My life is in ruins.

[minivan2]

I have $28 in my bank account, can't find any job, and school is difficult me. In short, I'm screwed.

[abelenkpe]

1. I don't have a job either

going on an interview though in an hour. Don't give up!

[aquart]

2. School counselors office. NOW.

[shraby]

3. What state are you in?

[minivan2]

5. California

Southern to be exact.

[KamaAina]

39. Try the California forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1040

Bay Area here.

[SamKnause]

4. I am so very sorry to hear that.

There are so many people who are destitute and suffering in this country.

I live in extreme poverty.(SSDI)

I live day to day.

There is no future for me.

I live in the moment.

I feel your pain.

[Control-Z]

6. Do what aquart says.

Just getting it off your chest to a live warm body will help.

[postulater]

7. ^^^^^^ What aquart said!

When I was in college, I would have appreciated the advice of a good counselor. They are not always easy to find and don't always know what you need, but you can get started with one and keep looking until you find one who you are comfortable with.

(A good counselor might have put me on track several years earlier.)

[Squinch]

8. Talk to a live human who loves you. Call them now. Talk it through.

Nothing is over.

I know that it's cheesy and corny, but I was in a similar position many years ago. I just kept singing Billy Joel's "Second Wind" to myself. It became like a mantra.... and it turned out to be true.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. What Aquart said, school counselor NOW

[Squinch]

10. Minivan, how are you doing?

[Lost_Count]

11. You could try...

www.goarmy.com

[PowerToThePeople]

12. Minivan is NOT Cannon Fodder

unrec.

[Lost_Count]

16. Much better to have a "life in ruins"...

[PowerToThePeople]

17. "life" is the key word there. eom

[Lost_Count]

23. *pats self down*

Yup... Got one of those as well...

[PowerToThePeople]

31. Over 6000 veterans do not

due to being killed in an illegal war.

[Lost_Count]

37. Different mindsets I suppose...

I can't imagine doing having a life so dull that there was no chance something bad could happen... Ever...

[morningfog]

63. Care to edit? Your post doesn't make sense.

[Lost_Count]

68. Think harder...

You'll get there...

[morningfog]

69. Write better. You could make sense:

"I can't imagine doing having a life so dull that there was no chance something bad could happen."

Doing having?

[Lost_Count]

70. Context and point were clear...

If the best point you have is about my phone typing abilities this is gonna be real short...

[morningfog]

71. I asked for clarification, you acted pompous and self-righteous.

You can proof read on your phone can't you?

Or are you too busy trying to lure people into being sacrificial lambs? I think I remember you now.

[Lost_Count]

72. Call me Shaun...

It's like that but with candy and a mortar...

[riderinthestorm]

66. The military's averaging 1 - 2 penis amputations/day

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/beyond-the-battlefield-afghanistan-genital-injuries_n_1335356.html

I think if I were young, I'd probably try to stay away from doing shit that would purposefully put myself in that kind of danger.

Different mindset and all that...

[JJChambers]

27. The military can be a noble and rewarding career

Nt

[Lex]

28. Or you can get your legs blown off.

[JJChambers]

29. So?

Do you think the military is the only career with inherent dangers of physical injury? There are plenty of dangerous jobs that have fewer benefits and are less rewarding than military service. It is irresponsible to discourage someone who is down on their luck from even considering military service.

[Lex]

34. You point of view and that's fine.

Sending someone off who is poor to get potentially get blown up and mangled for life to essentially fight for oil companies and companies like Halliburton is reprehensible to me.

[yeoman6987]

35. Sorry, but your post is awful!

I did 24 years and it was great and straightened me out. I retired and am proud that I don't have to have an OP like this. The Military is exactly what is needed in this situation!

[Arugula Latte]

42. Yeah -- Join the U.S. Army and sacrifice yourself in service to corporate plunder ...

Great cause, there.

What a freaking waste of lives and resources.

[minivan2]

46. I'm sorry

I don't want to risk my life.

[Lost_Count]

48. You risk your life every day just walkin' around...

You could slip on a banana at Fresh and Easy... might as well risk it doing something entertaining/interesting/not boring.

In any case, my two cents is to increase your risk tolerance.

Boring and safe rarely pay off and frankly it sounds like you don't have anywhere to go but up.

[minivan2]

49. I really appreciate you doing that for me

but I'm not interested in the army and never will be. And if I ever get drafted, which will thankfully never happen, I have plans to go to Canada.

[Lost_Count]

51. Well...

At least you've got that plan goin' for ya.

Good luck at the market.

[tblue37]

56. My friend was considering the Army some years ago when he was in your situation. I

pointed out to him that he could join the Navy, receive the same kinds of benefits, but with far less chance of getting used as cannon fodder.

He did so. Minimum enlistment was for 6 years. He did two years here, and two stationed overseas.

