Things I learned today...

[RobbyPants]

Yeah. The Nazis had no love for the communists.

Also, Hitler was huge into old German traditions, and wanted to regress on some odd issues. Some of them included wanting to move away from Latin type to more of old Germanic script (see spoiler) and to use German words for scientific terms instead of Latin terms, such as Sauerstoff (sour stuff) instead of Oxygen.

That, and the typical supreme race crap and general xenophobia are all largely conservative mindsets. But never mind that! We saw the word socialist in there!

[Maj]

I learned that fluorescent lights oxidize dairy products such that there is a discernible taste difference for the average consumer after only a couple of hours. Further, the light causes the vitamins in the milk to noticeably degrade - riboflavin (B2), vitamins A & D, and what little there is of vitamin C.

[virgil]

I learned that I'm absolutely atrocious at doing high level proofs, which is a flaw that's absolutely destroying me in Mathematical Analysis...

[Count Arioch the 28th]

I've learned that perhaps I'll never make anything of myself after all, and my opinion of myself previously was entirely too high.

[RobbyPants]

Well, that sucks. And here I thought you were doing better.

[Count Arioch the 28th]

I was. I got hired on at a loading dock.

Even though their production standard was 450 boxes an hour, they had the belt set at 600 boxes an hour for me.

When they found me lying unconscious in a truck under a collapsed wall of boxes with blood coming from both ends of my GI tract, they told me that I probably shouldn't be there. Then they told the Unemployment people that I walked off the job to make sure I couldn't collect unemployment. (I'd argue that I was less "walked" and more "forcibly dragged while I begged and pleaded to be allowed to continue", but that's probably a semantic argument).

That was two months ago, can't even get Wal-Mart to hire me. So at the end of the month I will be sleeping in my car. Which I can handle, but it breaks my heart to give away my cat. (If anyone wants to be smart and say "Den y r u on d internet HURRR!", it's because I'm at the public library and they have itnernet computers. I've been using them to search and apply for jobs. I've put out between 3-7 applications a week starting the very next day I was let go, because I know someone is going to try to be "1337" and try to "pwn" me by accusing me of not trying.)

Also, they denied my financial aid appeal with exactly 1 credit needed to graduate so college is going to be out of the question until the day comes that I can pay for it.

[Meikle641]

That's...really fucking shitty, Count. Is there a way you can appeal the unemployment decision? I had to do that up here after a boss fucked me over and lied to them.

I know how it feels to be blacklisted by an employer. I hope things turn up for you soon, dude.

[Neeeek]

(I'd argue that I was less "walked" and more "forcibly dragged while I begged and pleaded to be allowed to continue", but that's probably a semantic argument).

There is nothing semantic about it. The number of laws they broke in firing you is not inconsiderable. Go talk to a labor lawyer and sue their bitch asses.

[Maj]

When Ess lost his job, his company actually accused him of leaving the safe unlocked deliberately with intent to do malicious harm to the business. A local group helped us win that argument. While I realize you're all the way across the country, you should ask around to see if there is someone who will help you pro bono.

[Prak]

yeah, you could probably ease at least some of your financial trouble by suing their ass off... although it may not necessarily make you more hire-able.... I can't remember if you've ever sought disability, but it might be worth checking out...

hope things get better for you man, seriously, drive out here, there are places hiring, they're just retail and food service...

[Count Arioch the 28th]

What, no suggestions to become "an hero"? No diatribes about how I deserve this because I can be unpleasant on the internet? Gaming Den, you disapoint me .

(Kidding, of course).

I could try to appeal the unemployment, not sure how to go about it but I'm sure I can figure it out.

Neeek: I'll look into it, but VA is a right-to-work state. It's really hard to make anything stick to an employer. But I will inquire into it.

Prak: Anything physical I have is enough to make me in pain, but not enough to disable me. Also, in Virginia all disability claims are denied at least twice regardless of the circumstances.

[Prak]

What, no suggestions to become "an hero"? No diatribes about how I deserve this because I can be unpleasant on the internet? Gaming Den, you disapoint me .

(Kidding, of course).

I could try to appeal the unemployment, not sure how to go about it but I'm sure I can figure it out.

Neeek: I'll look into it, but VA is a right-to-work state. It's really hard to make anything stick to an employer. But I will inquire into it.

Prak: Anything physical I have is enough to make me in pain, but not enough to disable me. Also, in Virginia all disability claims are denied at least twice regardless of the circumstances.

So apply again. bury them in your cripple paper work until they fork over some money.

[Count Arioch the 28th]

Except the problem is that I don't have any crippling health or mental problems. Just really annoying ones that are painful but don't stop me from doing anything.

Oh, and a guy in my gaming group has offered to let me crash at his place for a while. Not sure how that's going to last, but it's at least someplace warm to sleep.

