Chasing the Elusive Dream
Viewing comments for Chapter 8 "A Rude Awakening"A southern couple's journey in the 60's,70's & 80'
32 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Barlow
It's good to see you get out and get a job. I worked from eighteen years and all through my first marriage at twenty-two. Hopefully, the next chapter finds you a job you like.
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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It's good to see you get out and get a job. I worked from eighteen years and all through my first marriage at twenty-two. Hopefully, the next chapter finds you a job you like.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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I worked for many years, but getting off the ground with a decent job came slowly. I had to start at the bottom and get a little experience behind me.
Beth
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I was 28 before I got a decent job.
Comment from Judy Lawless
I've been in jobs like that too, Beth. Either I wasn't experienced enough, or there were co-workers who spent more time flirting than doing there job. You learned the hard way, as did I. This is well written. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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I've been in jobs like that too, Beth. Either I wasn't experienced enough, or there were co-workers who spent more time flirting than doing there job. You learned the hard way, as did I. This is well written. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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Yes, a lot of us had to learn the hard way. I appreciate the review and comments.
Beth
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
Life wasn't easy for you as a newlywed wife, but if I recall being young myself, youth has a way of taking the edge off many hardships. The other thing you had in your favor was a very understanding husband.
Here are my suggestions for revisions:
"O.K. what now?," I asked myself.
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"Okay, what now?" I asked myself.
I had my BA degree with an Art major and Education Minor.
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I had my BA degree with an Art major and Education minor.
... plus five hours of time and half for overtime.
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... plus five hours of time and a half for overtime.
Up until this point,I had led a sheltered life.
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Up until this point, I had led a sheltered life.
so when I was offered another job with a small Art agency, I handed in my notice.
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so when I was offered another job with a small art agency, I handed in my notice.
The owner wasn't looking for an artist as he'd led me to believe.
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The owner wasn't looking for an artist, as he'd led me to believe.
***
You did encounter some rather shocking realities of office life, especially the sexual harassment. Surprisingly, this could come from women as well as men, as if they were trying to prove a point. The loan office sounds like it was a sad and brutal place, almost something out of Charles Dickens! I didn't work for a loan office, but I did spend a summer at a collections agency -- not a whole lot better. I can't believe you worked as a "clerk typist" -- so did I! I guess it was a common entry level position, back in the day. I don't think that day exists anymore.
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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Life wasn't easy for you as a newlywed wife, but if I recall being young myself, youth has a way of taking the edge off many hardships. The other thing you had in your favor was a very understanding husband.
Here are my suggestions for revisions:
"O.K. what now?," I asked myself.
-->
"Okay, what now?" I asked myself.
I had my BA degree with an Art major and Education Minor.
-->
I had my BA degree with an Art major and Education minor.
... plus five hours of time and half for overtime.
-->
... plus five hours of time and a half for overtime.
Up until this point,I had led a sheltered life.
-->
Up until this point, I had led a sheltered life.
so when I was offered another job with a small Art agency, I handed in my notice.
-->
so when I was offered another job with a small art agency, I handed in my notice.
The owner wasn't looking for an artist as he'd led me to believe.
-->
The owner wasn't looking for an artist, as he'd led me to believe.
***
You did encounter some rather shocking realities of office life, especially the sexual harassment. Surprisingly, this could come from women as well as men, as if they were trying to prove a point. The loan office sounds like it was a sad and brutal place, almost something out of Charles Dickens! I didn't work for a loan office, but I did spend a summer at a collections agency -- not a whole lot better. I can't believe you worked as a "clerk typist" -- so did I! I guess it was a common entry level position, back in the day. I don't think that day exists anymore.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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Thank you so much, Mary Kay. I wish you'd been around back when I wrote this. The working world wasn't a easy place for women back 50 years ago. Being young does take the edge off the problems. I'm glad things are easier for girls today. Especially if they are harrassed by men who make unwelcome advances.
I do appreciate your helping make my storys better.
Beth
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You're very welcome, dear Beth. I'm happy I can help now, and I'm trying to catch some of your chapters as you "revive" them.
Things are certainly better for girls and women today, and we have more recourse. I couldn't believe that our own NY Governor Andrew Cuomo actually groped a female state trooper in an elevator, and thought he would get away with that. It wasn't only lecherous, but downright stupid, and arrogant as well.
Blessings, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Wendy G
This is an interesting story, and well written. I am sure that many will relate to the frustration of not finding their niche ... so I will look forward to your next piece to see what happened next. Many will also relate to the problems you faced with the man and woman in your first position. Very difficult and awkward situations.
Wendy
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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This is an interesting story, and well written. I am sure that many will relate to the frustration of not finding their niche ... so I will look forward to your next piece to see what happened next. Many will also relate to the problems you faced with the man and woman in your first position. Very difficult and awkward situations.
Wendy
Comment Written 31-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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Thank you so much Wendy. I really appreciate the review and comments.