His tech training from the Navy is what made him eligible for a good civilian job troubleshooting medical computers, and he is now a happy family man with two kids, a nice wife whom he met while stationed overseas, and a job that has enabled him to support his family comfortably and buy a house.

In the old days I might have suggested the Air Force as well as the Navy as an option, but they were sending airmen to the front line in Iraq, too, so not that!

(The Coast Guard might be another option.)

BTW, he was not "good at school," either, so he was sure he couldn't handle tech school in the Navy. I pointed out to him that training their tech support personnel is essential, and the Navy (or any other service branch) has a lot invested in making sure their trainees succeed in tech school. He had little faith in his ability to learn such things (when I first started tutoring with him when he was in his early twenties, he couldn't even add, subtract, or multiply fractions!), but he graduated second in his class in tech school.

Think of the Navy, young man.

[minivan2]

57. I've never had any interest in the Navy, Coast Gaurd, Marines, or Army.

However, I am interested in the Peace Corps. I think I could fit in there.

[tblue37]

59. A stint in the Peace Corps is no walk in the park, but as long as you understand what you

are signing up for, it is a noble endeavor, The people I know who have volunteered have found it to be the most enriching experience of their lives (and usually one of the most difficult).

[riderinthestorm]

67. Please don't think that your only option is the military. I hate seeing people feeling forced

Its not for everyone.

Besides, its dangerous. Losing your life might be easier than living maimed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/beyond-the-battlefield-afghanistan-genital-injuries_n_1335356.html

The military is amputating 1 - 2 penis' per day from battlefield injuries. Think wisely before you decide to enlist and only do so if you are committed to being a warrior.

For some people being a warrior is truly their destiny.

But to be forced into it because there's nothing else?

Please. Try to see a counselor before you make rash decisions.

[morningfog]

64. Are you an army recruiter?

[LittleBlue]

50. You really don't have to

Join the Air Force. This isn't a knock against them (yes chair force har har), but my friend's dad was in the Air Force and they rarely ever risk their lives. He said the Air Force was mostly about logistics and other support roles. You can imagine how much in supplies such a huge army as ours needs. They do other things, I don't know what, but it's mainly non-combat from what I understand. You won't have to kill anyone or get killed. The AF probably does do combat, but it's more like special groups and elite jet pilots, roles that are competitive (so if you don't want them, don't compete)

He said his father was nowhere near combat his entire life.

[minivan2]

60. Also I want to point out

My cousin was in the Air Force, so I think my family is ok if I don't become enlisted.

[Lost_Count]

62. Second bit of advice...

It doesn't matter if your family has that block checked or not.

Go do something you find interesting.

Just don't be boring...

[WillowTree]

13. I was pretty much where you are once and it sucks Big Time.

I can tell you that it can get better. You have to push through it, though. That can be hard as Hell some days, but you can do it.

Find someone to talk to. A friend or a school counselor or priest/minister/rabbi if that's your bent. Or contact your county health department. But get yourself someone you can unload on who will listen to you and not judge. If it's someone who will give an occasional hug, so much the better.

One day at a time. One foot in front of the other. You can do it.

And for Heaven's sake, keep posting.

[warrprayer]

14. ...

welcome to the 99%

[MrScorpio]

15. You can do it

Yes, you can!

[riderinthestorm]

18. Where are you minivan?? Check in...

(the mom in me is fretting)

[steve2470]

19. please report back....

I'm sure others are concerned too. I hope you've talked to a counselor ASAP.

[MrMickeysMom]

20. How old are you, minivan2?

Do you have any skill sets? Are you in a housing situation?

[Tom Rinaldo]

21. Things can turn around tomorrow, you could meet someone with a connection

It's a horrible place to be in, I'm not trying to minimize what you are going through. You are suffering and there is no guarantee that things might not get worse before they get better. I have a friend who literally lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, but her life didn't end with that. She had very hard times, but later some good times reentered her world. Try to hold onto the fact that new doors do open. Even though they don't always open up soon enough to prevent hard times that we fall into, when they do appear things can get better quickly.

[MO_Moderate]

22. Join the military

[PowerToThePeople]

30. (graphic warning)

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/national/fallen/

[MO_Moderate]

33. Thanks

but I don't need a video to remind me of my brothers in arms.

There are plenty of non-combat jobs in the military.

[Lost_Count]

41. We are on the same page...

... Except for that last bit.

Every responsible person who joins any branch of the military should have the mindset and be prepared to deploy and fire rounds at someone else, usually while they send a few your way.

I realize that there are in fact many jobs where that is unlikely in the extreme but if they aren't ready to slap on that plate carrier and carry that rifle, they shouldn't sign.

