Hi, a friend alerted me to the Shire Society and suggested I get in touch. I'm a little unconfident of how to introduce myself here or what may be an acceptable way to do so, but (in a semi-stream-of-consciousness manner) I'm diving in:
I'm a gay man in my mid-50s currently living in San Francisco. I've self-identified as a libertarian since 1978 and, for 10 years in the 90s, was very active in the international movement as well as involved in party activism. Rather than becoming more “conservative” as I've aged, world and national events, as well as personal ones, have driven my evolution minarchism to anarchism. I'm searching for an alternative community to join that is outside or parallel with what I describe as the American neo-puritanical welfare/warfare/police state. Please note that I advocate and ascribe to the Non-Agression Principle.
I've fallen on hard times in recent years, and find myself unable to find mainstream work anymore, much less afford living in the city with the second highest cost of living in the country. Basically, I'm treading water. I'm looking for a network which might help me to find employment outside traditional channels and (as much as I love the Bay Area, but hate California's political-economic climate) relocate, if I must, to another place where it will easier to make ends meet, get back on my feet. My current resources are meager at best, but I have an offer of assistance if I end up needing to relocate.
I have extensive experience in my youth in retail (and a little food service), and later law office, and for seven years with a movement organization, with “wearing” multiple “hats” in various office positions. I also have customer service and writing and experience. My computer experience was once up to date, or “near the curve,” but do to events I have fallen behind the curve. However, I'm still capable of picking up additional skills to fill the gaps. I've always been able to pick up these skills in a hands-on, intuitive manner. I still believe that I have an immense amount of intelligence and energy to offer, but have become discouraged in finding any takers.
I'm actually surprised I've survived this long under my current circumstances, but it clear that, sooner rather than later, I need a real break in order to survive. Is there anyone here with suggestion or offers of assistance?
Thank you.
I apologize for my typos. The most embarrassing being "do" for "due."
Welcome! There are jobs subforums here with useful info, plus you will probably enjoy http://flamingfreedom.com - the hosts of which can be found here.
Thanks. I'll look. I'm a bit intimidated by having so much to wade through, especially since I feel an enormous amount of pressure to find something now.
I just spent 20 minutes looking for these "subforums" without luck. There's too much to wade through.
Not really - there are only a handful of recent posts in the housing forums. Just look at the dates of the postings. No point in looking at really old posts.
Thanks. I hadn't reached anything on housing. I'm thinking job first, housing second. I'm not as impatient as in my youth, but I'm still impatient. I'm looking for that one opportunity, you might say. Anymore, I'm basically off the grid which seriously narrows my options.
Same is true of the jobs subforums. Only need to look at more recent postings.