[PoliteNewb]

Then they told the Unemployment people that I walked off the job to make sure I couldn't collect unemployment. (I'd argue that I was less "walked" and more "forcibly dragged while I begged and pleaded to be allowed to continue", but that's probably a semantic argument).

As Neeeek said, it's not semantic in the least. According to Virginia UI's website, the burden of proof is on the employer to prove you walked off the job. I'm not sure what sort of burden they have, but if you're willing to make a sworn statement/affidavit, I'd say it at least involves their committing perjury, and I can't imagine why they'd be willing to risk that just to screw over a random dude.

In case you haven't checked it out yet:

http://www.vec.virginia.gov/vecportal/index2.cfm/aid/56

I cannot advise getting on unemployment strongly enough; it really saved my ass when I was out of work last year (about 7 months...that's the longest I've been unemployed in several years, and with 3 kids it is scary). And I almost didn't apply, because I thought I wouldn't qualify (Alaska's UI rules are much more lenient than Virginia's, it appears, but you should still try). You have nothing to lose by applying and talking to a case worker...they're often very sympathetic.

I don't want to sound defeatist, but I don't know if a lawsuit is necessarily in your best interest...but if you can find a legal aid person or somesuch, looking into it could be worthwhile.

Also, the fact that Virginia is right-to-work has nothing to do with getting fired...it just relates to union membership. I think you're thinking of "at will employment", which most states have to varying degrees. But keep in mind, even in an "at will" position, they often STILL can't fire you for no good reason...and if you can prove (from your statements, it looks pretty clear) that they fired you for malicious reasons, you can regain your job and/or pay from that job. You may even have protection under Americans With Disabilities Act (which does not require you to necessarily be judged disabled). Definitely look into that.

[violence in the media]

Also, how'd they deny you financial aid if you're in any danger at all of sleeping in your car? What's the cost of a single credit hour at your school? I remember hearing that my university used to provide no-interest semester term loans of $300 to anyone that applied for one. Anything like that in your area?

[Maj]

Don't forget the 211 help line! You can dial 211 (or go to http://www.211virginia.org/ ) to find out what local organizations in your area are able to help you with things like rent and food.

[Count Arioch the 28th]

Also, how'd they deny you financial aid if you're in any danger at all of sleeping in your car? What's the cost of a single credit hour at your school? I remember hearing that my university used to provide no-interest semester term loans of $300 to anyone that applied for one. Anything like that in your area?

The school charges $125 per credit.

The financial aid denial is partially legit, paatially bullshit.

The good point they have is that I'm taking too long to finish. I'm one credit short, so maybe they might wiggle a bit, except for one thing:

I went to college back in 2002. I had to drop out because my bitter half was constantly shrieking that I needed to work more hours and make more money. So I did. When I went back in 2008, they tried to deny it then because I hadn't completed 67% of the classes I attempted. I explained it in an appeal form back in 2008, and they let me have aid.

Even though since 2008 I've completed 87% of the classes I completed, they are counting the 2002 and 2003 classes in the equation.

I filled out another appeal form and explained the situation. Maybe they'll rule in my favor, but it's been a month since then.

[Calibron]

Unlike many employers the government doesn't just tell you to go fuck off if you constantly send deluges of requests and paperwork, it'll either do nothing or motivate them to handle your case faster so you stop being so annoying.

[mean_liar]

I learned that I'm absolutely atrocious at doing high level proofs, which is a flaw that's absolutely destroying me in Mathematical Analysis...

What's your issue?

[virgil]

Time mostly. Doing stuff like topology and set theory isn't very intuitive for me, so I constantly need reminders of other theorems and their proofs as a guideline of how I'm supposed to make a new proof. It's doable with the homework because I can dedicate the time while referring to all of my notes, but those are tools I do not have during a test.

[Surgo]

All tests I've had for my math classes were take-home, thus nullifying that issue. Are yours not? It seems strange to have proofs on a non-take-home test.

[Kaelik]

All tests I've had for my math classes were take-home, thus nullifying that issue. Are yours not? It seems strange to have proofs on a non-take-home test.

Most people do not give take home math tests.

[RobbyPants]

I've very seldom had take-at-home tests. Once I got to college, it was pretty common to have all of my math tests be either open note, or they'd allow you to bring in a single sheet of paper with whatever notes you wanted to add to it.

[virgil]

Oh, many of my prior math classes had at least the note card or better. This one is not the case, likely because it's a graduate-level math course; as the professor calls it jokingly, Calculus for Grown-Ups. The course is nothing but proofs.

[Count Arioch the 28th]

All tests I've had for my math classes were take-home, thus nullifying that issue. Are yours not? It seems strange to have proofs on a non-take-home test.

Most people do not give take home math tests.

I will second that I've never have heard of such a thing. Highest math I've taken is 141, so take that with a graind of salt.