Gas Prices

The fact that the gas prices are dropping is huge for me and my part time waiter lifestyle.  As gas prices continue to drop it looks better and better for my bank account and for saving up money.  And of course who in their right mind does not like having cheaper gas.  
But in a less self centered take on the dropping gas prices.  I have read that dropping gas prices could have a mixed effect on the economy.  Economist Philip Verleger calls the drop “a stimulus program for consumers,” leaving them more money for clothes, dining out and movies.  “Yes, it produces some relief, your bill at the gas pump goes down. But it’s going down because there are worries that people won’t have jobs,” says James Hamilton, an economics professor at the University of California, San Diego. 

Graduate School

Yesterday I went to visit with the head of the History Department at the University of Central Missouri.  UCM is the school in town and Dr. Tenbus is the head.  I've begun to consider graduate school as I feel that I need to make myself more marketable.  Therefore a Master's degree in History couldn't hurt.  Plus it would probably be cheap, I wouldn't have to take the GRE, and I could still live at home and eat all of Mom and Dad's food.  I'm not sure what exactly would be my specialty, but would probably lean towards American politics or diplomacy.  I would be able to take classes in both History and Political Science, but my degree would say History.  Just like the degree I'm holding in that handy picture over on the right.  That one may say Political Science as well, but History is first.
Also the other reason that grad school sounds great is because I need some intellectual stimulation.  Don't get me wrong being a waiter provides physical stimulation, but the need to think overly hard is not required.  I like reading the news, different articles in publications like Foreign Affairs and Time, and books, but the the discussion would be beneficial to keep me intellectually stimulated.  

Family and Friends

One of the things that has been most beneficial in this thus far fruitless job search has been the support and help of my family and friends.  The number of family and friends that have been helping me search for a job is phenomenally large.  It reminds me of how lucky I am when I have so many people that are helping me.  This job hunt is so many things, ranging from frustrating and depressing on up, but the number of people who have showed support for me and helped the search has been great.  For all of the help I have gotten I will be eternally grateful.  Especially my parents who are putting up with me living in their house again and letting me eat all of their food.  And once I finally do find a job I'm going to have to spend at least the next five years trying to do something to thank each and every person.  Or I may actually be busy with my job.  We can only hope.

Welcome

My name is Austin, I have a college degree, and I live at home with my parents.  Like many people of my generation I am currently unemployed.  Well, I shouldn't say unemployed.  I have a job working part time at an Italian Restaurant at home.  I won't complain about the job because I make pretty decent money and the work isn't terrible, but it's not anywhere near what I had hoped to have after my graduation from college.  Namely a full time job doing something semi related to my degree.

After months of searching, I've decided to start blogging, in a way to make my quest public.  Part of me thinks that just writing about what's going on will make me feel better about my struggles.  Another part of me hopes that just maybe someone else in the same boat as me will find this and find comfort.  A final wishful part of me thinks that this might actually lead to a job.  I also plan on discussing interesting things that I believe are going on in the world, that I think are important.  But we shall see if anyone reads it, or values the opinions of an unemployed 22 year old.