Hey Folks!
It’s amazing how quickly life changes. Two weeks ago, after a frustrating year of job searching, I decided it was time for a change. I took a look at what might’ve been hindering my ability to find a job. The problem isn’t necessarily that I can’t find a job (there are tons out there), it’s that I can’t find a job that pays what I’m making now. I’m even accounting for a 30 hour work week since the cut in hours. I finally landed an interview for a position in the village I live. But once I left I knew there was no way they’re were gonna hire me. I took a long look at myself and my resume and found two solid reasons I wasn’t getting any responses, or why nothing came to fruition after in-person interviews. One, I only have a high school diploma. I was too poor to attend college after high school and definitely did not have a support system. I was left with little options other than to join the workforce after high school and that’s where I’ve been ever since. And the second reason I’m certain is turning of potential employers is that I have hand tattoos.
After hours of searching the internet, trying to decide what I would feel comfortable doing, I found an accredited online school where I can earn a certification in 15 weeks to be a medical billing specialist. I looked at medical coding (because it pays better), but after reading what a few medical coders recommended, which was to become a medical billing specialist first, get some experience, then return and take the coding course, I decided that was the best thing to do. Besides, I’m not sure if medical coding is for me. Most of the classes are the same, you learn some of the coding basics as a billing specialist, and the advisor stated I would only need the coding class if I returned. We’ll see how I feel about coding when I get there.
Also, last Thursday I had my first laser tattoo removal treatment on my hands and let me tell you it hurts 100X worse than getting a tattoo. And that’s with a numbing cream they use. Before the treatment I read online that it felt like getting snapped with a rubberband. No. It’s much worse. Afterward I found a forum where someone described it like cooking with hot oil and getting popped with the grease. Yes, exactly like that. Over and over again in rapid succession. It sucks. Then my fingers swelled and now I have blisters on the tattoos, all normal reactions to the process. One down and approximately five mores session to go, eight weeks apart.
On the writing front, Andy and I are currently working on a co-authored book, but obviously the progress is slow since I have about 15 hours of school each week, which is about the same time I was spending on Grindhouse Press and my writing. Also, after watching a few movies recently, I was struck with an idea of something to write solo, but I just don’t see the time for that happening any time soon. Maybe I’ll get to it, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.
Hope all of you are doing well.
C.V. Hunt
C.V. HUNT 