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Recession? Uh...Yeah.

Last week I was listening to a morning radio broadcast nonchalantly claim that the state of the economy was better than it was a year ago today, and that America was quite possibly out of the recession.

Yet I look around me…and things aren’t so hot.

The state of California’s economy is in disarray, especially after the state government approved a 10 percent income tax increase, effective immediately. Sure, California officials claim that residents will receive this money when they file their taxes next spring, but I hear rumors that the state will pretty much have to deliver IOU’s to nearly half the population.

Oh man I’m looking forward to this! Angelinos, please file your taxes early if you want to see a single penny from the government next summer.

Economic pressures have long plagued California, and now it seems like other states are facing fiscal crisis as well – such as my former home, Illinois.

California’s unemployment rate for September was an astronomical 12.2%, and Illinois was not far behind with a 10.5%. California faces a budget gap of approximately $7 Billion, which means that the spending cuts in 2010 will effect nearly every department.

So I call out to friends back in Chicagoland. If you plan on coming out to LA, be ready. I’m not saying it is a bad idea. (After all, Illinois is not doing much better)...But be very safe with your money, and for that matter, start saving now.

(sources include CNNmoney, Fox news, Los Angeles Times)

DM

Feelings of Nostalgia

Upon returning from a trip to Chicago for the weekend (for which I was in the area for a mere 38 hours) I needed to take a few minutes and reflect on the life I had there only 6 months ago. And I’ll be perfectly honest, the nostalgia was so thick that it literally stopped me from walking a few times. I couldn’t concentrate until getting back on a plane.

I’ve had this “Never Look Back” attitude since early this year, and I think returning to the old stomping grounds made me truly appreciate where I started. Not only places like Flashpoint Academy, but Illinois State University, and even all those years working in retail.

Even on those really really bad days…

Perhaps I didn’t realize it upon moving to Southern California, but the cultures of these two regions are wholly different. I have made such a die-hard effort to make myself known in Los Angeles, which included waking up early every morning and sending out my resume to at least 6 different possible employers.

I did this for 38 days. It was the scariest 38 days of my life, because it was the first time in 9 years I had been completely unemployed.

Now, I’m lucky enough to be an Executive Assistant, but I find myself wondering about where my path will take me. I love Los Angeles, and I look to continue my career here for many years to come, but it has never been my plan to stay here forever.

This, of course, depends on the career path, but travelling the world sounds real good to me right about now…

DM