About your salary...

I am paid yearly. The more I work, the less my hourly rate!

I am paid by the hour, but it is assumed that I will work forty hours and my check is arranged as such. I don't use a time clock or time sheet. If I work overtime I phone the extra hours into the HR department directly. Same thing for sick days, personal days and vacation. It is very much like being on salary.

hourly wage and a very good one...for retail :)

I am starting to be paid per click and per 1000 impressions.

yearly salary plus any overtime.

i get $8500 a year on SSDI, i consider it my salary as a public servant. to do a mundane job would be like playing chess, and taking sides. unfortunately, i can also justify my qualifications for accepting it; Both my last two employers had the same parting words 'We're not trying to build the Taj Mahal here'. My last offer was $80k, some might even consider turning down this for $8k, another justification for mybeing on SSDI.

bill: then why dont you encourage getting more endorsements for SC?

I don't think putting ads on SC would be worth it.

I meant encouraging other sites to promote SC. Must you make the paranoid interpretation so frequently.
But if thats how you feel, why are there so many here? From chocolate to hello kitty to gilette to GAP Nike EB, it goes on and on, but I try not to pay attention to it, having much better things to think of, like helping friends out in any way possible. I cant even imagine what the products category looks like.
Anyhow, Im out the door to collect my salary.

Kristal Rose: You spelled Gillette wrong.

This year I started a small company. I bid jobs at a flat rate based on an estimate of my time and the time of anyone I may hire for that job plus a flat-fee estimate for materials. My "salary" then is the per-job fee minus all my advertising expenses, my truck, my assistant's salary, etc. etc. This year I expect to lose money because I am pouring all my income back into advertising and tool acquisition, thus actually drawing no salary at all. In future years I expect to be earning enough that I can designate a certain dollar amount as "salary."

KR: When I get paid "per click and per 1000 impressions" it is from banner advertisements that I display on sites I run. Getting other sites to promote SC wouldn't yield me any money.

That was obvious bill :( C'mon, how many people visit this site. Its a wonderful site with wonderful regulars and I dont know why it doesnt have a hundred fold the audience. Truce bill, Truce. I dont have time for this anymore.

bill, per click would be a commission type deal, why didn't you check that option?

There are also other forms of salaries. Ive done every one of these formats, as well as bi-weekly salary.

Interesting that this is your first survey.

good point, I'll fix that... there.

Kristal_Insane_Person, what's so interesting about the fact that this is my first survey?

KR=Very

Christ...not another one....

My ad-blocker must be working splendidly, for I haven't seen any of the ads KR/K63/Very/whoever mentions.

Very: re:né de cette survey: It just seemed like a varyation of recruitment demographics.
7: so sad to hear that. they go away dont they?

anonymous, I am so incredibly not Kristal Idiot. I will be willing to go to lengths to prove this, just lemme know how. I am an entity from the past who has been reincarnated into a different handle. And from the looks of what's going on around here, I won't stay long!

Very: Why even bother? Thank you for the fun Very_Insane_Person.

twisty: re-"but look where you are now" You don't even know where i am now. I am tempted to send you excerpts from my negotiations with VP's and COO's of companies like Logitech, Disney Studios, Fractal Design Corp, others I can't name, and currently Coca-Cola. You may be using products I designed or conceived of. I do it on a non-profit basis, or ask that my clients contribute to non-profit agencies instead.

gilly: re-span and t: re-"exception" I was making 70k because of all the f'ing overtime (70 hr wk.s) at the tail of my guy period. The 80k offer was under the name Kristal, but using my former résumé. I only made it as far as a few phone rounds before I suppose they figured out that though i had the skills they needed, i was going to spend more of my efforts on my personal ventures, than be devoted to the company. (just a theory). I set out that week with skirt and make up to go bicycle touring in search of red necks (great fun). When I settled down again, I took to volunteering in a job searching agency and a computer skills agency for the homeless. When I felt lonely for accomplished computer skilled people, I took to volunteer teaching Java at the college, it gave me the chance to wear stockings and a dress suit too. My last job was while on SSDI working at home writing a system to make flight reservations over the internet. (with one word from any computer I could take the system down too.) (And I'm such a nice person, makes you wonder what other programmers have done.) I took the work at home option because I found clients didn't mind getting the 'Taj Mahal' as long as they weren't paying hourly for it. The job was consuming my whole life, and I decided I was of much greater value to society living on SSDI, teaching art & computers, working on my tarot site, and primarily doing spiritual research.
The mundane job would have driven me towards suicide.