Beth
Comment from Ben Colder
During those times in the early sixties, my wife also tried this, from placing people on jobs with employment agencies to clerks in a drug store. Much like Evan, I told her she needed to stay home and take care of the kids. She never went back out into the workforce, and I made enough to handle things.
Glad to read this. Well done, Beth.
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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During those times in the early sixties, my wife also tried this, from placing people on jobs with employment agencies to clerks in a drug store. Much like Evan, I told her she needed to stay home and take care of the kids. She never went back out into the workforce, and I made enough to handle things.
Glad to read this. Well done, Beth.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2021
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Women didn't find it easy to find well-paying jobs in those days. Thank you for the excellent comments and review and also for the stars.
Beth
Comment from mermaids
I admire your perseverance in obtaining jobs despite the various problems at the jobs. It is interesting the various characters you had to deal with. Excellent writing about your early job history.
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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I admire your perseverance in obtaining jobs despite the various problems at the jobs. It is interesting the various characters you had to deal with. Excellent writing about your early job history.
Comment Written 30-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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Thank you so much for the review. No one wanted to hire someone who had never worked before, so I had to take anything I could get.
Beth
Comment from lyenochka
I remember parts of this story from your other book. Oh my goodness, you always had problems with men at the workplace. It's hard when a lady is pretty and some men are just awful. So glad you got out of that loan company quickly, and that other company even quicker!
I was releaved of the enormous (relieved)
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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I remember parts of this story from your other book. Oh my goodness, you always had problems with men at the workplace. It's hard when a lady is pretty and some men are just awful. So glad you got out of that loan company quickly, and that other company even quicker!
I was releaved of the enormous (relieved)
Comment Written 30-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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Thank you so much Helen. I'm glad the laws today are more protective of women who have unwanted advances by men. Now women can speak up and get some help in this area. Back then, even when we complained, no one did anything about it. We were expected to handle it the best way we could. I don't think I was all that beautiful. Maybe I seemed more naive that most. I imagine most women had to deal with it.
Beth
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I've seen your pictures. One of them reminded me of Della Street on Perry Mason and I think she's gorgeous. Plus, your daughters had lots of boys entranced so I'm sure those good looks came from you! 😊💖
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Well thank you. Were you able to get on my facebook? I wouldn't know how to get on yours. You could send me a friend request.
Beth
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I did send you a request a while ago. It says you're a Manga writer in Chattanooga? Is that right?
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No, I don't even know what that means. Someone stole my identity and I'm told there is too acounts with my name. I'm not on facebook a lot and I'm always getting request from people who are already my friends. I don't think I got a request from you but I will double check.
Beth
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I found you. You have some amazing pictures. I am in Chattanooga a block or two out of the city limits. I don't know what a Manga writer is but I did belong to a writing club.
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A manga book is like a comic book where the story is told with pictures but it is like whole novel. Remember the old comic Prince Valiant - I think that would be considered a manga these days.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Beth, I absolutely love it, and how open you are about your innocence and ignorance what real life was all about. We all had to learn it didn't we. Only found a small thing: his camerman with her flirting. = his cameraman..
Can't wait to be reading on. I miss your other family story. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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Hi Beth, I absolutely love it, and how open you are about your innocence and ignorance what real life was all about. We all had to learn it didn't we. Only found a small thing: his camerman with her flirting. = his cameraman..
Can't wait to be reading on. I miss your other family story. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 30-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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Thank you Ulla. I'm so glad you like this. I'll be getting back to the other one soon. I had a wedding in the family last Sunday and then a two day trip our of town. When I got back my in box was so full I had spend time catching up.
Beth
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I know what you mean. I have been there of late. I really do enjoy your writing, so I'm glad your soon back with the other later part of your married life and after. xx
Comment from royowen
I know from your biography thst thing eventually worked out for you. I can remember as a young boy starting work, fellow workers playing jokes on a young man who was incredibly naive, so it actually works both ways, although even then God seemed to be on my side, beautifully written Beth, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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I know from your biography thst thing eventually worked out for you. I can remember as a young boy starting work, fellow workers playing jokes on a young man who was incredibly naive, so it actually works both ways, although even then God seemed to be on my side, beautifully written Beth, blessings Roy
Comment Written 30-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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Thank you Roy, Young people starting out in life have a lot of learning to do. I don't regret anything that happened. It all works out for good in the end.
Beth
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It does, as God says, ?Tribulation worketh patience
Comment from Ric Myworld
The old saying, "When one door closes, another one opens," is a very true saying most of the time. We just have to be patient and and keep going through the motions. Thanks for sharing another fine chapter.
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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The old saying, "When one door closes, another one opens," is a very true saying most of the time. We just have to be patient and and keep going through the motions. Thanks for sharing another fine chapter.
Comment Written 30-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2021
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Thank you, Ric, for another great review. Yes another window almost always opens, and another lesson learned is usually part of the deal.
Beth
