Recently I met a guy who has a good christian band in need of a bassplayer. He asked me to meet him and his lead singer last friday for a casual audition.
We got together (he plays lead guitar by the way) and went over several of the songs the band covers, and we melded nicely. They asked me to come again Monday (yesterday) to rehearse with the full band, and to seriously consider playing with them all the time.
Mila went with me, and again we melded nicely. They seem to have a good heart about the ministry, and I didnt see any ego situations. Everyone was talented and versatile, and all had one goal....to spread the gospel. They seemed to have an interest in Milas vocal abilities as well. If she can be plugged in also, that will be a big plus for me.
At the end of the night, they asked me to play a New years eve gig with them, and asked if I could commit to several rehearsals prior to that night. I willingly agreed.
It seems that they have several shows lined up for 2009, and some may turn out to have good size crowds. This is exciting for me, as I have wanted to be part of a band for several years that gets to play out often.
The sad part is that I have been playing with my friend Dan Hall and his band for a year or so. I love the style and mechanics of Dans band, but it just seems like we cant get together, due to our conflicting schedules, to play very many shows.
I look forward to meeting with the guys from Red Letter Road again. We are all praying about this venture together, and seeking Gods guidance.
We all agree, that without Him....we have nothing.
Psalms 100:1,2,4 - Psalm A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2.Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3.Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4.Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A small victory
I will start this blog with some education about the unemployment system.
When a person is laid off due to no fault of their own, they file for unemployment benefits thru the state of Illinois. The employer at this point is notified and has the right to protest, if said claim is filed falsely, or there is any reason the unemployed person should not be entitled to unemployement benefits.
Unemployement benefits by the way, is a steady source of income for 26 weeks (plus any available extenstions), however I, for example, will only draw about half of my usual net pay.
Here is the thrust of this blog.
My former employer, MGPIngredients, decided to protest our unemployement because from our day of layoff (11/21/08) until Jan 9, 2009, we will be drawing what is called a "Pay in lieu of notice" based on the Warren act which reads;
When a person is laid off due to no fault of their own, they file for unemployment benefits thru the state of Illinois. The employer at this point is notified and has the right to protest, if said claim is filed falsely, or there is any reason the unemployed person should not be entitled to unemployement benefits.
Unemployement benefits by the way, is a steady source of income for 26 weeks (plus any available extenstions), however I, for example, will only draw about half of my usual net pay.
Here is the thrust of this blog.
My former employer, MGPIngredients, decided to protest our unemployement because from our day of layoff (11/21/08) until Jan 9, 2009, we will be drawing what is called a "Pay in lieu of notice" based on the Warren act which reads;
"The Warren Act provides guidelines for certain companies closing their
doors. A key provision requires 60 days notice (or pay in lieu of notice) to be given to
employees."
MGP determined that because we were eligble for the pay in lieu of notice, that they would deny our unemployement benefits during this period.
The umemployement pay during this 7 weeks only amounts to about $2100.00, which may not seem like alot, but given that our layoff was announced shortly before the holidays, with NO prior knowledge, it would be enough to help a family thru the Christmas season.
Well long story short, God is good. The state of illinois overruled MGPs protest and we were awarded full unemployement benefits during the 7 week period of the pay in lieu.
Psalm 36:5 Thy mercy, oh Lord, is in the heavens;and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds.
Well long story short, God is good. The state of illinois overruled MGPs protest and we were awarded full unemployement benefits during the 7 week period of the pay in lieu.
Psalm 36:5 Thy mercy, oh Lord, is in the heavens;and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds.
Friday, December 5, 2008
addendum
Psalms 23:6 - Psalm Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Amen
A good day to start blogging.
Its not any secret that we have had a misfortunate 6 weeks. On Oct 27 I fell outside my home and severely fractured my right thumb (right first meta carpal, if you will) and on Oct 29th had a lovely surgery to install 5 pins to fix the broken bones.
One week after the fall, the company I work for, MGP Ingredients, called an emergency meeting and announced a mass layoff. I, having been with the company only 20 months, of course was part of the mass layoff, which was permanent by the way.
Two weeks after that, one of our dear kitties who have been part of our family for many many years, Lucy, died of natural causes.
Maybe in the grand scheme of things such as broken bones and unemployment, losing a pet may seem insignificant, but thats not true. Lucy was a dear friend and we miss her greatly still. She leaves behind one dear brother (same litter) Bear/Weezer Carney. Hes alive and well.
Since the layoff I have discovered that the mass layoff maybe one of the best things that has EVER happened to me, as far as my career goes.
It seems the state of Illinois has programs in place to offer tuition to people in my situation, to get a degree in the medical field. It just so happens that I have dreamed for many years, of becoming a nurse.
SO for the past several weeks I have been jumping through hoops to meet the requirements for nursing school.
I took an entrance exam this week, and did not pass, so my next option is to get some tutoring and retest in March. I am quite confident that I will pass in March and enroll in school starting in August.
One week after the fall, the company I work for, MGP Ingredients, called an emergency meeting and announced a mass layoff. I, having been with the company only 20 months, of course was part of the mass layoff, which was permanent by the way.
Two weeks after that, one of our dear kitties who have been part of our family for many many years, Lucy, died of natural causes.
Maybe in the grand scheme of things such as broken bones and unemployment, losing a pet may seem insignificant, but thats not true. Lucy was a dear friend and we miss her greatly still. She leaves behind one dear brother (same litter) Bear/Weezer Carney. Hes alive and well.
Since the layoff I have discovered that the mass layoff maybe one of the best things that has EVER happened to me, as far as my career goes.
It seems the state of Illinois has programs in place to offer tuition to people in my situation, to get a degree in the medical field. It just so happens that I have dreamed for many years, of becoming a nurse.
SO for the past several weeks I have been jumping through hoops to meet the requirements for nursing school.
I took an entrance exam this week, and did not pass, so my next option is to get some tutoring and retest in March. I am quite confident that I will pass in March and enroll in school starting in August.
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