KR.....Re: look where you are now...I was going by what you had shared about being on SSDI in a previous survey. I assumed you were not gainfully employed.
From what I just read...you work for no money and choose to collect money from the Government instead...is that correct? If those companies payed you a wage. Then you wouldn't need Government assistance.

My work is mundane and extremely physical, there are plenty of things I would rather be doing, but my family needs my income to survive. I envy you your freedom to just do what pleases you and collect a check from the Government while doing it.

t: exactly right, and i'm considering it if i can find an unbiased think tank or non-profit organization. Although lately i've even toyed with the idea of being a cashier in some place talkative, but i think i would be bored to death not using my technical skills within a couple weeks. Three weeks ago, I was negotiating being a partner in a hollywood casting agency establishing a web presence. I'm still shopping around for the best way to help society with my skills.
By now you've probably read my observation that 4 out of 5 jobs are make work. Consider this scenario: Person 'Ace' makes $3000 a month of which $750 goes to taxes. Person 'Beta' lives on a $750/mo gov. check. If 'Beta' were to resume working. 'Ace' would make $1800 & 'Beta' would make $1200. I almost constantly volunteer my efforts to teaching formally and informally, helping american enterprise, and counselling. I spend far less time in entertainment such as tv, night clubs, etc. Then any person i have ever met in my life. I could be doing the same things for the government working officially for nearly eight times the pay. Would that make you happier for some reason?

What would make me happy has nothing to do with whether you work for a paycheck or collect a check because of your disability.
You see, I'm already happy.

I'm glad to hear it. I thought i detected a note of sarcasm in your prior comment. Perhaps in you current one as well, though i hope not.

KR: It would make me happiest if you were to kill yourself.

grr...

I declare I don't care no more
I'm burning up and out and growing BORED
In my smoked out BORING room
My hair is shagging in my eyes
Dragging my feet to hit the street tonight
To drive along these crap town lights

I'm not growing up, I'm just burning out
And I stepped in line to walk amongst the DEAD

Apathy has rained on me
Now I'm feeling like a soggy dream
So close to drowning but I DON'T MIND
I've lived in this mental cave
Throw my emotions in the grave
HELL, who needs them anyway

I'm not growing up, I'm just burning out
And I stepped in line to walk amongst the DEAD

I'm taking all you down with me
Explosive duct taped to my spine
Nothing's gonna change my mind

I won't listen to anyone's last words
There's nothing left for you to say
Soon you'll be dead anyway

Well no one here, is getting out alive
This time I've lost my mind and I don't care
So close your eyes
And kiss yourself goodbye
And think about the times you spent and what they've meant
To me it's nothing

I'm losing all my happiness
The happiness YOU pinned on my
Loneliness still comforts me
My anger DWELLS inside of me
I'm taking it all out on you and all the crap you put me through

So no one here, is getting out alive
This time I've lost my mind and I don't care
So close your eyes
And kiss yourself goodbye
And think about the times you spent and what they've meant
To me it's nothing

Do you ever think back to another time ?
Did it bring you so down that you thought you lost your mind ?
Do you ever want to lead a long trail of destruction and mow down
any BULLCRAP that confronts you ?
Do you ever build up all the small things in your head
To make one problem that adds up to NOTHING


Bill: Please NUKE my account.

Was that a suicide note?

wow just...
ummm jen...you have guts because that is exactly what I was thinking and feeling and hedging around and couldn't find the nerve to come right out and say.