[gwheezie]

24. 40 years ago I was homeless

I went to a Salvation Army shelter and they housed me for a few months, I wound up getting a certificate as a nurse's aid and got a job as a nurses aid and lived in a commune.I really didn't want to be a nurse's aid but it was the quickest way to get some kind of skill in a high demand job, turned out I loved it. It was difficult because I also had a child.The job paid for nursing school, when I got out of school everything changed, I was able to go on to another degree, buy a home, raise my kid. Finishing school made all the difference, I haven't been out of work since then. It was a different time then, I don't know how I would do it today but the 1st step is asking for help.Ask people who will actually help though,no point in wasting time and energy.

[NM_Birder]

25. That's what I remember college being all about

Flip it around, school is difficult for you, work a little harder it WILL pay off in the long run. Regardless what popular opinion is, a college degree IS an extremely valuable asset.

I look back at what I thought was some of the toughest times, and now remember them as some of the best memories. My best friend and I lived for weeks on mustard and ketchup sandwiches, and a box of Bisquick, along with what could be mooched from "campus scavenging".

It was bad, and it was not funny at the time, but the key is to not give up, otherwise what will you have to laugh at after you make it ?

[Bennyboy]

26. So sorry, what do you do? What can you do?

Can you create art?

[TampaAnimusVortex]

32. It's a matter of perspective...

There's no where to go now but up!

One day you are going to die. Your going to look back on this day from your deathbed and wish you had problems like you have today, with all the time and possibilities and choices you have available - because in that bed, from which you wont be getting up from, all those options and choices will be gone.

What you have now is your powers of imagination, choice, and hope.... Use them.

[Yo_Mama]

36. Unless you are depressed, it is not

If you are depressed, talk to a counselor ASAP or even call a suicide hotline.

If you don't have money to eat, there are food banks, and counselors have references to a ton of resources, including sometimes campus jobs. Go talk to people. But - if everything seems dark and everything seems too difficult, then you need to get in touch with someone who can help with that!

Half my friends (and myself) spent most of their time in school like this (I went to college during the early 80s recession).

You're not done until you think you're done.

[lumberjack_jeff]

38. Helpful Flow chart

[Fumesucker]

40. I'm not going to try to give you advice, just know that you are not alone in your problems

[WillowTree]

43. Sure do wish we'd hear from you again, minivan.

[ladyVet]

44. Not screwed, just at a down moment.

Believe me, I've been about as down as you can get, squeaking by just barely from living on the street. It's not easy being broke, and feeling hopeless.

Please stop in and let us know how things are going. I know there are many folks on here who can point you towards help, if they knew some more details.

[minivan2]

45. Hey everybody it's me again

First of all, thank you everybody for the wonderful comments, it's great that I have so much support from the DU family , second of all, I'm alive, I was just having a bad day, and I needed some support. I agree with everybody it's hard time for my generation and it's going to get harder me being 18 and all. I had an interview with Fresh and Easy yesterday (I don't know what their politics are like, so if you have any information on them make sure to tell me. I'm going to talk to a counselor tomorrow to get more help.

Again, thank you everybody for the help.

P.S. I wasn't having suicidal thoughts if you were thinking.

[MrMickeysMom]

47. That's good...

You'll get there. You always can when you have the people on your side, minivan2.

[shenmue]

52. Don't give up

Something will happen.

[Fumesucker]

54. Hey, good to hear from you

Glad you have made some progress and your mood seems a little better.

[Curmudgeoness]

58. I don't know what Fresh and Easy is,

but it doesn't matter what their politics are. If you need a job, and they give you a job, you just take it...as long as they don't require you to go against your basic principles to do the job. I work in an office with just about everyone else being Faux loving conservatives. I do my job. I get paid. Hell, if I needed a job, I would go to work for Hobby Lobby.

[Yo_Mama]

65. Thx for posting update

Don't worry about the politics, just take the work if you need it.

It's not you, it's the circs, and don't decide that you are the problem. I know it is depressing when things are so difficult. But there are many, many others having difficulties like this - it isn't just you.

[Shankapotomus]

53. Here is someone who

voluntarily elected to be in a similar position as yours:

https://sites.google.com/site/livingwithoutmoney/

Not much of a consolation but it is an example of the variety of life this earth has seen. For most of human history, there was no such thing as "employment."

If your time does not work for you, be a time traveler in your own way.

[MannyGoldstein]

55. Get angry. Get involved. But don't give up.

After 30 years of getting #%^*ed by the 1% and their kept politicians, Americans are finally realizing that we need to change things.

I recommend that you find a like-minded group of individuals to work with, to go out and make change. Find a group of Liberals/Progressives with brains and an attitude, and make it happen. Life is always better with a purpose, and with support. A good group will help you to find what you need to get by.

It's your generation that will save us all. (Not to put too much weight on your shoulders...)

[bigwillq]

61. Obama will save you.

He will save all of us.

[minivan2]

73. Well, I took a step back today.

I am really failing my English class and I might have to drop. I just feel so frustrated with college and being unemployed. I wish life was easier.