JCC WOW...not empty? So...how's it going?

I member this was a popular thread when I posted it back in the day so a little throwback for you. Someone commented on a video I posted a little but ago, so I'm curious who it was as they referred to me as "Arlon". I dont want that name anymore, but here I am.

I see many names still here from long ago that I recognize. Wow. Time flies. For those who don't know I was here from 2008 to 2014. My name was TheGuardianofArlon. No longer that. I'm AutumnLight91, a reference to my favorite season of the year as the coloring of the leaves is amazing. I left because at the time things were just kinda toxic for me here, or it felt that way and I just needed to leave either way. It was having an impact on my thoughts on a daily life as you can say I lived on this forum. But fortunately those days are gone. So I guess next is to catch you up on 4 years.

Not real good honestly to keep it short. I started working two full time jobs for 3 years straight till my body broke down with a sciatic nerve issue. (Worst thing ever. Seperate thread idea perhaps, too long) I worked Walgreens and a restaurant named Jason's Deli. I did dish washing, busing, and delivery there. Delivery was awesome with the tips, but I mostly did dish washing. Left that after a year and have done Dunkin Donuts since as a second job. I left Walgreens in January 2017 to go to a grocery store named Publix. And I've done that since.

(One thing about walgreens, not to bash them, but after almost 6 years working there my pay went up only a dollar. Whereas at DDs it went from minimum to $9 in a matter of almost 2 years..plus tips. At publix, though I'm still considered part time though working 40 mine went up a dollar in a year as well.)

I worked at a Publix an hour a way from where I lived till I finally got to a place close to where I live now, only 8 min away. Which is good as the 2008 Honda civic I bought used in 2014, last August had an engine meltdown. I fixed it many times with the different issues, spending all I got till it broke down on thanksgiving with a cracked head gasket. So because it's on a loan I cant sell it but I can't fix it either...so I have to use my mom's car. After my injury, I was praying for something different which came about in December. I was doing grocery stocking but switched to being the scan price clerk. Lots of tags. I had to switch to mornings so I now work DDs on days I have off, so not two full time anymore. Which is good in a way as publix I worked at night and wouldn't get out till sometimes 1 am. Then gave to drive home getting back by 2...then have to be up by 330 to go open at DDs. And then once off there at 11, I would have to leave by 1 to get to work on time on account of traffic at 3. So yeah. Even back during the walgreen-jd days it was pretty bad. So I had no sleep; Saturday would of been my only day to rest but it was ministry day and I couldn't spend it to rest. More on that later. The location I'm at now I'm the dairy clerk so yay on being close.

We moved into a new house in 2015. A little bit in 2016 my dad had a stroke. He got to the point he couldn't work, drive, or walk. Alzheimer's and dementia have started to set in. My mom can't physically take care of him so he's now in a nursing home.

Yes, I'm 26 and still at home. I had a roommate but both of our money combined couldn't afford an apartment of our own living where we are. And that was both of us doing two full time jobs.

The ministry I was part of... I talked about it when I was here what I was learning. As of January it's no longer in place. It's over. I don't want to mention why, but it had it coming unfortunately with things going on. It's been frustrating as I've spent basically 18 years in it. My life. And I got nothing to show for it. No car, no computer, no savings, nothing, zilch, nada.

So yeah, I could say I've been fighting depression a bit as I've felt sucky about it all. Specially because back in high school I was trying to decide what to do of either college or military and asked advice from a person and it's all guess been shown that was a bad idea. So I've nothing to fall on. That's why when I got a thing from the Air Force outta nowhere in February I actually felt excited about it. I have been visiting a Baptist church recently so there's that.

About the Air Force: Thing is I couldn't even really get a good conversation with them going so I'm trying the Army. Thing is I have to get down to 170 lbs. Ive been overweight since I stopped playing soccer at 8. During the two years I dat out I got big and have been ever since. I've been working at it and am down to 201. Which is great since I was over 240 in high school. But a ways to go. A coworker who had same problem trying to get in the Air Force now going to the Navy said they'd talk to me but I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'll have to learn to swim if I do.

Now, is that my only option in life? No, perhaps not. But it will help me get out of the house and start my life afresh. Do something.

Now my old monochor was TheGuardianofArlon. It was story ideas I no longer want to do. If I did do them now I can comfortably say I can let someone else play that main part that I would of did. Ive let that go which is big for me as I've always had trouble trusting people. I still despite everything these past few years have had writing on my heart. Before even a script I wrote years ago I did a couple of children story ideas. They came back to me in 2016 with new ideas for it. I wanted them to be books but it would take way too long. Just to do the over 20 story ideas for summer could take 10 years! Yeah no. Cartoons are what I imagine them and that's what I'm aiming for. How to do it? I don't know. I need to get it on paper first.

That's been another problem. I've seen in myself because of working straight no break and other things I've lost the desire and push to write. It's a struggle to sit and to do so. But slowly the motivation is coming back as the ideas have never left.

When I saw the Paul movie that came out i noticed Affirm films distributed it. Curious, I contacted them a few weeks ago about what was the process to even submit a script. (I have 1, but it's over 240 pages long written by hand. Got to get it typed one day) And they gave me a link to imdb pro, that that would give me access to all the producers who could do it, etc. The first real breakthrough for me. So that's why I've decided to be a screenwriter. It's much easier for me than story writing. There's still a few books is like to do, but that's the avenue I want to do. The cartoon idea I have, everything else all fits into it.