Jen- I do my best volunteering. As far as what i get from the state. That's $740 a month, of which often $121 a month goes to my hormone care. I also get a lot of gifts for people especially my kids, am building a sizeable pantry in case i need to help neighbors for a couple weeks during y2k, and help get groceries for other friends who can't even afford groceries and rent on $740/mo. Should I feel guilty that i have far better money management skills than the average disabled person? I haven't been able to afford a visit to my kids in years and i dearly miss them, so I talk to them on the internet. Without an internet connection I'd have no hope of ever resuming my programming career. The lava lamps cost about $2 a piece to make (the most expensive part is the light bulb), they are all going out as last christmas's presents to my daughter and girlfriend. I certainly couldn't afford a car or going to a restauraunt, or getting cable, or frozen dinners, or just about anything the average person does. I pay an average of $2 per dress, I've only spent about $10 per year in jewelry. My only extraneous expenses on SSDI have been some perfume oils and a used camera, both purchased with intent to make a living over the internet.
As far as working, I just took to taking Prosac in hopes of getting myself in a workable condition, but it seems to have backfired terribly so far: i'm stressing out terribly, can't even think the moment anyone says anything, and though i was happy before, i keep getting the urge to lay in my bed and cry these past few days.
My next survey was going to be 'What job/career should kristal try next?'
It really hurt's that i have done my best to make the most ethical choices for society given my skills and diabilities.(except the gender thing which i need to do to prevent my suicide)

Actually jen, I meant what you said to Kristal about her being on Govt' assistance...
I resent that too...given how hard I work to avoid being a single mom on welfare or to avoid putting my child in daycare. I have never taken a penny of Govt' assistance(and I do qualify)instead Sue and I have managed to come up with creative ways to keep me working and keep Mallory out of daycare and meet our basic needs. It's not easy. We are very tired mommies. But it is a satisfying feeling. I was appalled when I read Kristal's comment on a different survey about her choosing her mental illness to get a check from the Govt'.

or did you know that's what I meant and were you yanking my chain?? :)

I'll miss you hill*bill*y, where ever you are(Idaho?).......You were a breath of fresh country air

Twister: I think I understand your pride and not wanting to take assistance - I am sure I would feel the same in your shoes. On the other hand, I pay plenty in taxes, and the Government wastes most of it on military posing and other useless bulls**t (this is not a reference to KR), and I for one would far, far rather you had it! So, if it would make your life better, you should take it and consider it a personal gift from me.

eris...you are an angel. I could just never bring myself to do it. If I was actually impaired, then maybe, but as long as I am physically able to work, It will never happen ;) I must set a good example for my child. I am her role model when it comes to a work ethic.

I just hate the idea that the Gov't. is spending my hard-earned money on stuff I disagree with violently, when it could be giving it to people who really do need it. I wasn't saying that you shouldn't work, but (I'm no expert) aren't there kinds of public assistance that you can get while working if your income is low enough (like WIC)?

Yes...But my reasoning is this...I have a job, I work hard, I get by.
I am not opposed to Gov't assistance to those in REAL need. There are many worse off than me who need help. There are also those who could probably do what I do and get by fine yet they are not willing to try because it's easier just to collect a check for doing nothing. That makes me angry.

I'd love to hear what it is you disagree with so violently. I also find some things that the Gov't spends $$$$ on ludicrous. :)

I might also add that most of my working years, I was glad to have my taxes deducted for welfare, not having the slightest idea thati would need it myself someday. The lowest i would stoop to was accepting low income tuition assistance. Back when i entered my catonic meditation period, and my wife had to divorce me. I could muster up the energy to go to free food lines for the kids, and even then i would at least have someone hold my place in line while, while i would energetically help with the operations. It took a decade to accept my assistance as a gift from god, while i did my best to serve god.

I use gov't assistance. I don't see a problem with it since I have worked and paid taxes. I just see it as coming back to me. Since I am pregnant, and I am working.. I just don't make enough to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills. I get medicaid-- that is, free medical care. I don't feel guilty and I don't feel like I'm milking the system. I think that KR does need assistance, but I think it should be monitored in a way that it would not pay for her hormone treatments. I guess if anyone feels that strongly about it, you have her Driver's License, report her.

thanks :)...

