RV capital of the world, the hurricane has officially hit

I just spent the an hour cutting this apart with a smoldering x-acto knife, by flame of my kitchen stove.

the blade is now dull and done for,

but it worked!!

anyway it was a learning experience, and I figured what I'll do different next time I get the idea in my head to paint something of this nature.

The earlier part of my day went a little like this...

ELKHART — Tough times in Elkhart are getting national attention. The jump in unemployment now has the distinction of being the highest in the country.This weekend the New York Times profiled Elkhart, calling it the "white-hot center of the meltdown of the American economy."(snip)

The New York Times cited labor statistics that showed the jobless rate has increased more than any other metropolitan area in the country, rising 4.8 points from August 2007 through August 2008. Nearly 10,000 people are out of work. The rate is 9.3 percent.“I don't know what to do but just keep beating the trail and trying to find a job,” said Williams.

As Industries Dry Up, Frustration and Despair
Elkhart, near the Michigan border in an area known as Michiana, is the white-hot center of the meltdown of the American economy. Its main industries, the manufacturing of recreational vehicles and motor homes, have fallen apart over the last year because of high gasoline prices. That has taken down ancillary businesses like R.V. parts suppliers and storage warehouses.

The jobless rate in Elkhart has increased more than in any metropolitan area in the country; it rose over 4.8 percentage points from August 2007 to August 2008. According to labor statistics released this summer, nearly 10,000 people were out of work, a rate of 9.3 percent.
“I’m just dwindling to the bottom,” Melinda Owens, 24, said as she emerged from the unemployment office.

City services are on the decline, and hold-ups are on the rise — there were nine armed robberies or attempted armed robberies on convenience stores in just the last two weeks. On Friday, the front-page news of the paper, The Elkhart Truth, was about a local plastic company that was actually not closing its plant.

The busiest spot in town seems to be the unemployment office, where 20 people stood in line on Friday and streams more passed through. Bryan and Christy Fisher were among them. The couple lost their house to foreclosure this year, then found one to rent; next week they will downsize to an apartment. (Article from the New York Times)

here's one I delivered awhile back!! The Hurricane :)
Today I found these articles describing the situation here in Elkhart. Today this was my life. Standing in line at the unemployment office. I went there with the intention of applying for a grant that has been made available to the workers of the RV industry. It's no joke here, it was just like the article said. Bunches of people in line, and apparently a slower day than usual with the roads an icy mess and the dropping temperature. The RV industry has been a big part of my work life and travels over these past two years. Since this past July the gaps between assignments have grown and many workers in the area have been laid off. Welcome to 2009!! So I've been thinking for awhile about several different options for life changes and work opportunities. That's where I'm at and what I'm up to right now. I'm going back to that place in the morning to finish the application process for the grant, then we'll see what happens from there. I'm real sad, I loved hanging out in RVs and getting paid to explore America and getting to go out to Cali so often too. It's also real sad for all the families that are now struggling here because of the economic loss this place has been experiencing. But life is good and I'm motivated and hopeful. I have a feeling 2009 is going to be a good year. Something has got to give. So with all as it is, for now, it looks like I will be up north here in Indiana for a bit and then onto what's next.

I'll most likely be found here doing one of these activities.

at ice breaking a sweat.
lounging at matt's.
at the unemployment office doing something.
watching films.
at the shop working on putting things back together again.
with friends.
shoveling more snow out of the drive way.
making things in the kitchen.
painting.
making tea and taking bubble baths.
writing more.
thinking about warmer weather.

much love to you all, I'll be around and about soon, i hope, after taking care of some things here. good night all and sleep well tonight.