might be different. But I've said that my goal is to stay here. Hence, $10/hour amounts to survival wages.

(I've looked at some apartment listings for the entire metro area, and found nothing significantly lower than my rent, so I know I'm not being unreasonable. How can you pay someone $6/hour and expect them to live? I'm speaking from the perspective of someone who doesn't even have any kind of family to support. I can't imagine how insane it must be for anyone who's trying to raise kids right now.)

Well, after some searching for a while, we did find one place that theoretically has an opening down in Denver. She told me that they are reputed to be a good employer, which is good. It's a customer service job. Not my favorite, but I'll take it for a while if that's what's needed. (Unlike the place I attempted a couple days ago, this is the northern east area, so the commute would be semi-reasonable.)

After reviewing my skill set, the person at the center theorized that I should have no trouble finding a job. But the database just wasn't turning up much that was suitable. She was sympathetic to me wanting to make enough to pay the rent and bills, but... it just seems bone dry.

After rummaging through the list of results for a while, I said I'd try going for the one down in Denver. They want in-person only applicants. So, down I go with my resume this afternoon.

The job-helper told me that if I ever needed to use a computer with Internet access to seach for jobs, or a phone or fax to send resumes, the center was available for these uses. And they post new listings every week. The fax part might be especially useful for people like me, when I see an ad which says, "fax resume to blah-blah".

So, that's another source where I can get some help.

And, since I can't resist, another brief rant / commentary before I head out.

I submit that there is something about the system that is fundamentally broken. At my former employer, and a few other places I am aware of, there is or was a shortage in the workforce. What can be made of the situation when a company says it needs more help, yet management is unwilling or unable to hire the help that is needed. What is to be said of the situation when, despite this need, they not only refuse to hire more people, but trim the existing workforce down, making the situation worse?

Supply and demand is how capitalism should work, right? So why is it that there can be both demand and supply, yet nothing gets through. How can there be places which need help, but won't or can't hire? What if they don't have the money to hire? Maybe an overall shortage of currency is the problem. The government issues the currency, right?

So... maybe if there are people who have something to give, and others who need it, but there is no currency (or insufficient currency) to be exchanged, what is to be done? Do we need a new form of currency? Should we all go back to bartering goods?

"Lower the interest rates, and that will increase the money supply." Right. And what if there are other people like me, who loathe debt so much that they would rather be on the street than sign a 30 year mortgage, especially when the prospects for being able to pay that debt are dubious. More debt is not the answer. Going into massive debt to try to stabilize things is insanity. It can't work forever.

If only the White House could get that message. But no. Buy another bomb to drop on Iraq, and put it all on the country's credit card. Sure, whatever.

Bah. It's all theoretical anyway.

Anyway, I gotta make a trip to Denver. I really hope this doesn't turn out to be yet another dead end wild goose chase. But what's the alternative? Sit at home and wait for the eviction notice?

Well, there's always buildmeasite work. For the past couple days, I've been spending significantly more time spinning my wheels in the futile job search than I have on the coding. Maybe this weekend, I'll do some work on it.

I dunno. Even though I'm not working, I sometimes just feel burned out. Need some kind of assurance. But there is none.

If nothing comes of this, maybe I will try some temp agencies next week. And minimum wage taco bell (assuming they would hire). Of course, that would mean I won't be able to stay here. Minimum wage just won't pay this rent. Well, actually I'll amend that. It might even pay the base rent, but electric bill and groceries? Doubtful. Maybe if I did a bunch of overtime. But it would be a job.

If it does come to that, maybe I could convince one of my parents to let me bring my sleeping bag and crash on their living room floor. I dunno. I hate that thought.

Anyway, enough of this.

There's a possibility down in Denver. That's all it is, and I hate wasting gas, but it's worth a shot. If it results in a job, it will be well worth it. If not, then I'll try not to get too depressed.

I contemplate whether I want to go to release a little psychic energy at my club later tonight. I haven't been there for weeks, and I'd really like to get back and catchup, but money is soooo tight. I dunno. We'll see how it goes.

Whatever happens, things will work out. So I say. One way or another, life goes on. Take that thought with ya. Peace.