Don't you think though, that if society is what causes the problem... then society should fix it?

I doubt i've even taken as much as I paid in taxes. I was making a $80k/yr now its $8500/yr. Don't you think that if i felt i was up to it, i'd go for the money? If for nothing else, than to see my kids and get my operation?

Oh, and i would most whole-heartedly be paying taxes for 'they' if i had the chance. I've said before, i think half the jobs in the U.S. are bogus. We should re-instate the WPA until the whole country is full of community gardens, art, and marvellous architecture. Billions of man-hours are wasted on activites created by a society that got bored, paranoid, & careless. All women should have at least their first two pregnancies fully government subsidized. Same goes for higher education.

I agree: if she was capable of the work, and didn't have more socially responsible way's to apply her existing talents, she should have taken the job.
I applied at several McDonald's & Jack-in-the-Boxes (& almost found it enjoyable), figuring my 4.5 years at one 13 years ago were sure to get me hired, when fighting being sent on SSDI.
I've been spending the past couple days writing a survey to help me get employed, so maybe we can hold off on this thread until then; I've needed to do a lot of cooking the next months waffles & smoothies before my produce goes bad.

I must say though, I would get very depressed working at fast-food for long, considering professionals in art, computers, and many other fields find my work quite impressive, until they find out how scattered i am in a production environment. Not to mention my 20 years of community college, which pales to the R&D i do on my own.

and today is the first day Prozac hasn't wreaked hell on my system, except that my head feels like it is on fire sometimes.

oh, I often tip the crew at fast-food restauraunts, having known what they're going through.

they...you are not milking the system. The system was set up for people in times of genuine need. If I had no other options(Luckily, I do.)I would probably use the Gov't assistance I qualify for. I just feel angry because of some of the ways Kristal has described "honing" her disorder(s) so she can qualify for a check.
As far as reporting her....How do we even know that she/he is even telling the truth about any of this? It could be some bored teenager yanking our chains.

There is nothing to report. You've seen my license. And in a few minutes you can help get me off (i just spent a few hours writing a survey to that end), if you think that's proper. Will you discredit my abilities and disabilities alike?

The trouble with social programs that hand out money to the needy is that some people will rip that system off and the only way to fix that is to add more monitoring, and monitoring costs more money, and then you need monitors for the monitors and the percentage of money that actually makes it into the hands of the needy goes way down.
It seems to me that direct contributions would be so much more efficient. Why can't jen and eris give their tax money directly to they to help with her pregnancy expenses? Perhaps the IRS could offer one-for-one deductions for donation directly to government approved destinations. hmm... would that work? The government would simply throw a bunch of things on the table that people could contribute their tax dollars to - they would put more than we could all pay for up there. Then the popular programs would get the cash, directly. Some citizens could help buy tanks and missiles, others could help buy legal assitance for the poor.

Bill: I've been preaching that system for 20 years: Vote with your tax return.

What if more people wanted tanks though? or visa versa?

Then that's what they'd designate their return to. People who didn't want to think could assign a delegate i.e. Green party or NOW. An up to the minute pie chart of income & expenses should be posted though. Voting now is like giving your opinion on whethar your neighbor should buy a new bmw, when you don't know if they're making
$12k/yr or $140k/yr. A rediculous token in the hands of the uninformed.

We'd be swamped with funding commercials, and i'm not sure uncle sam wants to know how we'd want to spend the money.

I get paid directly from my female clients!!!!!

Who tie you in a chair and hurt you?

I get to think about this topic now. Fortunately I was just getting ready to accept work when they sent me a letter today and said they expect me to improve.

At the moment I'm getting paid an exorbitant amount not to work. Severance packages are magical things.

I just left being the office manager for a licensed therapist who suggests I stay on disability. It was a bit like being tied in a chair & hurt.

Don't work. I really need to though.