How's the army and writing relate? Don't know. I'll find out though. Bunch of stuff to learn to sharpen my skills in it though.

So that's what's been going on with my life. I know I can get discouraged at times but I know the Lord has a plan. Like I heard someone say the other day "He's brought us here this far, He won't leave us now". I know it's been a real struggle at times seeing my circumstances but I have hope for a better future. I read a verse last week. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

I have no clue what it exactly means for me, but it jumped out a me like a spring. Bunch of other stuff too. So, I know things will get better. But that's that.

For you tl:dr people
-Life has been hard, but it's getting better. Hi.

 

But, can we still call you Arlol?

 

Hi again. No.

 

you should put the tldr in bold. i almost didnt see it when i was scrolling past your post.

 

Using phone to post, so I've got to relearn everything.

 

Welcome back. We all look forward to your many, MANY new threads.

 

Hi, Arlol.

 

Shoulda gone with Summer Dreamer.

 

How many chickens do you have now?

EDIT: YOU'RE 26 AND YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM?! What the **** would you do if you fell out of a boat? Drown? Screw that.

Look, I think it's nice that you're reaching out to a community of online miscreants here, possibly looking for suggestions about the direction you want to take your life in (I can think of worse places) but get your priorities straight man. If you want to lose weight learn to swim first, then spend time in front of a computer. Swimming is the best aerobic exercise you can do besides cross-country skiing and the season is appropriate for it. Besides, it's fun. Really fun.

Then, for the love of all things, get out and travel as much as you can. Broke? I get it. Hitchhike if you have to, but get out of the bubble/prison of your strange little world in a way that's completely free of structure. Introduce a bit of chaos. Go west without a plan. Your life will be better.

But LEARN TO SWIM FIRST. Like today.

 

Hi Arlon.

 

Huh, Double D's usually bring faster results:

Is the recruiter/recruiting station just rubbish? Do you have an idea on what you would like to do? Some jobs are much better in some branches than others.

 

This is the one comeback thread we'll allow. Welcome back, Arlol.

 

@Mortimer Snerd I don't have any chickens. Haven't for years now.

Yeah not really having a place to learn growing up stinks. I believe I can swim, but I know I can't float. That I do know I never could do.

And no, I'm not coming here for advice. Just here to see what's up really. Do something. It took me several minutes to write my post so hey, practicing writing I suppose.

@firesaber Well the initial mail item I got from the Air Force was to be a chaplain. But I don't have a degree so I can't. I must admit it's difficult trying to find what to do in the Army, but I would be fine just being a boot honestly.

The Air Force I guess is stingy who they let in. The coworker went to the Navy and got in same day. Course he's the proper weight and everything.

 

I'll do a separate thing on the medical as that is an issue of itself.

Fat chance on the socialist thing though. I like watching antifa get beat up

 

Have you explored the Chaplains Assistant/Religious Affairs Specialist career fields? Still works with the Chaplaincy and does ministry but from the enlisted level.

The services all around have tightened up quite a bit. The level of interest of a recruiter can often be driven by what career fields have the most need at the moment. If I may suggest taking at least a practice ASVAB test, then you would have some idea what career fields you qualify for and that could help narrow your search. Nothing wrong with being a boot, but there is quite a bit more out there.

 

I do have a book to study, but I haven't worked on it as I've been focusing on the weight loss aspect first.

Interesting idea. I could try. Really, besides writing I have considered the medical field. I was interested in becoming a EMT for awhile. I even stayed up for weeks at a time one point trying to study. I watched tons of different stuff. (I saw some Rescue 911 has episodes on YT. While not necessary medical it did give ideas of real life scenarios.) But in the end, I'm not sure I'm cut out for it honestly. Certain things I cringe at. I know that can be overcome, but it's still a thought. If they offer that maybe I'll do it depending.

 

There are those jobs as well. Hospital Corpsmen for the navy which are generally hospital bound (unless you volunteer for marine duty), army medics, flight medics, etc. All of the branches except the army offer NREMT Basic or Paramedic certification as part of the course. The PT component will be a huge part. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions on the EMT or Paramedic things. I is one.

 

So you lack empathy AND the ability to swim?

Oh btw, you can float. It takes literally no effort.

 

How come the Army doesn't offer that? My main problem with Navy is the idea of being on a ship. Not sure if I'd like that it not. But the option of bring in a hospital is intriguing. So you're Navy right? What is all the prerequisites of it?

 

While multi tasking I mixed up my typing, apologies, its the navy that does not offer that civilian equivalent certification paramedic. Has to do with the requirements of career fields. Back in my day we went out and got it on our own which appears to still happen. As to the why...I don't even think the Navy has been able to figure that part out. There was an article not too long ago in either Stars and Stripes or Navy Times discussing the issue.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/ne...ing-gaps-could-endanger-grunts-on-the-ground/
https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/document/news-military-ems-3-2016

I enjoyed my stint but have enjoyed my time working in fire & rescue more (Air Force has great career field for that) in civilian life but still working for the govt having done so both directly and indirectly.

All of the services have different medical specialties that could see you hospital based. Not all are combat medic or flight medic jobs, but if you qualify you can pursue that route. You can lurk around the websites of the different branches and email for info and see what's listed.

 

Wb, Brandon! I'm sorry to hear that life has sucked so much lately. Depression is a horrible illness. I know, because I've suffered from it most of my life. I don't really have any info on military careers to offer, but if you want to talk about mental health issues hit up my inbox.

 

You should ask @Sarge about the military.